Character Design-Task 2 : Character Design Development

Character Design-Task 2: Character Design Development

26/10/2025 - 16/11/2025  / Week 5 –  Week 8

Valenz Jycee Primadi / 0373407
Character Design / Creative Media / School of Design 
Task 2

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Lectures

2. Instructions

3. Proposal

5.Feedback

6. Reflection

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INSTRUCTION

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LECTURE

Fig 1.1 Lecture

Pose Sketches

During this week, we were required to further develop our characters to improve their overall quality. After completing the character sketches and finalizing the design in Task 1, I focused on determining an appropriate pose for my character. This step was important in presenting the character in a more dynamic and expressive way, rather than as a static design. 

I mainly used Withering Wave as a reference for my character design. It guided the poses, style, and mood, helping me convey personality while keeping the design visually consistent and appealing.

Fig 2.1 Pose References and Studies

Fig 2.2 10 Pose Sketches 

The pose selection was based on the character’s personality and intended impression, helping to strengthen visual storytelling. Through this process, I learned that pose development plays a significant role in enhancing character clarity and overall presentation.

I then selected the three strongest poses for my character, focusing on personality and style. Each pose was chosen to reflect the character’s traits and attitude while maintaining visual consistency. This helped me evaluate which poses best communicate the character’s identity and support both storytelling and overall design appeal.

Fig 2.3 Clean Up Pose

Character Expression 

After that, I focused on studying different facial expressions to apply to my character. My character’s personality is cold yet gentle, so I needed expressions that would reflect both elegance and approachability. I explored expressions that convey a calm, composed, and confident demeanor, taking inspiration from CEO-like poise as well as the mystical and refined qualities of a qilin. 

Fig 3.1 Character Expression Sheet

The goal was to balance coldness with subtle warmth, ensuring the character feels sophisticated and relatable at the same time. This exercise helped me understand how small changes in eyes, mouth, and posture can strongly communicate personality through facial expressions.

Weapon Character

Next, I designed a weapon for my character, combining Chinese and Russian elements to reflect their heritage. I incorporated traditional motifs and forms from both cultures, along with mystical aspects inspired by the qilin, creating a weapon that represents the character’s identity and background.

Fig 4.1 Weapon Sketch (Silhoutte)

the sword takes inspiration from traditional Chinese jian and guo weapons, giving it a slim, balanced shape that feels both elegant and strong. Soft, water-like engravings wrap around the blade, adding a sense of calm movement to its design. The detailed carvings along the hilt highlight its craftsmanship, and a blue gem set at the center brings a touch of purity and focus. Altogether, the sword feels refined, symbolic, and deeply connected to its cultural roots.

After that, I finalized the design and added colors, choosing blue and gray as the main palette. These colors were selected to reflect the character’s calm, elegant, and composed personality while enhancing the overall visual balance and aesthetic appeal.

Fig 4.2 Finalized Weapon Turnaround

Outfit Variation 

After that, I sketched outfit variations for my character using a mood board inspired by HOK. I explored both real-life and fantasy styles, including casual, royal, ceremonial, and combat-inspired clothing, ensuring each outfit reflects the character’s personality, background, and the world they belong to while maintaining visual coherence.

Fig 5.1 References from HOK

After that, I created many outfit variations for my character, exploring themes such as high school, Halloween, army or police uniforms, Chinese wedding attire, and more. I experimented with a wide range of styles to see which best fit the character’s personality, background, and overall design concept.

Fig 5.2 Alternative Outfit Sheet 1

Fig 5.3 Alternative Outfit Sheet 2

Fig 5.4 Alternative Outfit Sheet 3

After Sir Fitri reviewed my outfit variations, she preferred the seventh CEO-style outfit but suggested making it appear richer and more elegant, rather than too simple. I then refined the design accordingly. Following the refinement, I began exploring color options, aiming for a palette that conveys a high-class, sophisticated aesthetic.

Fig 5.5 Color Pallete

After experimenting with different color variations, I selected the palette that best suited the character, emphasizing a high-class, elegant look. The chosen colors enhance the sophisticated and refined aesthetic while complementing the character’s personality and overall design.

Fig 5.6 Color Variation 

He chose a red color for the outfit’s details, inspired by high-class items like Christian Louboutin shoes or elegant high heels. The red provides a striking, sophisticated contrast that emphasizes luxury and elegance while enhancing the overall high-class aesthetic of the character.

Fig 5.7 Final Outfit and Color Variation

Fig 5.8 Final Turnaround Variation

Final Presentation Slide Character Design Development

Copy of Proposal by Mikanoch10

Fig 6.1 Presentation Slide Character Design Development

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REFLECTION

Experience

From week 5 to week 8, this character development process allowed me to explore various aspects of design, from finalizing sketches to experimenting with poses, facial expressions, weapons, and outfit variations. Initially, deciding on the character’s pose, expressions, and costume theme was challenging, as I needed to balance personality, cultural background, and visual appeal. Through research and iterative refinement, the design became more coherent and expressive. I also learned the importance of color and luxury details, like using red accents to convey elegance and high-class traits. Overall, this period strengthened my ability to refine ideas systematically while maintaining both creative and market-oriented considerations.

Observations

During this period, I observed that character development is highly iterative and non-linear. Choosing the right pose, expression, and outfit required multiple trials, as each element needed to align with the character’s personality and backstory. References from HOK and cultural motifs from Chinese and Russian heritage helped guide visual decisions. I also noticed that experimenting with colors, accessories, and high-class elements, such as red accents inspired by luxury fashion, significantly enhanced the character’s presence. Challenges in combining fantasy elements with realistic designs were common, but overcoming them through refinement improved cohesion and clarity.

Findings

The findings from weeks 5 to 8 show that strong character development relies on continuous iteration, research, and careful integration of visual and narrative elements. Selecting poses, expressions, and outfit variations that reflect the character’s personality and background made the design more engaging. Using references and cultural motifs helped maintain authenticity, while color choices and luxury-inspired details enhanced elegance and market appeal. The process also confirmed that trial, error, and refinement are essential for achieving a cohesive and expressive character. Overall, these weeks highlighted the importance of balancing creativity, personality, and audience considerations in character design.