CHARACTER
DESIGN
DEVELOPMENT
IN GAME DESIGN & ANIMATION
BY FARAH SAMHAN
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 2
ROSA MYAADA 4 FRUIT AS A CHARACTER 14
ADADA MALAYSIA 6 COLOUR THEORY 16
CHARACTER INSPIRATION 8 STRAWBERRY 18
IDEATION 9 LEMON 20
DRAWING PROCESS 10 COCONUT 22
FINAL DEVELOPMENT 11 MANGOSTEEN 24
ROSA MYAADA RATIONALE 12
GREEK MYTHOLOGY 26 36
INTRODUCTION 28 APOLLO CURRENT MASCOT 38
AMPHITRITE INSIPIRATION 29 CHARACTER DESIGN IDEATION 39
DRESS DEVELOPEMNT 31 MASCOT FULL EXPLANATIONS 40
ZEUS 32
ZEUS CHARACTER INSPIRATION 33
ZEUS SUIT DEVELOPMENT 34
ZEUS FINALISATION 35
1
* Character expressions development
INTRODUCTION
A study of character design development in games and anima- The aim of this study is to do a detail planning & research to
tion is crucial to always keep an up to date of a character have a better understanding in making a well-developed charac-
following the world kind of trends, lifestyle, and generations. ter in game design and animation. Based on the collected data
The character identity like personality, colors, outfits, emo- during research & survey, it is determined that a character that
tions, and unique traits need to be overlook as lack of are based on mythology, legends and folks are one of the best
research on developing a character can become an issue when attractions for a character. In addition, a character not only
creating a character. A character with no proper research can have a decent design but also needed a good and well written
cause a character to have a very random to nonspecific iden- lore as it can help build a certain connection or attachment for a
tity that can cause confusion to the audience on what the character and a person. This study concludes that both creative
character been created for or what is their purposes of design and a good background story is needed to develop a good
existence. character.
2
Character design development is a process where a character Colours also play an important role in character mood & emotions
been developed to become more visually appealing form in
term of appearances, background, storylines, design and also
their unique physical traits. A character development is an
important issue that need to be keep in mind every time a
character has been created. This might be because every
character that has been created must have a purpose or
something that made them a character. Usually, character is a
common main subject or play an important role for an anima
tion story or games content. They carry a major role espe -
cially the storyline in the animation and game. Better charac -
-
ter design development can attract more audience. Hence, this
thesis will focus on why a character development study is a
must in to prove why this study is important to make the Red : anger, passion, bravery
character development fit in the storyline or universe of the
animation and game itself.
Based on (Marika Nieminen, 2017) research, a character with
just an appealing look might not be the only issues a charac
-
ter design in game and animation must have, but a connection
with the audience. This research proves that in order to
attract more people into the game and animation itself, it is
essential to have something the audience can relate to, to
feel more connection with the character. The game platform
itself can affect how the character been developed. Same
goes to animation, the storyline of the animation must be rep- Blue : sad, calm, responsible
resentable to the whole story to make sure it ’ ll not be out of
place.
Every character has their own new development or changes in
terms of design and personality either from earlier, in the
middle or at the end of a story. To illustrates, a character
growth from a child to teenagers and finally to an adult. Each
of the phase have different designs and development.
Yellow : Happiness, joy, hope
3
ROSA
MYAADA
ADADA stands for Asia Digital Art & Design Asso-
ciation. Initiated by MSU’s Faculty of Information
Sciences and Engineering (FISE) Department of
Media Science and Graphic (MSG), the launch of
ADADA Malaysia on campus at the Performing Arts
Theatre (PAT) back in April 2020 and was officiated
by Professor Tan Sri Dato’ Wira Dr Mohd Shukri Ab
Yajid.
On November 2021. ADADA Malaysia organized a
competition.The competition requires participant to
design a mascot to represents ADADA Malaysia, as
the other international ADADA like ADADA Japan
also has their own mascot. The theme for this com-
petition is Technologies That Drive The Dynamic
Malaysian Cultures. The winning mascot will become
the official ambassador for ADADA Malaysia. With
the examples given. it clears that participants
need to design a robot that have a Malaysian
culture or motive into it. For example, Malaysian
national flag colour, the moon and star symbol,
keris or even a hibiscus flower. In addition partici-
pants also need to include the ADADA main ele-
ments like their official logo and colour which is
light blue.
At first I was very unsure wether to join it or not
as the dateline is very close to my other subjec-
tassignments submission. But after a few persua-
tion from my family and friends, I think its worth
giving a shot to test my skills and i take this as an
opportunity towards a bigger steps in the future.
6
To my surprise, I won the first place unexpectedly as I just want to give it a try
or just to gather experienced and I never thought of winning . On 27 July
2022 I finally received my prize during the ADADA launching after a few
times of postponing the event due to the pandemic and inconvenient time. I
also been given the choices either to print out my character as standee or
not. Thinking this as the opprtunity to make the standee into my upcoming
final year project item, so I decided to print it out as a life sized standee
measuring 6 ft tall which is kinda huge for me to carry around. Its quite pricey
for me to print it out with complete cut so I just print it without cutting it
hoping that I’ll be able to cut it on my own. Its very hard to be honest but
luckily my lecturers Madam Kyairina, Sir Mior and beloved supervisor,
Madam Adilah were kind enough to help me cut out my standee and in one
go my standee has been cut out way perfectly and neatly by them, words
can’t describe how grateful I am to have their time and effort to help me that
much.
7
CHARACTER INSPIRATION
When it comes to gathering the inspirations and ideas, the first thing
I look for is a female looking cyborg or warrior. Since there is no
restriction to the gender, I choose female as I prefer to draw female
more and change people view that a women can also be a fighter and a
leader rather than just stuck to the usual male fighter or leader.
Plus, I think I can add more unique details to a female one.
My main idea was for her to wear a scarf that almost similar to what
lots of Malay women wears nowadays. Though most of them wears
because of religious issue, I simply want to add it as a representation
and a unique traits that can differentiate her from another country
and to show her origin country which is Malaysia.
I also look for Malaysian traditional female warrior to catch their
vibes and elements, in results they usually wear long skirt or dress
with a malay weapon which is the Keris, some of them also have some
kind of gold accessories.
Since ADADA originate from Japan, I have the idea to include a few
details of Japan warrior like samurai or ninja as a tribute to the
respective country. The important details I noticed is that Japan war-
rior mostly wrap themselves in a bandage like clothing other than
having a weapon such as Katana and Kunai.
8
IDEATION
Her colour must be the colour of the Jalur Gemilang which is The chosen idea was the second design. The reason i chose the
red, blue, yellow and white with additional ADADA official second design is because she's not too feminine and have more
colour light blue and extra colour to create a sense of unity clear direction despote having simple design. Her body colour
and balance. The first design is very feminine with a Kimono is light blue/greyish blue to make it blend well with the Jalur
like dress and red and white as main colour. The second one is Gemilang colour. The Japan samurai/ninja bandages are
the chosen one while the third design main colour is black, with included in her right arm and abdomen. She wears a half red
additional Jalur Gemilang colour. All 3 designs have wear skirt with a crescent pin tuck at her left side red belt. She
scarves, a visor, a communication device and a Malaysian cres- also have a dark blue armor with crescent logo that covers
cent pin. The third design also doesn't really looks like it rep- her chest area and knee. Her power cord came from the chest
resent both Malaysian nor Japan, its just fully cyborg with a armor. I gave her a gounlet on her right hand that will later be
black suit which also give a dark vibe to her. connected with her Keris sword.
9
DRAWING PROCESS
A few modification has been made here as it's almost a
finish artwork, Her power cord has been reduced from four
to two and only on her right side. Shoulder armor on her
right side . Her visor cover half of her face. She have a
light blue line across her body. The ADADA logo has been
included in the middle of her forehead and b0th sides of her
arm.
1) Sketch 2) Base colour
3) Rendering
10
FINAL DEVELOPMENT
FINAL DESIGN
Before the ADADA launcing ceremony began in July
2022, my lecturer contacted me to do some minor
amendments that my faculty asked for the character.
The changes include around her hips area as it is
somehow too open and can make some audienced
uncomfortable , so they suggest that I should make
her skirt cover her hip area more for a better and
comfortable look. Another changes is her crescent
logo in the middle of her chest armor. The ADADA logo
was replaced as ADADA is the main point.
Above picture shows 3 designs that I have, the first
one is the original one, while the second and third one
are the new designs after some changes.
The second design idea was to have her wearing a
torn style skirt with a trim from left to right. The
ADADA logo in the middle of her chest armor is more
to the font one as the pictorial logo is already there
in the middle of her forehead.
Third design skirt is wrap up around her hips to give
a more stylish looks & the ADADA pictorial logo is
being chosen rather than the typography one as its
more simple and clean. This third design is chosen as
the final one.
11
CHARACTER RATIONALE AND DETAILS
The name given for her is Rosa Myaada a combination of the national flower hibiscus, Malaysia and ADADA.
Below are the details explanation and brief about her design, element and componenet.
ROSA MYAADA
ROSA is the species name of Hibiscus
combination of Malaysia and ADADA.
The ‘Jalur Gemilang” colour can be
seen as her overall main colour. Her
anthena design is actually based on
connected to her gaunlet. ADADA logo
also been included in the middle of her
armour and at her shoulder armour.
Extra details are added as a tribute to
ADADA that originate from Japan
itself. For example, the bandages that
wrapped around her abdomen and
right wrists which originate from Japan
ninja or samurai .
NAME : FARAH BATRISYIA BINTI SAMHAN
ID : 012021021506
PROGRAM : BACHELOR IN GRAPHIC DESIGN (BGD)
12
FRUITS
AS A CHARACTER
COLOUR THEORY
During my first year diploma semester back in 2018, I have a class called 'colour theory'. It is basically a class to give an
understanding about colour theory and how it reflects on design for graphic designers to play with colour and design
better. Color theories create a logical structure for color. For my assignments. I am required to create a character that
is based on fruits. I need to create 3 of them and I choose strawberry, grape and lemon. I choose these 3 different fruits
because all 3 of them have 3 different colour which would make my illustrations look more colourful and gave contrast to
each other. Strawberry and lemon were given a chibi type of body while grape have an adult women body type. Unlike, straw-
berry and lemon, I opt to give grape different body type simply because I want to make her different from others.
For new and current year, I develop them to be more colourful and cute. I also add new fruits such as coconut and mango-
steen and I like to categorized them in a group that called as 'Fruit Series'. I want to make my theme colourful so I add coconut
to the theme as it has green colour. As for grape, I want develop it to a chibi body type also to stay to the theme, but
after hearing my mom suggestion to include a local fruits, I try to include another purple local fruit which is mangosteen.
16
COLOUR THEORY
17
STRAWBERRY
1) Sketch 3) Full Render
2) Base colour
Strawberry has a vibrant red colour body with a yellowish green straw-
berry leaves as hair, colar and skirt belt. Light blue eyes to gives con-
trast to its whole look. Strawberry also wore a strawberry shoes.
18
19
LEMON
1) Sketch 3) Full Render
2) Base colour
Similar to strawberry, lemon also has a vibrant colour but yellow. Its
head is a half lemon half bang that cover its forehead. Lemon top, skirt
and shoes. Lemon leaves is only as the colar. Lemon also has a pair of
light blue eyes.
20
21
COCONUT
1) Sketch 3) Full Render
2) Base colour
Coconut has a big and long spiky yet strong hair which is actually the
coconut tree leaves itself. Coconut coir fluff is the dress which hides its
arm underneath it. The shoes is a half coconut cut. Coconut is the only
fruits that didn't have a light blue eyes, but a light green eyes instead.
22
23
MANGOSTEEN
1) Sketch 3) Full Render
2) Base colour
Mangosteen has a high ponytail leaves and its body/dress is a half cut
mangosteen which reveal the aril and pericarp of the fruit. The shoes is
the same as the green part on top of its head. Mangosteen also have a
light blue eyes with a purple pupil.
24
25
GREEK MYTHOLOGY
GREEK MYTHOLOGY
When designing a character in games, we often see character that are actually based on myths, legends and folks. Based on my
recent study and survey, most people find it more interesting if included a character from those areas. One of the famous
being the greek mythologies which varies from its gods and goddess or even the unique creatures. So I'm taking this oppoortuni-
to try develop a character from the myth itself. I'm choosing two famous god and goddess which is the god of thunder, Zeus and
the sea goddess, Amphitrite.
When designing them, I don't really took or follow them accurately, but rather just to be as an inspiration and base.
Their looks may not be accurate to the original one but their powers and elements are.
28
AMPHITRITE CHARACTER INSPIRATION
Amphitrite was known as the Goddess of Sea, wife of Posei- eventully obey when it comes to the position of her husband as
don and one of the Nereid daughters. In her original story, the true god.
she fled to the Atlas mountain when Poseidon desires to
marry her. Poseidon sends lots of Sea creatures to find her The goddess of sea was often depicted as a beautiful women,
and finally a dolphin managed to convices her to marry Pos- with a crown that also have a starfish attached on it. She also
eidon. In exchanged, Poseidon gives the dolphin a dolphin- appears like she's soaking wet all the time and her long hair
us constellation as a reward. looks like seaweed. Most of nowadays current potrayal includes
her holding a trident, sea or ocean dress, long hair and a dolphin.
Amphitrite is not always being potrayed in famous Greek
Mythology due to Poseidon already being the God of Sea. She Her main power is hydrokinesis which is to control the sea and
herself don't even always agree on term with her husband its habitants. She also can control the plants in it.
when it comes to the authority of the sea, but she will
29
AMPHITRITE CHARACTER INSPIRATION
For my own version of
Amphitrite, I decided to
changed her from a married
queen to a single stan-
dalone queen who rules her
ocean all by herself. She is
strong, calm yet fierce. She
may be beautiful by looks
but can get pretty scary
when try to know more
about her. This also
reflects on the ocean
itself, seems to have a
breathtaking view and
creatures but the deeper we
dive the terrifying it seems
for the mysterious ocean.
-
Rather than having a human skin colour, I gave her a blue ocean colour
that make her more unique and stands out from the other gods. With
that blue colour, she will blend well with the oceans and makes her
almost undetactable to whoever roam the seas. This will also give her
the upper hand when it comes to dealing with threats. She have a golden
-
strike on her dark blue hair with golden accessories as a contrast to
her whole looks. She have a few noticeable parts that are similars to
the fish. The first one being her ears that looks more like a fin, and the
second one is a fish gills under her eyes. If she ever needed as a human,
she will have a dark skin colour.
Similar to the ancient Amphitrite, she have the power to control the
seas and its living creatures only that I also gave her an extra combat
skills. She wields a hydro magic spear. She also have a suit that are
made only for combat situation.
30
DRESS DEVELOPMENT
Her dress were inspired from the greek goddess theme. Most of the dress is included with a cape that supposedly can turn
into a water. The cape also give her a queen like look since she's also the queen of the seas.
31
ZEUS
Zeus is the god of of sky and thunder in the acient
greek mythology. He rules as the king of the gods on
Mount Olympus. His planet is Jupiter. Zues symbol are
the thunderbolt, eagle, bull and oak.
Zeus is the youngest child of Cronus and Rhea. He's
married to Hera and have the childrens who also hap-
pened to be the greek gods. Among them are Ares,
Eileithyia, Hebe, and Hephaestus. At the oracle of
Dodona, Zeus has a consort named Dione, by whom he
have fathered Aphrodite. In another version called the
Theogany, Zeus has a first wife, which is Metis and they
have Athena.
As the chief of the gods, he was respected through all
of the olympian gods, even the other gods who is not
even his biological child called him as father. He also
assigned the roles to the other gods.
Zeus main power includes control over lighting, sky and
the weather. He often wields his lightning bolt as his
weapon, a gift from cyclopes as he help free him. Aside
from his main abilities is that he is immortal, able to
shapeshift and he can cause storm when he's angry.
In most potrayal by the greek artist, Zeus been depicted
as an old main with white hair and beard, standing,
striding forward with a thunderbolt leveled in his raised
right hand, or seated in majesty. It is important for him
to hold the thunderbolt with right hand as they believed
a left hand is a sign of bad luck.
32
ZEUS CHARACTER INSPIRATION
Nowadays artist current artworks of Zeus are not far from the original, being an old man with white hair and
beard that holds its thunderbolt. Only it was added more details especially at the robe he wears, shoes and
other accessories.
For my depiction of him, he is not even the same
but rather the opposite of the original Zeus in
terms of appearances and personality. He has
the power similar to Zeus and kept his good
qualities. He is young yet immortal. Despite
having a good look, he is not playboy as what
Zeus almost being describe. He is still a king
and god that govern his world. He can also con-
trol the weather. The back side of his red hair
being style to have the swept from right to
left. He has a pair of light blue eyes.
33
ZEUS SUIT DEVELOPMENT
He is the modern type of
Zeus, so the designs are
expected to be one. This is
just his inner suit designs
that is not his main suits so
I tend to make it looks simple
and light to balance with his
outer suits later on. It was
planned that this was only
his relaxed mode fits which
only being used at resting
place and while he is not in
duty or combat.
This is the full main suit sketch which func-
tion as his official suits when on duty,
combat and daily looks. This suit is the com-
bination of Zues original clothing but I want
to develop it by giving it a mixture of nowa-
days king or prince royalty fits. Most of his
suits are covers with a black robe or cape.
He has his own symbol which is a star rather
than a lightning. The shoes he wears is liter-
ally the exact greek gods theme of shoes.
All 3 of the designs have him wears a big arm
bracelet. I am having a hard time to chose
between the first and second designs, but
eventually the first one being chosen as I
think it is more simple and gives the more
iconic look. Colour is not yet to be finalized
but it is note that he may have dark blue,
black and red colour as his overall theme.
34
ZEUS CHARACTER FINALISATION
A sketch and doodle of his full body view, head turnaround and extra pose.
35
APOLLO CHARACTER DESIGN IDEATION
There are 2 designs proposed. Both are two different animal species. One is a tiger and one is monkey. This is because tiger
is our Malaysian representative animal while monkey is because it is one of the animal other than dog that have been sent
to space. The chosen mascot is the monkey one.
39
APOLLO CURRENT MASCOT
During my contemporary issue in graphic design
class back in semester July 2022, I am task with
a final project that requires me and my group
to do a rebranding of local industries and my
group choose Apollo as our brand. I am the one
who responsible to develop Apollo current
mascot into a new one as Apollo never updated
their mascot for a long time.
Apollo is a malaysian famous snack for children,
it is mostly a layer cake or biscuits wrap in a
plastic packaging. It is very famous due to its
advertisements in television and its delicious
flavour.
Apollo current mascot is their old and only one
mascot they ever had, so there's a lot of
changes that can do. It seems like a human
figure astronauts riding a rocket with an apollo
logo to it.
After some discussion with my team member, we
decided to keep the current concept of a figure
riding a rocket but change the human into an
animal, because scientist and astronauts have
done an experiments involving animals like dog
or monkey to send to space.
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FULL MASCOT EXPLANATION
40