Expressive Character Creation for Animation

Felipe Rodriguez begins the course by telling you about how he got started in his career and the defining moments that shaped him into the designer he is today. He also talks about his influences and why each one inspires him.

Put yourself in different characters' shoes and discover why it's crucial to fully understand their backstory before you draw them. Study the basic concepts of structure, anatomy, movement, and volume, and learn how to think like a professional designer when making decisions about color, typography, and composition.

Now it's time to work on your final project, starting with the story itself and your protagonist. Felipe gives you some practical advice on how to conceptualize your character. He also teaches you how to set the rules for your universe so that all your designs follow a coherent style.

Continue shaping your character's personality by exploring how they might physically react in different situations. Think about their psychology and how they evolve as the story progresses to understand their movements and expressions.

To round out your project, Felipe shares some ideas on how to build the rest of your universe and guides you through the process of designing a villain. Finally, complete your character line-up by using contrasting shapes and colors to create secondary characters and establish their relationship with your protagonist, whether they're family, friends, or a nemesis.