Hey, was wondering if there are any books on character design as concerns 2D animation that anyone might recommend. I was thinking about the November animation, and fancied trying it in 2D rather than 3D. The thought of all those pencil tests, etc, for 2D animation...so artistic and creative (not that I have anything against 3D - I like both, in fact). Just that, looking on Amazon.co.uk and Play.com...there doesn't seem to be much there, and without any customer reviews or second opinions, I'm just put off the idea of even entertaining the thought of certain books. With hardly any description for some, and my fear some books will be about graphic novels and manga and anime (not that I have anything against them, either). I'm looking for something along the lines of Disney.
Any help is very much appreciated. Just that...when looking on Amazon and Play, the sites I am familiar with and trust with my finances, they seemed very lacking...always towards game characters, or 3D character design, or super-hero/manga/graphic novel/etc kind of stuff...
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Develop your own style. Character design is very intuitive. I may not know much at this stage, but I do know that with character design, you have to go with your gut. Just get a feeling for who your character is, and try to draw that feeling. And then redraw the character until he/she looks believable. It's the things like the glare in the eye, or the posture of the character that defines them. I don't think a book, which is more useful in teaching technical things, can really teach that.
And of course, take a look at Disney movies for inspiration, if that's the kind of style you want to go for.
And, of course, make sure your character would be believable in movement. Like your character design above is pretty cool, but he looks like he'll fall over any minute, because the top half of him, is very skinny in purportion. I'd alter him a bit, but keep his sadistic-looking personality.
--Z
Try Creating Characters With Personality by Tom Bancroft. He used to work for Disney, and tends to design along those lines. He also goes into construction and how the character has to move. Keeping simple and solid construction is stressed throughout.
I also really like Animating the Looney Tunes Way, which has a nice section on design, and Cartooning the Head and Figure by Jack Hamm, which was written in '67, and is a really nice source for "retro" human design.
I second the suggestion about Creating Characters with Personality. It's a very interesting, fun book, with quite a bit on different styles, and it has examples from well-known professionals giving their take on a lazy cowboy character.
I highly recommend it.
I agree, books are technical, they can help you learn how to draw, but only you know your character.
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Chalk up another recommedation for Bancroft's book. It's a terrific volume on character design.
Thanks for the advice and recommendations. Although I primarily want to do animation, character design also interests me (also helps for 2D animation - if I'm in the mood for some 2D, it'd be really handy to be able to come up with a character and have confidence in my ability at the same time). Thanks again. :)
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Well, there's always the classic "Cartoon Animation" by Preston Blair.
As far as character design goes... try to think about who the character is and what kind of personality the character has. That should guide you on size, age, demeanor, clothes, etc. As long as the character has appeal (meaning the character appealing to look at), should be okay.
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