Character Design
Knut LSG Hybinette
Email: hybinette@tarleton.edu
Office Hours: MW 11:00-16:00
CLASS WEBSITE/BLOG / knutart.blogspot.com
Email: hybinette@tarleton.edu
Office Hours: MW 11:00-16:00
CLASS WEBSITE/BLOG / knutart.blogspot.com
Course
Description:
Characters are the essential component necessary in the successful creation of any and all stories. This course will expose students to the “how” of character design and development, affording them a knowledge base that will serve a crucial role in their professional careers. A large variety of illustrative approaches and techniques will be utilized by students, all of which will give students an opportunity to push themselves and think outside of the provincial box.
Characters are the essential component necessary in the successful creation of any and all stories. This course will expose students to the “how” of character design and development, affording them a knowledge base that will serve a crucial role in their professional careers. A large variety of illustrative approaches and techniques will be utilized by students, all of which will give students an opportunity to push themselves and think outside of the provincial box.
Lectures
will include:
demonstrations, discussions, technical exploration, aesthetic inquiry, and historically relevant information regarding character design. Research, both historical and modern, experimentation, and client-based projects will be disbursed over the course of the semester, leaving students with quality portfolio pieces.
demonstrations, discussions, technical exploration, aesthetic inquiry, and historically relevant information regarding character design. Research, both historical and modern, experimentation, and client-based projects will be disbursed over the course of the semester, leaving students with quality portfolio pieces.
Character
Design class is research class. Where student explore and find their own voice
in their art work.
Course Objectives and Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
• Apply art
and design principles to create accurate and aesthetically appealing character
designs.
• Utilize
effective visual language techniques when creating characters.
• Identify
character archetypes, body language, facial features, poses, model sheets, and
character profiles.
• Identify
the 12 basic principles of animation, both verbally and visually.
•
Demonstrate progress in character design skills by: learning how to depict
weight, create the illusion of three-dimensions
on a
two-dimensional surface, use economy of line, express emotion, and use shading
and texturing techniques.
• Discover
the importance of keeping a sketchbook, and drawing in it regularly
(translation: every day).
• Assess and
critique past and current character design trends.
• Describe
characteristics of well-designed and executed characters.
• Relate
knowledge of animation history to critiques and design work.
• Critically
analyze personal creative work, as well as the work of others.
• Speak and
write knowledgably about contemporary
Reading
Materials
Recommended:
"Cartooning:
The Ultimate Character Design Book" by Christopher Hart
"The
Art of Animal Character Design" by David Colman
"Atlas
of Human Anatomy" by Frank Netter
Atlas of
Animals Anatomy by Frank Netter
Any of Preston Blair’s character drawing books.
There are a
LOT more books available related to the specific type of characters you are
interested in drawing.
Supplies :
Drawing
Materials:
Sketchbook,
Newsprint paper, Drawing Pad, Drawing Board and clip, Pencils HB or #2 (2B or
3B are good for shading), blue draftsman pencil or other preferred style,
Pencil shapener, Paper stump, Erasors (kneaded rubber erasor is best), blue
tape, Optional: colored pencil’s, markers, pastels, or other media to design
your characters optional. You will need a portfolio case to protect your
drawings.
Digital
storage:
Firewire External Drive (formatted for both Mac and PC) or Flash Drive highly recommended. You will be expected to back up your data if you save your files to the lab computers.
Firewire External Drive (formatted for both Mac and PC) or Flash Drive highly recommended. You will be expected to back up your data if you save your files to the lab computers.
Prints:
You will
also need to print out images of your model sheets using the large format
printers.
Campus has a printing lab.
Campus has a printing lab.
Students
will learn about how to apply art and design principles to create visually
appealing characters. Students will
learn how to use effective visual language techniques to create character
designs. Students will learn about character archetypes, body language, facial
features, poses, model sheets, and character profiles.
Student
Learning Outcomes:
Students will improve their drawing and design skills by learning how to depict weight, create the illusion of 3d on a 2d surface, use economy of line, express emotion, and use shading and texturing techniques. Students will also learn about contemporary and historical issues related to character design by engaging in various research and creative activities. Students will create a series of drawings and model sheets to include in their art portfolio.
Students will improve their drawing and design skills by learning how to depict weight, create the illusion of 3d on a 2d surface, use economy of line, express emotion, and use shading and texturing techniques. Students will also learn about contemporary and historical issues related to character design by engaging in various research and creative activities. Students will create a series of drawings and model sheets to include in their art portfolio.
Instructional
Strategies
The course is taught in the computer lab but not all the work will be created using the computer. We will be using a variety of software packages such as Photoshop as well as traditional hand drawn/sculpting techniques to create the characters. Class lectures will include demonstrations, discussions, videos, technical exploration, aesthetic inquiry, and historical information relevant to character design. During this workshop, students will spend time researching and developing their character designs.
The course is taught in the computer lab but not all the work will be created using the computer. We will be using a variety of software packages such as Photoshop as well as traditional hand drawn/sculpting techniques to create the characters. Class lectures will include demonstrations, discussions, videos, technical exploration, aesthetic inquiry, and historical information relevant to character design. During this workshop, students will spend time researching and developing their character designs.
The course
will be taught in a workshop format.
Students will be presented with information and then given time to
research materials and then they will create character designs. The information
presented will include drawings, videos, films, comic books and strips,
storybooks, animations, and research papers.
The studio time will include research, drawing, using color, compositing
designs on the computer and printing.
The course will include periodic critiques and reviews where peer
evaluations as well as feedback from the instructor is provided.
Expectations
Each student is expected to complete all projects, exercises, in-class exercises, the required readings, and the final project. Details of the various assignments will be discussed in class. By the end of the semester, all projects should be part of the art portfolio.
Each student is expected to complete all projects, exercises, in-class exercises, the required readings, and the final project. Details of the various assignments will be discussed in class. By the end of the semester, all projects should be part of the art portfolio.
During class
time, students are expected to engage in meaningful classroom participation.
Critiques and attendance:
If you miss a regular critique, the project will be a F.
During critiques, I expect each student's full attention and respect. Monitors will be TURNED OFF during critiques.
Everyone has to participate in Crits
If you miss a regular critique, the project will be a F.
During critiques, I expect each student's full attention and respect. Monitors will be TURNED OFF during critiques.
Everyone has to participate in Crits
Attendance: mandatory at all class sessions. Class moves
fast and it is extremely difficult to catch up unless you take responsibility
and look up anything you missed.
More than three absences (excused or unexcused, they are all
the same) lower your final grade 1 grade down each absence. If you miss 4
classes you will receive an F. Come unprepared for work in class or you will
receive an absence. Since most class
material is covered at the beginning of class, being notably tardy (15 Minutes)
also counts as an absence.
If a student using a Cell Phone/computer/hand held device
during my lecture it will be consider an absence.
I don’t have remind any students about this. If student is
being nuance or wasting time in class I will ask the student to leave the class
and this will count as one absence.
Final
Critique
Attendance at the Final critique is mandatory. Missing the final critique will result in an F for the Class. NO late Final Projects will be accepted!
Attendance at the Final critique is mandatory. Missing the final critique will result in an F for the Class. NO late Final Projects will be accepted!
Grading
90 - 100 A =
Excellent - Above and beyond, artistically AND technically
89 - 80 B = Very Good - Beyond requirements,
artistically OR technically
79 - 70 C = Average - Met the basic requirements
69 - 60 D = Did not meet requirements
59 - 0 F = Project not turned in or completely
insufficient
Digital Arts
Department Rules
• No food or
drink in the lab.
• No cell
phones, or beepers on during class. ALWAYS remember to turn off your cellphone
before class.
• No
sleeping during class.
• Hardware:
No student is permitted to disconnect, reconnect, or reconfigure any
workstation without the permission of a digital arts instructor. Any problems
with hardware or software must be reported to a digital arts professor,
preferably by email. Report should include Barcode number of the workstation
and exact nature of problem.
April 6,
2017: Service day. No Class
In support of Tarleton’s core value of service, each student is expected to participate in a service learning experience as a part of the Spring term week of service. This experience will challenge students to be engaged in the local community, address a community need, connect course objectives to the world around you, and involve structured student reflection. In this service learning experience you will not only enhance your knowledge and skills, but actively use those skills as you serve your community.
In support of Tarleton’s core value of service, each student is expected to participate in a service learning experience as a part of the Spring term week of service. This experience will challenge students to be engaged in the local community, address a community need, connect course objectives to the world around you, and involve structured student reflection. In this service learning experience you will not only enhance your knowledge and skills, but actively use those skills as you serve your community.
Intellectual
property:
When student is taking this class. Student agrees to System Policy 17.01 research Compliance.
Tarleton, Texas A&M and Department of fine Art have the right to use student artwork that is created from class assignment. All class assignments fall under System Policy 17.01 research Compliance. Student “creates” tangible or intellectual property in fulfillment of a degree, for publication, or using TSU resources, the A&M University System is the owner of the intellectual property. Although there are some exceptions within this policy, they would not apply for most instances.
Contact Coordinator Clay Gillespie for more information. 254-968-1815
When student is taking this class. Student agrees to System Policy 17.01 research Compliance.
Tarleton, Texas A&M and Department of fine Art have the right to use student artwork that is created from class assignment. All class assignments fall under System Policy 17.01 research Compliance. Student “creates” tangible or intellectual property in fulfillment of a degree, for publication, or using TSU resources, the A&M University System is the owner of the intellectual property. Although there are some exceptions within this policy, they would not apply for most instances.
Contact Coordinator Clay Gillespie for more information. 254-968-1815
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
It is the policy of Tarleton State University to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (http://www.ada.gov/) and other applicable laws. If you are a student with a disability seeking accommodations for this course, please contact Trina Geye, Director of Student Disability Services, at 254.968.9400 or geye@tarleton.edu. Student Disability Services is located in Math 201. More information can be found at www.tarleton.edu/sds or in the University Catalog.
It is the policy of Tarleton State University to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (http://www.ada.gov/) and other applicable laws. If you are a student with a disability seeking accommodations for this course, please contact Trina Geye, Director of Student Disability Services, at 254.968.9400 or geye@tarleton.edu. Student Disability Services is located in Math 201. More information can be found at www.tarleton.edu/sds or in the University Catalog.
Assignments
Line Action Face emotions, Sketchbook, part of crit, and professionalism = 20%
1. Children Character = 15%
2. Animation Character = 15%
3. Game Character = 15%
4. Movie Character = 15%
Final Project = 20%
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