Character Design & Storytelling
Go beyond just drawing figures. Learn the art of breathing life, personality, and story into every character you create for animation, games, and illustration.
Enroll NowWhat You'll Learn
A great character is more than just a good drawing—it's a personality the audience connects with. This program is a deep dive into the principles that make characters memorable. We cover the technical skills of anatomy and gesture, the artistic principles of shape language and color, and the crucial element of storytelling. You will learn to design characters that are not only visually striking but also feel authentic and alive, ready for any story you want to tell.
Full Curriculum
Mastering gesture, basic anatomy, and constructing believable figures from simple shapes. Building a solid foundation for all character work.
Understanding how circles, squares, and triangles communicate personality. Designing characters with clear and appealing silhouettes.
Deconstructing the head and learning to draw a wide range of emotions. Making your characters act and emote convincingly.
Designing clothing and accessories that reveal character, culture, and story. Researching and referencing effectively.
Creating professional character model sheets, including front, side, and back views, for use in animation or 3D modeling pipelines.
Design a full lineup of characters for a cohesive story or project, showcasing a variety of personalities and designs.
Meet Your Instructor
Jenna Marbles
Lead Character Designer
Jenna is an award-winning character designer who has spent 15 years in the animation industry, working on feature films and hit television series. Her passion lies in creating characters with heart and humor, and she excels at teaching students how to find the story within their designs.
Course-Specific Questions
No, this course is designed for all levels. We start with the fundamentals of construction and gesture, building up your anatomical knowledge in a simplified, practical way.
All of the above! The principles of good character design are universal. We teach a foundational skill set that you can apply to any industry or personal project.
Ready to Create a Legend?
Your next great character is waiting to be designed. Enroll now and start bringing your ideas to life.
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