Within the module students will be introduced to the fundamental processes required to to produce innovative character concepts for games and film. This includes an introduction to the design and construction techniques of characters looking at personality development, appeal, style and innovation, developing insights into how dynamic principles can be observed and understood.

The laboratory work considers methods of rapid interpretation of form and function into silhouettes, thumbnails, and developmental Character Design.

Student will develop skills in
Defining the structure of creativity and the research process
Deconstruction of character design
Construction techniques to facilitate character design
Psychology of non verbal communication
Emotioneering characters
Story and character
Defining the concept workflow
Character Design

Adobe Suite
Digital Academy Forum
Library

George B. Bridgman (1920) Constructive Anatomy, Dover Publications 1920. Available free at http://www.e-booksdirectory.com/details.php-ebook=4138
Isbister, K (2006) Game Characters by Design (A psychological approach), Morgan Kaufmann 2006
Mattesi, M (2006) Dynamic Life Drawing for Animators, iUniverse
Hillman, S, K (2003) Interactive Functional Anatomy DVD
Cher Threinen-Pendarvis (2004), The Photoshop and Painter Artist Tablet Book: Creative Techniques in Digital Painting, Peachpit Pressy, Dover Publications

COURSEWORK weighted at 80%. :
A Character design portfolio consisting of character design sheets with accompanying development work. Learning
Outcomes: 1, 2, 3 and 5.
PRESENTATION weighted at 20% : Presentation discussing the development and results of the character design
process and portfolio. Learning Outcome 4.

Lectures and Laboratory sessions
(1:15)3
Learning on all aspects of the module will be facilitated by lectures and tutorials, problem solving exercises and student centred learning.
Practical assignments using laboratory equipment and facilities will support the learning.

1. DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE PRACTICAL WORKFLOW REQUIRED TO PRODUCE AN INNOVATIVE CHARACTER CONCEPT DESIGN.
[Knowledge and Understanding]

2. DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF PSYCHOLOGY OF CHARACTER DESIGN
[Enquiry]

3. DEMONSTRATE PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS IN DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE CHARACTER CONCEPTS.
[Problem Solving]

4. REFLECT AND ANALYSE THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF PRACTICAL PRODUCTIONS.
[Communication; Reflection]

5. SHOW APPLICATION OF DESIGN SKILLS IN THE PRODUCTION OF A ONLINE PORTFOLIO OF INNOVATIVE DESIGN WORK.
[Application]

This module introduces students to the basic design principles associated with Character design, focusing on elements such as story, character, construction, visual shape language, nonverbal communication and emotion, in order to create effective characters for a variety of industries.