Designing Fakemon: Key Concepts and Techniques
Introduction
- Presented by Gabe AKA Fry Art
- Second part of a three-part series on designing Fakemon
- Importance of having a strong conceptual base before starting to draw
Communicating Your Concept
- Objective: Evoke imagery, themes, and mood of your concept
- Avoid over-complicating design or adding unnecessary elements
- Keep the concept in mind throughout the design process
Fundamental Aspects of Character Design
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Shape Language
- Shapes have associated personalities
- Common shapes:
- Circles: approachable, soft, kind
- Squares: solid, strong, reliable
- Triangles: dynamic, sharp, dangerous
- Use shapes to convey theme and personality before detailing
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Proportions and Scale
- Understand size and important features of the design
- Relate size of different parts to each other
- Examples:
- Large head and eyes = smaller perceived size
- Emphasize different body parts to showcase character traits
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Readability and Silhouette
- Recognizable silhouette is key
- Simplify where needed to avoid clutter
- Balance detail with simplicity
- Example: Add small details like Fly Away threads
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Pose and Expression
- Bring personality to the design
- Convey attitude through pose and facial expression
- Use references for accurate depictions
- Ensure pose and expression align with concept
Patterns and Colors
- Begin experimenting with color and patterns early
- Typically use a limited color palette (2-3 primary colors)
- Keep patterns simple to avoid cluttering the design
- Aim for Pokemonesque colors: usually more subdued
Conclusion
- Apply shape language, proportions, pose, expression, and color in service of the concept
- This lecture covers fundamental principles but is only an introduction to character design
- Encouragement for aspiring artists to share their fakon journey
- Upcoming episode: Finished Fakon rendering process
Remember to like and subscribe to Gabe's channel if you find the series helpful!