LAUAN601 - Storytelling through character design, a proposal.

Storytelling Through Character Design.

For this body of research I intended to investigate into how character design affects storytelling, and how a slight alteration to a character could change or not change a story.  I have chosen this as my topic as character design is something that I am very passionate about, and relish the opportunity to investigate deeper into the craft. I am hoping to learn more about the history of character design, and more into how a good character design can affect a story, for example how rebooting a design could change the plot of a pre-existing show. An effective design is integral for a compelling story, as a rule a character with a unique design is often much more popular among an audience, Harry Potter’s design for example, it is simple yet incredibly effective, even becoming an iconic look among young people today, with designs of his image being distributed in stores across the country.

   

Regarding case studies, there are a number of television shows that have been rebooted, for example : Teenage mutant ninja turtles, Teen Titans and ducktales to name a few. I could get in contact with some of the character designers that worked on these shows, or shows similar, and get a deeper understanding into what it is like to remake a pre-existing characters. I have also done some research into how culture, gender, and race could change how we perceive a character, as I have began reading ‘Diversity in Disney Films: Critical Essays on Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexuality and Disability’. A book of essays regarding each of the topics seen above. Although I intend to continue finding new research and finding new case studies, such as artists etc, as I continue to look into my subject.

For my practical investigation, I plan to create a series of character designs from pre-existing character descriptions. Taking a description from a piece of literature for example, and then creating a design using that description. I would even take a few of the designs a few steps further by creating turnarounds and walk cycles, to give a more finished well rounded look into the designs and the changes I may have made. To eliminate any unconscious bias I will gather a series of character descriptions that I have not seen designs for, create my own character sheets for them, based on their descriptions. Then compare them both, to see the amount of interpretation one can have when designing from description.

Ultimately this cop project would explore character design and its fundamentals, what makes a good character design, how can it affect an audience? How is a good design key to a plot/story? Storytelling is given a crutch when it comes to having a good design, and I intended to investigate into that.

Reference’s :

Cheu, J. (2013). Diversity in Disney films. Jefferson, North Carolina, [etc.]: McFarland.

Crossley, K. (n.d.). Character design from the ground up.

Maltin, L. and Beck, J. (1987). Of mice and magic. New York [etc.]: New American Library.

PLYMPTON, B. (2017). MAKE TOONS THAT SELL WITHOUT SELLING OUT. [S.l.]: CRC PRESS.