Tag Archives: Spring 2016

Computer Graphic Design

Spring 2016 – 34 – You Toon: Character Model Sheet

Objective:

  • Using knowledge of design and color, and skills acquired in Illustrator, finalize the design of the original cartoon character created in the previous lesson, and create a character “model sheet” representing how the character looks from multiple angles.
Student-Friendly Objective:

  • I can produce a character “model sheet” representing how my character looks from the front and the side.

Video Link:

  • None.
Topics Discussed:
  • For a complete list of Topics Discussed, please see the previous lessons (21 – 32).

Assignment:

  • Now that you’ve brainstormed your character and determined his/her/its key character traits, you will finalize the visual design of the character.
  • Using your character analysis paragraph and your rough sketches as a guide, begin drawing your character in Illustrator.
  • Begin by drawing a front view of your character. Use simple shapes to draw the character’s arms, legs, body, head and any other elements of the character’s design (ears, tail, clothing, etc.).
  • Draw the character with arms and legs spread out (this will aid you when we begin applying animations to this character at a later date.
  • Once the character’s front view is complete, draw a side view of the character. (Hint: copy body parts from your front view and modify them to produce side and back views.)
  • Place both views of your character into a single landscape Illustrator artboard, and then place the full text of your character’s descriptive paragraph on the same page. Remember your principles of C.R.A.P. as you do this, and make it look neat and professional.
  • Your finished model sheet with the three character views and descriptive paragraph are due at the end of class on Friday. (03/25/16)
Assigned: March 21st, 2016
Due Date: March 25th, 2016
Computer Graphic Design

Spring 2016 – 33 – You Toon: Brainstorming

Objective:

  • Conceptualize and design a character to be drawn in Illustrator and featured in merchandising materials and a short animation.

Student-Friendly Objective:

  • I can brainstorm a character that I can draw in Illustrator.

Video Link:

  • None.
Topics Discussed:
  • For a complete list of Topics Discussed, please see the previous lessons.

Assignment:

• Brainstorm! Think of your favorite cartoon characters, and use sites like cartoonnetwork.com for inspiration. Think of cartoon characters you loved when you were little, and try to think of what was so special about them.
• In a new Letter size (8.5 in x 11 in) Illustrator Print document, use the text tools to answer the following questions about your character:
– Who is this character?
– What’s his/her/it’s name? What is he/she/it like? (Nice? Mean? Angry? Happy? Good? Bad? Somewhere in between?)
– Where does he/she/it live?
– What goals does this character have?
– What is unique about this character? Does he/she/it have any quirky character traits? (i.e. talks funny, speaks only in rhyme, etc.)
– Would you watch a cartoon starring this character? Why?
• Using this brainstorm as a guide, sketch out your character on a piece of paper. Don’t worry if you don’t think you can draw, just do your best to get a visual concept of your character. Repeat: don’t go overboard on the artwork – these should just be concept sketches.
• Later in the week, we will be drawing these characters on another artboard in this Illustrator document, using the shape and color tools, with the intent of eventually taking these illustrations into Flash. What this means is that you should use simple shapes to make complex shapes, because these animate better – keep this in mind as you design your character!
• Remember: We will be animating these characters in Flash, so your character must have at least two arms and two legs. (No animated blobs, worms or snakes!)
• Your brainstorm document and concept art is due at end of class on Tuesday (03/08/16)
Assigned: March 7th, 2016
Due Date: March 8th, 2016