Character Design 101 for Artists and Writers
In this course students will learn how to create believable, yet interesting, characters for their writing, art, and creative endeavors.
Cela Janiec
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(4)
What's included
2 live meetings
2 in-class hoursClass Experience
This week will be a crash course in character design for both art and writing. We will go over character archetypes as seen in popular and classic literature, what makes those characters likeable, believable, and interesting. We will then delve into character design itself, working from a single idea, such as 'delightful monk' and develop through to 'Aang from Avatar the Last Airbender', explaining the process of taking an idea to fruition. This class will be interactive as I design a character using student's feedback for what they'd like to see. We'll go over each choice and figure out how to make it a cohesive and interesting character that would drive forward a story's plot. The next class, students will work from the provided handout to design their own character. We'll go over each character during class and pick apart the reasoning behind design choices, strengthening a character by removing what is uneccessary and improving what works. This is a constructive-criticism class, so students will learn a useful method of giving criticism called the 'to get a 10/10 from me' method, so students can see both the positive of their work but also understand that first drafts are never the place where we should stop. There are always ways to improve and make your characters more than what they started as. No previous experience is required!
Learning Goals
Students will learn the archetypes of characters and how and why they work in popular media. They will learn how to critique their own and other's work, including that of famous writers and artists--we are all worthy of constructive criticism. Students will learn what makes a character beyond what they look like, learn how to make a character that is believable and strong enough to push a story's plot, or even learn how sometimes the best characters are the villains. What makes them tick? What's their backstory and how does it affect them? Why do they wear the things they do and look the way they do? How do we make characters as multi-faceted as some of our favorites? And how do we make them even better?
Other Details
Supply List
A handout will be provided after the first session for assistance in creating characters.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined May, 2020
5.0
4reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Hi everyone! I'm so happy to be starting out here, to offer my skills and knowledge to curious learners. I am a digital artist of 14+ years, traditional artist of 16+. I've studied 2D animation, have a bachelor's of science in Interior Design, and I am working on receiving my master's in library and information science. I'm also skilled in knitting, sewing, baking, and cooking, and would love to offer classes involving those topics in the future.
I love project-based classes, guiding students to create something from nothing, exploring the skills they learn as they work and discover something new. I currently work in a library makerspace where I interact with students of all ages and knowledge levels--yes, even parents too--to show them how to 3D model, use Cricut design, photoshop, glowforge, and so much more.
I believe creativity fuels curiosity, introspection, and learning. I'm excited to get started and to meet all these wonderful young learners!Reviews
Live Group Class
$20
for 2 classes2x per week, 1 week
60 min
Completed by 10 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
2-6 learners per class
