A Character Design Question!

[NotKei]

Hi! I'm Kei! I'm a writer currently working on my GL novel series titled Sugar and Smoke! And I want to try out one thing with you guys!

I love the topic of character design, and I want to expand upon it further by tapping into the area of first impressions!

I have four characters here from my novel. Now, I won't say anything about them or their story, as I'm looking to see what first time viewers of their design think instead, because I want to align our real world impression of them with how they're perceived in my novel! We're talking personality and other stuff!

So what do you think? Oh! And here are some questions for you folks!

When writing your stories, or drawing your comics. When it comes to designing your characters or at least envisioning what they look like, what matters most to you?

And!

What makes a character design appealing at first glance, and how do you think that appeal can be maintained, or even strengthened, when the character evolves or changes over time?

[bulgariansumo]

Predictions for girl personalities:

Bunny ears: Genuinely sweet, maybe a little oblivious

Cat ears: Offbeat, doesn't really know/follow social norms. Has some kind of medical knowledge, but the skull makes me think her work might not be entirely ethical.

Bear(?) ears: Frosty on the outside. Inside unknown.

Fox ears: Cool big sis type, but also maybe a little shifty

[EncryptedWriting]

I just have to say that the art style is sooo beautiful.

[NotKei]

I love how you're spot on with the personalities! :DD

[NotKei]

Thank you! Though it isn't my work as I have a few artist friends that help me on illustrations for my novel, I'll make sure to relay the praise to the one who made this!

[bulgariansumo]

These designs, poses and expressions convey a lot!

[vapidink]

Bunny: Friendly, extroverted, maybe a lil ditzy but well intentioned

Cat: Smart, a bit edgy, curious, she's giving off "dissection is my passion" vibes

Panther (?): Pragmatic, laid back, probably the voice of reason, tired of the shenanigans

Fox: Easy-going, friendly, clever, quick-witted, don't wanna stereotype foxes but she looks sly, lol

And to answer your questions, the two main things I take into consideration are environment and personality. I want there to be a reason for why my characters dress the way they do (Is it a work uniform? Do their clothes and accessories serve a purpose? Why that hairstyle?). Apart from that, I just want their design to be appealing.

Appeal is hard to pinpoint because it's different for everyone. To me it's about how well things work together. The flow of the design and how well the colors work together are important, but I'm also shallow so I like pretty characters, lol.

[NotKei]

The cat is totally, 100% edgy, and the rest of your description of her is accurate. She does whatever she wants. Same goes for the panther, fox, and bunny!
I like your answers too and I really agree with that, those 4 characters I put out aren't their initial and what I like to call their "true design" since they're wearing uniforms, and have a main sort of outfit that's unique to them!

The part with asking about the design's purpose or reason is something I take into account as well. For example, for my characters, their academy has two different types of uniform called the Fox-cut and the Meadow-cut.

Basically, the Fox-cut like the one the panther, cat and fox wears, they wear that because it's easier to move in and practical, as their education fields lean more towards practicality and efficiency.

Whereas the Meadow-cut is more frilly and more puffy. It's easy to move in as well, but it's more like a uniform for "visually appealing" kinds of educational fields. It's tough to explain, but in my story, the students that wear the Meadow-cut uniform study mostly herbology and culinary! While students that wear the Fox-cut are in the sports field, engineering field, and medical field!

[sophialyn]

Love this art style A LOT! Beautiful work! Love your eye for colors!

The most important thing in character design to me is diversity! I want to represent people that don’t often see themselves in characters!
Shape language and silhouettes are what stand out to me with solid character work. Understanding anatomy yet stylizing it in your own way can help a character really bloom​️

[NotKei]

Thank you! Though their uniform and academy days design were mostly my idea, the idea for the characters themselves came from my partner in writing this story, who is my wife! Lots of the character designs were her ideas because she's actually the one that's good with colors!

I'm not literally color blind but I'm called that sometimes as a tease because I have bad color theory applications xd

And yes! Shapes and silhouettes are what really sets a character apart from bland designs! I learned that when I worked with VTubers!

[kyupol]

From left to right...

1) bubbly happy girl. Either low iq or at most, above average iq but perceived as low iq on the surface

2) intelligent but mischievous. Probably a troll sometimes

3) serious. Doesn't take any bullshit. Straight to the point. Probably a female version of byakuya in bleach.

4) friendly. Maybe a little promiscuous. Deceiver.

[

[Oriflamme]

I don’t trust that fox girl, those eyes are ravenous. As for the rest, the panther? girl has “bad-guy” energy, the cat is an eccentric scientist, and the bunny has a hidden edge, she is not entirely what she seems on the surface.

When it comes to character design, I start with the question of how the character wants to be perceived, then ask if they succeed, and if not why. The answers to all these questions reveal a lot of information about the character.

I also don’t worry too much about appeal. I want my character to be human, and it’s impossible for everyone to 100% on point with good fashion and taste. Sometimes, people wear something ugly or stupid. I also have the perfect excuse that my characters live in a world that only looks like 1800s europe, so I can handwave a lot of weird fashion choices as cultural difference.

[Red_Dog]

From left to right.
Demure and bubbly. Quiet, but highly intelligent. Stern, no nonsense and a little cold. Flirty, outgoing, ready for action.

First question: For one the design has to be fun for me to draw. Second I want the design to hopefully capture their personality or their vibe.

Second question: I think this question depends on who your asking. I like characters who look tired or a little manic for instance.

[NotKei]

It's really funny how first impressions work! You were right with the panther-folk character and the cat-folk character! As for the fox-folk girl, she's actually the best wingwoman one could ever ask for in my story xd!

And I agree with your answers! Especially with the call for a character to not be always perfect with their outfits!