What makes a good armor design?

[aqua03]

So guys, I'm currently working on the designs for the Dragoon's armor in DRAGOONS: Days & Knights and even though I like it, something about it isn't quite clicking with me. I'm trying to go for something kind of akin to something from MegaMan X, Super Sentai, Kamen Rider, Bionicle, and maybe a dash of Destiny or Anthem as we'll with a slightly more techno-organic bent if that makes sense. I want something simple so I can draw it over and over again, but also iconic and decent looking as well.

Here are some previous designs for armor I've done. Please tell me what you think and what I can do to improve on them.

(Final two are crossover drawings of @Chita's and @alliascompany's characters wearing some designs of the Dragoon Armor respectively.)

Thanks for the help!

[DiegoPalacios]

To measure iconic value i follow the "cosplay rule". If you see someone cosplaying as the character in a comic con, would they be instantly recognizable?, would they be confused with other characters?

about design:

In the spiderman movie with the green goblin, something that stood out about the design is that when he took of the mask you can still see the green goblin`s essence on the face of the actor.

Your characters have an unique and recognizable design because they are anthropomorfic animals, so i recommend you to go for something that fits the species they are.

Also, you gotta consider how your character`s powers work when making the armor.

Ex: A heavy armor may hinder a speedster`s movement, but could be useful for a strong user who can carry that weight without trouble.

While i like the knight style you are aiming for with Flare, i think it would look cooler if you manage to mix the dragon elements with the knight theme. Maybe some cape that can turn into wings and to make the helmet shaped like a dragon`s head?, not sure exactly what, but see what works for you.

I love the ice tiger helmet. It looks cool and seems to fit perfectly for an ice user who may need to maneuver on icy surfaces (like skying) and the visor protects the eyes which is something vital in the snow because of strong winds and the snow`s reflection with the sun.

Selena in her regular outfit is already iconic enough, so i would recommend to use some of these aspects in her aquatic armor.
If i remember well from your older posts Selena can grow when in contact with water, so something flexible enough to not break with her size change and that leaves enough space for that contact with water may be useful. Maybe she can carry some water tanks for that (how much would depends of how much she can carry without trouble). And the most obvious thing, to be able to swim with it. I think a cloak would make it harder for her.

[nscomics]

your art reminds me of the second season of digimon when the main mons appearance changed with the armor they wore. but what I actually wanted to say was that the organic techno note you made reminded me immensely of the movie THOR: Ragnarok because of the mad 80's techno influence, and what I noticed about the fashion design in that film is that the armor isn't as important as the texture/detail. I think if you find a simple design for armor using basic shapes you can then add a unique texture/detail to each individual basic shape and you won't have any problem reproducing the look because it's basically a mathematic equation you can change any time you want to add another variable. hope that makes sense, I think your art is awesome and I really hope you keep going with it and find something that works for your own style.

[HomeBrewComics]

Another thing you can do is to take all those shows/characters that have given you inspiration, get pictures of all them on your art program, and take parts of everyone's design to make something that shares the same essence as those characters, yet is something different.
Again, like what @DiegoPalacios think about the design and practicality of your armor to your characters. Someone who uses fire magic won't want to be wearing full plated armor (would get very hot in there). Or they might, depending on the character and the story.

If what I suggested about combine armors didn't come out clear or whatever, here is a video where Plague of Gripes does character Tri Fusions. This is a video of him doing Dark Souls characters, cause you wanted armor, but he also does pokemon, Street Fighter and a few random combos too if they peak your interest.
Either way, he is interesting to listen too and watch work:

[DeformedSunflower]

I think paying attention to recurring patterns is important. Putting a few patterns on the armour makes it look more personalised, but putting too much or using too many different patterns makes it look tacky.
I really like how you matched patterns with the shape of the armour in picture 2 and 3 (circles with rounder design, zig-zags with sharper design). The shape of the armour in picture 5 also matches the character's hair very nicely.

[Mari]

Looking through actual armor in museums and stuff is always a good step. If it's too form fitting it would be impossible to get on. If realism isn't a thing you look for though, then it's just a matter of making a distinguishing silhouette and good colour choices. A character design shouldn't include too many colours, usually I think the ideal is 3 (which you can swatch to oblivion).

[skicoak]

Unless you're dealing with environmental concerns, armor doesn't have to be full body, or even bio-symmetrical.

For example, a shield arm could/would be outfitted differently than an attack arm.

[ble]

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[aqua03]

To measure iconic value i follow the "cosplay rule". If you see someone cosplaying as the character in a comic con, would they be instantly recognizable?, would they be confused with other characters?

about design:

In the spiderman movie with the green goblin, something that stood out about the design is that when he took of the mask you can still see the green goblin`s essence on the face of the actor.

Your characters have an unique and recognizable design because they are anthropomorfic animals, so i recommend you to go for something that fits the species they are.

Also, you gotta consider how your character`s powers work when making the armor.

Ex: A heavy armor may hinder a speedster`s movement, but could be useful for a strong user who can carry that weight without trouble.

While i like the knight style you are aiming for with Flare, i think it would look cooler if you manage to mix the dragon elements with the knight theme. Maybe some cape that can turn into wings and to make the helmet shaped like a dragon`s head?, not sure exactly what, but see what works for you.

I love the ice tiger helmet. It looks cool and seems to fit perfectly for an ice user who may need to maneuver on icy surfaces (like skying) and the visor protects the eyes which is something vital in the snow because of strong winds and the snow`s reflection with the sun.

Selena in her regular outfit is already iconic enough, so i would recommend to use some of these aspects in her aquatic armor. If i remember well from your older posts Selena can grow when in contact with water, so something flexible enough to not break with her size change and that leaves enough space for that contact with water may be useful. Maybe she can carry some water tanks for that (how much would depends of how much she can carry without trouble). And the most obvious thing, to be able to swim with it. I think a cloak would make it harder for her.

Thanks for the feedback. Yeah, I've been trying to make their armor be more optimized with their fighting styles and environment. I actually was trying to get a dragon theme with Flare's armor, but I always have trouble with the helmet and how to make it look appropriately dragon like without looking cluttered. Never though about the cape wings, though. (Was originally gonna give him a goodie that could turn into wings, funnily enough.)

I never really thought about the water tanks with Selena before, I was trying to get a bit of a shark/scuba thing with her armor and the cape was part of her "Superhero/Magician" motif I was trying to go with her. (Probably will have her cape/scarf be retractable for that or made out of some form of energy.) I was also planning on having her armor be a bit looser to aid with her size powers (I was thinking of having her armor be "sleeveless" to go with that align with her more "brawler wizard" role I have been moving her into recently.)

I'm really proud of Fubuki's tiger armor as well, it's the first helmet and armor set I truly am happy with design wise.

your art reminds me of the second season of digimon when the main mons appearance changed with the armor they wore. but what I actually wanted to say was that the organic techno note you made reminded me immensely of the movie THOR: Ragnarok because of the mad 80's techno influence, and what I noticed about the fashion design in that film is that the armor isn't as important as the texture/detail. I think if you find a simple design for armor using basic shapes you can then add a unique texture/detail to each individual basic shape and you won't have any problem reproducing the look because it's basically a mathematic equation you can change any time you want to add another variable. hope that makes sense, I think your art is awesome and I really hope you keep going with it and find something that works for your own style.

Thanks! Yeah, I actually was partially inspired by Digimon Adventure 02 and Frontier for the armor designs as well, funnily enough. (Was also planning for their armor to evolve al a Digimon as well.)

I should really look more into what you suggested in regards to Ragnarok and geometric shapes. Especially since I loved Ragnarok's art and design. Thank you so much for the feedback and compliments! It really means a lot to me.

Unless you're dealing with environmental concerns, armor doesn't have to be full body, or even bio-symmetrical.

For example, a shield arm could/would be outfitted differently than an attack arm.

Funnily enough, I was actually thinking of giving Flare a shield arm in an updated design to go with his forcefield powers.

[Reign]

Just a thought, not saying you’re doing anything wrong, and not that there’s a problem with drawing inspiration from other places, but: what if the reasons things aren’t clicking with you is because you’re trying too hard in making your series like something else? Maybe it’s not clicking because things don’t feel like yours because there are too many elements of other people’s work in your designs and stories? (I could be completely wrong. It was just a thought.)

[Reign]

And I’m not saying you have to change anything. I love the designs and look. They don’t look like anything I’ve seen before. I’m just suggesting that maybe the struggles are coming from you trying to fit yourself into a box by saying, “This is what these have to look like because I’m inspired by this.” It’s usually a trap I find myself falling into. So I just want to help in any way I can here, because your character designs and colors pop and are on point. I just want to see you hit your full potential and be happy with your work, if that makes sense.

[skicoak]

Funnily enough, I was actually thinking of giving Flare a shield arm in an updated design to go with his forcefield powers.

And if you go that route, you can play around with fighting style. Make it more unique and based around leading with the shield arm. Protecting a caster's flank, stuff like that.

[Iris-Grimoire]

I think that, no matter the inspirations, two of the biggest things are readability and having all the overlapping and 3D look of armor. Since someone brought up Digimon, most of the armored mons are crazy complicated, but the ones that stand out the most have a shape and colors that sticks to you because it feels iconic.

On one side there's Dynasmon, which has so many spikes and conflicting directions to all of the plates that I remember more of his wings than the actual digimon(and if you like Dynasmon, that's fine! I'm going off of first impressions since I haven't actually played a lot of the games;; ). On the other, there's Ravemon, who uses very little spikes in a very sleek and minimalistic outfit, all to draw attention to the silver areas, the wings and the shoulder plates.
Another example is Omnimon, which is extremely memorable because his design is made up of simple shapes broken up into plating with a pattern there or there.

Studying existing armor and looking at what makes your favorite armored characters work goes a long way. It's not learning how to replicate those designs(though it does help for rendering and whatnot, but let's focus on design), but about applying a pattern you find interesting, or a series of shoulder plates that make a bulky character look really strong, or a gauntlet that wraps an arm perfectly. The better the elements you add to a character that compliments how you "feel" about them, the more they'll work even after you draw them a dozen times.

[aqua03]

Just a thought, not saying you’re doing anything wrong, and not that there’s a problem with drawing inspiration from other places, but: what if the reasons things aren’t clicking with you is because you’re trying too hard in making your series like something else? Maybe it’s not clicking because things don’t feel like yours because there are too many elements of other people’s work in your designs and stories? (I could be completely wrong. It was just a thought.)

And I’m not saying you have to change anything. I love the designs and look. They don’t look like anything I’ve seen before. I’m just suggesting that maybe the struggles are coming from you trying to fit yourself into a box by saying, “This is what these have to look like because I’m inspired by this.” It’s usually a trap I find myself falling into. So I just want to help in any way I can here, because your character designs and colors pop and are on point. I just want to see you hit your full potential and be happy with your work, if that makes sense.

That might be it. That is what I realized what the problem with my story was until I rebooted it to be more of its own thing. Maybe I'm thinking that way with my armor designs as well. Thanks for the feedback, it's a trap I often realize I fall into as well.

And if you go that route, you can play around with fighting style. Make it more unique and based around leading with the shield arm. Protecting a caster's flank, stuff like that.

Huh, got a point there. Thanks for the ideas.

I think that, no matter the inspirations, two of the biggest things are readability and having all the overlapping and 3D look of armor. Since someone brought up Digimon, most of the armored mons are crazy complicated, but the ones that stand out the most have a shape and colors that sticks to you because it feels iconic.

On one side there's Dynasmon, which has so many spikes and conflicting directions to all of the plates that I remember more of his wings than the actual digimon(and if you like Dynasmon, that's fine! I'm going off of first impressions since I haven't actually played a lot of the games;; ). On the other, there's Ravemon, who uses very little spikes in a very sleek and minimalistic outfit, all to draw attention to the silver areas, the wings and the shoulder plates.Another example is Omnimon, which is extremely memorable because his design is made up of simple shapes broken up into plating with a pattern there or there.

Studying existing armor and looking at what makes your favorite armored characters work goes a long way. It's not learning how to replicate those designs(though it does help for rendering and whatnot, but let's focus on design), but about applying a pattern you find interesting, or a series of shoulder plates that make a bulky character look really strong, or a gauntlet that wraps an arm perfectly. The better the elements you add to a character that compliments how you "feel" about them, the more they'll work even after you draw them a dozen times.

Yeah, there are some Digimon that defiantly fall into that "90's Overdesigned" style.Thanks for the advice regarding 3D and shapes, I'll try to think of that more as I design and try to think of one or two elements I want to stand out and focus on with the armor.

[aqua03]

By the way, I was thinking of taking a page out of Cross-Z Charge's book for Selena's armor and making large parts of it appear to be made out of Gel. Does that sound like a good idea?

https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/kamenrider/images/5/54/KRBu-Crosszcharge.png/revision/latest?cb=20180107030505

[Iris-Grimoire]

It does! Just keep in mind how the shape of the gel parts will go(since they'll change the color of the armor under it) and, if they can be deactivated somehow, if the rest of the armor still works without those colors.

[Reign]

@aqua03

I may even just be completely wrong, because I don’t know how you think. So please take my thoughts with a grain of salt, because I don’t want to hinder you by making you feel you need to change your inspirations. (I feel like my thoughts are all over the place right now.) But I hope you get what I mean.

[OttoGruenwald]

Personally I'm a sucker for big cumbersome looking armor.

[skicoak]

Personally I'm a sucker for big cumbersome looking armor.

There's something to functionality with materials that exist in reality.

Unobtanium and other hand wave magical materials just guarantee some awkward world building that's gonna get dropped in an inconvenient info dump/conversation.

Have you ever had a casual conversation about steel in your entire life?

[aqua03]

Funnily enough, I was thinking of maybe having two base modes, a more bulky defense mode for the armor, and the main combat form possibly.

There's something to functionality with materials that exist in reality.

Unobtanium and other hand wave magical materials just guarantee some awkward world building that's gonna get dropped in an inconvenient info dump/conversation.

Have you ever had a casual conversation about steel in your entire life?

I actually had the Dragoon Armor be made out of a special gel-type material that could conduct energy and harden on impact to absorb shocks.

It does! Just keep in mind how the shape of the gel parts will go(since they'll change the color of the armor under it) and, if they can be deactivated somehow, if the rest of the armor still works without those colors.

Good point. I really should fiddle with that a bit more now that you mention it. Was thinking of maybe having some of the armor in general have that "Early 2000's transparent technology" look al a iMacs and Nintendo products of the time if that makes sense.

I may even just be completely wrong, because I don’t know how you think. So please take my thoughts with a grain of salt, because I don’t want to hinder you by making you feel you need to change your inspirations. (I feel like my thoughts are all over the place right now.) But I hope you get what I mean.

Thanks, yeah. I think I get what you mean in that regard.