Mastering Essential Character Design Techniques

Creating memorable characters is one of the most exciting parts of illustrating children’s books. Characters are the heart and soul of any story, and getting their design just right can make your book truly come alive. If you’re looking to bring your characters to life with charm and personality, I’m here to share some practical, easy-to-follow character design tips that will help you do just that.

Getting Started with Character Design Tips

When I first started designing characters, I found it helpful to think about who the character really is. What makes them unique? What story do they tell just by looking at them? These questions guide every decision you make, from their shape to their colours.

Here are some quick tips to kick off your design process:

• Start with simple shapes: Circles, squares, and triangles can help you build a character’s silhouette. For example, a round shape often feels friendly and soft, while sharp angles can suggest a more serious or edgy personality.

• Think about proportions: Exaggerating certain features can add personality. Big eyes can make a character look innocent or curious, while long limbs might suggest elegance or awkwardness.

• Use colour wisely: Colours evoke emotions. Bright, warm colours like red and yellow feel energetic and happy, while cool blues and greens can be calming or mysterious.

  
  

Don’t worry if your first sketches don’t look perfect. Character design is a process, and every draft teaches you something new.

Starting character design with simple shapes and colours

Practical Character Design Tips for Expressive Characters

Once you have a basic idea, it’s time to add details that bring your character to life. Here are some practical tips I use to make characters expressive and relatable:

1. Facial expressions matter: Even a small change in eyebrows or mouth can completely change how a character feels. Practice drawing different emotions to see what works best.

2. Clothing and accessories tell a story: What your character wears can hint at their personality, background, or even the world they live in. A character with a big backpack might be adventurous, while one with glasses could be studious.

3. Pose and posture: How your character stands or moves says a lot. A confident character might stand tall with hands on hips, while a shy one might hunch their shoulders or look down.

4. Keep it consistent: When designing for a book, your character needs to look recognisable on every page. Create a character sheet with different poses and expressions to keep track.

   
   

Remember, the goal is to make your character feel alive and believable, even if they’re fantastical or whimsical.

Character sheet with varied poses and expressions

Exploring Character Design Techniques

If you want to dive deeper into the art of character creation, exploring different character design techniques can be incredibly helpful. These techniques cover everything from initial brainstorming to refining your final design.

For example, some artists use mood boards filled with colours, textures, and inspiration images to guide their choices. Others sketch dozens of thumbnails to experiment with shapes and silhouettes before settling on a final look. You might also try mixing and matching features from different animals or objects to create something truly unique.

One technique I love is storytelling through design. Every detail, from the character’s hairstyle to their shoes, should hint at their personality or backstory. This makes your character more than just a pretty picture - they become a part of the story itself.

Tips for Designing Characters That Connect with Kids

When designing for children’s books, it’s important to keep your audience in mind. Kids respond to characters that are fun, relatable, and easy to understand. Here are some tips to help you create characters that kids will love:

• Keep designs simple and bold: Too much detail can be confusing. Clear shapes and bright colours work best.

• Use exaggerated features: Big eyes, oversized heads, or quirky hairstyles can make characters more memorable.

• Add a touch of humour: Funny expressions or silly accessories can make your character more engaging.

• Think about diversity: Kids come from all backgrounds, so including characters with different skin tones, abilities, and styles helps everyone feel included.

  
  

Try to imagine your character through a child’s eyes. What would make them smile or want to turn the page?

Bringing Your Characters to Life with Personality

Finally, the best characters have personality that shines through every line and colour choice. Here’s how I add that spark:

• Give your character quirks: Maybe they have a favourite hat they never take off, or a nervous habit like biting their nails.

• Create a backstory: Even if it’s just a few sentences, knowing where your character comes from helps you design them with purpose.

• Use body language: A slouch, a confident stride, or a playful jump can say more than words.

• Experiment with colour palettes: Try different combinations until you find one that feels right for your character’s mood and story.

  
  

Remember, character design is a journey. Don’t be afraid to try new things and make mistakes. Each step brings you closer to a character that feels real and ready to jump off the page.

Colourful character illustration showing personality through pose and colour

I hope these tips inspire you to create characters that truly capture the imagination. If you want to explore more about character design, check out the character design techniques shared by Nicola Jayne Illustration. Happy designing!