Module #1 Introduction to Character Design Welcome to the course! Learn about the importance of character design in childrens books and what to expect from this course.
Module #2 Understanding Your Audience Discover who your target audience is, what they like, and how to design characters that appeal to them.
Module #3 Character Types and Archetypes Explore different character types, such as protagonists, antagonists, and supporting characters, and learn about common archetypes.
Module #4 Design Principles for Childrens Characters Learn about the essential design principles for creating engaging and appealing characters for childrens books.
Module #5 Character Development Exercise 1:Silhouettes Get started with your first character development exercise, focusing on creating simple silhouettes that convey personality and traits.
Module #6 Anatomy and Proportion for Childrens Characters Understand the basics of anatomy and proportion for childrens characters, including body types, facial structures, and expressions.
Module #7 Character Development Exercise 2:Basic Shapes Build upon your silhouettes by using basic shapes to create more defined characters, exploring posture, and gesture.
Module #8 Color Theory for Character Design Learn how to effectively use color to convey emotion, personality, and traits in your characters.
Module #9 Character Development Exercise 3:Color Exploration Apply color theory principles to your characters, experimenting with different palettes and styles.
Module #10 Adding Texture and Patterns Discover how to add texture and patterns to your characters, enhancing their visual interest and personality.
Module #11 Character Development Exercise 4:Texture and Patterns Incorporate texture and patterns into your characters, exploring different materials and styles.
Module #12 Facial Expressions and Emotions Learn how to create a range of facial expressions and emotions that bring your characters to life.
Module #13 Character Development Exercise 5:Facial Expressions Practice creating different facial expressions and emotions for your characters, refining their personalities.
Module #14 Costume and Prop Design Explore the role of costumes and props in character design, learning how to create cohesive and engaging looks.
Module #15 Character Development Exercise 6:Costume and Prop Design Design costumes and props for your characters, considering their personality, traits, and story context.
Module #16 Story and Context:How It Affects Character Design Understand how the story and its context influence character design, and learn to consider these factors in your design process.
Module #17 Character Design for Different Age Groups Discover how to design characters that appeal to different age groups, from toddlers to tweens.
Module #18 Digital Tools for Character Design Explore digital tools and software commonly used in character design, including Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
Module #19 Creating a Character Bible Learn how to create a character bible, a valuable resource for maintaining consistency and continuity in your character design.
Module #20 Case Studies:Successful Character Designs Analyze successful character designs from popular childrens books, identifying key elements that made them effective.
Module #21 Receiving Feedback and Iterating Understand the importance of feedback and iteration in character design, and learn how to give and receive constructive criticism.
Module #22 Final Project:Character Design Portfolio Create a comprehensive portfolio showcasing your character design skills and knowledge gained throughout the course.
Module #23 Career Paths in Character Design Explore career opportunities in character design for childrens books, including freelance, in-house, and entrepreneurial paths.
Module #24 Industry Insights and Trends Stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and insights, learning from experienced professionals in the field.
Module #25 Marketing and Self-Promotion Discover how to effectively market and promote your character design work, building a strong online presence and network.
Module #26 Course Wrap-Up & Conclusion Planning next steps in Character Design for Children’s Books career
