Character design workshop
In this workshop, learn how to create compelling characters for illustration projects, and beyond.
Workshops throw the spotlight onto niche areas of the visual communication field, enabling you to hone higher-level skills and gain deeper insights.
Workshops tend to have a practical focus, with little or no conceptual or contextual elements, although this varies by course.
Choose a start date
- Course Code: VZ340
- Dates: 25/05/24 - 08/06/24
- Time: 10:30 - 16:30
- Taught: Sat, Daytime
- Duration: 3 sessions (over 3 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Ciara Flood
Course Code: VZ340
Choose a start date
Duration: 3 sessions (over 3 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
Although ‘Character Design’ applies to many fields, such as animation, game design and advertising, this course will take as its starting point designing characters for picture books and illustrated fiction. However, creative professionals from any industry will find that the skills taught on this course are transferable. So, what makes a compelling character? On this course, learn drawing and design techniques to create winning characters to capture attention, and most importantly, move people to care about them.
What will we cover?
Practical skills:
• Researching stand-out character designs
• Figure-drawing skills; classical proportion and how to distort it - including a drawing field trip to a location in the local area.
• Drawing facial expressions
• Creating distinctive silhouettes
• Colour schemes, and how colour influences emotion
• How your character/s can work with settings
Conceptual Skills:
Critical evaluation of your own and others’ work will be facilitated throughout the course.
Context:
Examples of relevant works by historical and/or contemporary creatives will be drawn upon at strategic points throughout the course.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
Use the specific process, media or tool you have been studying – at least to a competent skill-level.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for intermediate learners; however, you do not need to have experience of character design specifically, just experience of Visual Communications in general.
English-language competency is required: you should be able to follow verbal and written instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. You may need to take short written notes for your own use and take part in group discussions.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
- Presentations
- Demonstrations
- Practical work
- Individual and group tutoring
- Group discussion
Additional/extension activities may be set for you to complete at home or outside of the course hours. Completion of additional tasks is encouraged to help you get the most out of the course. Where required your tutor will discuss these with you.
This course is supported by Google Classroom as a Virtual Learning Environment. When you log on you will be able to access course material, presentations, and handouts etc. and may be asked to complete learner progress records. You can find help via the student help centre on the City Lit website.
Please note it is important that you sign up and log in to your course Google classroom prior to the first session. Joining detail will be sent to you via email (check your junk/spam folder).
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
At City Lit, access to basic materials and resources are available as part of this course. We advise you to bring an A5/A4 sketchbook for the recording of ideas and an A3 folder and/or a USB drive to transport work to and from City Lit. Additional materials required as part of the course will be discussed by your tutor if required.
Need art supplies? Our partner London Graphic Centre has everything you need from pencils to printing services, at 15% off.
To get 15% LGC discount, you will need to show proof/ confirmation of enrolment and being a student at City Lit. You can apply in-store or by simply emailing info@londongraphics.co.uk with a scan or photo of relevant confirmation. Student discount does not apply to products that are already discounted or on offer. More information can be found here- https://www.londongraphics.co.uk/student-discounts/.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
We recommend looking at our range of workshops in graphic design, illustration, children’s book illustration and graphic novels to see what’s on offer. In addition, we have Introductory, Developing and Studio courses in all these subjects.
For more information about any of the courses on offer, please visit our website.
Ciara Flood studied Visual Communications at Technological University Dublin and has over 20 years industry experience working as an illustrator, graphic designer and art director. She has worked for a wide range of clients and in different working environments; small design studios, corporate offices, fast-paced advertising agencies and also her kitchen table. Ciara has always been passionate about children’s books and her first author/illustrator picture book, Those Pesky Rabbits, was published by Temper Books in 2015. She has gone on to illustrate and/or write more children’s books published in the UK by Bonnier Books, Andersen Press, Farshore and Guppy Books. Her books have been translated into many co-editions around the world. Ciara has taught workshops in schools, libraries and various literary festivals. Most recently she has been working with The Hampshire School Chelsea as their artist in residence. Ciara believes strongly in adult education and encouraging students to develop and enjoy their creative abilities.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.