How to Create Character Design for Science Fiction
Re-imagining the Future through Subculture - A Case Study on Futuristic Character Design
Re-imagining the future through subcultures, graffiti, and spirituality, via sci-fi character concept art, was the challenge of this personal creative project. By analyzing cinema classics such as “Blade Runner”, I studied the fashion design to understand how it could be both believable and timeless to the character design itself. I learned that the key to believable Science-Fiction character design, is to avoid being too outlandish but to still stay true to the science-fiction genre. Many of Blade Runner’s fashion is still present with us today, and the concept artists of the time did a great job at guessing what kind of pratical garments would still be of use many years into the future, hence, Blade Runner still stands as a Science-Fiction classic, no matter the time it was conceived.
Idea Development for Sci-Fi Character Designs
Persona profiles and mind maps used in Character Design by Concept Artist Miguel Nogueira, seen above.
To explore a deeper Science-Fiction narrative design, I often ask myself, "Where is the emotion?" It's about having empathy for who the character is before starting to design.
I use persona profiles and mind maps to generate ideas and tie them together. For example, if I'm designing a character who is introverted, I might give them a hoodie and a mask. This would not only fit the environment they live in, but it would also be a nod to their personality, essentially, designing the character, step by step.
On a character design like this, I was reminded of a friend from college who had the ear plugs in the same style as I gave “Tank Boy” here. He’d often wear piercings inside his plug, and I’d never seen anyone wear them that way. I think a lot about character design is humanizing them by giving them habits, attire, motifs, that are actual from real humans, the less known in pop culture, the better. By borrowing character design from real people, one would effectively achieve a character design that appears more original, as the audience isn’t familiar with it - they couldn’t, they’d never met the guy who I referenced this from, from any science-fiction game, movie, or anything else. I saw with and referenced the material with my own eyeballs and spectrum of experience. I effectively casted the memory of this person, into the character design.
A Visual Direction for Science-Fiction IPs
To create believable character concept art for sci-fi, I use mood boards, sketches, and any other means necessary to research and explore ideas. I balance the workings of the inner mind with what we already find in our world to avoid being too creative and wild, while still maintaining the believability and relatability of my concept artwork. Exploring all this tech as concept artist, also felt sci-fi and added to my own enjoyment.
Mood boards and brainstorming through sketches for Science Fiction.
When faced with a new problem, I see it as an opportunity to explore new creative avenues. In this case, I had the opportunity to use my 3D concept art skills to create a kit of assets that could be used to aid 3D production later down the line during the game or film production.
This Character Design project was unlike anything I had ever done before, requiring me to research ZBrush to solve the hard surface elements of the design, which in itself, felt like science-fiction. I went from test to test, collecting mistakes and wrong answers, and then searching for different contexts where they could become the right answer and drive me further to my character design and who they are.
The concept art tests performed were unlike anything I had ever done before, requiring me to research ZBrush to solve the hard surface elements of the design. I went from test to test, collecting mistakes and wrong answers, and then searching for different contexts where they could become the right answer.
When faced with a new problem, I see it as an opportunity to explore new concept art tools and avenues. In this case, I had the opportunity to use 3D concept art as tool to aid the science-fiction process.
The Results: Realistic Character Design
Software used: Zbrush, Marvelous Designer, Photoshop, Keyshot.
By the end of this Science-Fiction Concept Art project, I achieved a variety of Character Designs through design challenges, including:
Fully functional mechanical designs blocked in 3D Concept Art for engineering purposes.
Science-fiction inspired Fashion design in Marvelous Designer with auto-generated UV maps, reducing production time and manual work for the 3D department of any game or film.
Sci-fi graphics and decals that can be used for science-fiction game projects and branding, as well as a style guide for future character designs.
Efficient 3D Concept Art bases for science-fiction marketing illustrations, speeding up 3D production later on.
Newfound fundamentals of realistic sci-fi character design, using elements from real people with the same vibe, social culture, and energy.
This knowledge can be applied to any project, making me a versatile and valuable asset to any team.
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