Methodology and Conceptualisation for Designing Characters
A course by Jordi Ros, Designer and Artist
Research, illustrate, and present your character ideas like a professional
Character design is an all-encompassing concept that goes far beyond a mere illustration process. The design of a character starts long before you put pen to paper. There is a process of conceptualizing and developing everything that surrounds your character. Mexican illustrator and designer Jordi Ros is well versed in this fact, and is here to share his secrets in this online course.
Learn to design characters, from the creation of solid concepts to their illustration, as well as presentation techniques for personal and professional projects. Put together a comprehensive but flexible methodology, focused on character design in any of its applications, be it animated shorts, comics, or even collectible figures.
What will you learn in this online course?
12 lessons & 7 downloads
What's included in this course?
Start by learning a little about Jordi Ros' work, his professional career, and his character-design influences.
Next, discover his research process prior to design, which includes research and sketching—the professional dichotomy behind all his work—and putting together organized and structured mood boards to inspire his characters.
Then design the foundation of your character, a template that you can iterate and change depending on the action and situation they find themself in, to streamline the design process.
To round out the course, Jordi shows you how to adapt your characters, and all the content generated around them, to a professional presentation format, complete with descriptions, annotations, and graphic design elements that will help your character explain itself.
- 93% positive reviews (138)
- 3,301 students
- 12 lessons (1h 35m)
- 7 additional resources (3 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: Spanish
- Spanish · English · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish · Romanian · Indonesian
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
Recommended software & tools for this course
ProcreateWhat is this course's project?
Design a character based on a concept predefined by Jordi or, if you prefer, by you.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Designers, illustrators, and anyone with an interest in the conceptualization and design of characters for commercial or personal purposes.
Requirements and materials
Some drawing experience is recommended, as well as basic knowledge of an image-editing software.
The techniques and methodologies Jordi teaches in this course can be applied to any medium, and you can use them to create characters either digitally or with manual techniques.
For materials, all you need is a computer or a tablet installed with the image-editing software of your choice. Jordi uses Procreate on his iPad, but you can choose the program or technique that best suits your skills and aim.
Reviews
Jordi Ros
A course by Jordi Ros
Jordi Ros is an illustrator, designer, and artist. He was born in Mexico and is based in Barcelona. For the last six years, he has been dedicated exclusively to commercial illustration, including projects for clients such as Vice UK, Universal, Virgil Atlantic, adidas, and Sony Music, among others. In addition, he works independently as a concept developer for art toy and collector brands.
Jordi's work is characterized by the fusion of traditional drawing elements, manga, and sport. His goal is to reflect the day-by-day evolution of the current generation in his portraits. Despite his western origins, the Japanese influence is very evident in his work.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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Presentation
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Influences
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U2
Investigate and sketch: my professional binomial
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Investigate from randomness
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Character Moodboards
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U3
Iteration: the modular design of characters
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Base templates
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Iterations of the character
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Color - Hue, tint, tone and shadow
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Color - Color structures
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Color - Color study
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Color - Analysis of an example
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U4
Presentation of the character and its complements
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Template complements: expressive illustration
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Character presentation
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FP
Final project
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Conceptualization and design of illustrated characters
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Certificates
PlusIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
You’ll learn to create original characters using a flexible method that includes base templates, moodboards, conceptual techniques, and digital tools like Procreate and Photoshop. You’ll also cover professional presentation of characters for animation, comics, video games, and merchandise.
The course is aimed at people with some prior drawing and digital illustration experience, so it’s intermediate level. You don’t need to be an expert, but basic familiarity with design software is recommended.
You’ll need access to a computer or graphic tablet, basic skills in software like Photoshop or Procreate, and some prior knowledge of digital illustration. Having visual reference materials and creativity will help with the practical exercises.
The base template serves as the initial framework to create and modify characters, ensuring consistent proportions. It makes it easier to create variations, different views, and adaptations for formats like comics, animation, or merchandise.
The course mainly uses Procreate and Photoshop, taking advantage of layers, templates, guides, and duplication techniques to create, edit, and professionally present digital characters.
The moodboard organizes visual references, colors, and ideas that guide the graphic and conceptual development of the character, helping to build a consistent and creative visual identity.
A flexible methodology is applied, including research of references, mind maps, random concept generation, and initial sketches, allowing characters to be adapted to various media and creative goals.
Procreate
Muy buen curso, los temas se explican de una manera muy clara. ¡Me ayudó muchísimo durante mi clase de creación de personajes!!
buenisimo muy completo un gran profesor
Absolute worh it! Very good course
Jor Ros es un profesional de la ilustración, destacado en redes sociales por la fusion de influencias contemporaneas y tradicionales, me agrada mucho que resuelva de donde viene su inspiracion como el videojuego Street Figther en este curso. Super recomendable a quienes les interese el diseño de personajes.
Esencial para dar el siguiente paso, de aficionado a empezar a trabajar con las obras