Book Review: Creative Character Design

This book looks at the thought process side of designing a character, rather than actually drawing it.

It teaches character design using archetypes, paying special attention to the stories and backgrounds. There are chapters on creating original (or inspired) characters, using shapes and silhouettes to define characters, using references, putting in little details that matter, and creating the WOW factor. This is all for creating a believable character. There are checklists to help define specific characteristics like physical form, or social settings.

Bryan Tillman covers the subject matter well, in a light heartened conversational tone. Much of everything is written in the format of short tips which are easy to understand. While there are enough examples of character designed with profiles written, the book could do better by commenting on more real world examples. There aren't a lot of exercises.

The gallery of character designs provided at the back isn't particularly helpful. They don't come with any stories or description, and as I've learned from the book, you can't tell who they are just by looking at them.

The presentation could be improved by condensing the information. Very often, it takes too long to get to the point. And the use of white space is very generous. There are pages with just a single paragraph and image, or just a single image. The design template printed at the back is printed on single page with sentences widely spaced. This book is a 246-page paperback and could have been 25% thinner easily.

Note that there's also a Kindle version available. Much of the images are in black and white so it might not be a bad idea to get the electronic version.

3.5 out of 5 stars.

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This book was borrowed from Basheer Graphic Books for review purposes. You can order the book from them. Check with Basheer on Facebook or visit their website.

Creative Character Design is available at Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP)

This book is also available in Kindle format as well.

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Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de | Amazon.fr | Amazon.it | Amazon.co.jp

This book is also available in Kindle format as well.

This book was borrowed from Basheer Graphic Books for review purposes. You can order the book from them. Check with Basheer on Facebook or visit their website.