Development Cycle
Beginning from broad, general ideas, students were to explore a variety of shape languages and forms before focusing on 2 themes based on the strongest of the general sketches.
Springing from general sketch 12 and 21, I explored the themes of "industrial objects" and "sea witches" for their contrast between the organic and inorganic forms and textures.
I ultimately chose to develop the Cnidarian Witch for the interplay of light and transparency with the jellyfish bell, and for the opportunity to draw an older lady.
Graphic Exploration
With our existing character design, students were then to re-interpret and adapt them in the styles of existing IPs. For this, I had chosen Bloodborne and Cardcaptor Sakura for their contrasting genres and mediums.
Style 1: Bloodborne, Video Game Boss Design
Left: Tonal and silhouette explorations. Hair textures took many iterations before I found a good balance between thin strands and recognizable tentacles.
Below: Final outcome.
Style 2: Cardcaptor Sakura,
Anime asset / Clow Card Design
Anime asset / Clow Card Design
Left: Final outcome. Watercolour and ink on paper. The Clow Cards of the series are heavily inspired by Tarot designs, leaning towards elegance and mystery. Flowing forms and delicate line-work were thus the key elements I paid attention to.
Below: Raw artwork with other Clow Cards. These three in particular had been the inspiration for the final outcome's composition and line-work.
