Character and Narrative: Character and Short Story Design

In this seminar we had a lecturer Sara Barbas talk about how to make good characters and how to make an effective short story. the lecture consisted of telling us the process of an effective story, which was to make sure your character design always serves a story, that you must have ideas/thumbnails/sketches before producing anything, practice life drawing and to always find reference and do your research.

She also told us about style and functionality and that you need to know your target audience or find the right platform for your product. Also to know what genre your product should go under and to know the technique and movements your characters have/do.

Next Sara Barbas talked about the 'Key Elements' in character designs and what they were. For example:

• core shapes
• 3D form
• line of action
• asymmetry 
• silhouette
• contrasting elements 
• facial expressions
• colour, texture and rendering
• iconic