Computer graphics has seen remarkable advancement in the past two decades. But even in the 2D days, game players and cartoon viewers alike have always been attracted to games or cartoons revolving around charismatic characters.
Today, with computer graphics being deployable across many platforms with a wide spectrum of possibilities with less technical inhibitions, many of these characters have been immortalized into 3D versions.
The very fact that these characters survived the transition from 2D to 3D is testimony of the fact that their charisma spans across the different generations.
Examples are Super Mario, Donkey Kong and Sonic the Hedgehog.
Good character designs can help to make a game or cartoon series look that much more interesting and propel sales.
But great character designs can actually help to create huge franchises, build up companies and even shape the landscape of the industries.
I've created a lens on Squidoo to discuss this subject matter titled Great Character Designs - Tips on Creating, Monetizing and Popularizing Digital Characters.
This lens first takes a look at some of the world's most famous characters and how they had had created a legacy for themselves and their companies. We will discuss briefly their traits and what makes them tick.
Next, I will share some tips I often use for creating characters. I discuss visual elements. I also discuss the importance of looking beyond the physical appearance and taking into consideration other factors which are just as important - if not more important - for the character's success. These include looking at licensing and merchandising potential and enriching the character with a personality and story.
Following this I use my company's latest creation - Sedo Dog as a case study and discuss the various elements we have put into the character design such that it has been successful in garnering a licensing deal and generating much broadcast interest despite being in the early phase of its production.
Lastly, I discuss various ideas on monetizing your characters, how to prepare for potential licensing deals and also generating interest in your characters.
I hope this lens provides some useful advice on creating great character designs and I look forward to hearing from you if you have anything to share regarding this post.
