Shape Language In Character Design

Struggling to design unique-looking characters? In this short art tutorial, instructor Josh goes over Shape Design, Shape Language, and Shape Association. These techniques are used by large animation studios to create memorable characters! 🤓

#characterdesign #shapelanguage

🕓 Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction
0:14 - What is shape design?
4:04 - Shape design
5:20 - Shape language
8:22 - Shape association

🖤 Free Digital Art Resources & Goodies

🖤 See our complete tutorial for Medibang Paint Pro on a computer:

😎 Save $10 off our Beginner Digital Art Course with promo code: ARTNERDS10

🎨 Try a Virtual Art Class (2 for 1 promo for new students!)

✏️ Learn some serious art skills — LIVE in our online classroom:

💪 Sharpen your art skills with personalized critiques to create a winning portfolio!

👀 Check out our Skillshare courses:

🍎 Browse our Art Resources for Teachers:

🥰 Support the Winged Canvas team on Patreon

🤩 Support the channel by becoming a member:

💕 Make a donation to support Winged Canvas and free art education

💡 Subscribe for more art tutorials, tips, and art resources

🤓 Join our Art Nerd community

Winged Canvas is an online art school based in Canada specializing in virtual art programs. We are known for our Art Mentorship program and quirky art nerd culture. Our instructors are professional artists and designers with a passion for teaching and nurturing creativity, sharing our artistic skill sets and industry experience with others.

Music credits:
アトリエと電脳世界 @ フリーBGM DOVA-SYNDROME

Artist software used:
Autodesk Sketchbook
Adobe Photoshop

[Wingedcanvas]

Want to study character design under one of our instructors? 🤩

[devinsauls]

Is that the Food Critic from Ratatouille and Ferb from Phineas and Ferb?

[Scrofar]

I think with using shapes for personality, there's also one moderately recent technique that Disney especially liked doing in the past decade of films... SUBVERTING expectations! The best example is King Candy of Wreck-It Ralph, who has lots of round shapes in his body design to give him a friendly and affable impression. However, this doesn't necessarily reflect his true personality, which is selfish and manipulative to the point he is willing to put everyone else in danger. Although Disney milked the "twist villain" trope a little too much, I think there is something very valuable in exploring shapes to give a character internal depth: maybe their design is very sharp and broad, making them appear intimidating, cold, and untrustworthy to the audience, but their personality is very shy and unsure. Or they have very round and slender shapes to appear soft and fragile, but they use their looks as a ploy to manipulate others or execute questionable morals.

Great video as always, with an excellent variety of examples! While I learned about character shapes when I majored in animation, it was during a time when anime style was still frowned upon, so there were no lessons that used anime characters as examples. My art style has always been heavily anime-influenced, so I would feel somewhat isolated during those classes. Just seeing examples from LoK, which is undoubtedly anime influenced, makes me feel inspired to branch out my designs again!

[slimothyjames]

I've been struggling lately with redesigning a set of characters from one of my stories. I've got their designs in my head and what I wanted to go for but no matter how many times I drew them, it never conveyed them the way I wanted it to. I could never get their physique to translate fluidly. THANK YOU! I've known about shape language and all that for years but seeing it applied to existing designs has really opened my eyes to exactly how I need to use them to finalize my designs. I can't thank you enough, this video is exactly what I didn't know I needed!

[tehprimelime]

this is the best way to learn how to draw. seeing the shapes and playing with them is by far the most important aspect of art, we can't separate two objects from each other by looking at their insides, its that outer shape which gives a candle or jug its shape. I REALLY wish schools would teach silhouette first for a while as it builds so much confidence seeing simple shapes turn into fun characters, even without the inner parts.

[harrysanders]

This is the explanation I was searching for for ages! How to see/apply shape design to realistic characters!

[jeremiahsacks]

Is that the musical blender from phineas and ferb's famous duo Marty the rabbit boy and his musical blender?

[jnfcowh]

i am not sure if i am the only who noticed this or not but the shape language is implemented in real life as well.
I have realised after watching this video that people in our daily life follow this rule to a degree as well. My best friend, she is more lanky triangular and she fit the personality description perfectly. myself i am more circular and i fit the personality traits as well.

[birb]

yESS I needed this, I struggle a lot with character designs so I bet this will help me. If you take suggestions, it would be pretty good if there was a small tutorial for drawing paws too, like cat paws and claws since they can be kind of hard to draw or even figure out how to draw, for me at least.

[DSCharmander]

I'm glad this popped up in my recommends. This is pretty interesting how this concept is used in making different, unique and memorable characters.

[Thollis]

Im so happy to have watch yourself videos that i subscribed to you.

[zerareota]

Laika has some pretty incredible character designs, I’d love to see someone study them in a video

[HurricaneK]

I love your videos, they give me inspiration to draw 😅

[t-magggnolia]

Thank you for making all these amazing videos❤ I love them🎉❤

[lacey_and_her_stories]

Thank you very much for this video! I love your channel in general and I really appreciate everything you guys do :)

[lamphan]

5:53 Korra is not a spin-off, it is a sequel

[jaquelinehummingbirdcryste]

Wow! This is one of the best shape language videos I've ever seen. Thank you!

[lydiawarren]

Thank you so much, you won’t see this but I just want you to know that this has improved my art. I looked up shape language and this is one of the best videos I found (as always).

[kkaatjebaatje]

so uh i’m currently trying male characters and i suck at the hair. can u pls do a tut on how do make fluffoi or just normal male hair or even female like just.. HAIR. i need serious help with it smh 😭

[kinglifemaster]

Dug makes sense because dosnt he become best friend/pet for Carel and Russell. Sorry probably spelled that wrong