Character design for animation is the process in which you design the individual characters for the film. Because animation is so time-consuming it is a team effort employing many artists at one time all drawing the same characters in the same expressions. Because most artists do not draw exactly the same, it is imperative when producing a film to create a set of “rules” concerning each character and what they look like from various angles and in specific expressions. If character model sheets are not designed before a film commences then each character in each scene would look slightly different with one animator favoring bigger eyes and another a bigger head.

Enter the character designer!

The Character designer creates what is called a turn around for each main character; a front view, side view 3/4 front view and 3/4 back view. If the show is a 3d show then quite often the character is drawn in what is called a T-Pose, whereby the character has it’s arms stretched out to it’s side simulating the letter “T”. This is done so the 3d model can be created easily without the arms getting away and also allows for easier rigging.

The character designer’s job is also to produce special poses such as a ‘take’ or a sad pose etc. as well as mouth charts which show what the character looks like if he or she is speaking.

In the case of a Flash show the animation is done by manipulating the body parts of the standard turnaround figure by rotating each part such as the arms and legs to pose them sort of like a puppet.  So, anything that can’t be covered by the normal turnaround poses is drawn as a ’special pose’ as well such as if the character needs to be freezing and the typical turnaround can’t support that pose or the limbs can’t be rotated into that specific pose then a ’special pose’ is created.

Here is some model sheets from my film Flavio to give you an example of what’s needed to produce a show.

Here is a typical Model sheet with the approriate turnarounds from the film "Flavio".

Flavio's mouth chart. The letters next to each mouth pose do not signify what the character is saying but rather it is used as a code for the overs eas studio who do not speak English and just read the codes to know what mouth to put where.

Another job of the character designer is produce the character in different poses so the animators will know what they look like with a certain expression.

Sometimes if a character needs it you can draw an 'exploded view' or a construction page which is usually comprised of breaking the character dwon into shapes so it is easier to draw. A good construction page can make quite a difference in your film becasue you are explaining how to draw your character and thereby more scenes will look the same.

Flavio's friend and co-worker; Mr Frank's model sheet turnaround.

Mr Frank's mouthchart