Lab One - Assignment Character Design

Assigned: May 19th
Due: May 26th
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Create an original character and draw it in Flash. We’ll use this character to create an animated cycle.

Design an original character to animate – we’ll be creating an animation of your character walking or running in place.

The character can be a human, animal, alien, inanimate object, or a hybrid. Draw in any style: realistic or exaggerated. The style should be consistent and unified through all parts of the character.

Draw your character in Flash: practice using the Flash tools. Try doing something in a different way than you would in Photoshop or Illustrator. (You may draw your character on paper first, but the finished character must be drawn in Flash.)

Use Layers: create layers for each main moving part of the character. For example, you can create a layer for the head, another for the central body, one for each arm and leg, and even separate layers for the hands and feet. The more layers you have, the easier it will be to animate your character.

Draw your character in the first pose of a “Walk Cycle” (see the references­ given out in class). Use an expressive and dynamic pose. Start thinking about how your character might move: what kind of pose or posture would convey their movement? Is the character Running? Walking? Sneaking? Flying? Swimming?

The “Side-View” Walk Cycle is recommended, since it does not require foreshortening.