Character design is one of the most rewarding and challenging aspects of game development. Whether you’re working on a pixel art platformer or a AAA 3D title, the principles remain surprisingly consistent.
Start with Silhouette
A strong character silhouette is readable at any distance. Before adding detail, ask yourself: can I recognize this character purely from their outline?
Color Theory in Character Design
Color palettes communicate personality instantly:
- Warm colors suggest energy, aggression, passion
- Cool colors suggest intelligence, calm, mystery
- High contrast creates visual interest and readability
The Fio Germi Case Study
When designing fan art for Fio Germi from Metal Slug, I focused on maintaining her core readables while exploring alternative outfits and scenarios.
The key was keeping her recognizable facial features and color scheme while adapting the context.