Need some feedback

Deklan

Hello guys, long time PA fan, first time posting, don't know if that counts for anything.

So I have an art class and I got an assignment to create an original "cutsie" and "friendly" character for this thing. I've posted my stuff on DA but I get no comments and no one visits my freakiiiiin page cause I suck at drawing and have no friends there, only recently have I gotten a little better and got this wacom tablet.

I based this guy off of my Cast (mech character) in Phantasy Star Universe, I'm thinking of using that "ASS-battery pack" to cover his ass, I got a little mechanical tie in, the yellow is pretty much written in stone, but all the other colors are subject to change.






ANY ADVICE OR CRITICISM is WELCOME.

NightDragon

Honestly, it's incredibly hard to tell what's going on with the character. I had to look at it for awhile before I even understood what I was looking at, and which direction it was facing. I don't think you're really associating the shapes with anything reminescent of human facial structure (not to say your robot is human-anatomy based, purely, but...I really couldn't tell where the face was, what this shape is meant to be, why this shape is here, what this object is supposed to be...)

...I also think this is a result of your coloring being so flat. There's no depth or lighting to tell me where something IS in relation to other parts of the robot-thing. It's all on a flat plane. Now, if the features were more easily read, flat coloring really wouldn't be so much of a problem....but I think it's just another element that adds to the whole visual confusion of your design.

............also, that thing on top of it's head? How big is it? You're varying it's size drastically throughout every drawing...and actually, now to think of it, you're changing a lot in size and proportion across your designs. Try to keep every drawing uniform and looking like the last.

Deklan

Thanks, man. The shadows and volumetry stuff are something I've been considering, but I thought that by adding those things I'd lose a lot of the cartoony feel, which is just what I need for this project. Though I recognize you are right and I will try and do some light work on future drawings of the character.

And yeah, I guess it is kinda difficult to really take in the whole thing. Seeing what goes where and all that, but... Well, I know the 3D character this was inspired from, I know what I'm drawing and that it's pretty complex, but I can visualize it perfectly. Maybe the shadows will help out with that.

The thing on top of the head is supposed to be metal but I was thinking of making it "kinda" move around a little depending on what the character's doing? So it's flexible. As for the proportions, yes, it's still evolving. I don't know if I want him buff or thin.

MagicToaster

Deklan wrote: »

I got an assignment to create an original "cutsie" and "friendly" character..

Making a robot into a chibi does not make it cute and friendly. You have to think of softer shapes and angles. Also, that metal thing that's comming out of his head is very sharp looking... that basically kills the entire cute and friendly concept. I wouldnt let my non-existant kids play with it...

Deklan

Well, sonic has huge spikes on the back and I don't hear that anyone ever poked an eye out with those. :P Sorry, getting defensive. You're right, too much metal, it's just that it's not so much a toy as it is supposed to be a corporate mascot of sorts for a subway system. I immediatly thought mech, all my colleagues are making these bland smileys faces with hats and bookworm-type stuff... If I remove the antenna won't he be a little more bland? Can I replace it with anything?

NibCrom

I think you've got an interesting character, and you're off to a pretty good start. His body has a pretty interesting design. Is he wearing a tie? I do like your line quality, but it as it has been said, it is a little flat. Drawing geometric shapes before hand may help.

One thing that I think you really need to consider is to change his face. To me, it's a drone. I'm not sure how you can express any sort of emotion through that face. The design would work fine for a background robot, but anyone is going to get bored very easily with a face that doesn't change in the slightest. It needs to have something at least resembling eyes or a mouth (which for robots can be pretty out there) for people to be able to connect to it.

It looks like you are getting used to your Wacom though. Good job on that.

MagicToaster

Deklan wrote: »

Well, sonic has huge spikes on the back and I don't hear that anyone ever poked an eye out with those.

Sonic was aimed at a specific audience, 'cute' and 'friendly' were not in his design. You can't really compare yours to Sonic. Don't get me started on demographics, I'll lay the smack down with 98% acuracy and 95% reach!

*flashes gang signs*

DMAC

I would seriously think about injecting some more "character" into your character. Companies (in general) want something bright and friendly. Something that reflects the "personality" of the company. It's possible to communicate a lot through body language, but eyes and a mouth are so much more expressive.

Your design is also pretty complex, especially the head. I drew this at lunch to show you what I mean: brighter colors, simpler shapes, and a more expressive face. If I were doing this for a client, I would probably do half a dozen different takes and see what they gravitate to.

Rust

DMAC wrote: »

I would seriously think about injecting some more "character" into your character. Companies (in general) want something bright and friendly. Something that reflects the "personality" of the company. It's possible to communicate a lot through body language, but eyes and a mouth are so much more expressive.

Your design is also pretty complex, especially the head. I drew this at lunch to show you what I mean: brighter colors, simpler shapes, and a more expressive face. If I were doing this for a client, I would probably do half a dozen different takes and see what they gravitate to.

I don't mean to sound like a wiseass, but that thing frightens me.

DMAC

A good mascot is supposed to frighten you. That's how you know it's working.

MagicToaster

It's true, as a child I was mortified of Frosted Flakes! I bought them out of fear of being mauled by a tiger.

DMAC, I'm curious: How much would you charge for something like that?

DMAC

Not enough.

I'm on salary at work. I haven't done much in the way of freelance mascot design.