Illustrator and concept artist Claire Hummel discusses character design for games like Half-Life: Alyx and Bioshock Infinite. Topics include balancing uniqueness and relatability, creating diverse characters, importance of character silhouettes in games, and challenges in breaking away from default designs.
Design characters with unique traits and depth to avoid clichés.
Embrace diverse representations in character design to challenge stereotypes.
Create cohesive yet distinct character groups through thoughtful design choices.
Deep dives
Challenging Character Design Norms
When creating characters, it is important to find a balance between uniqueness and avoiding clichés. The podcast highlights how challenging stereotypes and creating characters with depth can lead to more compelling storytelling. An example cited is Gordon Freeman from Half-Life, whose design subverted traditional main character visuals by portraying him as a 'total nerd,' setting him apart iconically despite not fitting the typical hero mold.
Diverse Character Designs
The discussion emphasizes the significance of diverse character designs, including exploring different body types and breaking away from gender stereotypes. It mentions the need for more varied representations, such as bigger women and smaller men, to challenge conventional norms and enhance character depth and complexity.
Building Group Dynamics Through Character Design
Creating characters that belong to a group while maintaining individuality involves thoughtful design to ensure they stand out uniquely yet cohesively. The conversation touches on using costumes and shared experiences to visually connect characters within a group while allowing for distinctions that illustrate their individual personalities and roles.
Evolution of Character Design
Character design is depicted as an evolving process that goes beyond physical appearance. It involves designing personalities, body language, and how characters react to different scenarios, showcasing their mental state and growth. The process of integrating changing clothing, grooming choices, and modifications to reinforce character development is highlighted.
Breaking Stereotypes and Archetypes
The episode emphasizes the importance of research and expanding media consumption to avoid falling into stereotypes or clichéd characterizations. It encourages creators to challenge conventional norms, utilize diverse sources for inspiration, and consider how to create unique characters that defy expectations while maintaining authenticity and depth.
Inky, Devin, and Lizy are joined by illustrator and concept artist Claire Hummel for a discussion on character design! Claire may be best known for her work on games like Half-Life: Alyx and Bioshock Infinite. So you can probably imagine how excited we were to talk about both her work in the games industry, and the larger question of how to best design characters for your worlds and stories.