Character Concepting is critical for creating deep and immersive storylines. Visually appealing, detailed and memorable character designs are the cornerstone to any storyline or DND adventure.
Here’s some tips and tricks to creating your own DND Character:
What is Character Design?
Character Design is akin to making a person (or creature) from clay. Starting with an empty canvas, you should build out from the core attributes of your character.
What is their purpose, origin, what drives them, what is their story?
From their storyline and drivers you can then compose a list of physical attributes, costume choices, powers/abilities which will comprise the Character Brief. These descriptions can be as detailed as you like and include things like Posture, Scarring, Skin Tone, Hair Style, Confidence, Demeanor, Personality, Accessories and More. Some effort should be made to align the Character Brief with all aspects of their storyline and personality to enhance believability.
Here is an example Character Brief:
Dwarven Sniper
Purpose: Nomadic Mercenary, Survival
Origin: Sole Survivor of War between Fallen Dwarf Tribes, Survives in Mountains, Solitude
Character Brief: Haggard, Worn Face and Garbs, Messy Tangled Hair, Dwarf, Cloak White Skin Tone, Bare Feet for Climbing, Stooped
Personality: Quiet, Introspective, Meditative
Accessories: Rifle, Camouflaged Robe for the Mountains
Creating Your Concept Image
Now for the fun part, using your newly made character brief to create a stunning character image, you can use or reference moving forward. Idyllic App (Pro) is highly recommended for Character Designs and is tailor-made for creating stunning reference images from detailed character prompts.
Using our character brief we can form this example prompt, and the Image generated by Idyllic Pro:
“Dwarven Sniper, Character Concept, Mountains, Haggard, Robed, Meditating”
Additional Tips:
Research
You should be an expert on your character and their world. The more understanding you have over the world your character inhabits, the deeper your character will be. Enrich your world with details, get inspired by Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, or fully immersive worlds like Dune or Game of Thrones. Use archetypal stories of heroism or redemption, get inspired by biblical tales, fictions or history.
Reference Images
If you’re struggling to visualise the details of your character, reference images are a fantastic way to inspire. Rather than just using reference images generally as a moodboard, Idyllic Pro allows you to actually use your reference images to generate a new concept image.
By Combining the below 2 images with this prompt: “Dwarven Sniper, Mountains, DND Character Concept”, I created the 3rd Image.
Building Character Depth
Using your character brief, you should work out the finer details of your character and their world. This includes interactions with other characters in the world (perhaps resulting in some visual attribute i.e. a scar), their family, relationships, or lack thereof. If they have powers, or a special weapon, how did they come to possess them? Remember that their characteristics and attributes should flow from incidents and events relating to their storyline.
Remember to include not only positive attributes, but flaws, weaknesses, redeeming qualities, philosophies and attitudes.
Get Started!
If you’re ready to create character concepts, get started with Idyllic. Using our guide you should be able to make stunning concepts with simple descriptions or reference images. If you’re struggling, you can request assistance from one of our expert character designers!
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