Character Design for Feature Animation: Ro

Character design for feature animation is a collaborative and exciting process. We’re thrilled to share this journey with you in detail. Let’s dive in!

Featured image for the case study of Ro - going through the process of character design for a feature animation.

PROJECT OVERVIEW: character design for feature animation

This project was a dream come true for animation enthusiasts! Filmkompaniet invited us to join a multi-national collaboration for the animated feature film Ro. Our team was responsible for designing over 50 characters for the film..

We worked closely with director Magdalena Osinska to transform the vision of Ro into unique and memorable characters. The designs were based on key character art by Åsa Lucander with character design by Alex Gadelev and Félicie Haymoz.

Additionally, Animoon produced the animation, adding another layer of expertise to the project.

Client

Filmkompaniet

PRODUCTION COMPANIES

Filmkompaniet, Animoon

PRODUCTION PROCESS: CHARACTER DESIGN FOR FEATURE ANIMATION

The character creation process always starts with the screenplay. First, we analyze the script, conducting a thorough character breakdown. This involves identifying all characters, noting their names and descriptions, and categorizing them as main, supporting, or background characters. While background characters may not play a central role, they add depth and authenticity to the film’s universe.

After the breakdown, we begin the creative process of drawing in collaboration with the director – a process called character design. This iterative stage ensures every character’s appearance reflects their personality and aligns with the director’s vision. Each design element contributes to the storytelling, making this step critical for bringing characters to life.

CHARACTER DESIGN FOR FEATURE ANIMATION: ROUGH SKETCHES

The first visual step in character design is rough sketches. Designers create quick, varied sketches to explore different directions for each character. These initial drawings are intentionally kept simple to allow for rapid iteration and refinement. Using the screenplay as a foundation, our designers inject creativity to expand on character descriptions.

EXPRESSION SHEETS

Once a character’s general look is established, we focus on their behavior. By analyzing key scenes from the script, we create rough sketches that depict a wide range of expressions. These sheets help visualize how characters react to different situations and emotional states. Additionally, we emphasize silhouettes to ensure that each character remains visually distinct, enhancing recognition.

FACIAL EXPRESSION SHEETS

Characters often experience a broad spectrum of emotions in a film. To convey these emotions effectively, we always create detailed facial expression sheets. Guided by the screenplay, we carefully design expressions that communicate emotions through nuanced facial gestures, ensuring they resonate with the audience. This step is essential for impactful storytelling.

CHARACTER DESIGN FOR FEATURE ANIMATION: TURNAROUNDS

To fully understand a character’s form, we create turnarounds—blueprint-like images that show the character from multiple angles. Turnarounds are especially vital in 3D or puppet animation, where 2D drawings are translated into 3D models or physical puppets. Even in 2D animation, they maintain consistency in shape, size, and volume, ensuring visual coherence.

COLOR IN CHARACTER DESIGN FOR FEATURE ANIMATION

In the final stages, we develop color versions of the characters. These designs allow us to refine features and colors further, ensuring each character stands out while fitting seamlessly into the film’s world. The color palette is carefully chosen to complement the overall aesthetic of the film.

TEASER TRAILER WITH FINAL ANIMATION

A thumbnail image from the feature animation "Ro". Image from the character design for feature animation case study by Brink Helsinki.

Check out the teaser trailer for Ro! It showcases one of the handcrafted, hand-animated puppet shots based on our character designs.

ADDITIONAL CHARACTER DESIGN MATERIAL

Feature animations are monumental projects, and character design is just one part of the process. We’re excited to share exclusive behind-the-scenes material that offers a deeper look into the work we did for Ro. Enjoy this rare opportunity to explore our creative journey!

CHARACTER DESIGN FOR FEATURE ANIMATION: CONCLUSION

Thank you for joining us on this exciting journey into character design for Ro. We hope you’ve enjoyed discovering how we brought these characters to life. If you’d like to explore more of our work, check out projects like DNA: Joyful Animals or Veikkaus: Herkkuzoot!