2014 Fall Character Concepts Otis: September 2014

You guys did it! You're finally done with that cartooning project whoooo great jobs.

Now it's on to the second project which is the STREET FIGHTER THEMED FIGHTING GAME.

I just put up the second one's logo up because I thought it looked rad as hell hAH ANYWAYS....

There was a LOT of confusion going on in class with information so please read this just so we're clear. Here is a website with Street Fighter characters to help you guys start out!

http://streetfighter.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Characters

You guys have been placed into teams again oh boy, hope you all get along and again show us that you're all team players! You have all been assigned to create your very own fighting groups with your very own themes thrown into them. Street Fighter is simply the reference remember that! Here is a checklist of what needs to be done, what shouldn't, dates, and so forth.

Each team member must draw a total of three characters. The third character will be one that EVERYONE works on together, so we want to see each individual's visual/look for that specific character. Who will you all be working on I wonder, is it the "main" character" that will be the prime example for your themed group? Or just a secondary character you all like and each want to take a stab at? It will be very interesting to see many different sketches and versions of one character! 20 SKETCHES per character that is the minimum you are welcome to do more and explore. Remember that headshots and bustshots DO NOT count as a full drawing. Please draw all 20 bodies to get full credit otherwise your grade will suffer.

Drawings do not have to be colored, and can be sketchy. However, these sketches should be very clear for us to read the character. Do you remember the Art Center sketches Hong showed you all in class? We want you all to aim for that kind of level please. Style wise you are welcome to choose whatever styles you like!

Pick a corresponding THEME that resonates through all of your characters. Are you doing Russian grannies? Zombies, vegetarians, school kids, etc etc? (We advice that you avoid full on robots and 100% creature if you can.) Remember that Street Fighter is the reference and nothing more. You are welcome to reference off of any version of Street Fighter you are not limited to one Street Fighter game.We want you all to base the characters off of the archetypes you see in the games, but do not blatantly copy the characters. We also want to see you pick specific fighting styles from the game and implement them into your designs somehow. Don't make it too obvious however like oh my character does karate or boxing. Your character design should be clear enough and dynamic to where we will already realize, "Oh! Your character's fighting style is this!" Despite Street Fighter having a lot of muscular male characters, there are many different archetypes and fighting styles. Study or ask your friends who know a lot about Street Fighter to help you out!

NO WEAPONS! NO HANDHELD WEAPONS! Guns, swords, spears, etc you know what a weapon is, none of that! This is a HAND-TO-HAND combat game, your characters will most likely have to rely on brute force alone. That's not to say you can't design other elements to your characters to help them fight however. Does the costume your character wear help with close combat? Is it enchanted? Does your character have let's say enchanted hair or body parts that stretch incredible lengths? Does it have prosthetics that enhance fighting? Remember that Ryu can use Chi magic to do his Hadoken move. Magic is an interesting element to use, but please don't blow it out of proportion, if you use it, make it a secondary thing. There are many interesting characters in the Street Fighter Universe, I'm sure you can find one and implement it into your designs or hell even think up your own!

LOTS AND LOTS OF REFS! Again, what is your theme for your Fighting Game?Whatever it is, please be sure to post pages of reference you have collected and found. Remember that drawing is important, but you can't do any of that without studying and looking up the information! You must be able to clearly explain your theme and what your characters do, if you do not have the information to back up your drawings, no matter how amazing they are they will be unsuccessful. Nothing is more embarrassing than not knowing specific details and being unable to answer questions about your own theme and characters.

DUE DATE: By next week, we expect at least ONE character done by each individual. Easy right? Time wise it is the usual, please post by Tuesday night. We understand that everyone is busy and juggle around multiple classes, but please do not be posting during class next week. We have a sub, it will set a poor example. This assignment is a two week process as Hong will not be here next week, and we will NOT be going over the drawings in class. The substitute has their own lesson planned, however that doesn't mean you can just slack off and not post anything! I will be looking over your sketches, and Hong will actually be grading them as well despite not being in class so please post for your grade. Remember that missing a single assignment is a single letter grade down yikes!

TEAM LEADERS, it's the same as last time. Make the templates, post everything on time, help your teammates out and just organize things for the most part. Help individuals that are struggling(of course this goes for all of you, motivate each other and ask each other for help the team leader isnt the only one doing this), and make sure they're pulling their own weight! OH AND ANOTHER INTERESTING THING: Now that you aren't picking from cartoons, you no longer have cool logos to put up on your templates. Will you be designing one for your team I wonder? Street Fighter has a pretty kickass logo itself, and so do a lot of cool fighting games. Work together with your team to come up with one, it really helps your presentation pop and look great.

LASTLY, HAVE FUN! This is the most important! This is one of the assignments where you guys get a good amount of artistic freedom! There are some restrictions yes but that's the point of a challenge and it helps you develop concepts and really work that brain; get your creative juices flowing! You guys are free to do almost any sort of theme, and your team gets to make their own fighting game and characters man I'm jealous this all sounds cool as hell. This assignment isn't meant to stress you all out! And if it does yikes, that's a bummer! Coming up with fun concepts and creating them should be something you all enjoy as artist, as you all will most likely be doing this when you have jobs. Also, teamwork again! Have fun with your buddies, and help each other to create really fun and rad concepts. Everyone gets a say also, don't just lean on one person's idea. VOICE YOUR OPINIONS! That is another important part about teamwork. If you do not like an idea, tell your teammates! They will understand! Work something out and find a topic everyone likes. Don't be that one individual who hates the project and simply works on it for a grade. BOOOHOOO don't be selfish and rude it will suck the fun out of everything and ruin it for your whole team. Since Hong will not be here next week, I'll be sure to post up another announcement after class next week stating more details of what we want for when Hong comes back. Email is dunesandd@yahoo.com if you have further questions or need drawovers/suggestions.

Good luck guys, can't wait to see what you all come up with!