Designing Characters for your webcomic

So you're a random artist/author, you have a killer idea for a story. What do you do? You simply start drawing the comic and hope to the gods an awesome character pops up as the story progresses. Haha, been there, done that. What a fail!

Creating memorable characters is one of the most exciting and crucial parts of making a webcomic. Your characters drive the story, connect with readers, and bring your world to life. Whether you're working on a fantasy epic, a slice-of-life story, or anything in between, well-designed characters are the key to engaging your audience and hopefully... merch.

So here’s a quick guide to help you design characters that will leave an awesome, lasting impression.

Start with the Basics: Who Are They?

Before diving into the details, think about who your characters are at their core. What are their goals, motivations, and fears? Understanding these fundamental aspects will help you create characters that feel real and relatable. Ask yourself questions like:

• What drives them? Are they on a quest for justice, seeking revenge, or simply trying to find their place in the world?
• What are their strengths and weaknesses? No one is perfect, and giving your characters flaws makes them more relatable.
• How do they change over time? Think about how your characters will evolve as the story progresses.

If you ask yourself such questions about your character, you'll definitely create someone you can consider your best-friend, and so can your readers.

Visual Design: Bringing Your Characters to Life

Once you have a solid understanding of who your characters are, it's time to bring them to life visually. Your character's appearance should reflect their personality, background, and role in the story. Here are some tips to help you with this:

• Silhouette and Shape Language: Use distinct shapes and silhouettes to make your characters instantly recognizable. For example, a strong, square silhouette might indicate a character with physical strength, while a softer, rounder shape could suggest a more approachable, gentle personality.
• Color Scheme: Choose colors that reflect your character’s personality or role. Bright, bold colors might suit a hero, while darker, muted tones could fit an antagonist. Don’t be afraid to use contrasting colors to make your characters stand out.
• Clothing and Accessories: The way your character dresses can say a lot about them. Are they practical and no-nonsense, or do they have a flair for the dramatic? Consider their environment and culture when designing their wardrobe.
• Facial Features and Expressions: A character’s face is often the first thing readers connect with. Experiment with different facial features and expressions to convey their emotions and personality. Remember, eyes are particularly expressive—use them to your advantage.

Personality and Voice: Making Them Stand Out

Your character's personality and voice are just as important as their visual design. This is what will make your readers fall in love with them (or love to hate them). Here’s how to make sure your characters’ personalities shine:

• Dialogue: How your characters speak can reveal a lot about them. Are they formal and precise, or do they speak in slang and use casual language? Make sure their dialogue feels true to who they are.
• Quirks and Habits: Give your characters unique habits or quirks to make them more memorable. Maybe one character always hums when they’re nervous, or another has a catchphrase they use all the time. Like from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, whenever Mikey's excited he always goes "BOOYAKASHAA!!!". I know, crazy, but that's just Mikey.
• Interactions with Others: How your characters interact with each other can reveal their relationships and personalities. Do they get along well, or is there underlying tension? Use these interactions to add depth to your characters.

Refining and Evolving Your Characters

As your webcomic progresses, your characters should evolve along with the story. This doesn’t just apply to their personalities and motivations but also to their visual design. Here’s how to keep your characters dynamic:

• Character Development: Allow your characters to grow and change in response to the events in your story. This makes them feel more real and keeps readers engaged.
• Visual Evolution: Consider updating your characters’ designs as the story progresses. Maybe they gain new scars, change their clothing, or adopt a new style. These changes can reflect their personal growth or the challenges they’ve faced.
• Feedback Loop: Don’t be afraid to take feedback from your readers into account. If a particular character design or personality trait isn’t resonating, be open to making adjustments. They're just as human as we are and can evolve as we do, a change isn't necessarily permanent.

Bringing It All Together

Designing characters for your webcomic is a blend of creativity, storytelling, and a bit of strategy. By understanding who your characters are at their core, designing them visually with purpose, giving them distinct personalities, and allowing them to evolve, you'll create characters that captivate your audience and bring your story to life.

Ready to Bring Your Characters to Life?

Your characters are ready to leap off your mind and into the hearts of readers. Why not share their story with the world? Sign up for an artist account on Klaustoons and showcase your characters in a webcomic that’s uniquely yours. Join a community of passionate creators and let your characters shine!