Character Design

This project explores the cast of my original fantasy world: heroes, spirits, and villagers shaped by a blend of Chinese cultural motifs and painterly, semi-real stylization. Each character was developed from the inside out: their personalities informed their silhouettes, clothing structures, and color choices, while narrative moments guided the final poses and expressions.

The main duo brings together two contrasting energies:
The calm, disciplined swordsman with a layered costume inspired by traditional textiles and metalwork;
The lively half-fox herbalist, whose playful details, soft shapes, and bright palette reflect her curious nature.

Alongside their full designs, I developed chibi versions to explore how their features translate into stylized proportions, keeping the charm and personality while simplifying shapes. The supporting cast sketches expand the world further, from elders and villagers to beings with animalistic traits. Each figure helps define the culture and visual language of the setting: a balance of fantasy, folklore, and grounded everyday life.

This collection is both a character study and a worldbuilding exercise, tying together costume design, gesture, and storytelling into a unified visual direction.