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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Character Design for Video Games by California Institute of the Arts

4.7
stars
962 ratings

About the Course

In this course you will explore concepts and approaches involved in creating successful character designs that can be applied to video games. Following a first week delving into some foundational concepts for successful character design, each of the remaining three weeks are structured as a master class where you will observe three professional character designers at work in the studio: Andy Ristaino (Adventure Time), Jacky Ke Jiang (Journey), and Robertryan Cory (SpongeBob SquarePants). Each designer will take on two different design challenges on the fly and address the various issues in designing characters for games, such as movement, expression, and technical limitations. At the end of each week you will have an opportunity to try out some of the concepts from that week's lesson on characters of your own design. This is a fun and engaging class especially useful for students interested in animation in film and TV as well as games, and is suitable for students of any drawing ability....

Top reviews

JM

Dec 21, 2016

As I said earlier, I recommend this course for everyone; doctors included (:

I like how this course was treated in a different way. We see people doing the job on there ground, that's interesting.

JJ

Jul 16, 2023

Concise coverage of fundamentals with great interviews and process from working artists. Could probably do with a little more about the application and styles in games but a great course nonetheless.

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201 - 225 of 254 Reviews for Character Design for Video Games

By Joshua S

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Sep 2, 2021

I really enjoyed this course. I am someone with experience in art and writing/character creation, but I really struggled to bridge the gap into character design through art. This course effectively bridged that gap for me and helped me think more practically about these things. I think that the course is really valuable in terms of the homework and broad concepts covered, and you get out what you put into it. I would have liked a bit more 'teaching' of character design concepts - it was a bit more open than I'd expected and without my own study on the side I think I would not have gotten as much as I did.

By Streltsova M

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Oct 1, 2016

A very interesting experience. I got imagination level-up. Though it was really difficult to understand what should you do in each assignment. I've spent quite a while time to realize what to do each time. And some students did their homework completely wrong. But except of that it's a great course.

By Cleo T

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May 16, 2020

The course content is easy to follow, and is very insightful as you learn about the different artists' creative processes. The assignment grading system, however, needs to be improved so that it's easier to submit peer reviews, and to make sure that feedback received is constructive and useful.

By Sophie H

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Dec 31, 2016

I enjoyed this course because I learned about the more practical aspects of character design. The assignments were based of the same theory but didn't feel repetitive. The only thing I found was that the grading was veryyyyy easy.

So: A bit underwhelming but fun and interesting.

By Steve C

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Aug 10, 2019

This was probably my favorite course of the 4 pre capstone courses. Having played video games pre Atari, the other classes weren't a huge surprise but the activities were fun. This is the first one that really challenged me to get out of my comfort zone.

By Olga C

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Aug 14, 2023

A good course for a beginner but way to go)

At first, I did not like the fact that we had to give feedback, replies to other people assignments, but it proved to be pretty useful, another tool in learning.

Thank you for the course!

By Selene G Y

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Mar 8, 2022

This was a nice coure, I learned a lot from the artist that were invited to participated here, very talented with useful tips! But Would be cool to also include artists from other backgrounds like women, queer people, trans, etc.

By Andrea B

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Mar 13, 2016

I would have liked to get input on my work by an instructor instead of just other students, but it was a good exercise to hone my skills. I wouldn't pay for credit because I feel like my work isn't being professionally graded.

By David M

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Oct 31, 2019

Very cool to see other artists in their "zone" talking about their experiences and giving some advice, gave 4 stars instead of 5 just because plenty of the talking isn't as informative as I would have liked.

By Anna M T

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Apr 20, 2020

Only issue with this course is that since there's only peer review and your peers can all be at different levels of skill, you run the risk of not getting any constructive criticism.

By Joshua B

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Aug 31, 2017

This course expanded my mind into creating a character inspired by surroundings. I have designed characters before in class but this was the next level i needed!

By Jose S

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Feb 3, 2020

Very interesting and engaging activities. It was great to make designs to be compared and assessed by other students. Highly recommended.

By Yu

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Jan 21, 2016

An amazing course, I really enjoyed it ..

very useful assignments .. opened my mind in different ways

would have loved references or so ..

By Joseph F

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Aug 12, 2018

I wish this class had more actual lessons on character design concepts and philosophies rather than the demonstrations it used.

By Naila W

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Jun 2, 2020

Pretty good notes given by 2nd and 3rd lecturer, first dude needs to actually plan what hes gonna say

By E. C C

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Aug 14, 2017

Nice use of iteration to push your ideas of who or what a character should or could look like.

By Ginevra F L A

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Apr 20, 2016

I learned a lot from the teacher, and the guests gave useful insight into the industry

By Juan D M

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Jun 23, 2016

One of my favorite ones up to now, long and interesting classes with amazing artists.

By Rodrigo A Z V

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Jun 2, 2021

Muy bueno, pero creo que a este deberían de entrar solo personas que sepan dibujar.

By David T S

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Nov 21, 2020

It was a short and fun course. Got me to practice thinking more creatively

By Stelios V

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Apr 19, 2020

Anyone interested in character design and its basics will find this useful

By Ticiana V

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Jul 26, 2022

Excelentt course. A real challenge for those who can't draw, like myself.

By Emilio M

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Feb 16, 2016

I liked the talks a lot but didnt expect to be forced to draw :)

By Sergio P

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Jul 30, 2019

Grades were complicated to get (due to few people taking it)

By Deleted A

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Sep 8, 2016

Interesting course overall ! Suitable for beginners.