Character Designs
My character designs typically lean into loud and expressive sub- and counter- cultures. I enjoy creating characters who are just like you and I, with complex interests, tastes, and relationships to the world, as well as visually appealing designs from an artistic perspective. Working within the confines of a subculture or genre means I can test my own ability to express personality and opinion through visuals and push the limits of what defines these categories. I also enjoy the challenge of taking non-human and fantasy creatures and attempting to create a realistic design despite their eccentricities.
Process
I am always noting fashion details, personality quirks, and habits that the people around me have and tucking them away for later. As an artist, I find a majority of my inspiration in the places I am familiar with: rural towns, tight-knit communities, and vibrant cliques of dramatic, well-known personalities. I also take a large helping of inspiration from the media I most personally enjoy such as horror movies, Gothic literature, and westerns.
I typically draft my designs either via moodboards of striking images and quotes or a 3D route such as The Sims 4 to create a cohesive but unique appearance to begin brainstorming with. Many of my characters were born because I wanted to explore patterns, textures, and layers in clothing or to chase the feeling of particular emotions which can only be described through lived experience.