I’ll walk you through my character design process, which I use to shape the characters in my comics and graphic novels. This method works for any genre, whether you’re creating a character for a fantasy novel, video game, or even a business mascot.
If you, like me, lack the fine motor skills for hand-drawing, this process can be ideal because it doesn’t require prior experience and is incredibly fun, sparking your imagination.
The Role of AI in Character Design
I rely on the most efficient artistic tool I know: AI. While many traditional artists are skeptical about AI, those who embrace it are already seeing its benefits. So why miss out?
Character Conceptualization
The first part of my process is character conceptualization, or brainstorming. I use ChatGPT as my assistant and Notion to record my notes. While ChatGPT’s free version is good enough, the paid version offers slight improvements. You can use any note-taking app, but I prefer Notion for its versatility and organization.
Brainstorming helps develop character depth. By thinking about your character’s backstory, personality, and motivations, you create a more true-to-life character. It also pushes you beyond your first and most conventional ideas.
Using ChatGPT for Brainstorming
I usually start by opening a new ChatGPT chat. For this demonstration, I’ll show you a character I’ve been working on.
The beauty of this process is that it’s completely open-ended—there’s no right or wrong approach. With brainstorming, it’s just note-taking and a conversation with a chatbot.
For example, when designing the main character for a fanfiction graphic novel, I asked ChatGPT about his weapon first. It gave me some unconventional suggestions, which sparked my imagination. I then asked for ideas about his attire, and ChatGPT’s response wasn’t bad at all. While I don’t use 95% of ChatGPT’s suggestions, they often lead to ideas I would have otherwise overlooked.
Most people start with a backstory. If you already have one, you can feed it to ChatGPT and ask it to elaborate, add intrigue, or pinpoint inconsistencies. If you don’t have a pre-planned backstory, you may ask ChatGPT for multiple character profiles and work your way from there. While most suggestions will be cliches, I guarantee that you’ll find a few that are ripe for reinvention.
Developing Character Traits
Character profiles go hand in hand with backstories. I developed my character’s personality traits, physical appearance, and origin. These aspects make a character more lifelike, and choosing the right ones depends on the type of character and story you have. Remember, there are no rules—let your imagination run wild.
Bringing Characters to Life with AI Image Generators
There are several AI image generators that can bring your characters to life. I use Midjourney because it strikes the perfect balance between user-friendliness and powerful features. It is a paid tool, with the cheapest package at $10 per month. For free alternatives, I suggest Bing Image Creator, which gives you 100 free credits, or Craiyon, which also offers a free version.
Generating Character Illustrations
When illustrating a character, consider their physical appearance, clothing, and art style. For the first two, I rely on the character profile in my notes. Reading it multiple times helps me form a clear image of their appearance, including facial expression, hair color, and body type.
The first character you generate will most likely not be your final one. For example, my initial images of Jack, my main character, were far from what I had envisioned. By refining the prompt and focusing on physical traits first, I eventually generated a decent depiction.
Here’s an example of a prompt I used for Jack:
a fullbody portrait of a 23yo young handsome blonde guy with green eyes and lean body build, Tomoko Sudo art style
I described the physical appearance (23-year-old blonde guy with green eyes and a lean build) and used Tomoko Sudo’s art style because of its anime-like quality, perfect for my fanfiction set in the Solo Leveling universe.
Testing Character Feasibility
Think about the scenarios your character will face in your story. For example, since my story has a lot of fighting, I tested Jack’s ability to be depicted in various action poses. Initially, he looked too pretty and didn’t match his tough personality. By revisiting my notes and adding personality traits to the prompt, I generated a fierce expression that fit perfectly.
Ensuring Character Consistency
Consistency is crucial in character design. Using Midjourney’s Character Reference parameter (--cref), you can generate a consistent look for your character. For example, to generate Jack in a punching pose:
Addressing Common Issues
Even with AI assistance, character design comes with obstacles. Here are some common issues and how I overcome them:
- Character Consistency: While
--crefhelps, inconsistencies can still occur, such as different eye colors. These can be easily fixed with photo editing apps like Photoshop, Canva, or Photopea. - Style Consistency: Keeping the art style consistent makes the story look more cohesive. Use Midjourney’s Style Reference parameter (
--sref) to maintain the same style across different characters and scenes. Combine--crefand--srefin one prompt to ensure both character and style consistency.
Final Thoughts
You now know the foundational workflow I use for designing characters, which should be enough to get you started. However, there’s more to character design and storytelling than what I covered here. AI-powered storytelling is an evolving field, and I’m continually learning and sharing new techniques.
