Depth and Complexity Icons (How To Creat Characters)

Character development

(Photo above is by kapi_nova on instagram)

Characters are used for telling stories, some people can get really attached to a character, and use it for a series. Characters are mainly used by: animators, writers, comic artists, and illustrators.

When creating a character, you need to think more about the character itself (like personality, background, likes dislikes, items) don't worry about the looks or designs right now. The design will come in your head once you concider these:

• Who
• Where
• When
• How
And
• Why

I've learned the five W's in the second grade, and honestly it helps a lot when writing stories.

I'll write a small story using the five W's (please keep in mind that this is just an example)

My name is Jackie (who), and I live the desert (where). Sure, it gets extremely hot during the summer, and all the mosquitos try to suck at your red, juicy, smelly, blood, but I grew up here (this sentence shows Jackie's personality more, it shows that she's sassy/weird type). I was born at June 23rd of 2005 (when). My parents moved here before I was born, (how) they thought I would live a nice life here (why).

I just made that up in my mind, and it proves how useful the five W's can do for you.

Also think about:

• best friends

• the character's spirit animal

• love interest

• IQ (intelligence)

• strength

•weaknesses

Here is the icon for P.O.V:

Glasses or binoculars, they are the icons for P.O.V's

Try giving the character different point of views.

Ask yourself this:

What are my character's thoughts on:

• another character

• a problem

• an event

• an idea

• a place

Does a character's point of view influence:

• another character

• the problem

• an event

• an idea

• outcome

Did Hitler had a P.O.V?
Yes, he did actually.
Because he, too is a real person.
(Sorry)

Of course, P.O.V's can lead to religious believes, and how the universe works.

But you see where I'm going with this? P.O.V's can have a more impact on story development and character development.

Here is the icon for overtime:

It represents past, present, and future.

What can change to a character over time?

• another character

• a problem

• an event

• a place

• an idea

Someone or something can change over time by:

• a character's behavior

• a character's feelings

• a problem

• an event

Think about a caterpillar egg, and how it hatches to a caterpillar, now that caterpillar is eating as much as possible to CHANGE and BECOME a butterfly.

Now imagine the same thing, but it's a story with a character. That character CHANGES and PROGRESSES through out the story.

Your character needs small interest that give the character more personality.

For example:
I like snickers.
I wear beanies everyday.
I wear jackets everyday.
I eat baby food on a daily basis.

Basically any small details about your character that will give her/him depth.

Watch H.C. brown's video for more information on how to create characters by playing D&D (Dungeons and Dragons)

Great! Now you have the basics down, and now you're ready for your characters looks and behavior.

If you're actually using this article to make a character, I suggest answering all these questions before starting the next page.

(Part 2 will be coming soon, thanks for reading X3)