Game Characters Design, what tools to use?

[rocotilos]

Hi,

I am about to start making my 3rd game. I'd like to design a character, but not sure where to start. Considering my options right now:

1. Design it by myself - it's gonna be fun but not sure what tools there are to help me design a 2d character sprite sheet, like running sequence, walking, jumping.

2. Hire an artist - as indie, i have very low resources. So, im wondering as well how much does it cost to create a single 2d character running/walking sequences with both retina and normal versions.?

Thanks for any inputs.

[davidlxk]

i tend to use illustrator to create character designs.

i heard that pixelmator is good too

[dennno]

Nothing beats pencil and paper. Or a tablet if you have one. After that you can scan your base design and use photoshop to make quick draft alterations. Finally, I use illustrator (if necessary) to create smooth vector lines.

I'd go against using illustrator first as a character design tool. Since it's harder to edit paths than if you're drawing the character on paper or using a tablet + photoshop.

Designing a character takes creativity and time and you'll be likely making a lot of changes early on in the character design process or try different things with your character. While all of this is possible to do with Illustrator, it's definitely not as efficient as pencil + paper or tablet + photoshop.

[rocotilos]

Hi denno, thanks for replying...

I am thinking to get a tablet.. such as Wacom Bamboo. Do you have any advice on which size or feature to choose?

[dre]

If you are gonna make 3D game then Cinema 4D is the way to go. (maybe combined with ZBrush)..

Plus you are still gonna be using Photoshop (textures) and Illustrator (all sorts of buttons and elements).

[Ingenius]

Hello, everyone

This is my first post here, I am a graphic designer willing to get into iPhone game development myself.

I know how to design (see here some examples: DANIELMESA on deviantART), but I have little experience in game development for iPhone. I got a degree in programming, though, it's just I have focused in design rather than programming, but I could easily catch on.

So, in response to Rocotilos, if you need some help, we could maybe work out something, if you are in need of design, I could add my abilities into it. Pm me if interested.

I'm not promoting my services only, just happened to see this thread and decided to offer some help. I hope I am not violating any rules by doing so...

Cheers,

Daniel.

[CraftyAct]

I used Flash for the animation and final character design for my first game. Liked being able to export the animations as png for creating the sprite sheets. I did most of my conceptual in photoshop.

[JamD]

I'd say get out a pencil and paper and start sketching, look at examples and maybe a YouTube tutorial. But if you cannot sketch it on paper, it is unlikely that it will just start working once you go to the computer.

Wacom makes the best tablets. And size is just a preference thing. But start on paper first, you'll save a lot of money and get your answer the quickest.

[spada2555]

Good post. I appreciate it! Thanks for guiding.

[hazza]

If you are working on paid game you can try to find an artist and pay percentage of your earnings. It's possible if artist will be new and need some work for portfolio.

In any way if you are not close with drawing it will be better...