How To Create Unique Character Designs (For OCs, Manga, Or Comics!)

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In today's video, I'm talking all about how you can create unique and memorable character designs for your OCs, or for your manga and comics. If you really want your book to stand out, having an amazing character design is one of the most important aspects. I hope this video helps you bring your OCs to life on the page! 😊
0:00 Intro
0:42 Tip 1
2:14 Tip 2
3:59 Tip 3
6:23 Tip 4
7:17 Tip 5
7:51 Tip 6
8:49 Tip 7
9:41 Tip 8
10:28 Tip 9
11:59 Tip 10
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[@PanicaUnknownLikesBoob]

For ppl who have a short attention span and want the quick basic tip ideas Tip 1- choose 2 main aesthetics Tip 2- take inspo from your favorite character designs Tip 3- consider the personality of the oc Tip 4- build up the outfit from simple base parts Tip 5- give the design a 'feeling' Tip 6- give the design a genre or 2 Tip 7- chose a focus point in the design Tip 8- find a good 'shadow' (or silhouette) for the design Tip 9- understand color theory Tip 10- consider if the design is realistic (or the convenience of the outfit for your oc and how it fits into their daily lives)

[@Lilas.Duveteux]

When designing characters, I prefer to look up the limitation that a setting would put, along with a color palette I really like. I try to decide what is the most important thing to convey and then look the limitations of a particular setting and life-style, to which I will tweak the details of my original idea. That's how I usually draw my characters. It makes for quite unique looks, but not necessarily memorable ones. If the setting is more fantasy, I like drawing stuff I like, without much precision in mind. For exemple, one of my main characters is the eldest daughter of a wealthy, XVIII pariah, so of course, I chose a type of dress that is neither cheap, traditional nor fashionable but that looks youthful and elegant in it's own unique way. The focus point of her is the color palette, a dark green dress with pale yellow frills. It shows that yes, she is part of the French XVIII century culture, but is not mainstream at all.

[@midnightXcross]

Wow that's such a great way to do it! I really love that advice. Thank you for sharing. I think it will help a lot of people 😊 Your character design sounds lovely also. I think it's always fantastic when a character design reveals aspects of their personality too!

[@thewildeus2583]

Gotta admit i chuckled at the hit-the-bell sound being the bell sound from Spiritfarer heh on a more serious note those are things i really tend to struggle with and those tips sound pretty neat, thanks for the cool vid!

[@midnightXcross]

Haha, it's a good sound! Thank you so much for watching 😊

[@Annykul9749]

Thank you so much for the tips!! They seem very helpful 🌸 I can also add that costume designs can also reflect certain attitudes about concepts in the world itself :з In my comic mages get capes as a symbol of their magical education level: darker colors for an unfinished one and almost ivory or a different light color for a finished education. My two main characters are shown to be kind of different with the ways they show their attitude to this: one of them had already finished up with his training and is now a very active person, so he wears his very light pink cape under his work hoodie, so that it doesn't get in the way of his daily activities And the other has had no luck entering the education only because nobody knew what his magic entailed, but was awarded a dark cape for his success at the entry exams, and he now wears it as the sorcerers of old: draping over his shoulders and pinned up in the middle of his chest, very proper-like, but rare in the world nowadays It's not a major part of their design, of course, but... I was pretty proud of this little design choice, and I really think that a thing like that can improve a character design :3

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you so much! I'm very happy that they helped you 😊 I love those designs for your comic. I think it's very creative that you decided to change the colors of their capes to symbolise their educational ranks. I love it when designs are well thought out to match the story, and the situation!

[@Roze_Creature]

I just created an Egyptian oc. I knew something was missing. This video helped me find the missing details in my character. Thank you so much 😍❤💖

[@tknlyzd]

This is the perfect timing!! thank you

[@midnightXcross]

I'm so glad to hear that! Thank you 😊

[@marylinnet8625]

These tips are really useful great video 👌

[@randomkword]

I love how helpful and detailed this is, you're so underrated 😭

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@sapphirestar2850]

This helps so much!

[@supervegeta881]

Just want to say I love your videos and your tutorials are helpful! I would like to see more videos of you drawing too, I would love to see your art.

[@midnightXcross]

Aw thank you so much! I'm really happy that you would like to see more videos of my art. I've actually considered doing that recently, but I didn't think people would want to see videos of my drawing!! But since you suggested it, I think I'll try it more often. 😊

[@slayyyters_cigarette]

AWESOME!!!

[@ssjgarfield]

Great video and those were some really neat tips I'll try to make sillouettes of my characters to see if they stand out enough or if they need design adjustments which I'll share with you on Facebook.

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the video 😊 I will check them out! I bet they'll all look really good still, even as sillouettes.

[@ItsShaz1]

Loved the video Midnight!

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you so much!! 😊

[@seishirowo]

I personally enjoy practicing design via AUs. You don’t need to make everything new. The character already has a fully built personality. I also like using flowers or butterflies as references, as they often have interesting looks you can theme a design around. Orchids particularly are amazing for this.

[@purplex360]

I'm currently trying to design 20+ characters ideas I've head. Only managed to flesh out one but I'm still not satisfied

[@zecardinadraws]

So glad this one was made! I've been developing my characters (both for my comic and my own personal OCs) for a while now I've been having some trouble with designing part so hopefully this helps!

[@shadowslayer9988]

What is your comic about.

[@zecardinadraws]

@@shadowslayer9988 It's about 12 teens who are given powers based on their zodiac signs and they fight to bring two sisters back together. I know it sounds bad but it's still in the early stage of development

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you! I hope your character designing goes really well 😊

[@brucejackstone7153]

I'm having lots of trouble with one of my OCS for a cartoon-like webcomics series which is a hybrid female Bunny (human animal hybrid character) but funny

[@andersonjoseph8796]

You saved the day again!

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you so much for watching!!

[@rockystanding]

I kind of wanted it!

[@GodsPhantasy]

Oh man, I needed this Thank you lol

[@midnightXcross]

Aw thank you!! I'm glad you enjoyed the video 😊😊

[@NAMEREDACTED-lg4bw]

@@midnightXcross it’s very helpful! 😊

[@EmperorDrag0nz]

THANK YOU!!

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you so much for watching! 😊

[@asaadbobby1]

WHY ISN'T THIS VIDEO ALL OVER THE INTERNET???

[@ryanhowell4492]

Awesome

[@TheBluenyt09]

Awzum! This can also be applied in writing stories 😎

[@midnightXcross]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching! 😊

[@kavivarman]

Thanks for the video^_^

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you for watching! 😊

[@vstudio1139]

Thanks a bunch

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you! 😊

[@danganronpadespairshope1848]

when i create characters i think about their personalitys, powers/talents and abilities and disabilities

[@Electrostatic_Fusion]

🥰🥰I love youuu😭you help me alot😙

[@midnightXcross]

Aww thank you!! 😊😊

[@Electrostatic_Fusion]

@@midnightXcross 😍

[@supreme_king_ultima5370]

Heey I've been gone a while but I'm back and I've come with amazing things to say 1. Awesome video this was one of those things you didn't know you needed and it was of GREAT help. 2. I still wanna read Having faith.. is it still going on or has it been put off to the side for now?

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you so much! I'm really happy that this video helped you 😊 I am grateful that you are excited to read 'Having Faith'. I am still in the process of creating it. The truth is, I have a full time job in the day time, so my only chances to work on it are late at night time. I still try and put time into it every day though, and I am very excited to release it when it is complete!! I am hoping to release it this year, but I don't want to give any set release date. I will be keeping everyone updated as it gets closer to be published! Thank you very much for your support and kind words. 💜💜

[@supreme_king_ultima5370]

@@midnightXcross 💙💙💙

[@KirumiLol]

Do you think mood bords help with character design?

[@rex_films5390]

awesome video i have another question Hiw do create characters like Kakashi from Naruto who can mimic or steal powers without the plotholes and plot armour (sorry for the super wierd and specific question)

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you so much! 😊 That's a very good question. I could make a video on that topic, if you'd like, since I think other people would want to know the answer!

[@dark-qu9wi]

Can you do Gag anime ideas like slice of life tupe of anime

[@midnightXcross]

I sure can! It's actually been quite a popular request, so I hope to do it soon 😊

[@davidobiora8198]

hi there can u please help out. im writing a manga involving kaiju and i need some help. if u make a video, it will be most helpful

[@mikey1267]

Can you do slice of anime Ideas

[@midnightXcross]

That's a great idea! I'd love to make a video on that 😊

[@tweets009]

korosensei is very unique 🐙

[@Electrostatic_Fusion]

Yay hi

[@shadowslayer9988]

I got a Idea for a video how to hype up a character.

[@shadowslayer9988]

Like for example how they be hyping up villains or new characters.

[@midnightgamingwithdarkstar2982]

I normally take a references from Google and built around that

[@midnightXcross]

That's a good idea too! There's lots of inspiration on there.

[@midnightgamingwithdarkstar2982]

@@midnightXcross an example is I found a picture of Sebastian from black Butler and that reference is what created my character from spiritual blade

[@cedricburkhart3738]

My cairtets usually and wearing fairly jumaric clothes and often armer.

[@midnightXcross]

That's great! I bet your character's look really cool 😊

[@emilioprado5513]

Ohhhh I actually was gonna say I have done my character design and it was weird because it’s how everyone remember me on my first day of highschool 🤣. Basically I made a really bad impression I had a shirt that comes with a hoodie, dicky shorts, and I didn’t have socks I wrap my feet in bandages like a Muay Thai fighter since I do that and wore sandals with a lime green backpack 🤣. And I wore that on my first day of Long Beach highschool with all the gangs and freaks are 🤣🤣🤣. Ya that’s how I dress but I like it

[@midnightXcross]

That sounds super badass though! I think it's really cool that you decided to use that aspect in your character design 😊

[@emilioprado5513]

@@midnightXcross thank you 🤙🏽

[@kakuzonegaming9066]

Hi Miss.Midnight X Cross, I wanna say thank you for all these videos that all I need for my manga......By The Way,I'm making a manga that is about technology/science and myths/demons/beast in the same world but they are divided into two by a big barrier,but it was broken now and then........I used the title "THE BOUNDARIES BETWEEN" is it an okay idea?

[@midnightXcross]

I think this sounds like a fantastic idea! Thank you for sharing 😊😊

[@kakuzonegaming9066]

@@midnightXcross thank you

[@nootnootman6353]

noot noot

[@TheAcer176]

neet neet

[@takaradachi]

Nice video! But I felt a bit uncomfy by the way you were staring into my soul throughout the whole vid 😅

[@bryce7344]

I blame this video for why tumblr OCs are so generic and copies of multiple characters