Unit 5: Creating Characters

From the course: Foundations in Visual Arts

An essential element of many arts, media, and entertainment (AME) products is the development of believable characters with a distinct visual style. In this unit, students learn about the process of character development. They analyze the visual qualities of characters in movies and TV shows and, for their project, develop their own characters. 

Length: 32 50-minute sessions

Unit Project Description

This unit’s project is to create a visually distinctive character for an animated movie or TV show. Students analyze examples of animated characters, their roles, and the visual elements that define them. They develop their own character’s visual look through sketches, turnaround model sheets, character studies, and a sculpted maquette, or 3-D model.

Unit Supplement

The unit supplement includes additional information about essential activities, notes on timing, one or more activities to support students' developing art practice, sample rubrics, and differentiation strategies.

Media and Resources
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