ZBrush as a Character Design Tool - ZBrush Creature Design: Creating Dynamic Concept Imagery for Film and Games - page 18

while a smaller head makes the body look massive and more imposing. You can subtly influence how the
character is perceived by being cognizant of the rules of proportions and deliberately manipulating them.
Figure 1-16: In silhouette it becomes clear that altering the head size changes the perception of the relative
size of the figure.
Shape Considerations
In this section we will look at how to intelligently use shapes and their interactions as a tool in design. By
being aware of how shapes interplay through rhythm, balance, contrast, and other aspects of shape language,
we can be sensitive to the overall appearance of our characters. In this section we will learn how the silhou-
ette or overall shape of the character is the most important element in the design. By learning how to look at
and manipulate shapes, we will have more control over creating compelling creatures and characters.
Silhouette: The Overall Shape Outline
One of the most important aspects of the overall character design is the silhouette. This is the outline of the
character, the overall shape. Some designers call this “the first read” because it is the first impression the
viewer gets of the character or object when looking at the image. The eye registers the outline first, then fills
in the internal details. For this reason it is important to create an iconic silhouette. By “iconic silhouette”
I mean a graphic outline that is bold and memorable enough to become iconic. Picture the shape of Darth
Vader's helmet or Gandalf's hat. The images spring easily to your mind because those are iconic shapes.
Figure 1-17 shows several characters in silhouette. Notice how each has a character and interesting form,
which is communicated even in this black-and-white shape.
The silhouette must be strong to create a sense of the iconic. Iconic silhouettes lead to memorable char-
acters. If the silhouette is plain or uninspired, the character may not leave a strong impression. Take, for
example, the silhouettes in Figure 1-18 . There is no question as to who the illustrated characters are. This is
why iconic silhouettes are so important. They allow you to identify a character at a glance, and they imprint
on the consciousness. It's the same principle in logo design and graphic design. As a matter of fact, some of
the best designers I know have extensive experience in graphic design. This attention to big graphic shapes
informs their design work, enabling them to create strong iconic designs.