Character Concept Design by Johnny Fraser-Allen

DESCRIPTION
In this lecture and demonstration, Johnny Fraser-Allen shares his techniques for designing a character based on a client or director’s brief. To make the brief interesting and relevant, Johnny works with special effects industry leader and multi Oscar winner Sir Richard Taylor of the Weta Workshop to develop a character that can be developed into a real costume for a burlesque styled charity fundraiser that Weta hosts for the Neonatal Trust. The tutorial goes through the process of building up groups and layers of costume as well as character and creature elements with the express purpose of quickly delivering variety to the client in the early formative stages. Upon receiving feedback from Richard Taylor, Johnny then integrates the design changes to deliver a final approved character design. Watch Johnny create unique pirate designs in Adobe Photoshop using a combination of techniques including photo elements and digital painting. Beginning with a photograph of himself, Johnny quickly explores possible design directions while emphasizing the core character and demands of the costume. Viewers will learn effective techniques for quick development that allow for multiple iterations and the easy integration of client feedback.