Easy Character Design Prompts for Creativity

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 5 min read

Looking for ways to boost your creativity and design unique characters? You're in the right place. In this blog, we'll explore some easy character design prompts that will inspire your creativity and help you craft memorable characters. Whether you're an experienced artist or just starting out, these ideas are just what you need to take your character designs to the next level. So, let's dive in!

1. Get Inspired by Everyday People

One of the simplest character design prompts is to draw inspiration from the everyday people around you. People-watching can be a goldmine for character design ideas, bringing a level of realism to your work that can't be achieved otherwise. So, let's break down this process into three easy steps:

Observe People Around You

Start by simply observing people in your daily life. This could be anyone: from the barista at your local coffee shop to your neighbor walking their dog. Pay attention to their unique physical traits, mannerisms, and clothing style. You might be surprised at how much inspiration you can find in the everyday people around you.

Sketch Your Impressions

Once you've spent some time observing, grab your sketchbook and start to draw. Don't worry about creating a perfect likeness. Instead, focus on capturing the essence of the person. Remember: this is not about creating a portrait, but about using real people as a springboard for your character designs.

Translate Real-Life to Character

The last step is to translate these real-life observations into unique characters. Maybe the barista with the funky glasses becomes a quirky scientist in your next illustration, or the elderly woman feeding pigeons in the park morphs into a wise and mysterious sorcerer. The possibilities are endless and only limited by your imagination. So, the next time you're stuck for character design prompts, just look around you. Inspiration is everywhere.

2. Use Nature for Inspiration

Another powerful source of character design prompts is nature. From the majestic lion to the tiny ant, nature is teeming with unique and interesting creatures that can inspire your character designs. So, let's explore how you can use the natural world to fuel your creativity.

Take Nature Walks

One of the simplest ways to find inspiration in nature is to take a walk. As you stroll through a forest, park, or even your backyard, pay attention to the creatures you encounter. Consider how their physical characteristics and behaviors could be incorporated into your character designs. For instance, the way a squirrel darts quickly up a tree could inspire the agile movements of a superhero character.

Study Animal Behavior

Take the time to really study animal behavior. Watch how they interact with their environment and each other. Notice their unique behaviors, mannerisms, and expressions. For example, the protective nature of a mother bear could inspire a strong, caring character in your next design.

Incorporate Elements of Nature

Beyond animals, consider how you might incorporate other elements of nature into your character designs. The gnarled bark of an old tree, the delicate petals of a flower, or the vibrant colors of a sunset can all serve as creative character design prompts. Whether it's a character with hair as fluid as a river or skin as tough as tree bark, nature provides an endless source of inspiration.

3. Tap into Your Favorite Books

Books are a treasure trove of character design prompts. The pages of your favorite novels hold characters with distinct personalities, appearances, and traits. Let's see how we can use them to inspire unique character designs.

Reread Your Favorite Characters

Start by revisiting the characters that you love. As you read, take note of the author's descriptions. How do they convey the character's personality, appearance, and mannerisms? Think about how you might translate these descriptions into visual elements in your character design.

Visualize Their Appearances

Next, take the time to visualize the characters. Imagine their facial features, their clothing, their mannerisms. Use the author's descriptions as a guide, but don't be afraid to add your own touches. After all, part of the fun of character design is putting your own spin on the characters you love.

Sketch them Out

Finally, bring those visualizations to life by sketching them out. As you draw, consider how each element of the character's appearance reflects their personality and backstory. This exercise not only helps you develop your visualization and drawing skills, but it also provides a wealth of character design prompts for future projects.

4. Find Inspiration in Art

Art, in its many forms, can be a powerful source of character design prompts. From classical paintings to modern digital art, each piece can inspire a unique character design. Let's find out how to draw inspiration from the art world.

Visit Art Galleries

Whether it's a local exhibit or the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, art galleries are full of inspiration. Look at the figures in the paintings, sculptures, and installations. What do their expressions, poses, and clothing tell you about who they are? Even abstract art can inspire design elements, like color schemes or textures.

Study Other Artists' Styles

Consider the styles of different artists. Each artist has a unique way of portraying characters, from the exaggerated proportions of cartoonists like Bruce Timm to the realistic details of portrait artists like John Singer Sargent. By studying these styles, you can gather a plethora of character design prompts. Remember, the goal isn't to copy but to learn and adapt these styles to your own.

Create Your Own Artistic Interpretation

Take what you've learned and observed from other artworks and create your own characters. This is where you let your creativity shine. You can choose to adhere closely to the styles that inspire you or combine elements from different sources. The important thing is to keep experimenting until you find a style that feels truly yours.

5. Practice Expressive Drawing

Expressive drawing breathes life into your characters. It's not just about what your character looks like, but also how they move, how they express their feelings, and how they interact with their environment. It's a key element in creating convincing and relatable characters. So, how can you use expressive drawing in your character design prompts?

Experiment with Expressions

Facial expressions can tell a story on their own. An arched eyebrow, a furrowed brow, a wide grin — each small tweak can dramatically change a character's mood and personality. Try sketching the same character with different expressions: happy, sad, surprised, angry, and so on. This practice will not only improve your skills but also provide a treasure trove of character design prompts for future projects.

Convey Emotion through Body Language

Body language is just as expressive as facial expressions. The way your character stands, moves, or interacts with objects can reveal a lot about their personality and emotions. Is your character slouched in defeat, or standing tall with confidence? Do they fidget nervously, or do they move with graceful precision? By incorporating body language into your sketches, you can create more dynamic and expressive characters.

Challenge Yourself with Dynamic Poses

Dynamic poses can add an element of action and drama to your character designs. Try drawing your characters in various poses — running, jumping, dancing, fighting. This will not only make your characters more engaging but also help you understand how their bodies move in different situations. And who knows? These dynamic poses might give you some exciting ideas for your next character design prompts.

If you're looking for more inspiration and guidance on character design, don't miss the workshop 'Creating Characters: The Design Process' by Kit Buss. This workshop will provide you with in-depth knowledge and techniques to help you create unique and captivating characters, fueling your creativity even further.