Top Character Design Books for Inspiration: A Comprehensive Guide
Written by  Daisie Team
Published on 9 min read

Contents

Best Character Design Books for Inspiration: Top Picks

Best Character Design Books for Inspiration: For Beginners

Best Character Design Books for Inspiration: For Advanced Artists

Best Character Design Books for Inspiration: For Digital Artists

Best Character Design Books for Inspiration: For Anime and Manga Artists

Character design is an exciting and fulfilling art form that can take your creative skills to new heights. Whether you're just starting out or looking to expand your repertoire, it's always helpful to have some guidance along the way. That's where this list of the best character design books for inspiration comes in. With a wide range of resources catering to various skill levels and artistic styles, you'll find the perfect book to help you take your character design skills to the next level.

Best Character Design Books for Inspiration: Top Picks

When it comes to character design, there's no shortage of fantastic books to inspire you. In this section, we'll be covering top picks from classic character design books, modern selections, and even industry-specific resources. Let's dive in!

Classic Character Design Books

These timeless classics have stood the test of time and continue to inspire artists today:

  1. The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston — This iconic book delves into the history and techniques of Disney's legendary animators, offering invaluable lessons for aspiring character designers.
  2. Cartoon Animation by Preston Blair — A staple in the world of animation, this book covers the fundamental principles of character design and movement, as well as the creative process behind iconic characters.

Modern Character Design Books

These contemporary books showcase the latest trends and techniques in character design:

  1. Character Design Quarterly — This magazine-style publication features interviews, tutorials, and inspiration from top character designers in the industry. It's a must-have for anyone looking to stay up-to-date on the latest character design trends.
  2. Creating Characters with Personality by Tom Bancroft — This guide teaches you how to develop unique and memorable characters, with a focus on shaping character personalities and incorporating storytelling elements.

Industry-Specific Character Design Books

If you're interested in a particular industry, such as video games or animation, these books will cater to your specific needs:

  1. The Art of Video Games by Chris Melissinos — Explore the evolution of video game character design, from the early days of gaming to the present, through stunning visuals and insightful interviews.
  2. The Animator's Survival Kit by Richard Williams — This book is an essential resource for anyone looking to work in animation, as it covers the principles of movement and timing, as well as tips for creating believable characters.

With these top picks, you're sure to find the best character design books for inspiration to fit your needs and interests. But what if you're just starting out? Don't worry, we've got you covered in the next section!

Best Character Design Books for Inspiration: For Beginners

So, you're just starting out in character design and need a little guidance? No problem! In this section, we'll explore the best character design books for inspiration that cater specifically to beginners. We'll cover character design fundamentals, step-by-step guides, and helpful tips for those just dipping their toes into this exciting world.

Books on Character Design Fundamentals

Before you start creating amazing characters, it's important to understand the basic building blocks of character design. These books will give you a solid foundation to build on:

  1. How to Draw: Drawing and Sketching Objects and Environments from Your Imagination by Scott Robertson — This book will help you develop essential drawing skills and teach you how to think like a designer. You'll learn techniques for sketching objects, environments, and characters from your imagination.
  2. Character Design from the Ground Up by Kevin Crossley — Focusing on the core principles of character design, this book offers practical exercises and tips to help you create unique, engaging characters.

Step-by-Step Character Design Books

Now that you've got the fundamentals down, it's time to start designing your own characters! These step-by-step guides will walk you through the process, making it easy for beginners to follow along:

  1. Beginner's Guide to Creating Characters in Blender by Darrin Lile — This book introduces you to Blender, a powerful, free 3D modeling software. You'll learn how to create characters from scratch, including modeling, rigging, and animating.
  2. Character Design for Complete Beginners by 3DTotal Publishing — This comprehensive guide covers everything from sketching and refining character concepts to coloring and rendering final designs.

Character Design Tips for Beginners

As a beginner, it's natural to feel a little overwhelmed, but don't worry! These books offer valuable tips and tricks to help you navigate the world of character design:

  1. Character Design Crash Course! by Chris Oatley — This book covers essential character design tips, such as how to make your characters stand out, how to convey emotion, and how to create strong silhouettes.
  2. Character Design: Tips and Tricks by Tom Bancroft — From an industry veteran, this book offers practical advice on character design, including brainstorming techniques, storytelling skills, and creating appealing characters.

Armed with these best character design books for inspiration, you're well on your way to creating amazing characters. But what about more advanced artists? Don't worry, we've got you covered in the next section!

Best Character Design Books for Inspiration: For Advanced Artists

So, you've already got some experience under your belt and you're looking to take your character design skills to the next level? Perfect! In this section, we'll explore the best character design books for inspiration that cater to advanced artists like you. We'll dive into advanced techniques, the creative process, and mastering different styles. Let's get started!

Books on Advanced Character Design Techniques

As an advanced artist, you're likely already familiar with the basics. Now, it's time to push your boundaries and explore advanced character design techniques. These books will help you do just that:

  1. Creating Characters with Personality by Tom Bancroft — A must-read for advanced artists, this book delves into character design principles such as gesture, expression, and interaction. You'll learn how to create memorable characters with strong personalities that truly stand out.
  2. The Silver Way: Techniques, Tips, and Tutorials for Effective Character Design by Stephen Silver — Packed with expert guidance, this book teaches you advanced techniques for designing characters that resonate with audiences, including tips on character archetypes, body language, and facial expressions.

Books on the Creative Process

Understanding the creative process is crucial for advanced artists looking to create truly unique characters. These books will help you enhance your creativity and develop a deeper understanding of the character design process:

  1. The Art of Character: Creating Memorable Characters for Fiction, Film, and TV by David Corbett — This book explores the intricacies of character creation and development, providing insights into creating authentic and memorable characters across different media formats.
  2. Character Design: How to Create and Develop Unique Characters by Dani Jones — In this book, you'll learn how to approach character design from a storytelling perspective, ensuring that your characters are not only visually appealing but also have depth and substance.

Books on Mastering Different Styles

As an advanced artist, you've probably developed your own unique style. But, why not expand your horizons? Mastering different styles can help you create versatile characters and adapt to various project requirements. These books will help you do just that:

  1. Character Design Quarterly by 3DTotal Publishing — This quarterly publication showcases a variety of styles and techniques from character designers around the world, providing you with a wealth of inspiration and knowledge to draw from.
  2. Pop Manga: How to Draw the Coolest, Cutest Characters, Animals, Mascots, and More by Camilla d'Errico — This book will introduce you to the world of manga and anime, teaching you the techniques and stylistic elements needed to create captivating characters in this popular style.

With the best character design books for inspiration listed in this section, you're all set to elevate your character design skills and create truly remarkable characters. But what if you're a digital artist? Don't worry, we've got you covered in the next section!

Best Character Design Books for Inspiration: For Digital Artists

Alright, digital artists, it's your turn! In this section, we'll explore the best character design books for inspiration that focus on digital art techniques and tools. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced digital artist, these books can help you level up your character design game. Let's dive in and see what these books have to offer!

Books on Digital Tools and Techniques

When it comes to digital art, mastering the right tools and techniques can make all the difference. Here are some of the best character design books for inspiration that can help you get the most out of your digital tools:

  1. Beginner's Guide to Digital Painting in Photoshop: Characters by 3DTotal Publishing — This book is a fantastic starting point for anyone looking to learn the ins and outs of digital character design in Photoshop. It covers everything from basic tools and brushes to advanced techniques like shading and lighting.
  2. Character Design for Mobile Devices by Nijimegen — Focused on designing characters for mobile games and apps, this book teaches you how to create appealing characters that work well on small screens, taking into consideration factors like resolution and readability.

Books on Digital Workflow

Developing an efficient digital workflow can help you save time and create better characters. Here are some top picks for books that can help you streamline your digital character design process:

  1. Digital Painting Techniques: Practical Techniques of Digital Art Masters by 3DTotal Publishing — This book offers valuable insights into the workflows of professional digital artists, providing practical tips and tricks for improving your own character design process.
  2. How to Cheat in Photoshop: The Art of Creating Photorealistic Montages by Steve Caplin — While not specifically focused on character design, this book teaches you how to quickly and efficiently create stunning, realistic digital images using Photoshop, which can be applied to character design as well.

Books for Digital Art Inspiration

Finally, let's look at some books that can spark your creativity and provide you with a wealth of inspiration for your digital character designs:

  1. ImagineFX by Future Publishing — This monthly magazine is a goldmine of inspiration for digital artists, featuring interviews with top artists, step-by-step tutorials, and showcases of amazing character designs from around the world.
  2. Digital Art Masters: Volume 1-10 by 3DTotal Publishing — This series of books features a stunning collection of digital character designs from some of the best artists in the industry, providing you with endless inspiration for your own creations.

So, there you have it! With these best character design books for inspiration in your digital art library, you're well-equipped to create amazing characters that truly stand out. But what if you're into anime and manga? Don't worry, we've got something for you too in the next section!

Best Character Design Books for Inspiration: For Anime and Manga Artists

Anime and manga fans, we haven't forgotten about you! In this section, we'll be focusing on the best character design books for inspiration specifically tailored to anime and manga artists. Whether you're just starting out or looking to improve your skills, there's bound to be a book here that's perfect for you. Let's jump right in and explore these fantastic resources!

Books on Anime and Manga Basics

First things first, let's look at some books that cover the fundamentals of anime and manga character design. These books are perfect for beginners or those looking to brush up on their skills:

  1. Mastering Manga with Mark Crilley by Mark Crilley — This book is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in learning the basics of manga-style character design. Mark Crilley's easy-to-follow tutorials will have you drawing your own unique characters in no time.
  2. The Complete Guide to Drawing Manga by Sonia Leong — This comprehensive guide covers everything from facial expressions and body proportions to clothing and accessories, ensuring you have a solid foundation in anime and manga character design.

Books on Different Anime and Manga Styles

Now that you've got the basics down, let's explore some books that focus on various anime and manga styles. These books will help you discover your own artistic voice and develop a unique style of your own:

  1. Manga for the Beginner: Everything You Need to Start Drawing Right Away! by Christopher Hart — This book introduces a variety of popular manga styles, from cute chibi characters to action-packed shonen heroes, giving you plenty of inspiration to create your own unique designs.
  2. Manga Art for Intermediates by Danica Davidson and Rena Saiya — Taking your skills to the next level, this book dives into more advanced techniques and styles, including intricate mecha designs and detailed backgrounds.

Books by Anime and Manga Legends

Finally, let's take a look at some books created by legendary anime and manga artists. These masterpieces not only provide invaluable insights into the creative processes of these iconic creators but also serve as fantastic sources of inspiration:

  1. The Art of Spirited Away by Hayao Miyazaki — This gorgeous book features concept art, character designs, and storyboards from the beloved Studio Ghibli film, providing a fascinating glimpse into the creative mind of Hayao Miyazaki.
  2. Akira Club by Katsuhiro Otomo — This collection of artwork and commentary from the groundbreaking manga series Akira will leave you in awe of Katsuhiro Otomo's incredible talent and inspire you to push the boundaries of your own character designs.

So there you have it, the best character design books for inspiration that cater specifically to anime and manga artists. With these resources at your disposal, you'll be well on your way to creating captivating characters that embody the spirit of anime and manga. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep drawing and let your creativity soar!

If you're looking to further enhance your character design skills and find inspiration, don't miss the workshop 'Drawing Compelling Expressions in Character Design' by Rory Duke Stewart. This workshop will teach you how to create captivating expressions that bring your characters to life and make your designs stand out!