Fabulous Friendly Freaks Character Design Challenge

Summary: Reflections on an Instagram Character Design Challenge

This is my final illustration that was given away!

Last year I put together a really fun five day Instagram Character Design Challenge called Fabulous Friendly Freaks. The challenge kicked off on June 15th, and ran through June 19th. This creative sprint was filled with fun, freakiness, and fabulous artwork that brought together a community of talented illustrators. The challenge finished up with a live-stream review and giveaway. Participants then shared their posts using the #StudioBowesArt_Character_Challenge.

Day One of the challenge concluded with participants sketching their first impressions of a unique character based on a prompt. The prompt used the power of threes by using the third letter of our names three times to create a character concept.

Day two we delved deeper and I shared the Savannah Six-Step. This exercise pushed our creative limits by setting time limits for each drawing! The timed drawings, ranged from 8 minutes to 15 seconds, and encouraged us to focus on shape relationships and proportions. This helped us to discover essential elements within our initial sketch.

Day three rolled around and was focused on defining and refining the details of our characters. By considering the character’s history, living environment, and technological context, together with a little light online research helped us to add meaningful details.

With the finish line in sight it was time to get moving! Day four we focused on primary action and primary emotion. Through multiple gesture drawings, we aimed to capture the energy and flow of our characters. We integrated the refined shapes and details from previous days, gave our drawings a sense of volume and a focal point.

Finally, Day five arrived, and with it came the live-streamed review! This was a celebration of all the hard work and creativity that went into this challenge. Participants shared their finished character illustrations, and engaged in discussions in the chitty-chats. The highlight of the livestream was the special giveaway where one lucky participant received the character design painting that I created.

A huge shout-out to everyone who participated and made this challenge fun and successful. A special congratulations to @shuasinha.art, who was the lucky recipient of the original art giveaway!