From this point, I started thinking about who would character A be, so I thought about possible characteristics this character would posses. Eventually, I came up with “Harley”, during my initial mind mapping, I was going to have the ring leader make the player join the circus, but as I wanted to add that layer of mystery and anticipation build up, I decided against that idea; Hence why I resorted to Harley being the plot behind the story unfolding at the introduction.
Initial plan
As most of my concept designs go, I started by looking at images on Pinterest to help me gather an initial idea of Harley’s aesthetics. Initially, I was set on making her an acrobatic, so I scoured Pinterest for acrobatic attire and costume designs. I was drawn to the checker patterns, eccentric silhouettes and lots of ruffles!
By utilising this mood board, I began to sketch out a template to do a few initial designs:
Design 1: This design was heavily inspired by the red and golden acrobatic costume, I wanted to play around with the circus type patterns, so I started off simple with the stripes as the primary feature of this design.
Design 2: Out of all the designs, I favoured this one the most as I love drawing very feminine and fluffy garments. I also toyed around with the patterns, expressing a playful feel through this design. By looking at this costume, it almost feels like a magical girl attire, which wasn’t what I wanted to achieve but nonetheless, I still enjoyed sketching this one out.
Design 3: In this concept, I was trying to mix and match my references, in my opinion, I think this design looks quite alien, but in a pleasant way. The skirt’s material is supposed to look see shear and translucent; so when she does acrobatics in the air, a long frilly skirt wouldn’t get in the way
Mini Reflection
The reason why I chose to stop these designs after the 3rd one was because I felt like the references I pulled weren’t speaking to me; therefore I felt quite disconnected to the concepts I was coming up with and designing just another character. However, I want to design things that I am proud of; especially woman characters as I have the most fun doing concept art for them. So, for these next steps I spent my time looking at my Pinterest and listed the things I want to include/explore in her design:
- Neck ruffles
- Ballerina attire
- Rabbit symbolism
- Elegant attire
- Frills
Additionally, I mapped out who Harley is alongside some basic information:
Media Inspiration: Doll
Whilst I was gathering images for my more refined design and thinking about Harley’s occupation within the circus, I suddenly remembered a character from a circus as well that was a pivotal point in Harley’s design. Doll, from Black Butler: Book of Circus (2014), is a young boy who when performing, wears a wig and dress made out of white roses. She specialises in aerial ballet and completes a “death defying” tight rope walk.
I remember watching this and thinking that her act was elegant and captivating, hence why I am switching Harley’s occupation from an acrobatic to an aerial ballerina; It’s a subtle change but I believe this act will fit her the most.
Change made: Harley is now an aerial ballerina instead of an acrobatic
Why rabbit symbolism?
I want Harley’s attire to symbolise a rabbit because it’s ironic yet true to her intentions:
Rabbits symbolise innocence because of how cute they are and unknowing of the world out there is, they’re also vulnerable because they are animals of prey and in my opinion, they also symbolise naivety. In Harley’s case, she posses the physical traits of a rabbit, looking both cute and pure of heart, however, her intentions to sacrifice the player for her friends is quite the opposite. It is a violent thing to want yet in a sweet way. She is also naïve in the way that she doesn’t realise that she’s being used as a pawn for the ring master’s evil deeds.
Finalised Design
Here is the finalised design! I am really happy with how it came out and the way it comes off visually. I want her design to be deceptive and ironic of her intentions.