VISUAL DEVELOPMENT: MASTERING THE BASICS
The Visual Development: Mastering The Basics workshop at The Art Club is open to all-levels of students. Students be guided through the fundamental concepts that drive compelling visual storytelling in the animation industry. We’ll explore how design principles, character design, and color work together to support visual storytelling. Along the way, I’ll share insights and methods drawn from my own professional practice.
By the end of the course, you’ll have a stronger foundation to support your growth as a visual development artist. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to strengthen your existing skills with greater confidence and efficiency.
Dates
COMING SOON
Time
COMING SOON
Location
Creative Lab Workshops - Discord: <https://discord.gg/TZb8wK292j> Green Classroom
FORMAT
Class meets once a week on Discord
Recorded Access: Class recordings are provided after the course, viewable for one year.
Homework must be uploaded to Google Drive folder before the next class begins
The class enrollment is limited to a maximum of 10 students.
THE FACULTY
Derek Ortega is a visual development artist and illustrator based in Los Angeles, California. With over eight years of experience in animation, he has contributed to a wide range of projects as a visual development artist and character designer. His work includes collaborations with major studios such as Laika, Netflix, Disney, Sony, Warner Brothers, Cartoon Network, and others.
You can see more of his work at: https://www.derekortega.com/
Prerequisites
This is an all-level class. In order to have a productive learning experience for all, prospective students need to fulfill the following requirements:
Drawing/Painting software (Adobe Photoshop, Procreate, etc.)
Computer with microphone (camera optional)
Access to Google Drive
Access to Discord
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You’ll be tasked with creating a new take on a classic story. We’ll begin by analyzing the story and deciding what elements of the plot and characters are important and how they will influence your design choices. From there, we’ll explore how shape language and posing can help you begin to “find” each character’s design.
Assignment: Create research boards for your main characters and begin rough design explorations.
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We’ll explore how to create pose and expression sheets for your characters. Focusing on how each character can express the same emotions but in a way that’s unique to them and the story.
Assignment: Tie down your designs, creating final versions for both characters. Then, choose one character and draw 3–4 rough poses and 3–4 rough expressions that emphasize storytelling rather than “catalog poses.”
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We’ll discuss the importance of using story to inform design and posing. Exploring how character interaction and staging can be used as tools to communicate story.
Assignment: Choose a moment from the story that you want to explore. Create a rough pass, focusing on character interaction and incorporating hints of props/set pieces. If you have time, draw 3-4 rough poses and expressions for your second character.
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We’ll explore how to elevate your story moment drawings with minimal prop and set design elements. You’ll learn how to give hints of the world you’re creating to further support character and story.
Assignment: Refine your character moment by adding selective props and set pieces, then tie down the drawing and add polish. -
In the final class we’ll review everything we’ve learned about using story as the basis for design and acting decisions. By the end of the workshop, students will have portfolio-ready character explorations, pose and expression sheets, and a fully realized story moment illustration.
Who is this Workshop for?
The Story Driven Character Design workshop is designed for Intermediate to Advanced artists who want to deepen their understanding of storytelling in character design. While some foundational drawing and design principles will be reviewed, the class focuses primarily on using story to guide design choices, posing, and acting. A solid grasp of draftsmanship is required.
Current College Students – looking to strengthen their character design skills, refine their storytelling abilities, and receive practical exercises to support coursework or personal projects.
Professionals – in animation, illustration, or related fields aiming to sharpen core principles, improve storytelling in their characters, and elevate audience engagement.
Hobbyists – who want to explore character design in a structured, practical, and creative way.
Outcomes
How to analyze story effectively and decide what elements are important to the design.
How to create characters that are not only visually appealing but also tell compelling stories.
Ability to integrate storytelling into character development for more engaging and memorable designs.
Enhanced skills in creating expressive characters that connect with audiences.
How acting decisions push design and reflect the character.
Students will leave with a portfolio containing design explorations, pose and expression sheets, as well as a full story moment illustration.
