Character Design Workshop #02

In our second character design workshop, we began to look into the forms and shapes of characters in more detail.

Generally, circular shapes create the impression of friendly and safe characters. They can do no harm and are also associated with younger characters. Winnie the Pooh and Pixar's Russell are prime examples of this.



Square shapes can be used to give positive and strong characteristics to a character. With the hero Mr Incredible, the combination of square and circular forms create the impression of strength and heroism, whilst appearing warm and friendly.



Where triangular shapes are used to symbolise danger and evil, while emphasising their power. This is a common feature in Disney villains with sharp pointy silhouettes.



While these principles are often used, they can be combined, broken or adapted to suit different purposes. In the upcoming Dreamwork's film Megamind, the character of Megamind bears all the qualities of a traditional villain with a triangular sharp silhouette, yet he is ultimately ridiculed and powerless as comic relief becoming a parody of the traditional villain.





From this, we began designing a variety of henchmen for an imaginary villain from basic shapes and forms, including some non humanoid designs.

Paris Show 2010 Highlights: 2011 Citroen C4 Picasso

It’s facelift time for Citroen’s C4 Picasso MPV family. Both the regular C4 Picasso and the larger Grand version have gone under the knife, receiving the firm’s new logo on the grille, alloys and steering wheel; new taillights and fashionable LED daytime running lights.

The C4 Picasso will also be available with a two-tone paint finish, with the roof painted in gloss black.

Citroen has added its e-HDi technology to the range, which includes stop start and a regenerative alternator. Available on the both C4 Picasso models fitted with the 100bhp diesel engine and EGS automated manual gearbox, the MPV now returns 58.9mpg and 125g/km for the regular car and 56.5mpg and 130g/km for the Grand model. Citroen claims this represents a 15 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions around town. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express

Paris Show 2010 Highlights: 2011 Citroen DS4

Citroen has unveiled its new DS4 at the Paris motor show.

The lofty but sporty-looking five-door is aimed at shaking up the bread-and-butter family hatch market.

The DS4 is the second model in Citroën’s new DS range, after the highly successful DS3, and is a platform variant of the new C4, also at Paris. Citroën is hoping it will sprinkle some DS3 magic on the bigger hatch.

Compared with the Focus-sized C4, the DS4 is 60mm shorter, 40mm taller and 20mm wider. This makes for a taller driving position with better visibility and a squatter footprint for more stable handling.

With this theme in mind, the DS4 features a panoramic windscreen that is said to give the driver an upward view of 45 degrees. “Combined with the slightly raised stance, this provides optimised visibility for the driver,” says Citroën.

Although a tall driving position is usually associated with functionality, the DS4 is clothed in an upmarket-looking skin, the work of chief stylist Marc Pinson.

Citroën describes the styling as “compact and muscular”, the sportiness coming from a pronounced styling bulge over each rear wheel arch, the short rear overhang and steeply raked rear hatch.

Despite this sharp styling, Citroën says the cabin will seat five. To enhance the sporty look, the rear door handles are hidden in the window surround, just as with the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

The engine range is extensive, with five Euro 5 units — HDi 110 and HDi 160 diesels and VTi 120, THP 155 and THP 200 petrol units. The THP 200 will top the range, with 197bhp and 203lb ft from its turbo 1.6, as well as 149g/km of CO2.

A micro-hybrid based on the HDi 110 engine will feature stop-start and a smart alternator able to recover energy during braking.

All engines will be available with either manual or robotised manual ESG ’boxes. The micro-hybrid will feature revised gear ratios for the best fuel economy.

UK sales will kick off in autumn next year and prices are likely to be at a premium over the C4’s. But as with DS3 buyers, DS4 customers are also expected to add a high number of options.

Thanks to: Autocar

Paris Show 2010 Highlights: Citroen Lacoste Concept

It’s a Tonka toy for grown-ups! Citroen’s new off-road concept, designed with the help of fashion label Lacoste, has been stripped back to the essentials to hint at a future economical supermini-sized SUV.

The Lacoste Concept measures 3.45m, making it over 50cm shorter than MINI’s Countryman and Nissan’s Juke. Aiming to steer customers away from these two, any production car based on this concept would form part of a new breed of tiny off-roaders in the mould of the 4x4 Fiesta seen here.

The car’s pared-back ethos evokes Citroen’s Seventies Mini Moke rival – the Mehari. This is evident on the dash, which is cleared of all clutter to leave a two-spoke steering wheel and LED display strip. It would be practical, though – the steering wheel can be moved out of the way to improve access, the rear bench can slide into the boot to carry large items and there is storage in the two benches.

The exterior is an evolution of 2007’s C-Cactus concept and features a high waistline, bulging wheelarches and a wheel at each corner. An innovative soft-top inflates along the centre rail to keep passengers dry. Power comes from a three-cylinder petrol engine, likely to be Citroen’s next-generation 1.2-litre unit, with 100g/km of CO2 emissions. For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express

Paris Show 2010 Highlights: 2011 Chevrolet Captiva

Meet the fourth and final Chevrolet that debuted at the Paris Motor Show. The facelifted Captiva joined the Cruze hatchback, Aveo supermini and Orlando MPV on the firm’s stand, and features a new look inside and out, plus fresh engines aimed at enhancing the car’s appeal.

The most obvious change is the Captiva’s striking new front end, which features a reshaped bonnet, much more prominent split grille and narrower prism-style headlights.

The interior has also received attention with new seat fabrics and trim materials to improve the perceived quality, while the Captiva also gets Chevrolet’s favoured ice blue instrument lighting. Buyers still get the choice of five or seven-seat layouts.

The car also boasts a new audio system, with an Aux input, USB port and Bluetooth connectivity. Touchscreen sat-nav with a rear-view parking camera is now available as an option, too.

Under the bonnet, there are three new engine choices – a 169bhp 2.4-litre petrol and two versions of a 2.2-litre common rail diesel featuring 161bhp or 181bhp. All are connected to a new manual or automatic six-speed transmission, and all models get retuned handling to offer a sportier drive.

The new Captiva is set to go on sale in the UK next spring. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express