Animation Source Forums

Hi, I'm PrettyAngel, and I want to give you some tips on how to make your character(s) "very good" or at least "good."

Here are some of the basic things to put on your characters thing, that is, you can either listen to me or read the rules. (which are easier to understand than this)

1. Give your character a stylish or interesting design. (take Jordan. or CWH14T's for example)

2. Give your character a interesting history. (like a long one about her whole life story, from puppy to death)

3. Give your character something to wear. (like a bandana, collar, scarf etc.)

4. Make her a mate (which means girlfriend/boyfriend)

5. Make her puppies (other members love to see puppy characters, especially if they look like Jenna or Balto as a puppy)

6. Make your characters or put them in a fanfic (like make your character's life story into a fanfic, other members enjoy reading fanfics)

7. Make fanart (drawings) images (renders, blended screenshots etc.) and plenty more.

8. Give your characters interesting colors. (like make a rainbow or spotted sparkledog)

9. Give your characters interesting names (like Kiowa, FrozenStorm, Sunset etc.)

10. Make your best looking character your fursona (meaning character just like you, but give your fursona a different history than yours)



And that's my guide to making a cool character. (it may not work, so you know)

Simple, yet practical. I've been meaning to post a tutorial on character development; hope you don't mind if I borrow some of these if I ever get around to it.

I don't mind at all. You can go ahead and take some of this when you get to it.

Thanks.

Several things wrong with this topic. BEGIN!



A mate or children does not a good character make. Your character doesn't have to have a mate or have to have puppies (shock horror). This can potentially take away from the "good"-ness you are trying to achieve by having an underdeveloped fambly.



Egh... put in effort instead of trying too hard is all I'm saying here.



Sigh. Sigh sigh sigh. Booooring!

I must admit I responded in haste before and missed some of what Cobaltie has since pointed out. However, I will try to be somewhat more constructive in my input.

On mates and pups, Cobalt is right about one thing: while relationships can make for some interesting and complex plots, that does not mean that romance, much less family, should be jumped into for the simple sake of having them in a story. As a matter of fact, I have seen a number of characters completely ruined by that very means. If you want to put in a relationship, that's fine. But plase do it for some reason more substantial than simply appealing to readers.

Also, the colors and names. There's nothing wrong with giving your character a distinctive name, but it should be realistic (most dog names are kept to one or two syllables so the dog can learn them easier). And sparkledogs... yeah. Those tend to put off more people than they draw, and those who are drawn to them, I think, are less interested in the actual character than in "Whoo, look at all the pretty colors." Sorry to sound like a mocker, but that's the basic idea of it as I understand it.

And lastly, looks aren't everything. The movie Balto should be evidence enough of that. Speaking from experience, I think my character Toby (who is about as close to a fursona as I've got) is probably the blandest-looking dog I've got. It's not how they look, it's who they are that really brings a character to life.

Thanks but i don´t think my designs are that good.



Yes, that´s what makes a character interesting, combined with a nice design people will like the character



I don´t think every character needs some accessories. If every single character wears something it will get boring



Same, not all characters need mates. (Look, whenever a new character is created you see tons of "Can I give him/her a mate?" Gah! Why?)



No, same as before, mates/pups aren´t always needed. And all those Balto/Jenna clones are getting boring too.



Like the others said before, using unnatural colors doesn´t make a char better, it often runs into the opposite.


My thoughts about your topic, don´t feel offended, this post wasn´t meant to offend in any way

Thank you for writing a guide, though I hate to say that it's full of basic tips that get boring and can easily make a character unappealing and just like everyone else's characters. I'd say these are ways to make your characters just "BASIC", not really "good" in general.

Here's my own comments and hints to anyone that needs assistance with creating a new character:

1: Design and appearance are important aspects to a character, though you can look at some good examples [you did name some noteworthy ones, I'll admit] for inspiration. Just don't copy them, please! Sure, the Jenna-clone pups look alike in the movies, but that doesn't mean ALL DOGS look alike. ...Okay, some do, but personality easily helps to distinguish two similar-looking characters.

2: This is actually something good for once! My tip is that a good backstory with your character can really help with its personality and development. Maybe something happened in your character's past that makes him or her act a certain way around someone different or certain other characters... Who knows?

3: If what a character wears - whether it's a collar, a bandanna or a scarf - has a backstory or some sort of importance to the character [such as Jenna's bandanna, for example], then that would be a good thing to note. This, however, is not a necessary accessory to make your character better than anyone else's. Heck, your character could have a bunch of accessories and stuff, but could still be a bland wad of fur and cloth that no one really can get into liking.

4 & 5: Okay... I'm answering these together, only because they're so closely related. A mate and pups can add some sort of character to a character, but they aren't necessary. Some of the best characters I've seen are mateless or at least take their time getting to that point in their lives [that is, should they ever get to that point]. Rushing into getting a mate is common, basic and downright BORING. Arranged mates, however, are a different story, but they too can add something to a character [maybe they don't want a mate... or that mate in particular?]. Seriously, a character, like a lot of people out there, doesn't need a mate to be someone interesting and good.

6: Fanfics do help, but... eh, they aren't necessary if you've made your character bland as dirt. It doesn't have to be a life story either - maybe focus on a life-changing moment in his or her life, such as a tragic moment, a first love, or first friend. Something that can tug on the heartstrings is an easy way to grab interest into a new character, especially if done right.

7: True, you need refs of your character to post it on the site, but don't go overboard on the renders. Maybe you can request a reference drawing or render from another member so you can see their take on your character?

8: No. Just... no. I have nothing against sparkledogs, but they aren't allowed on BS anyway. It is possible to make a character with realistic colors appealing, you know, and honestly, I don't prefer them with odd and vivid colors like sky blue or neon green. Too many colors can go overboard and make it, um, well... it'd end up as a bright sort of mess. My best advice: Don't do sparkledogs - no offense. If you'd like a bright color, make it a collar or some other sort of accessory, but not their fur color please.

9: Interesting names are good, but meaningful ones are the most appealing to me [like my character Anyu, for example - her name is Inuit for "snow used for a specific purpose"]. I can't forget the basic names either like Fido, Rover, or Fluffy, but a name is only one aspect to a character - like what DT said, his or her personality and actions are most important and can make a character truly appealing to others.

10: ...Eh, I'm not into fursonas that much, but the most interesting design doesn't have to be your fursona. I say, make him or her have a part of you in him or her - whether it's eye color, a certain fur color [like to match your own hair], a certain accessory or trinket, or of course, the personality is a main key! But seriously, what do I know? I've never really made one myself, but I've seen a few good ones on the site that are quite believable.

I hope these are much more of a help!

- Juuchan17

While I do agree with all your hints and tips, Juuchan, this one, number eight, is one I agree with most especially. And frankly, I don't recommend sparkle animals period. Not here or on any of the other sites, especially The Lion King Source. Now I may be harsh in saying this, but there is no true creativity in sparkle characters. I'm sorry, but it is the truth. There's plenty one can do with natural colors for their characters. It just takes time to establish it. Frankly, you can't put a sparkle character into any movie universe and call it good. It's just wrong on so many levels. That's why when I create my characters (mine are on LKS) I try to be as natural as possible.

Oh MAN is that so!

I have seen a plethora of sparkley garbage lately, and one or two people doing nothing BUT sparkle animals. And no mod is doing a thing about it (well, no current one anyway. I know Cat was trying hard for the short time she was a mod, before that position was rather abruptly and, I believe, unnecessarily taken from her). It boggles the mind why anyone thinks this stuff is good or should be taken seriously. It really does.

Nice, nice.

Hi. I'm Sakujo and I will tell you how to NOT make characters.



If you character has an owner, give it a collar. Otherwise, no wearings at all. Do NOT make your character another Jenna wannabe and do NOT give it a bandana just because you are too lazy to remove Jenna's bandana on renders.



Not every character desperately need to have a lover and pups. Love is a difficult thing. Give your character a mate in right time of his/her story. Do NOT arrange random people to make random mates for your characters. If your character's mate is made by someone else, work on their love story together.



There are NO sparkledogs in Balto and rainbow colours doesn't make a character creative. Most of the times, just ugly. If your characters has to be Balto related, at least keep the movie realities, including realistic colours.



Again, if your characteris a pet, give him/her a normal name a normal man could give to a dog.


Thank you for your time

I'm sorry if you don't like what I have to say, but I am a realistic person.


Be original, don't copy from popular people. Or anyone else. Using them as a inspiration is okay though.


This is optional, and really the only thing your character should be wearing is a collar, harness, and possibly a bandana. Anything else like scarfs, earrings, hats, etc is just no... I've never seen a dog wear a scarf, hat and any other odd thing.


Again as above, your character doesn't need a mate right away, or maybe none at all. Were you born with a boyfriend/girlfriend? I don't think so, let's be realistic.

If you want you character to have a mate, then slowly bring them into the story. This isn't something that should be rushed. Let nature run its coarse.


And yet again, as above. I hope they have a mate first, because puppies coming out of thin air seems a little awkward. And honestly, I say no to the puppy thing. Right away anyway. I make character, I make mate, couple has puppies, the end=stupid story. In society, when people breed dogs for no reason, these puppies end up in shelters and possibly killed if they can't find good homes. If not that, they grow up as strays. What I'm trying to say is, every freakn' character that is made these days is waaaay to predictable. They seem to all have the same stories. I don't have a problem with puppies if the story is well thought out. Oh, and making the puppies look like Balto and Jenna is also over-used and stupid. If the parents have no relation to either Balto or Jenna, then how the heck are they going to look like them? Sorry, but there are already a bunch of Balto and Jenna clones. Your just too lazy to make your own designs. Blunt warning! Hidden text : click to show


These are rather useless tips...


NO. I think we're all past the ages of 5. As others have said, you DON'T need a rainbow of colors to be creative. If you want to make a rainbow colored character, than perhaps you should make a bird, fish, reptile, anything that can get away with it. If you want to make a dog, wolf, cat, whatever, being realistic is the better way to go.


I agree here, but your examples are anything but. Kiowa is just a modified version of Kiona. Frozenstorm is okay. Sunset is just plain to simple. I would suggest using Asian, Native American, Or any other kind of names that may be interesting. Or if you're a really creative person, make up your own name.

Lastly, this topic is more of a how not to make a character.

Guys, this is a pretty legit tutorial. I'm backing it up on this one.



This I agree with. Design a character just like mine or it's not cool. The best designs to use is Stunner's design, and Nayeli's design.



The vaguer the better! Pretty much the only things you have to touch upon is whether he or she has a TERRIBLE SECRET PAST and if they find a true love or not. But it's better if they find one. People like tortured characters, BUT NOT TOO TORTURED.



Its indecent for your character to be naked. It's only socially acceptable if they're wearing something. They'd look best in thick-rimmed glasses and piercings.



It doesn't matter if your character saved a town full of children, led a pack of wolves from starvation, have an incredible bond with a human, risk everything for their sibling, or go through an amazing epiphany. That's all meaningless unless they have a love interest. What's the point of life if you have no one to coddle?



Pffft, why the heck else would anyone be mates? To make puppies of course! And the best part is, generations are limitless! They can go on forever! So you can make characters meet and have puppies as often as you want! But don't forget to make puppies resemble their grandparents. SWITCH THINGS UP A BIT, PEOPLE.



Just whip up a fanfic. Don't make it longer than what you can read on the back of a cereal box tho, people don't like reading that much. The best fics can be summed up to about a page. But what I usually do is make a character page and then give them a mate and puppies and then forget about them.



Or better, make others draw them for you!



The more colors the better. Normal colored characters are SO mainstream. EVERYONE should have sparkledog characters, they're so unique.



Or better, like Stammer, or Bloodkill, or Naayyeellii, or Fangmoon. The names with an adjective in the front and a noun in the back are choice names for wolf characters. I mean Kay Fedewa does it, so...



Remember a fursona represents YOU. You can only be represented by the best. Like my fursona is Kiona, so people will think that my sister was a butthead to me, and I ran away from my team to have a family with Draco.

Cat, to do all of that for fursonas is one thing, but fan characters whether they have a connection to the universe they're put into or not is another thing entirely. The same rules do not apply. Besides, in a manner of speaking, sparkle characters in general is degrading and an insult to the animals of the earth. They weren't created with horrendous markings such as rainbow colors and the like but with great care and respect and with colors to blend in with the earth around them. To make fan characters - based off of the pets we as human beings own - and give them colors that have no business being on their bodies is just insulting, not to mention uncreative.