Computer Arts Projects issue 102

Character design is certainly one of the fastest growing areas of contemporary graphic design – just take a look around you. Cute characters are being used to sell everything from cars to internet auction sites, and the trend shows no sign of letting up.

With this in mind, this issue of Computer Arts Projects focuses on the very specialised art of character design, covering everything from creating your own vinyl and plush toys to looking at just why character design has reached such a level of popularity.

Along the way we talk to some of the best character designers working in the industry today – Rob Reger, the brains behind Emily the Strange, and Pete Fowler, creator of the mighty Monsterism Island. We also head off to Taipei for a look at what’s new in the world of vinyl toys and give you tips, advice and plenty of inspiration to draw upon when you’re creating characters of your own.

Oh, and watch out for that mushroom on the front of the magazine – we have it on good authority from TADO that he bites.

Dom Hall, Editor

IN THE MAG

FEATURES

Showcase
The very best in character design and vinyl toys from artists around the world

Get into character
How a generation of designers weaned on Star Wars, Thundercats, skate culture and comics re-invented the art of character design

Classics
Find out how the designers behind the iconic creations of Morph, Miffy, Cheech Wizard and the LEGO Man built characters with enduring appeal

Vinyl junkie secrets
For some, collecting vinyl can be an obsessive and extremely expensive business. Clutter magazine’s Miranda O’Brien delves into the world of the vinyl junkie

Taipei Toy Festival 2007
Designers from all over the world flock to Taipei to see the latest in character design. Simon Pollard of toy blog Vinyl Abuse reports

Last word
Jack Muramatsu of toy site Vinyl Pulse on why collecting vinyl definitely isn’t for kids

Building the mushroom
Always wondered how vinyl toys are actually made? We take an in-depth look at how TADO turned its mushroom design from sketch to the perfectly formed vinyl character free with this month’s magazine.

PROFILES

Emily the Strange
We talk to designer Rob Reger about how he created a black-cat-loving outsider and turned her into an underground icon with a successful line of merchandise and, soon, her own Hollywood film…

Pete Fowler
How the designer behind psychedelic parallel universe Monsterism Island applied his love of drawing cute but dark monsters to projects ranging from album covers for Welsh prog rockers Super Furry Animals to animated TV car adverts for Kia

TUTORIALS

Design and digitally sculpt a vinyl toy
Designing and sculpting a vinyl toy may seem like a tall order, but our step-by-step tutorial created by Bigshot Toyworks’ Scott Wetterschneider shows you how to turn sketches into prototypes using 3ds Max

Flash animation for the web
Alexis West shows you how to create compelling Flash-driven animated environments so your characters can come alive on the web

Create a plush toy
We Are Multiple shows you how to use Illustrator, some fabric and a spot of extreme sewing to create an adorable plush toy

Make characters move
How to use After Effects to turn your creations into living, breathing bundles of joy

Add personality
Characters aren’t anything without a serious dose of attitude and personality. Find out how to give your creations that special something with our ten-step tutorial