Books:

• The Art of Animal Character Design by David Coleman

1. •Exploring Character Design by my two awesome college professors Kevin Hedgpeth and Stephen Missal
   

2. •Cartoon Animation by Preston Blair
   

3. •The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain: A Course in Enhancing Creativity and Artistic Confidence by Betty Edwards
   

Websites relating to Character Design:   

http://www.computerarts.co.uk/in_depth/features/20_character_design_tips

http://characterdesign.blogspot.com/

http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/store/category/20/Character-%7B47%7D-Creature-Design  *** This site sells the BEST professional DVD tutorials, if you’re an educator, be sure to check in to their educator discount. ***

http://sbit-animation-centrala.blogspot.com/2008/03/what-qualifies-you-to-get-into.html

*** This is actually a blog from an animation professional on the role of a degree in finding a job in animation. It applies to most art fields, in my opinion.***

www.deviantart.com

***This website is a free forum for artists. WARNING: it is not monitored, and is not suitable for young children. However, there are many amazing artists on it as well. The real trick seems to be to find one artist that you like and then look through their ‘favorites’ gallery to find more good artists. Have fun searching!

http://artistanatomy.com/index.html

ANATOMY SHAPES! As an artist it’s not so important to know the name of everything as the shape and where it goes and how it works. This site one artist’s studies in just muscular shapes.

To Become an Illustrator/Character Designer:

(according to me)

1. •Enjoy drawing! This is an absolute MUST
   

1. •Keep a sketchbook journal. Take it with you everywhere you can and draw what you see: people, places, animals, plants, bugs, anything! Especially study people’s expressions, characteristics, quirks, and body language. Make notes about the things you draw: why did you draw it? Where and when did you draw it? What colors does it have? And most of all DRAW! Draw draw draw draw draw.
   

• Try different mediums (pencil, ink, paint, etc.) to find the one(s) right for you.

1. •Study other artists, illustrators, and character designers. Make a list of your favorites and look at their work often. Imitate their styles to combine what you most like into a style all your own.
   

1. •Study color, anatomy, and perspective: these are areas that artists tend to be weak in. Put yourself above the crowd and wow ‘em with this stuff. Also, don’t be afraid of life-drawing; it increases your drawing skills exponentially!
   

1. •Always keep a portfolio of your most current, best work. Don’t be afraid to show it to people, especially other artists who can give you feedback! Try to make your portfolio presentable and professional (use a plastic folio book such as the ones at http://www.artprofolio.com/Art_profolio.htm ). Limit your portfolio to only your BEST work! You don’t want to overwhelm your audience with too much. For a great list of TO DOs for an art portfolio go to http://www.ehow.com/how_2063849_assemble-artists-portfolio.html
   

1. •Go to school! Landing the perfect job is not just about the talent you have, it’s the people you know, and an art school is a gold mine of contacts. Pick a school by the quality of their student’s artwork! If you’re considering a career like animation, pick a school in an area with lots of animation jobs and professionals, like LA. Ultimately, a degree is just a piece of paper: you are not going to be hired based on the school you attended, but school is an opportunity you should take if you can.
   

1. •Be knowledgeable. Know who the top artists in your field are and be familiar with their work. Know the “Greats”, every industry has those artists who were revolutionary and you need to know who they were. It will broaden your depth as an artist and keep you from looking ignorant in casual conversation with other artists.
   

1. •Keep in touch with the artists you meet. The best jobs are the ones a friend has hooked you up with. Your chances of landing the job are a million times better if you walk into an interview with someone who has already been prepped to like you and your work.
   

and finally -

1. •Don’t be elitist. An arrogant artist is a pain in everyone’s a**, and enemies don’t hire you. There is always a better artist out there.
   

1. •Keep Learning. Always take advantage of any chance to learn new techniques and styles. Being a professional illustrator means that you may need to re-invent yourself to appeal to the clients who are hiring.
   

Artist Job List:

I’ve been asked many times for a list of job opportunities and descriptions for someone who has graduated as I have with a degree in Media Arts and Animation. My response is this: Check out an animated movie like Beauty and the Beast or Kung Fu Panda and fast-forward to the end credits. You see that long long list of names? Most of those are a specialized job. Going to school prepares you to begin to look into a specialty. It’s your job after that to search out internships and opportunities to strengthen your portfolio towards landing your dream job.

Or, if animation isn’t your gig and illustration or graphic design is, just look around you: the chair you are sitting on was designed by an artist and was likely drawn by a technical draftsman. Pick up a magazine: note any design, any illustration, any graphic element - it was created by an artist. Go into the children’s section at any bookstore for inspiration. A friend of mine does drawings for medical texts. Another friend of mine does murals, and yet another paints teeth for taxidermy animals. Find a spot that needs an artist and fill it!