2
TITEL TEST
Character Concept by Ulrike Schwertberger
1
RESEARCH
Setting & Moodboard My character is the main promotional character of a fictional upcoming Steampunk-style card game aimed at young adults titled “Duke of London”. The game is set in an alternate Victorian-era London, in which humans and strange creatures from all over the world come to the city with great ambitions. Players are dealt character cards, have to collect influence points and ultimately become “Duke of London”. The character appearing on the box of the game and on promotional material should create attention with a unique look. His appearance should also fit into the 19th century industrial look of the game. On the right you can see the Moodboard I created in order to get a general idea of the style I was going for in terms of branding and character design.
CHARACTER CONCEPT
DUKE OF LONDON
Character inspiration My concept idea was a character whose appearance is very “naturalistic” in contrast to the civilized clothing he is wearing. My inspiration from the animal world was the Weedy seadragon, whose appendages I included in the design. The character is a biped who comes from a semiaquatic environment, but he has a human-like body type with frog-like feet. Additionally, his appearance should underline that he is an intelligent and educated character, which is why I added a little beard to make him look more ‘wise’.
CHARACTER CONCEPT
DUKE OF LONDON
Clothing In terms of clothing, I was inspired by the clothes worn by gentlemen and dandies of the 19th century. This style is particulary popular in the Steampunk genre and can be found in many variations in works of fiction or Steampunk costumes.
CHARACTER CONCEPT
DUKE OF LONDON
2
Development
Early sketches It is interesting to note that my idea shifted from a beastlike character to a more elegant, aquatic character during the process of sketching.
CHARACTER CONCEPT
DUKE OF LONDON
CHARACTER CONCEPT
DUKE OF LONDON
CHARACTER CONCEPT
DUKE OF LONDON
Personality
Background Sir Cloozok Wellington is one of the playable characters in the card game Duke of London. He came to the city by swimming in the River Thames, probably from quite far away. His race is a peaceful folk, however they are not known to leave their homeland which makes Cloozok a somewhat exotic visitor.
Sly, intelligent and ambitious. Cloozok is highly educated and appreciates art and literature - a “man of culture�. He is not a good fighter and enjoys a cup of tea while reading a book. He lacks the financial funds to purchase expensive art for himself, which is why he strives to become Duke of London.
Clothing and appearance The character is wearing Victorian-era style upper-class clothing with seahorse-like details in the back of the coat. There are other aquatic elements like the cravat which looks like kelp and seashell buttons. He also uses a walking cane with a seahorse head.
CHARACTER CONCEPT
DUKE OF LONDON
3
BRANDING
Branding concept I looked at brands with a vintage look and the takeaway was that almost all of these brands use lettering-style font logos with decorative elements such as swirly lines. I also included this vintage style in the advertising material for the brand. Suitable freebies for the cardgame brand would be items which would also have been popular in 19th century London. The freebies I designed are: Wine, Eau de Perfume and Earl Grey Tea. I also included a T-Shirt design because this item would make it easier to make the brand well-known. This is also suitable because the consumers of this cardgame would be adults aged between 15-35 years.
CHARACTER CONCEPT
DUKE OF LONDON
Logo
I included a clockwork wheel in the logo design because this element is very popular within the Steampunk genre. The typeface also adds to the vintage, 19th century look.
CHARACTER CONCEPT
DUKE OF LONDON
Web banner
CHARACTER CONCEPT
DUKE OF LONDON
Launch party
CHARACTER CONCEPT
DUKE OF LONDON
Wine bottle
Perfume
Earl Grey Tea
T-shirt
2
TITEL TEST
created for L5 Concept Development & Animation Leeds Beckett University November 2015