For this assignment we had to build characters from scratch.  Each element of the design was then combined to make different design.  Although this project was time consuming, it was fun!

Starting with an ellipse for the head, I then used Effect>Warp>Inflate to give a square shape to the lower part of the face.  After that, I created two circles overlapping, and in Pathfinder, selected Minus Front. This created a crescent shape for the inside of the ear.  I created another circle, and with the slightly darker shade crescent shaped placed inside this, we had an ear!

Using the reflect command, I copied another one on the other side of the head.

For the eyes, I drew a small ellipse and as with the ear, I used the Reflect command to create the opposite side. 

For the neck, I drew a small, narrow rectangle and with this selected, I went to Effect>Warp>Arc Lower to round out the lower neck line.

These steps completed my template.  I then copied and pasted for the remaining characters.

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From this point, it was about customising each feature.  I created variations on the eyes using the same commands as above.  Using Pathfinder>Minus front, I could draw exaggerated eyebrows and the colours were changed for variety.  For the mouths, very simple ellipses in white and then by using the direct selection tool, I manipulated the shape into smiles or shocked expressions.

As this is a quite a sizeable project, I was very careful to name the layers as I progressed through each stage.  Every single feature had to be named.

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Part 4 of the project posed my first issue.  Creating Different Hairstyles.

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Challenge: I found using the warp tool to draw the hair, very difficult.  There were so many anchor points that it sometimes seemed to be more trial and error, than any sort of technique involved with this command.  Very often the head was exposed so I had to start all over again.  I hope to refine this with more practise. Perhaps if I look at the Warp Tool Options and set the brush dimensions in future, it may be easier.

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I created 3 very different styles of hair based on the skin tones I had picked.

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For the outfits, I started with the rounded rectangle tool and created 2 shapes, one on top of the other.  The colours I chose for each were contrasting. Using Effect>Warp>Arc I then expanded the shapes to give the look of a jumper/top, Object>Expand Appearance. To complete the upper torso shape, I selected the first rounded rectangle and the cutter, and in Pathfinder, selected Minus Front.

The bowtie and collar features are simply made using the Polygon Tool and reflecting it, along with tiny circles for the buttons.  Once I duplicated this for the other characters, I changed the colours and features to make a new design.

For the vest/sleeveless jumper, I used the polygon tool to create the V-neck, the for the sleeves, I drew ellipses and Minus Front in Pathfinder. This took me several attempts as I found creating the symmetry of the cut out sleeves difficult to achieve. 

I repeated these steps to design another new outfit.

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For the guy in the tuxedo, I drew a table with champagne.  The singer has musical notes, and the last character is reading a book.  

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Success: Drawing the props for the characters was relatively quick and easy.  I feel this is testament to the previous assignments and steps in this project. The keyboard shortcuts are beginning to feel more organic and so I am saving time.

The final stage of the assignment was to create a chart featuring all the elements that were created to build each character.  On a new layer, with the previous layer locked, I drew a rectangle with a blue fill as a background.  On top of this were 5 smaller rectangles or columns, with text above each one. I copied and pasted all the features into the appropriate column and once that was done, I grouped each of my characters,

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This was a large project but being able to save time using different elements made the project manageable.  I enjoyed the creativity of this assignment.

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