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So might have to redesign them all anyway
8 years ago
When it comes to character designs. A lot of research, writing, and hard work is required to do the job rightly. Sometimes that leads to the soul crushing process of redesigning everyone.
It's no secret that the entire industry is in what can be describe as a massive shift in how characters are drawn. It usually happens every decade and it just so happens that time is now. Ok technically it began in 2015, but we're now starting to see the fruits of it begin to bare. Pretty soon all sexual designs will be taboo for American made and western works in all contexts outside of pinups, and streetware. Erotic works are fine for now but honestly I can see us banning erotica one day. There's a lot of issue in that side of the media that's going to bring the whole thing down eventually.
So given this project is stuck in development hell as is. I need to make sure it'll be fine by the time it comes out in terms of character designs. This means I need to make sure that not a single character can be seen as problematic or too sexually designed. Especially If I end up doing the comic. That would be social suicide if things aren't all in place. Which means I need to redesign EVERYONE. At least their outfits mainly. Body types are (as of the current concept sketches I haven't uploaded yet) varied right down to small details and ready for the next step (model sheets). So it's really the outfits that could cause trouble. Mainly for a few reasons.
*Practicality: Capes, heals, long hair, long clothing, baggy clothing, lack of armor for certain job classes.
*Exposed Skin/Fur: chest and stomach, Cleavage of any kind for any reason, cleavage windows, Side boob, abs, back, legs and arms depending on job classes.
My cast breaks a lot of theses. And are mostly female making it much more noticeable. So regardless of how I feel about capes, coats, ect. They have to change. And as someone who's against Sexism entirely. It's for the better to do the right thing for character designs. Cleavage and sexual designs are very easily dated. And at the moment it's too risky to use such designs for anything, even pinups are pushing it. (DA has a bad rep partly because of this) I like them as much as the next guy, and being bi, yes that goes for sexy guys too (though they are rarely drawn an posted here). But sexuality is a very messy concept that is best to steer away from for now at least until I can get much more clearer answers and data on the next/current grey area. I've been staying up these past few weeks reviewing the issues of the past and how things have changed so far. I use to think my characters were fine based entirely on not being attacked yet and my effort to keep things from getting too silly even within pinups over the course of these last few years since the Penny Arcade incident in 2011. But it seems that may be due to me being a complete ghost. And that some of the places I'm on and the fans I have are a bit pervy (no offense). Or just outright don't care at all.
I might be able to keep a few things here and there based on new data and approval. But So far, I should play it safe and make some alternative designs to use that remove the problem designs.
It's a shame but out of respect, it must be done. By making a product I forfeit most of my creative freedom. It's the dark secret many artists often don't learn right away. So more then ever I must abide to current social trends. It's going to be awhile. And I need to find a lot of people to get there opinions of the current and new outfit designs.
Kyanbu
It's no secret that the entire industry is in what can be describe as a massive shift in how characters are drawn. It usually happens every decade and it just so happens that time is now. Ok technically it began in 2015, but we're now starting to see the fruits of it begin to bare. Pretty soon all sexual designs will be taboo for American made and western works in all contexts outside of pinups, and streetware. Erotic works are fine for now but honestly I can see us banning erotica one day. There's a lot of issue in that side of the media that's going to bring the whole thing down eventually.
So given this project is stuck in development hell as is. I need to make sure it'll be fine by the time it comes out in terms of character designs. This means I need to make sure that not a single character can be seen as problematic or too sexually designed. Especially If I end up doing the comic. That would be social suicide if things aren't all in place. Which means I need to redesign EVERYONE. At least their outfits mainly. Body types are (as of the current concept sketches I haven't uploaded yet) varied right down to small details and ready for the next step (model sheets). So it's really the outfits that could cause trouble. Mainly for a few reasons.
*Practicality: Capes, heals, long hair, long clothing, baggy clothing, lack of armor for certain job classes.
*Exposed Skin/Fur: chest and stomach, Cleavage of any kind for any reason, cleavage windows, Side boob, abs, back, legs and arms depending on job classes.
My cast breaks a lot of theses. And are mostly female making it much more noticeable. So regardless of how I feel about capes, coats, ect. They have to change. And as someone who's against Sexism entirely. It's for the better to do the right thing for character designs. Cleavage and sexual designs are very easily dated. And at the moment it's too risky to use such designs for anything, even pinups are pushing it. (DA has a bad rep partly because of this) I like them as much as the next guy, and being bi, yes that goes for sexy guys too (though they are rarely drawn an posted here). But sexuality is a very messy concept that is best to steer away from for now at least until I can get much more clearer answers and data on the next/current grey area. I've been staying up these past few weeks reviewing the issues of the past and how things have changed so far. I use to think my characters were fine based entirely on not being attacked yet and my effort to keep things from getting too silly even within pinups over the course of these last few years since the Penny Arcade incident in 2011. But it seems that may be due to me being a complete ghost. And that some of the places I'm on and the fans I have are a bit pervy (no offense). Or just outright don't care at all.
I might be able to keep a few things here and there based on new data and approval. But So far, I should play it safe and make some alternative designs to use that remove the problem designs.
It's a shame but out of respect, it must be done. By making a product I forfeit most of my creative freedom. It's the dark secret many artists often don't learn right away. So more then ever I must abide to current social trends. It's going to be awhile. And I need to find a lot of people to get there opinions of the current and new outfit designs.
Kyanbu
