AI for Creators Part 1: Character Design
When it comes to AI in the creative world, it’s not quite at the stage where it can produce fully production-ready assets. You’ve probably noticed that distinct “AI look” in a lot of generated images. So, the big question is: How can AI fit into your creative process?
In this article, I’m focusing on one area where AI has really come in handy for me: Character Design.
AI as a Creative Assistant
Before designing a character, there’s always a research phase—figuring out what your character could look like, what they might wear, and what shapes or details would best tell their story. This process is super time-consuming, sometimes taking weeks or even months. But with AI, that’s changed. Well, kinda.
AI won’t give you a finished product, but it can definitely give you a great starting point. And that alone can save a ton of time.
How I Used AI to Design Captain Coconuts and Dinzy
For “The Science of Stuff,” I used MidJourney to generate a series of references for my characters. I was looking to create Captain Coconuts, a rugged Caribbean adventurer, and Dinzy, the calm, logical voice of reason in the crew. Instead of sketching from scratch, I plugged my ideas into MidJourney and got a variety of design options.
From there, I picked the features I liked best—Captain Coconuts’ adventurous vibe and Dinzy’s composed, thoughtful look. It wasn’t perfect, but it gave me a foundation to work from. I then refined the designs, adding my own unique touch to bring them to life. This AI-assisted process helped me cut down on hours of back-and-forth, turning a weeks-long process into just a few days of creative flow.
The Big Takeaway
AI won’t replace your creativity, but it’s an amazing tool to jumpstart your process. Whether you’re designing characters or exploring new ideas, AI can offer inspiration and speed up the workflow. Think of it as a creative partner that gives you something to build on!
Here’s a look at the artwork I created for Captain Coconuts and Dinzy, two characters from “The Science of Stuff.”
Want to try AI-generated artwork yourself? Check out this Getting Started with MidJourney guide to learn more!
That’s how AI helped me create characters for my show. If you’re a creator looking to save time and spark creativity, AI might just be your next best tool!