Capitalites Log 3
"Capitalites" (https://babblegumsam.itch.io/capitalites) is a TTRPG made by BabblegumSam that is part of the Our Shores RPGSEA anthology, recently funded on Kickstarter in October 2021. I was commissioned to do character design work for this TTRPG. The gameplay consists of roleplaying as one of many socialite characters inspired by modern Asian stereotypes in absurd high school drama-esque scenarios.
All the characters are meant to be poking fun at these stereotypes specific to modern young adult culture, so all the characters I designed are very exaggerated personas of what that person might be in real life.
The characters featured in this Part 3/6 are the Actual Celebrity, Career Woman, and Slut.
I also shared more about this log on Twitter (https://twitter.com/JL_icious/status/1651188290127822849?s=20)!
Project thumbnail starring (left to right) The Career Woman, Actual Celebrity and Slut.
The Actual Celebrity character design process sheet. Can you spot the similarities to any BLACKPINK members? P.S. "BEPIS"
Actual Celebrity character turnaround sheet. This sheet was done as an expanded character design exercise, but it did not have any relevance to Capitalites' development at the time.
Actual Celebrity developmental sketches and drafts. The biggest challenge for this character was nailing down a sufficiently exaggerative and showy pose that also included some funny product placement to convey her influencer status.
Actual Celebrity character rendering process.
Character design reference moodboard for Actual Celebrity. Lots of references for K-POP dancer costumes for this character, while also ensuring the outfit looked practical to be worn out as a normal outfit.
The Career Woman character design process sheet.
Career Woman developmental sketches and drafts. The draft on the left was me experimenting with an alternate take: pre-jaded Career Woman who's "taking on the world" with feminine enthusiasm!
Career Woman alternate outfits. I could have went with harsher, more drab colours to reflect cold corporate work attire, but ultimately I still wanted her colour palette to look pleasant to contrast her unsmiling expression.
Character design reference moodboard for Career Woman.
The Slut character design process sheet. Sam and I talked to a lot of women close to us to depict the correct nuance for this character. Ultimately, I can only be relieved to hear that players have enjoyed the execution of this playbook thus far.
Slut developmental sketches and drafts. At first, we thought to give her a stern confident pose, but I suggested: to contrast the harshness of the label "Slut", her pose can be just her straightening out her outfit while looking hot, or something.
Slut developmental sketches and drafts. This pose visually distinguishes her from the rest of the brightly confident female characters, but also: she glowers at "you" for leering at her "sexy body" while doing something mundane. Can't she catch a break?
Slut alternate outfits. Sam insisted on the cleavage window, while I experimented with different dress styles, stockings, tattoos, etc. It was a tough decision to make.
Character design reference moodboard for Slut. The "Asian baby girl" angle was an early creative direction for the character, and I'm not sure how much of that is present in the final design.