Capitalites Log 2
"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 modern young adult archetypes and stereotypes specific to (Southeast) Asian 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 2/6 are the Hot Chick, Zha Boh and Sensitive Man.
I also shared more about this log on Twitter (https://twitter.com/JL_icious/status/1605480818960347138?s=20)!
Project thumbnail starring The Sensitive Man, The Hot Chick and The Zha Boh.
The Hot Chick character design process sheet. Shout out to her realistically rendered feet, specially requested by BabblegumSam.
Hot Chick developmental sketches for poses. During ideation phase for all Capitalites characters, pose always comes first (with few exceptions), because the character illustrations are the final output.
Hot Chick developmental sketches for outfit design. Note the 4th sketch from left with the unused romper design—it was later repurposed for the Zha Boh.
Hot Chick alternate outfits. The cream turtleneck sweater was the main article that brought the entire colour palette together, so it was just colour experimentation from there.
Character design reference moodboard for Hot Chick. Truthfully, my research had done most of my job for me.
The Zha Boh character design process sheet. Note the stretch marks on her thighs, which turned out to be a detail of her design quite beloved by others.
Zha Boh developmental sketches. Her character pose required an intricate balance of demure coyness and manufactured candor, so I drafted a lot of gesture drawings based on photo references.
Character design reference moodboard for Zha Boh. I sought out a lot of fashion advice from women in my life to design this character.
The Zha Boh character design process sheet. One detail I want to mention is I designed him as a fat character, and I wish it was more noticeable in the final illustration.
Sensitive Man developmental sketches. Similarly to Zha Boh, I envisioned a "fake candid" cool guy pose early in ideation that seemed suitable to his personality.
Sensitive Man alternate outfits. We decided on the black floral shirt because it seemed more "acceptably masculine" for the character.
Character design reference moodboard for Sensitive Man. The accessories he wears in the final illustration were suggested by BabblegumSam.