Character Design Studio
CUMI creates characters for animation and illustration, developing their personality as carefully as their appearance. We explore how they look, express themselves and move, so they can carry a story rather than simply fill a frame.
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From Born Naughty
Start with who they are
A good character feels like someone. Their silhouette, proportions, posture and expressions all tell us something before they speak. We begin with their role in the story and the audience they need to connect with, then look for a visual language that gives them a distinct presence.
What we develop
- Character concepts and visual exploration
- Expressions, poses and personality
- Character families and supporting casts
- Design development for animation or illustrated use
Where the production needs them, we can agree model sheets, turnarounds and guidance that help a character stay consistent across scenes and formats.
Selected character work
Meet some of the characters in our work. Explore how their design connects with the story, the setting and the way they appear on screen or in illustration.
Building a character
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Define the role.
We discuss the character's purpose, audience and world, including any practical requirements for production.
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Explore possibilities.
Sketches test shapes, proportions, costume and personality before a direction is chosen.
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Test expression.
We develop poses and expressions, considering what the character needs to do and how the design supports that performance.
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Resolve the design.
We refine the approved character and prepare the agreed references for illustration or animation.
Designed with the next stage in mind
Our character work sits alongside animation and illustration. That means we can consider the practical questions early: how a pose reads, whether a small expression carries, or what happens when the design moves. The aim is a character with a clear personality and a useful foundation for the work that follows.
Who do you want to bring to life
Tell us about the character, the story and the world they belong in. An early thought or a detailed brief gives us a place to begin.
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