Loading…
character design
A working library of design, type, and visual culture.
74051 references · 162 visual
Collections
Project
2018Johanna Walderdorff is back with more absurd illustrations
Project
2015Cheeky-faced characters in Tim Romanowsky’s surreal illustrations
Project
2007Gerald McBoing-Boing
Project
2007Mr Bingo
Project
2010Barnaby Roper: Eniko
Project
2019Illustrator Isabella Cotier’s characters are a celebration of dressing to express
Project
2018From playful animated characters to powerful portraiture, we introduce three talents at JSR
Project
2012Sergio Membrillas' illustrated world is packed full of wonderful characters
Project
2015Crisp, clever loveliness from Tomi Um
Project
2020Meet the Squishies: Daisy Collingridge’s collection of wonderfully grim flesh suits
Project
2013Introducing…Illustrator Ryan Chapman and his brigade of merry friends
Project
2018Illustrator Espen Friberg's authentic and deceptively simple characters
Project
2022Illustrator Nori Okawa creates dynamic characters out of ovals, circles and lines
Project
2019From Patti and Selma Bouvier to the mum from About a Boy, Liv Siddall on the unsung heroines of pop culture
Motion
2016Yukai Du creates a new set of dents for animation company Bliink
Project
2019Exploring the charming characters, expressive storytelling and cinematic scenery of JSR's artists
Project
2018María Ramos' illustrations turn picnic food into an assortment of cheeky characters
Project
2016Odd character designs and snogging: we’re still digging the work of Dale Crosby-Close
Project
2017Félix Decombat’s illustrations revisit old characters in new, absurd situations
Project
2020Ridiculously detailed and always a little trashy, we can't get enough of Bridget Meyne
Project
2009Klaus Haapaniemi "Neko"
Project
2016Portuguese illustrator Tiago Galo’s plump little characters are oddly charming
Project
2021Can artists and designers be immune to today’s political questions? This year’s Pictoplasma highlights artists with a cause
Project
2009Bullitt by Larry vs. Harry
Motion
2017Pictoplasma Berlin review: highlights from the character design and animation festival
Project
2024The original style guide for DC Comics characters surfaces for the public
Project
2013Art: Matthew Weston Taylor's little characters make a hazy dream-world
Project
2016Antoine Marchalot's illustrations combine comedy and tragedy
Poster
2022Half Human poster 2
Poster
2019Jack in the Box Bacon & Swiss Buttery Jack Closeup (16211594308)
Project
2017Saehan Park’s uses curved lines and subtle colours for her characterful illustrations
Project
2018Illustrator Jeremy Pettis on his curious happy-go-lucky characters
Project
2014Hilarious drawings by Mr Bingo from back when he was at school
Project
2017Illustrator Cecile Gariepy's clownish and charming characters
Project
2015Fantastic character design by illustrator Matthew Houston
Project
2019Wide-eyed and scratchy-haired, read the twisted diaries of Irene Montemurro
Project
2019Hollie Fuller creates bizarrely lovable characters to populate her illustrated world
Project
2013Illustration: Thomas Wellmann's Pimo and Rex is an absolutely charming read
Project
2008Peepshow Updates
Project
2016Illustrator Thomas Howes’ detailed character studies capture quirky personas
Project
2019Meet Tess Smith-Roberts, the illustration student who adds a “stupid little smiley” to every character
Project
2018Evan Cohen’s illustrated characters work together to travel through the panels of his comic
Project
2017The very funny and flirty illustrations of El Don Guillermo
Project
2025“It’s-a-me!” Celebrating the craft-first approach of Mario, 40 years young
Project
2021Animator Inari Sirola finds comedy and meaning in just about anything
Publication
2024Hayley Deti’s sentimental drawings are inspired by scrapbooks, trinkets and Looney Tunes cartoons
Publication
2012Bookshelf: Hilariously well-written bookshelf here from Adventure Time story-boarder Jesse Moynihan!
Project
2018Meet Love Man: an illustrated big-hearted alien-human looking for his other half
Project
2014Cute and hilarious weirdness from the wonderful Frau Franz
Project
2016The wonderfully wacky characters of illustrator Spencer Pullen
Project
2012Bright, bold wood-block prints from Polish character designer Roman Klonek
Project
2012Owen Davey's illustrated characters appeal to kids and adults alike
Publication
2014Illustration: Raymond Lemstra's characters make their way into an enormous book!
Project
2018Anna Hofmann's slightly grotesque but very, very funny characters
Publication
2015Zoran Pungerčar's book covers show some lovely character design and whimsical abstractions
Project
2013Young Colombian creative Zamir Bermeo Rhodes creates weird worlds and wonderful characters
Project
2019Parker Day constructs some quirky characters from Adobe Stock image captions
Motion
2020“Big or small”, digital artist Chris Hoffmann is obsessed with all kinds of critters
Project
2017Artist and illustrator Karl Joel Larsson turns his attention to people
Project
2017Tokyo illustrator Okamura Yuta and his endearing brush-and-ink characters
Project
2020Zac Fay discusses his colourful characters and aligning his values with commercial work
Project
2019“I’ve landed on my planet now”: Sebaldo on refining his bonkers animated characters
Publication
2013The Annual 2013: Meet Jiro Bevis' editorial cast of characters
Project
2013Illustration: Street gangs, cool guys, greedy pigs and jazz – step into the world of Gaurab Thakali
Project
2019Johnny Kelly chats through the particularities of making puppets into believable characters
Project
2017Patrik Mollwing’s illustrations and wigglegrams depict a cast of colourful characters
Project
2011Floyd the Locsmif
Project
2014Illustration: Adventuring illustration by the wonderful Henry McCausland
Project
2017More vibrant, goblin-like characters from illustrator Alex Jenkins
Project
2016Illustrator Anna Wray distills compositions to reveal the essence of character
Project
2016Russian illustrator Katerina Voronina's angular characters captured in sumptuous tones
Project
2015They've done it again! Don't Hug Me I'm Scared is back, and it does not disappoint
Project
2012Catching up with the good folks at Pictoplasma to investigate The Character Compendium
Project
2017Illustrator and animator Steph Hope’s cast of weird and wonderful characters
Project
2012Disparaging children, filthy geniuses and a time traveller all milling about in The Weekender
Motion
2014Animation: Wayne The Stegosaurus is one of the most charming animated characters we've ever met!
Project
2009Talk #12: Jack Featherstone
Project
2012Stunning portraits and charming characters from prolific illustrator Zoe Barker
Project
2010Matt Furie
Project
2016Charming illustrations of Lennon, Hockney and other characters by Yu Nagaba
Project
2019Meet illustrator Hollie Fuller's characters, with their piggy eyes and protruding ears
Project
2019Illustrator Nina Carter's characters "warp some of the tropes of what’s existing and normal"
Project
2014Nerdy bartender has ALL the moves in Wieden's new Southern Comfort ad
Publication
2012Baddies, books and bicycles — the crafty skills of Marta Długołęcka
Project
2019Joe Melhuish’s zany creations are populated by “joyful characters with manic, chaotic auras”
Project
2020The irony of life takes centre stage in Johanna Ploch’s humorous illustrations
Project
2017Weird, slimy faces and a mosquito man for Maynards, from Sam Lyon
Project
2019Let Oakland-based illustrator Meg Fransee put a smile on your face with her joyful characters
Project
2020Maria Midttun’s diversifying practice focuses on human figures
Project
2013Illustration: Cool little characters from Alessandra Genualdo
Project
2017Jamie Wolfe’s waxy characters star in an animated teaser for King Krule
Project
2016Laura Liedo’s leggy characters are simply composed and engaging
Project
2016Illustrator Zoë Taylor’s heroine escapes a party through clichéd melodrama and sporadic linework
Project
2013Illustration: Laura Callaghan draws girls you'll want to befriend and run away from
Project
2011Grouchy Rabbit
Project
2013Introducing: Meet the grotesque painted characters of illustrator Oh Papa
Project
2017“I really love drawing and telling stories”: meet illustrator Will Sweeney
Project
2013Cheery, squishy fun here from illustrator Tim Colmant
Project
2010Sesame Street: Smell Like a Monster
Project
2016Impossibly cute and well-crafted character design from new Nexus signing Mr Kat
Project
2012Harmless Creatures re-imagine Wizard of Oz characters with tremendous costumes
Project
2007Paulius has Stomachache
Project
2016Giuliano Buttafuoco depicts character through bright colours and sparse details
Project
2015Jason Murphy’s characters struggle through life, while his drawings soar
Project
2014Kev F Sutherland tells us about drawing The Bash Street Kids for the Beano
Project
2013Jonathan Burton gives a wacky lease of life to playing cards and their characters
Project
2016John Powell-Jones' ceramic creatures of assorted personalities
Project
2023Come visit the impossibly cute convenience store Bunni Konbiny
Project
2012Illustrator Andrew Groves does weird, charming, fun things for some big names
Project
2023Alva Skog gives us a precious look into how they create their colourful, large-handed characters
Project
2021Meet illustrator Jocelyn Tsaih and her friendly gang of amorphous characters
Project
2017Illustrator Jill Senft creates fun and whimsy with her cavalcade of pink characters
Project
2016Kirsten Sims’ characters weave busy narratives in colourful landscapes
Project
2017Designer Slava Kirilenko breathes character into his type-focused projects
Identity
2025Andrés Higueros avoids coffee shop clichés with a BoJack Horseman-inspired brand identity
Identity
2006Wikiversity-logo-Snorky-AsahikoHardernRed1
Project
2017Illustrator Marina Pcheliakova’s happy characters follow a range of leisure pursuits
Project
2014Illustration: Intriguing comics and sweet illustrations from Talya Modlin
Project
2020Meet Pansy in Pants, the Flabjacks and a spring onion rug: You’re in for a treat with illustrator Ton Mak
Project
2021Welcome to the whimsical 3D, character-filled world of animator Harry Bhalerao
Publication
2016Tara Booth, the comic book artist breaking the grid with personality and poise
Project
2016Illustrator Carmen Frontera animates her characters with frantic legs and cheeky winks
Publication
2012Bookshelf: Adrian Mole vs. Rebel Youth! It can only be the Bookshelf of illustrator, Suzi Kemp
Project
2017Pictoplasma New York showed how character design can spread joy and important messages
Project
2016Illustrator Cute Brute’s naughty works are full of offbeat and hilarious characters
Motion
2020Haein Kim gives us the low-down on her hilarious and witty character design
Project
2019Alec Doherty’s spontaneous character designs for iZettle mirror the energy of a festival crowd
Project
2018Alex Norris tells the story of their "Oh No" comic and its “badly drawn blob” star
Project
2016From big cats to commuters, Reece Wykes creates characters using the subtlest of details
Project
2019Meet Grace Wilson’s cast of charming – and amazingly lifelike – ceramic characters
Project
2012Dapper gents and sinister gals from the magnificent Paul X Johnson
Project
2012Pizza, babes and cute monsters here from Kimiaki Yaegashi
Project
2015Long-limbed characters play out scenes in Serafine Frey’s brilliant illustrations
Project
2015Bright, strange characters and environments illustrated by Ana Tortos
Project
2016Gabriel Alcala's chucklesome illustrations
Project
2013Miscellaneous: Meet Bob Brian, the evil alter-ego of paper-cutter Rob Ryan
Motion
2019Fused with dance and charming characters, Pavel Mishkin lends his hand to animation
Project
2017Amber Vittoria’s characters push the boundaries of traditional femininity
Project
2017Charlene Man’s “happy” illustrations
Project
2016Spanish artist Berto Fojo’s colourful and unsettling cast of characters
Motion
2019In this charming animation, a small swimmer dives right into her fears
Project
2017Vinna Laudico creates alternative personas with the same character in Near Stranger
Project
2013Illustration: Marcellus Hall turns washes of colour into captivating characters
Project
2017Ed Cheverton is giving his characters a new lease of animated life
Project
2016The warped and wonderful characters of Paul Waak realised with jarring colour matches
Project
2022Mathieu Labrecque treats his playful pixel illustrations like a mathematical puzzle
Project
2017Meet illustrator Inji Seo's cast of curvy characters
Motion
2016Bananas get anthropomorphised in Julian Frost’s brilliant animation
Project
2024How Wallace & Gromit found a place in our living rooms, and in our hearts
Project
2015Meet the football coach who's also a doctor – and a bird – Coach Bird M.D.
Project
2015Illustrator Barbara Dziadosz's colourful characters make us smile
Project
2018Sacha Beeley makes toast, eggs and bacon sexy with her brilliant character design
Project
2021The digital characters of Sasha Katz are all about tenderness and delicacy
Project
2013Hanging out with romantic cows and an aquatic private dick thanks to Federico Gutiérrez
Project
2019Champagne Nicko's illustrations feature characters in perpetual party mode
Project
2016Steph Wilson, DR. ME, Women Who and Benedict Redgrove at Nicer Tuesdays August
Project
2016The romantic escapades of insufferable creatives, as drawn by artist Marie Jacotey
Project
2018Animator John McLaughlin’s fuzzy world of big-eyed, triangular fuzzy dudes
Project
2009Mr. Bingo Updates
Motion
2012Cut-out-and keep dolls of cool film and TV characters? Kyle Hilton you charmer...
Project
2019The Glastonbury of moving image: It’s Nice That’s week at Pictoplasma
Project
2016