Figurentwurf

Figurentwurf, often written Figurentwurf in German, is the process of creating the visual concept of a character or figure for a media project. It is a core activity in preproduction across fields such as film, television, animation, theatre, and video games, serving to define how a character looks, moves, and communicates within a given world.

The aim of figurenentwurf is to establish a recognizable silhouette and a coherent visual identity that supports storytelling. Key concerns include proportions, facial features, posture, costume, accessories, materials, and color palette. Designers consider genre, tone, cultural context, and the character’s role within the story to ensure consistency across scenes and media.

Typical outputs are concept art, turnaround sheets (front, back, side views), model sheets for reference by animators and riggers, expression sheets, and color keys. These may be produced in traditional media or digitally, and are often refined through iterations in collaboration with directors, art directors, and other departments.

Workflows commonly involve briefing, quick exploratory sketches, refinement through multiple passes, and finalization that aligns with overall art direction. Tools range from pencil and ink to digital painting software and, in some cases, 3D references or modeling to check proportions and lighting.

Figurentwurf intersects with costume design, prop design, and broader world design, contributing to character consistency, believability, and audience engagement. It remains a fundamental step in translating narrative roles into tangible, visual figures.