Introduction
Hey there! Welcome to Chevypepper's design guide! I am writing this guide to help you best communicate what you're looking for when you commission me for a character design, but feel free to use this on your own if you think it's helpful! There's a lot to think about when dreaming up your new critter, so I hope this helps make the process easier! Remember to let me know if you need your design to be fursuit friendly. I know a lot about fursuit construction and available faux fur colors, so I can help! This is VERY important if you think you may get a fursuit of your character at some point!
I will work with as little or as much information you'd like to give me, so don't feel like you have to come up with something for every single point made below! This is just here to help you get started and figure out any particulars you may have in mind, and to help foster better communication between us during your commission.
I will work with as little or as much information you'd like to give me, so don't feel like you have to come up with something for every single point made below! This is just here to help you get started and figure out any particulars you may have in mind, and to help foster better communication between us during your commission.
Species
First, of course, you want to figure out what sort of critter you'd like to create! Classic favorites include wolves, foxes, tigers, even hyenas. There are a lot of really cool animals that are much less common in the fandom too - maybe you'd like a fossa, or an ocelot? A sugar glider, perhaps a kangaroo? Even a really cool hybrid is on the table (like a snow leopard x fennec cross)! You could also consider mythical creatures like jackalopes or kirins (but be careful not to appropriate other cultures - research research research!)
Unsure of your species all together? Here's a random animal generator to give you a starting point! You may also enjoy browsing the list of animals at the San Diego Zoo, or for extra fun, researching the animals native to your area!
Tip: Some critters have subspecies! Maybe your kangroo is a red kangaroo or a grey kangaroo, your fox could be a red fox, arctic fox, or grey fox. Research your species a little bit and see if a subspecies speaks to you!
Unsure of your species all together? Here's a random animal generator to give you a starting point! You may also enjoy browsing the list of animals at the San Diego Zoo, or for extra fun, researching the animals native to your area!
Tip: Some critters have subspecies! Maybe your kangroo is a red kangaroo or a grey kangaroo, your fox could be a red fox, arctic fox, or grey fox. Research your species a little bit and see if a subspecies speaks to you!
Color
The fun part but perhaps the most difficult! Sometimes I may need clarification beyond "red" for example - red can mean anything from firetruck red to maroon or burgundy! Check out the color thesaurus and Encycolorpedia for examples of how to better describe your colors.
If you aren't quite sure exactly what colors you'd like, check out some palettes on Design Seeds, Color Hunt, Color Hex, or Color Palettes! If you have inspiration in mind, I can usually work with that as well ("fall foliage colored elk", "tropical fruit inspired rabbit", "volcanic embers themed leopard").
If you have a rough idea of what colors you want already, but need more help, check out Coolors. Here, you can insert the colors you have in mind and lock them in, and hitting the space bar will randomize the colors that are not locked.
Remember, I only need a rough idea of your colors, so if you have a few that you like but they don't necessarily mesh well together - that is okay! I may make adjustments to get them to flow nicely.
Tip: If you want to go the extra mile, check out this color harmony generator and play with the settings! Here's another color scheme designer that is easy to use!
If you aren't quite sure exactly what colors you'd like, check out some palettes on Design Seeds, Color Hunt, Color Hex, or Color Palettes! If you have inspiration in mind, I can usually work with that as well ("fall foliage colored elk", "tropical fruit inspired rabbit", "volcanic embers themed leopard").
If you have a rough idea of what colors you want already, but need more help, check out Coolors. Here, you can insert the colors you have in mind and lock them in, and hitting the space bar will randomize the colors that are not locked.
Remember, I only need a rough idea of your colors, so if you have a few that you like but they don't necessarily mesh well together - that is okay! I may make adjustments to get them to flow nicely.
Tip: If you want to go the extra mile, check out this color harmony generator and play with the settings! Here's another color scheme designer that is easy to use!
Theme & Personality
Maybe you have a fun theme in mind for this critter - perhaps you want them to remind you of the oceanside, or punk rock! A fun idea might be to create a moodboard and add several photos that fit the vibe you want for your character. If you don't want to go for a whole moodboard but want to check out a few images, see Unsplash for some high-quality pictures. You don't need to do this, of course, but it could help me to interpret exactly what you're going for!
Personality can also be important in design! It isn't necessary, but there is definitely a way to communicate a cheerful design vs a brooding one. Of course they can all be neutral pretty easily, but if your character has a strong personality, it can be useful to use the design to push that feeling further!
Personality can also be important in design! It isn't necessary, but there is definitely a way to communicate a cheerful design vs a brooding one. Of course they can all be neutral pretty easily, but if your character has a strong personality, it can be useful to use the design to push that feeling further!
Markings & Traits
The other fun-but-difficult part! Markings! It's a good idea to study your species a bit and take note of any notable traits they all seem to have (maned wolves with the dark colored legs, huskies with the white belly, stripes on a chipmunk) and work off of that to build your own flair (maybe you want your accent color to show as a diamond on the chest). Keihound's marking reference is also a good place to start when you're describing certain markings you'd like to see!
Traits are just as important, too! For example, striped hyenas have a wild mohawk, and dog breeds like dachshunds come in a variety of coat types. Consider how you want to approach these things, they are what can really help your character stand out!
You can also add your own traits too - maybe you'd like your character to have retractable claws when that isn't typical of their species, perhaps you'd like to add a mane or even some scars. Maybe your gemsbok likes to fight a little too much and has a broken horn!
Accessories can also help to push your concept! Does your punk-inspired aardwolf wear a checkered wristband or a spiked collar? Does your character have the same piercings as you? Do they usually wear headphones or a scarf?
Traits are just as important, too! For example, striped hyenas have a wild mohawk, and dog breeds like dachshunds come in a variety of coat types. Consider how you want to approach these things, they are what can really help your character stand out!
You can also add your own traits too - maybe you'd like your character to have retractable claws when that isn't typical of their species, perhaps you'd like to add a mane or even some scars. Maybe your gemsbok likes to fight a little too much and has a broken horn!
Accessories can also help to push your concept! Does your punk-inspired aardwolf wear a checkered wristband or a spiked collar? Does your character have the same piercings as you? Do they usually wear headphones or a scarf?
Alternative References
Custom 3D/VRChat avatars are acceptable references as a starting point!
AI generated references are not acceptable and I will not look at them.
AI generated references are not acceptable and I will not look at them.
Working Together
Once you have an idea of what you'd like, you can fill out [THIS FORM] to commission me for your character design!
When the commission process is started, I will design your initial critter on a "blob" scribble - this allows for ease of edits while we go back and forth and tinker with the design together.
When the commission process is started, I will design your initial critter on a "blob" scribble - this allows for ease of edits while we go back and forth and tinker with the design together.
Once you're satisfied with what you see, I'll begin working on the real reference! You will see the sketch for approval and we will adjust as needed. You will get more WIPs during the coloring stage for any last-minute tweaks and edits. Your final reference and design will be much more tidy! Congratulations on your new critter, go cause a ruckus!!
