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Saturday Art School
Digital Character Design

Digital Character Design

Ages: 10-12
Term: Autumn, spring, summer
Length: 8 weeks

Overview

On this course, young artists aged 10-12 have the chance to develop digital drawing skills and explore iconic styles such as Disney.

To book your place today, simply click the 'Book Now' button to be taken to AUB's secure online store, where you can complete your booking. You can also sign up to our newsletter for Saturday Art School updates.

What you need to know

When does it run?

Summer term 2024

Saturday 6 April – 25 May 2024

Autumn term 2024

Saturday 28 September – 30 November 2024

Please note, there's no session on 5 October or 2 November due to AUB Open Days.

Spring term 2025

Saturday 1 February – 22 March 2025

Summer term 2025

Saturday 26 April – 14 June 2025

How long is the course?

8 Saturdays

What time are the classes?

09.30-12.30

Who's this course for?

This course has been developed for aspiring designers aged 10-12.

Does my young artist need any qualifications or experience?

No. This is an introductory course, so your young artist doesn't need any previous experience, just buckets of enthusiasm!

I’m not sure if this is suitable for my young artist. Can I speak to someone?

Yes of course! If you'd like to discuss if this course is suitable for your young artist, get in touch with us: email saturdayartschool@aub.ac.uk or call +44 (0) 1202 363222.

How much does this course cost?

£239

What's included in this price?

All course materials and resources
Everything your young artist will need to take part in the course will be provided by us – no hidden costs!

Classes are practical, so wear clothes that you don't mind your young artists getting messy
Drinks and snacks for break time and duration of class; please ensure snacks don't contain nuts
It's strongly advised phones, tablets and other valuables aren't brought to class. Any personal possessions are the responsibility of your young artist and AUB won't be liable for any loss or damage

About this course

This course gives young artists aged 10-12 the chance to broaden their creative horizons by exploring the world of digital art – an increasingly popular discipline within the creative industries. On this course they'll learn how to design and generate compelling digital characters, taking inspiration from iconic animations such as Disney.

As a starting point, your young artist will take inspiration from animated films, and from this, create initial sketch concepts. They'll then be guided to transform their design concepts using Adobe Photoshop and handy digital imaging tablets.

Your young artist will explore what makes a character endearing and engaging, as well as what makes them odious or off-putting. This understanding will feed into character design to make them realistic and credible.

Using Adobe Photoshop to digitise their designs, your young artist will learn about a variety of techniques and tools to aid the creative process, including making selections, use of layers and how to use different digital brushes and pens for different effects.

By the end of the course, your young artist will have created at least two digitally generated characters to add to their artistic portfolios.

At every turn in their creative journey, your young artist will be expertly guided by their tutor, Milly Martin, who has an arts teaching background and is a freelance illustrator.

Throughout the course, your young artist will explore a variety of different genres, including Disney princesses, loathsome baddies, and creepy characters.

Your young artists will progress to digitising their creations through the medium of computer post-production applications and equipment in AUB's specialist digital suites.

Digital and analogue art-based skills
Art terminology and learning approaches
Explore the work and styles of different artists
Drawing, sketching and idea development
How to use Adobe Photoshop and professional digital drawing tablets
Essential techniques of selecting and using digital design tools; making selections, changing opacity levels, adding, subtracting, and merging layers
Digital drawing processes and manipulation

At the end of the course your young artist will:

Possess improved drawing and artistic techniques
Understand how the animated film industry creates instant personality in a character
Understand how colour can be an effective tool in creating character by exploring basic colour theory and usage
Understand basic Photoshop tools useful for designing characters
Understand how clothes and apparel can be used as an effective tool in creating personality and context for a character
Understand how eye shape and head shape are used for specific effect
Have increased confidence in their own skills
Have boosted creativity and imagination
Feel inspired by the new skills they've learnt and from sharing ideas with new friends
Have the foundations to continue creating beyond this course
You can request a certificate to confirm your young artist's achievements, providing they have 100% attendance record. To request a certificate please get in touch with us at shortcourses@aub.ac.uk and confirm name of your young artist and the title of course they've completed

Text that reads ' start their creative journey'. This overlays three smiley faces.

Book your young artist's place today

Book now

Meet your tutor

Camilla Martin

Camilla Martin is a talented arts educator, an experienced children's book author, and freelance illustrator specialising in Photoshop.

Beyond the course

This could just be the start of your young artist's creative journey! After this course, your young artist could further their digital skills, continue to harness their creativity and explore alternative Saturday Art School subjects or look forward to the future and the next step(s) in their creative journey by exploring AUB's Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media.