Digital Character Design

Ages: 10–12
Term: Autumn, spring
Length: 8 weeks

Overview

Designed especially for students aged 10–12, this exciting Saturday Art School course opens the door to the magical world of digital character design. Young artists will discover how to bring their ideas to life, creating bold, expressive, and memorable characters using professional digital tools.

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

Course information

Beginning with sketching, concept development, and creative inspiration drawn from animated films, students will learn how to transform their ideas into polished digital artwork using Adobe Photoshop and industry-standard drawing tablets. Along the way, they’ll explore what makes a character lovable, heroic, creepy, or downright villainous – and how visual choices communicate personality, mood, and story. This deeper understanding helps students create characters that feel believable, engaging, and full of life. 

Students will build essential digital art skills in Adobe Photoshop, including working with layers, making selections, and experimenting with a wide range of digital brushes and pens to achieve different textures and effects. By the end of the course, each student will have created and refined at least two original digital characters to proudly add to their portfolio. 

Under the tutor’s guidance, students will explore a variety of character styles – from Disney-inspired princesses and fearsome villains to wonderfully weird and creepy creations – before taking their work into the digital realm using Arts University Bournemouth’s specialist computer suites.

Digital and analogue art-based skills
Art terminology and learning approaches
Drawing, sketching and idea development
Explore the work and styles of different artists
How to use Adobe Photoshop and professional digital drawing tablets
Essential techniques of selecting and using digital design tools
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
Explore how colour can be used effectively in character creation through an introduction to basic colour theory and its application
Use basic Adobe Photoshop tools to support the design of characters
Understand how clothing and apparel can be used to create personality and context for a character
Recognise how eye shape and head shape can be used to achieve specific visual effects
Develop increased confidence in their creative skills
Strengthen their creativity and imagination
Feel inspired by the new skills they have learned and by sharing ideas with new friends
Build the foundations needed to continue creating beyond this course

Students can request a digital Certificate of Attendance if 100% attendance has been achieved by the end of the course. To request a certificate, please email academy@aub.ac.uk with student name and course completed.

What you need to know

When does it run?

Autumn term 2026

Saturdays 12 and 19 September
Saturdays 3, 17, 24 and 31 October
Saturdays 14 and 21 November

Please note: There are no sessions on 26 September, 10 October or 7 November due to AUB Open Days.

Spring term 2027

Saturdays 23 and 30 January
Saturdays 6, 13, 20, 27 February
Saturdays 6 and 13 March

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 young artists 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 academy@aub.ac.uk or call +44 (0) 1202 363222.

How much does this course cost?

£269

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!

Drinks and snacks for break time and duration of class; please ensure snacks don't contain nuts.
It's strongly advised that mobile 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.

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Book your young artist's place today

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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.