{"id":820221,"date":"2025-06-23T09:25:25","date_gmt":"2025-06-23T16:25:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/?p=820221"},"modified":"2026-06-08T16:51:54","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T23:51:54","slug":"learn-character-design-wacom-creativity-camp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/learn-character-design-wacom-creativity-camp\/","title":{"rendered":"Want to learn character design? Join us for Creativity Camp, a free online workshop series!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/creativity-camp-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wacom Creativity Camp<\/a><\/strong> is a free online <strong>character design<\/strong> workshop series happening this summer, presented by Wacom in partnership with Best Buy. It\u2019s taught by MCAD professor Lafe Smith, and is perfect for young folks, beginning artists, or anyone else who wants to\u00a0strengthen their <strong>character design<\/strong> skills. It's free, and you don\u2019t need any digital art tools to participate \u2013 pencil and paper is fine!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During this workshop series, you\u2019ll learn the basics of how to create a character \u2013 including finding inspiration, sketching ideas, crafting silhouettes, and creating expressive faces and poses \u2013\u00a0and will end up with a complete model sheet for your original character! Throughout, you\u2019ll also get expert feedback and support from a professional artist and art school professor. <a href=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/creativity-camp-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Click here to sign up<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Learn character design during Wacom Creativity Camp 2025, a free online workshop series!\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5YzYsM2zJp0?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We\u2019re proud to be partnering with <strong>Best Buy<\/strong> as our preferred retail partner for Creativity Camp this year! <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/creativity-camp-bestbuy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Click here<\/a> to check out everything Wacom on BestBuy.com.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/creativity-camp-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Join us live on Zoom on Mondays, July 28 \u2013 August 18, 2025, from 3:00-4:30pm PDT!&nbsp;<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each session builds on the last, so if you attend every workshop you\u2019ll have a completed character model sheet at the end. It\u2019s OK if you can\u2019t make it to every session, though \u2013 we\u2019ll have recap materials and \u201chomework\u201d to get you caught up, and we\u2019ll eventually publish recordings of the workshops on YouTube. One more reason to attend live, though: <strong>we\u2019ll be giving way Wacom drawing tablets during each session<\/strong>, and only attendees are eligible!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:20%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/06\/Lafe-Smith-Headshot.jpg\" alt=\"Lafe Smith Headshot\" class=\"wp-image-820108\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/06\/Lafe-Smith-Headshot.jpg 720w, https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/06\/Lafe-Smith-Headshot-480x480.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 720px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:80%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About the presenter<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lafesmith.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lafe Smith<\/a>&nbsp;is the&nbsp;Director of the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcad.edu\/academics\/graduate\/master-arts\/graphic-and-web-design\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Master of Arts in Graphic and Web&nbsp;<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcad.edu\/academics\/graduate\/master-arts\/graphic-and-web-design\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Design<\/a>&nbsp;program at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcad.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Minneapolis College of Art &amp; Design<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He is also an illustrator focusing on visual&nbsp;storytelling, emphasizing the combination of traditional and digital&nbsp;techniques. Smith has worked as a commercial storyboard artist,&nbsp;retail in-store marketing illustrator, and product branding illustrator,&nbsp;among other endeavors.&nbsp;He has a long history as both an artist and&nbsp;educator, and&nbsp;has created and facilitated numerous online courses&nbsp;in Character Design.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Session 1: <strong>Finding inspiration, practicing gestures, &amp; building your character\u2019s story<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>July 28th from 3:00 \u2013 4:30pm PDT \/ 6:00 \u2013 7:30pm EDT&nbsp;<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this first session, we\u2019ll discuss what makes a good character design, including the power of an evocative silhouette. We\u2019ll practice one of the most important exercises in our toolbox \u2013 gesture drawing \u2013 to build toward dynamic poses and silhouettes. And we\u2019ll think about what story we want our character to be a part of, and how their design can help tell that story. <a href=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/creativity-camp-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Click here<\/a> to sign up!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:30%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/06\/CreativityCamp_2025_Webinar_Ad_LafeSmith_1_1080x1080.jpg\" alt=\"CreativityCamp_2025_Webinar_Ad_LafeSmith_1_1080x1080\" class=\"wp-image-820160\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/06\/CreativityCamp_2025_Webinar_Ad_LafeSmith_1_1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/06\/CreativityCamp_2025_Webinar_Ad_LafeSmith_1_1080x1080-980x980.jpg 980w, https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/06\/CreativityCamp_2025_Webinar_Ad_LafeSmith_1_1080x1080-480x480.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1080px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:30%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/06\/CreativityCamp_2025_Webinar_Ad_LafeSmith_2_1080x1080.jpg\" alt=\"CreativityCamp_2025_Webinar_Ad_LafeSmith_2_1080x1080\" class=\"wp-image-820162\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/06\/CreativityCamp_2025_Webinar_Ad_LafeSmith_2_1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/06\/CreativityCamp_2025_Webinar_Ad_LafeSmith_2_1080x1080-980x980.jpg 980w, https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/06\/CreativityCamp_2025_Webinar_Ad_LafeSmith_2_1080x1080-480x480.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1080px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Session 2: Using shape language, research &amp; references, and an intro to model sheets&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>August 4th from 3:00 \u2013 4:30pm PDT \/ 6:00 \u2013 7:30pm EDT<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this session, we\u2019ll build on the foundation of Session 1. We\u2019ll discuss shape language, and we\u2019ll dig into the importance of research and references, including using mood boards as creative compasses for our designs. We\u2019ll also start thinking about model sheets, and begin putting together the building blocks of our original character.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/creativity-camp-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Click here<\/a> to sign up!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Session 3: <strong>Design details, expressive faces &amp; poses, and assembling your model sheet&nbsp;<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong><strong>August 11th from 3:00 \u2013 4:30pm PDT \/ 6:00 \u2013 7:30pm EDT&nbsp;<\/strong><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The third session really gets into the details and specifics of our character! We\u2019ll focus on expressive faces and poses for our character, and think about how the details expand our storytelling, from overall colors to hair to clothing to accessories. We\u2019ll also move toward finalizing our character model sheet.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/creativity-camp-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Click here<\/a> to sign up!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:30%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/06\/CreativityCamp_2025_Webinar_Ad_LafeSmith_3_1080x1080.jpg\" alt=\"CreativityCamp_2025_Webinar_Ad_LafeSmith_3_1080x1080\" class=\"wp-image-820163\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/06\/CreativityCamp_2025_Webinar_Ad_LafeSmith_3_1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/06\/CreativityCamp_2025_Webinar_Ad_LafeSmith_3_1080x1080-980x980.jpg 980w, https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/06\/CreativityCamp_2025_Webinar_Ad_LafeSmith_3_1080x1080-480x480.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1080px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:30%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/06\/CreativityCamp_2025_Webinar_Ad_LafeSmith_4_1080x1080.jpg\" alt=\"CreativityCamp_2025_Webinar_Ad_LafeSmith_4_1080x1080\" class=\"wp-image-820164\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/06\/CreativityCamp_2025_Webinar_Ad_LafeSmith_4_1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/06\/CreativityCamp_2025_Webinar_Ad_LafeSmith_4_1080x1080-980x980.jpg 980w, https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2025\/06\/CreativityCamp_2025_Webinar_Ad_LafeSmith_4_1080x1080-480x480.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1080px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Session 4: Final details, high-level professional feedback, and Q&amp;A&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>August 18th from 3:00 \u2013 4:30pm PDT \/ 6:00 \u2013 7:30pm EDT&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The main goal of this session is to finalize our model sheets \u2013&nbsp;and then get feedback on what we\u2019ve done! Submit your work for review, and Professor Smith will give you personalized (positive) feedback on what you\u2019ve created so far in the workshop. We'll also have an open Q&amp;A with Professor Smith so he can give you advice or insight about anything you want to know. <a href=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/creativity-camp-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Click here<\/a> to sign up!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Ready to learn character design, for free, from a pro? <a href=\"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/creativity-camp-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Click here<\/a> to learn more and sign up now!<\/strong><\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Want to create your own original character for comics, manga, anime, video games, or just for fun \u2013 but don&#8217;t know where to start? Join us for Creativity Camp!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":820194,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2358],"tags":[56,2926],"class_list":["post-820221","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-events","tag-character-design","tag-creativity-camp"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/820221","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=820221"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/820221\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/820194"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=820221"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=820221"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=820221"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}