How To Make An Original Character: The Ultimate Guide

Seeking Inspiration

If you are seeking an answer to “how to make an original character,” you probably have a concept in mind and are already inspired. After finding the inspiration, It doesn’t hurt to look into how these things are done, either. Knowing different perspectives on how creators develop and expand their ideas is a good touchstone. So, the first question is: Where do original characters come from?

One way to learn how to create an OC is to study the people in your life. Even yourself. That’s right, part of this guide is how to make a character based on you, and more than likely, a lot of you will be in any character you make. How so? Well, Lenord Robinson of Splash Entertainment writes: “New characters are all around you. You see them everywhere you go. Look at people in the course of your day. Notice how people walk, talk and carry themselves. I take a sketchbook with me to capture the types I see and see if can draw some of them from memory. Even if the character isn't human, you can use a real person as a basis for the design. Work on your drawing. Tracing won't cut it if you're going to be a good designer.“

Lenord Robinson makes a good point about just taking in the world around you. While he mostly speaks on the art issue, we can take some writing advice from it. Even in their most fantastical context, the best characters have a certain reality that grounds them and makes them relatable. Creating an OC that is a 10,000-year-old demon king is fun, but what if the character has a relatable tendency to worry if people take them seriously? That’s even better. Or perhaps they share an anxiety that you, their creator, have. That’s pretty relatable and makes for a richer character overall.

Part of the fun of the typical isekai anime is displacing the mundane and relatable into a fantastic situation. Take, for example, Boxxo, the protagonist of Reborn as a Vending Machine, Now I Wander the Dungeon. Despite being reincarnated into a literal vending machine, the character's personality comes through in their design and idiosyncrasies. The big, friendly eyes also bely the inherent kindness of the character who lives to serve in a more literal way than most.

Seeing how other creators make their characters unique can tell you how many options you have with your OCs. Checking out new and trending OCs on CharacterHub can be quite rewarding as you can explore the scope and scale of how they are given relatable moments pulled from the experiences of their creators. Every OC you can view on the site offers a window into a creator’s mindset.

Robinson’s advice about capturing the body language of those he sees out in the world is an excellent tip for the art side of character creation. Still, it also gets into the observational element of crafting a character, even as a writer

Character Design Influences Story

We can play with expectations just as we draw from our knowledge when developing a character. Part of this can come with looking off the beaten path as much as it is following it. Kellye Perdue with Warner Bros. Animation has much to say on how design influences how we approach character writing: “For beginners, I would tell them to think about what kind of story they're trying to tell. For example, if you're designing a character that's supposed to go on an adventure and slay a monster, maybe they look muscly and cool, like Jacob in the movie The Sea Beast.” Kellye is describing a very traditional route here, evoking some familiar tropes. 

Perdue continues, however, writing, “Opposite of that you could have a story with an "unlikely" where maybe the main character has to go slay a monster, but maybe they're reluctant to do so or they aren't as strong as the people around them, ala Shrek or Hiccup from How to Train Your Dragon. All of the designs service the role the character is meant to play in the story. And that goes for all the characters and even the environment around them, as well.”

Perdue’s point brings us to two valid options for creating a character, with neither being better than the other but influencing how we respond to that character in the context of their story:

1. Follow expected patterns in character creation that correspond to their genre and story
2. Go an unexpected route that emphasizes the contrast between the character and what we assume they would be like for the story

Perdue is working with tropes in both cases: following a typical route for an adventurer in Jacob or defying expectations in the case of Shrek or Hiccup. The story offered up is very different based on the protagonist. 

For a successful example, look no further than the world of One Piece, a world of piracy. Monkey D. Luffy doesn’t necessarily strike the figure of a heroic or fearsome pirate, but his appearance contrasts expectations and pays off very well. The series is well over 20 years old and going strong. The contrast works well. However, just as we have Luffy defying expectations of what a pirate is, we also have those who skew closely to the popular conception, such as Blackbeard.

Discovery and Formation: The Secrets to an OC

There are generally two approaches to creating a character: discovery and formation. Discovery is letting a character emerge from a diverse array of influences. Formation is generating a character based on a concept or need.

The Discovery Process of an OC

Discovery is an emergent form of character development. It can begin simply with the question, “Wouldn’t this be cool?” We can see this in many fandom characters. A great deal of how to create an original fan character emerges from wanting to see a specific character archetype appear in a story you love or wanting to put oneself into the story and wonder how it changes the dynamics. With that said, this can sometimes backfire, and you could end up with the derided self-insert, but there is no inherent problem with this discovery process, either. It’s all in the execution.

The discovery process is similar to original works not associated with an existing franchise or intellectual property (like Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Good Omens, or Diablo). You discover a particular something with a character type that can alter or improve a story enough that a character begins to emerge from there. Your character is discovered through a desire to change the existing dynamics of an established setting.

The Formation of an OC

In the case of formation, that comes from thinking of a character first and not heavily on an existing setting. You create a character and can form a world around them. Elements of the setting will creep in with the development of a character, as you’re probably going to figure out why your character is the way they are. The emphasis here is on crafting the character first. Setting emerging around them is a consequence of a character’s development. That’s all part of creating a character’s backstory and world.

An example of the difference between discovery and formation could be something as simple as Batman. Batman is a character who represents the formation process, with Bob Kane and Bill Finger developing the caped crusader and building a world for him. In the case of Batman’s sidekick, Robin, we see the discovery process in action. After all, without an established Batman and a need to make him more approachable to some audiences, you wouldn’t have Robin.

With that said, both forms borrow from each other and enhance the character-creation process. They’re generally not exclusive tracks you are locked to, and influences can come from anywhere - even yourself. The key is that characters emerge on the spectrum of response (discovery) or spontaneity (formation) and may swing between as they develop.

Thinking Like a Character

Something to consider is how well you know your character. Creating or improving a character involves getting into their headspace to understand how they work. You’ll also realize that there is a part of you in every character you create. Even the biggest bastard you create has an element of yourself in them. That’s just how it is.

We generally base a character on experience, be they with ourselves, people we know, or who we have absorbed through pop culture. What you need to be able to do is get into the character’s headspace and view the world as they do. You should experience things as they do, to a degree.

Yes. We’re talking roleplay.

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How? Well, Claire Nero, a character designer for Disney Television Animation, shares her thoughts, writing, “For creating an original character, it’s always good to start with a real-life reference, cast your character even if that actor is yourself! It helps guide your design choices when you have some idea of how the person in real life gestures, or how clothing hangs on them.” 

As Nero points out, even a character’s gestures matter. Taking time to figure out how your character walks, talks, and thinks is a significant step toward creating an OC. Sometimes, walking in the shoes of a character, quite literally, can provide real insight. On that note, character roleplay is a great way to embrace this discovery.

Reaching out for roleplay with other original characters is very easy on CharacterHub. Putting yourself into situations where you must read a character by acting them out can help you clarify who they are. Enabling the Rolechats feature on CharacterHub is a great way to open yourself up to opportunities to learn about your character more organically. You can do so by enabling it in your character’s profile.

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Original Characters Come From You

The most crucial part of developing a new character is remaining true to what you love and why you began creating it.

Pursuing accolades of popular trends can harm a character in the long run. By all means, create a character based on what you like and your interests, first and foremost. Beyond that, if you want to follow a trend, like embracing the settings of things like Hazbin Hotel or Welcome Home, you totally can and should. However, from there, if you want to broaden your horizons, you can and should as well. 

Don’t lock yourself into something just because it’s popular - your character is emergent and should continually evolve as your experiences grow. What may start as a fan character can become their own thing, which is terrific.

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The most important thing is to remain faithful to the character - who is an extension of you. Storyboard artist Johnny Turco of Joyride Games has this to say about staying true to yourself when it comes to creating characters:

I would say my biggest tip for a new artist is: Stay true to yourself and your own style. Don’t get roped into one particular artist style, but use it to inspire your own work. There are far too many artists I see that draw nothing but anime. There’s nothing wrong with it and is brilliant in it’s innovations, but we see too much of it. Be adventurous! Use what you know and explore other styles and apply it to your own creating something wonderful!

Turco’s advice here is good - even if you want to embrace a trend or style, don’t forget your roots. By all means, experiment and pull in new influences as they draw your eye. The key is to make it your own.

Kellye Purdue’s take on this is excellent when she writes, “Another tip is to just look at the things that they already enjoy. Types of characters, fashion, art in general, etc. and go off of that. It'll help inform them on their own likes and dislikes, and create something that is uniquely theirs in their work.” Here, the emphasis is on making character choices based on the creator's interests. Always strong advice. Claire Nero says much the same, writing, “When you’re starting out with character design, don’t draw what you think other people will like to see. Draw what makes you happy!”

Updating a character profile on CharacterHub once a week is good practice for this. Think about experimenting with new styles and sharing your OC as a social post to see what others think. Be upfront about what influenced you as well. Experimentation is essential when developing a character. Are you watching a lot more anime? Put that spin on your OC. Enjoying puppets? Why not try drawing your OC in a puppet form? Soon, you may have your own “Council of Ricks” comprised of different versions of your OC.

What is Your Goal?

Nowadays, it seems like everyone is forced to take their passions and do “more” with them, like grinding out commissions for money. It’s tough out there for creative people, as there is a constant projection of needing to leverage their art and abilities for value. However, that isn’t what we mean when we ask, “What is your goal?” It is a question of what you aim for with your original character. Part of creating an OC is to consider what comes next for them.

For example, are you more visually focused, or do you want to tell a story? Either is a fine choice, and they are not wholly separate things. Perhaps your goal is to make an OC that people love to look at but isn’t so focused on engaging in a narrative. Some of the most popular characters in the world of OCs are not heavily involved with stories and instead are cool designs people love to look at and draw - and that is perfectly fine!

But what if you want to emphasize the story with your OC? Let’s get into how to make an original character backstory.

Original Character Storytelling

All great OCs have backgrounds and storytelling to some degree. However, sometimes, it is not the end goal of an OC’s creation. One way to see this in action is by looking at some of the more consistently popular characters on CharacterHub - notice the lengths their creators go toward fleshing them out and establishing a backstory in many cases. These are good things to emulate.

Here are some story elements and background information an OC could have. While this section is probably most subjective based on my own experiences and theories, it applies to any OC developing their background. These sorts of questions inform my creation of a character. I typically think of character backstory in terms of these five questions.

Answering these questions in your character description on the CharacterHub profile is a great way to quickly acclimate visitors to just who your character is.

Who is their family?

One of my first questions is about the character’s family. Family is a broad term here. A character’s parentage may not be necessary to their development (unless it is; it’s up to your story), but other characters influence how they perceive the world around them.

Who does your character consider family, and why? How does that family influence who that character is, and how do they change? How does that family influence potential change?

If you don’t think about family in a character’s backstory, you are likely missing out on some critical hooks.

What do they want?

A character’s desires and reasoning are essential backstory hooks when creating an OC. What they want doesn’t need to be elaborate. If they want to save the world, that’s fine, and plenty of characters reflect that. If they want to save their friends or retire to a peaceful plot of land, that works out quite well.

At a fundamental level, this question of what a character wants is their motivation and what drives them to do what they do in a story. Such a question is fundamental for any character.

What do they need?

What a character wants and what a character needs are two different things. Disney even wrote a song about that in The Princess and the Frog (2009). What motivates the character is one thing, but what they need to feel whole is quite another. Many of the greatest stories involve a character out on a quest where the quest is just the dressing for them to discover what they need deep down.

Characters need room to grow. Great characters can also benefit from discovering something about themselves during their story that they were unaware of. One part of making a good OC is having them discover something they were not aware they needed.

What is getting in their way?

Every original character is a protagonist in their own story and perspective. If you look at the story's events from their point of view, even villains are protagonists. What is getting in their way from getting what they want or need?

The backstory for an OC should consider this fundamental question of obstacles. It may not always be an antagonist force - sometimes, it can be society itself or other things. Consider those classic conflicts of literature here.

How are they getting in their way?

External conflict helps solidify a character, but internal conflict enriches them. People can be their own worst enemies. Our anxieties and hangups can wreak havoc with our progression in our lives and are a universal thing.

So, wouldn’t it make sense for your character to be the same way? Part of crafting an original character is relatability. What characteristics, habits, or foibles in your character keep them from their breakthrough? Figuring out how to make an original character includes figuring out how their petty characteristics harm them.

Plan and Practice

Your OC is unique to you, which is a great thing to take pride in. However, if you want to improve your craft to highlight your character and make it more appealing to a broader audience, there are things to consider. Jack Chang of Genies, formerly of Disneytoon Studios, writes, “My advice for beginners would be to master the fundamentals and have fun. I know it sounds simple but you can not build a house on a shaky foundation.”

Original characters improve and grow more complex with practice, even if you don’t think too hard about it. Improving your fundamentals, whether as an artist or writer, is vital to accelerating the growth of your original character.

That improvement of fundamentals can take on so many forms as long as they are a net gain toward improvement. If you write and draw your original characters, those improvements can range from taking classes to trying new projects. It can be reviewing tutorials or taking on commissions. It can be from writing short stories and drabbles to drawing comics and animations. Roleplaying is another great option. 

The list is endless as long as there is progression; however, there are things you can do to improve your craft and accelerate the evolution of your characters. CharacterHub, in turn, can be an excellent resource and spotlight on your progression.

How do you want to grow?

Recognizing that you want to grow has already cleared a significant milestone. Ultimately, you’re doing it for your characters, but they benefit from you building your skills. As for how to grow, well, you have some options. 

Understanding the work of others is an important technical skill. Christina Oyebade, a character designer at Titmouse, has this to say:

One of the biggest tips from me is to work around/meet people who are at or above your skill level and analyze their work! Ask yourself why you enjoy their work (or maybe why you don't!). I think its 100% okay to put a picture in photoshop and trace over the lines to get a feel for how they drew it, or color pick and figure out for yourself why that color pops so well. Nothing wrong with studying closely as long as you're not ripping off their work as your own. There are tons of communities online and I've found its always so much better working and learning with others than trying to do it alone and make great friends or connections along the way. The secret to many great and sharp artists is that they never stop learning!

Those were many words to make a simple point: find what you like and draw from it. You need to be ethical about this sort of thing, but tracing someone’s drawing to understand how they structure a character and to learn from it is something even professionals do—the same with trying to write like an author you admire. The result of the process should be something considered original, and credit should be paid where it is due, of course.

Checklists for Growth

If you are fortunate enough to engage in both, the following checklists are steps that you can take now in art or writing, or both, to improve your OC creation skills. You should also do a couple of things, whether you are an artist or writer.

Some of the above steps may be new to you. You can always look up these terms online for further clarification. Let us know if you want these elaborated in a future article!

The Many Answers on How to Create an Original Character

Creating an original character is a personal process. However, some straightforward ways exist to develop and build on a concept to deliver a stronger character. No matter what, sitting down and just drawing or writing out details is the foundation for creating any character. That’s it - you just create.

As for how the creation begins or where to go, you have potentially thousands of examples and cases from creators across the internet and professional industries. The key is to read and experience other people's original characters, such as the thousands found on CharacterHub, and see how those characters work, why, and what lessons you can take from them. For example, browsing hundreds of unique OCs with a few clicks is sure to be inspiring, but the ability to contact, question, and collaborate with their creators and glean their insights is even better. That does not even take into account how CharacterHub serves as a repository and development space for your OCs - it’s a perfect sandbox for those who are serious about their creations.

CharacterHub is a Tool - So Use It!

Your character creation journey begins with your character’s profile. This is the central location for you to chart a character’s development and flesh out their surrounding story. It allows you also to set the tone and theme of your OC, such as in the case of my werewolf swordsman, Fang.

Anything I do with this character can be saved here as a living record of their development. Extended background and lore are easily added and modified as I develop the character for his story. The modular nature of the profile feature also allows you to add specific elements you want to reveal.

Also of great help is CharacterHub’s extensive gallery feature with plenty of customization options for organizing and displaying artwork, such as with the case of my character Anda Bandit, who has original art by me and fan art organized into separate galleries. If you have a character with multiple forms, you can create original galleries for each form.

Ready to start?

There are no hard and fast rules about how to create an OC. There are many options and approaches, and we’ve only covered a few. There are many theories in character crafting, but above all, never lose sight of why you made the character in the first place. The trick to creating an original character is to do what you want but be flexible and willing to grow.

With that in mind, if you are ready to make your first original character or an old hand with an assembled cast, you can use CharacterHub to network and share with thousands of creators. Putting your creations out there for the world to see is essential in developing an OC, and CharacterHub is the perfect stage for it.