Joce: character design notes

notes on the design notes

Hex color codes and height measurements need not be precise; they’re provided anyway for consistency. Relative colors (value + hue) and heights (where one character stands proportional to another) are more important.

Similarly, while some design details are key (for characterization and/or thematic reasons), others are a byproduct of art style; for instance, black and white are used fairly deliberately, but hair is often exaggerated for silhouette. There are also aspects where the distinction between diegesis and stylization is besides the point. I’ve tried to distinguish them as follows:

  • Important: Notes in bold & key traits should be maintained for recognizability.
  • Less important: Notes in gray are stylistic decisions on my part, and aren’t strictly necessary.
  • Notes without either format aren’t vital (i.e. if this was a book there’d be no need to describe these), but they’re not artistic quirks either. Take ’em or leave ’em.

These pages have a rudimentary mobile/single-column layout, but are ideally viewed on a larger, horizontal screen. The full layout has a fixed size, and is intentionally not responsive.

Fullbody of Joce, slightly grimacing. She stands stiffly, one hand clenched in a fist and the other rapidly tapping at her side.

height

  • 6'1"
  • 185.42cm
silhouettes of the main eight
Third-tallest of the main eight.

palette

main

Skin, hair, and eyes are all dark brown, lightest to darkest. Hair is curly and tied in a bun.

(skip hex codes)
  • #54372d
    skin
  • #6f4f41
    skin (palms)
  • #2f1f1c
    hair
  • #291e0f
    eyes

outfit

Wears a dull yellow military shirt, brown cargo pants, flat hiking boots, and dark fingerless gloves.

(skip hex codes)
  • #847d60
    shirt
  • #625347
    pants, buttons, shoelaces
  • #39302e
    shoes
  • #262020
    gloves, shoe soles

key traits

Tall, wide, angular. Wears a military shirt, fingerless gloves, and stern expression. Often standoffish; can appear imposing. Easily rattled, however, and noticeably so; prone to stuttering and bouts of agitated, repetitive motions (which often involve the hands).

Associated with dull yellow. (May appear, but shouldn’t actually be, green—a rare instance of hex codes being important.)

actual notes

  • Hair bun is high by default, but falls over the day. Stylistic choice: I try to keep it visible from any angle, even if it realistically wouldn’t be, for recognizability.

  • Front and side views of Joce’s face shape, with a simplified version noted above.

    Important: Defined face shape, more squarish than triangular. The nose is just as pronounced, with a noticeable indent at the top and bump at the tip. Stylistic decision: At most angles, I push the jaw out for extra distinction.

  • Eyebrows are rough and trail off at the end. Personal technique: I basically just scribble horizontally, erase a bit in the same direction, then vertically erase & redraw a few stray lines at the outer end.

    Eyes are deep-set; I don’t always draw this but think it makes her look more tired, which is usually fitting.

  • Skin is covered in scratch marks and acne scars, especially on the arms, hands, and face. Important: Hands are always a mess, which the gloves don’t fully hide; the face marks I usually don’t draw, for visual clarity. Mark placement isn’t consistent.

    • Military shirt collar and “epaulets” are mildly disheveled.
    • Cargo pants, pockets are on the side.
    • Style choice: Sharp, straight folds on the fabrics. Gloves are thicker.
    • Flat hiking shoes; partially covered by pant legs.