You will create a character concept rooted in a strong written briefing and key visual points. In the demo, I have explored an 'Ice Berserk' archetype, but feel free to adapt this workflow to a genre or character class that inspires you. The most important aspect is that your concept begins with words before images; allow your references to 'bleed' naturally from your chosen visual keywords.

When gathering your mass of references, it is essential to build a 'cast' of faces and poses, remember that in character design, acting is king. Once you have your library, organize it into three distinct reference boards, with one board dedicated to each potential sketch. Take time at each step, whether it is refining your keywords or curating your acting references. There is no rush. The techniques used here are meant to structure your chaos and help you explore different iterations. Try to personify your design and put some of yourself and your interests into the character to bring the most out of it!