• For Individuals
  • For Businesses
  • For Universities
  • For Governments
Coursera
  • Online Degrees
  • Careers
  • Log In
  • Join for Free
    Coursera
    • Browse
    • Character Design

    Character Design Courses Online

    Learn character design principles for creating compelling characters in animation, games, and comics. Understand anatomy, personality development, and visual storytelling.

    Skip to search results

    Filter by

    Subject
    Required
     *

    Language
    Required
     *

    The language used throughout the course, in both instruction and assessments.

    Learning Product
    Required
     *

    Level
    Required
     *

    Duration
    Required
     *

    Skills
    Required
     *

    Subtitles
    Required
     *

    Educator
    Required
     *

    Explore the Character Design Course Catalog

    • P

      Peking University

      Chinese Characters for beginner 汉字

      Skills you'll gain: Language Learning, Vocabulary, Literacy, Oral Comprehension, Language Interpretation, Translation, and Studies

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • U

      University of Pennsylvania

      AI in Education: Leveraging ChatGPT for Teaching

      Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Data Ethics, ChatGPT, AI Personalization, Generative AI Agents, Generative AI, Education Software and Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Information Privacy

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      165 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • C

      Commonwealth Education Trust

      Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Introduction

      Skills you'll gain: Creative Thinking, Classroom Management, Teaching, Adaptability, Education and Training, Pedagogy, Instructional Strategies, Professionalism, Instructing, Curriculum Planning, Student Engagement, Professional Development, Learning Theory, Collaboration

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      834 reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      V

      Vanderbilt University

      OpenAI GPTs: Creating Your Own Custom AI Assistants

      Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, AI Personalization, ChatGPT, OpenAI, Personalized Service, Artificial Intelligence, Large Language Modeling, Prompt Engineering, Expense Management, Productivity Software, Travel Arrangements, Innovation, Scenario Testing

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      426 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • E

      Edge Impulse

      Introduction to Embedded Machine Learning

      Skills you'll gain: Applied Machine Learning, Embedded Systems, Data Processing, Machine Learning, Artificial Neural Networks, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Data Ethics, Deep Learning, Feature Engineering, Performance Tuning

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      727 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • C

      Coursera Project Network

      Use Canva to Create Social Media Marketing Designs

      Skills you'll gain: Canva (Software), Social Media Content, Social Media Marketing, Social Media, Marketing Design, Graphic Design, Branding

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.5K reviews

      Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

    • Status: New
      New
      Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      M

      Microsoft

      Python Programming Fundamentals

      Skills you'll gain: Version Control, GitHub, Debugging, Git (Version Control System), Unit Testing, Data Structures, Python Programming, Software Testing, Programming Principles, Scripting, Computer Programming, Web Development, Algorithms, Program Development, Development Environment, Scripting Languages, Integrated Development Environments, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Jupyter

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      208 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      D

      Dartmouth College

      Strategic Leadership: Impact, Change, and Decision-Making

      Skills you'll gain: Decision Making, Creativity, Talent Management, Communication, Innovation, Strategic Decision-Making, Personal Development, Curiosity, Professional Networking, Collaboration, Team Motivation, People Management, Self-Awareness, Crisis Management, Strategic Leadership, Business Leadership, Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, Organizational Leadership, Critical Thinking

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      614 reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      L

      L&T EduTech

      VLSI Chip Design and Simulation with Electric VLSI EDA Tool

      Skills you'll gain: Electronics, Hardware Design, Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Architecture, Schematic Diagrams, Semiconductors, Electronic Components, Low Voltage, Simulation and Simulation Software, Verification And Validation, Software Installation, Data Validation

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      20 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • H

      Hebrew University of Jerusalem

      Build a Modern Computer from First Principles: Nand to Tetris Part II (project-centered course)

      Skills you'll gain: Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Computer Architecture, Computer Programming, System Software, Virtual Machines, Operating Systems, Software Architecture, Algorithms, Software Design, Program Development, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Data Structures, System Implementation, Computer Graphics

      4.9
      Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
      ·
      525 reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      U

      University of California, Davis

      Advanced Content and Social Tactics to Optimize SEO

      Skills you'll gain: Content Creation, Social Media Strategy, Search Engine Optimization, Content Marketing, Web Analytics and SEO, Content Strategy, Social Media Marketing, Keyword Research, Target Audience, Brand Awareness, Influencing, Relationship Building

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.2K reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: New
      New
      Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      G

      Google

      Discover the Art of Prompting

      Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Large Language Modeling, Generative AI, ChatGPT, Technical Writing

      4.9
      Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
      ·
      102 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    Character Design learners also search

    Digital Design
    Digital Media
    Game Design
    Digital Art
    Beginner Game Design
    Photography
    Unity
    Digital Photography
    1…535455…387

    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular character design courses

    • Chinese Characters for beginner 汉字: Peking University
    • AI in Education: Leveraging ChatGPT for Teaching: University of Pennsylvania
    • Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Introduction: Commonwealth Education Trust
    • OpenAI GPTs: Creating Your Own Custom AI Assistants: Vanderbilt University
    • Introduction to Embedded Machine Learning: Edge Impulse
    • Use Canva to Create Social Media Marketing Designs: Coursera Project Network
    • Python Programming Fundamentals: Microsoft
    • Strategic Leadership: Impact, Change, and Decision-Making: Dartmouth College
    • VLSI Chip Design and Simulation with Electric VLSI EDA Tool: L&T EduTech
    • Build a Modern Computer from First Principles: Nand to Tetris Part II (project-centered course): Hebrew University of Jerusalem

    Frequently Asked Questions about Character Design

    Character design is the process of creating and developing visual representations of characters for various media, such as animation, video games, and comics. It involves crafting the physical appearance, personality traits, and backstory of a character to bring them to life. Character designers carefully consider elements like facial features, body structure, clothing, and accessories to ensure that the character accurately reflects their role and purpose in the story or game. Through character design, artists aim to evoke emotions, engage audiences, and enhance the overall storytelling experience.‎

    To become a character designer, you need a combination of artistic skills and technical knowledge. Here are some key skills you should focus on:

    1. Drawing and Illustration: Develop your drawing skills, including figure drawing, anatomy, and proportions. Practice sketching and rendering various characters to enhance your artistic ability.

    2. Concept Art: Learn how to create unique and visually appealing character concepts. This involves designing their appearance, costumes, and personalities to bring them to life.

    3. Digital Art: Gain proficiency in digital art software and tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, or Procreate. Understanding digital painting techniques will help you bring your character designs to the next level.

    4. Color Theory: Learn about color psychology, harmonies, and how to incorporate color to enhance storytelling and evoke emotions in your characters' designs.

    5. Storytelling and Narrative: Develop skills in storytelling and narrative building to create characters that align with specific contexts, such as video games, animations, or graphic novels. Understand how characters interact with their environment and other elements of the story.

    6. Research and Observation: Build a strong foundation by studying different art styles, cultures, and historical periods. Observing real-life people, animals, and objects will help you add depth and authenticity to your character designs.

    7. Communication and Collaboration: Good communication skills will help you effectively interpret and translate client or director briefs into your character designs. Collaboration with other professionals, such as writers, animators, or game developers, is also crucial to successfully bring characters to life.

    Remember, character design is an ever-evolving field, and staying up-to-date with industry trends and continuously enhancing your skills will contribute to your success. Good luck with your learning journey!‎

    With character design skills, you can pursue several exciting job opportunities within the creative industry. Here are some potential career paths you can consider:

    1. Character Designer: You can work as a character designer for various industries such as animation, video games, advertising, or film. In this role, you will create and develop unique characters that bring stories and concepts to life.

    2. Illustrator: With character design skills, you can become an illustrator, specializing in creating characters for books, magazines, graphic novels, or comics. Your ability to give life to characters will be highly sought after in these fields.

    3. Concept Artist: Many industries, including video games, movies, and advertising, require concept artists to develop initial designs and ideas for characters. Your skills will be instrumental in shaping the visual direction of projects.

    4. Toy Designer: Character design skills can also lead you to become a toy designer. You can create concept art and designs for toys based on popular characters from entertainment franchises or develop your own unique creations.

    5. Graphic Designer: While not solely focused on character design, graphic designers frequently integrate character illustrations into their work. You can create visual elements for branding, marketing campaigns, websites, and more.

    6. Storyboard Artist: As a storyboard artist, you can use your character design skills to visualize scenes and narratives in industries like film, animation, and advertising. You will help in the pre-production stage by creating sketches or panels that outline the story's progression.

    7. Art Director: With experience and advanced skills, you can aim to become an art director. In this role, you will oversee the visual style and artistic direction of entire projects, including characters and their designs.

    Keep in mind that the specific job titles and opportunities may vary depending on the industry, but character design skills can open doors to a wide range of creative career options.‎

    People who are creative, have a strong imagination, and enjoy storytelling are best suited for studying Character Design. Additionally, individuals who have a passion for art, drawing, and visual communication will find this field particularly fulfilling.‎

    Here are some topics you can study that are related to Character Design:

    1. Anatomy and Figure Drawing: Understanding human and animal anatomy is essential for creating realistic and visually appealing characters.

    2. Art Fundamentals: Building a strong foundation in art fundamentals such as color theory, composition, and perspective will enhance your character design skills.

    3. Digital Illustration: Learning digital drawing and painting techniques using software like Adobe Photoshop or Procreate will help you bring your character designs to life.

    4. Concept Art: Concept art focuses on creating visually engaging and original characters for various industries like gaming, animation, and film.

    5. Character Development: Understanding the psychology and storytelling aspects behind character creation will help you design compelling and relatable characters.

    6. 3D Modeling and Sculpting: If you're interested in creating characters for video games or animation, learning 3D modeling and sculpting software like Blender or ZBrush is highly recommended.

    7. Fashion Design: Understanding different clothing styles, fabric textures, and fashion trends can add depth and personality to your character designs.

    8. Animation Principles: Learning animation principles like timing, weight, and exaggeration will help you bring your characters to life through movement.

    9. Storyboarding: Studying storyboarding techniques will enable you to effectively plan and depict your characters' actions and emotions within a narrative context.

    10. Digital Painting Techniques: Enhancing your knowledge of digital painting techniques like shading, lighting, and texture creation will add depth and realism to your character designs.

    Remember, this is not an exhaustive list, but it should give you a good starting point for studying topics related to Character Design.‎

    Online Character Design courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Character design is the process of creating and developing visual representations of characters for various media, such as animation, video games, and comics. It involves crafting the physical appearance, personality traits, and backstory of a character to bring them to life. Character designers carefully consider elements like facial features, body structure, clothing, and accessories to ensure that the character accurately reflects their role and purpose in the story or game. Through character design, artists aim to evoke emotions, engage audiences, and enhance the overall storytelling experience. skills. Choose from a wide range of Character Design courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.‎

    When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Character Design, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here.‎

    This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

    Other topics to explore

    Arts and Humanities
    338 courses
    Business
    1095 courses
    Computer Science
    668 courses
    Data Science
    425 courses
    Information Technology
    145 courses
    Health
    471 courses
    Math and Logic
    70 courses
    Personal Development
    137 courses
    Physical Science and Engineering
    413 courses
    Social Sciences
    401 courses
    Language Learning
    150 courses

    Coursera Footer

    Technical Skills

    • ChatGPT
    • Coding
    • Computer Science
    • Cybersecurity
    • DevOps
    • Ethical Hacking
    • Generative AI
    • Java Programming
    • Python
    • Web Development

    Analytical Skills

    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Big Data
    • Business Analysis
    • Data Analytics
    • Data Science
    • Financial Modeling
    • Machine Learning
    • Microsoft Excel
    • Microsoft Power BI
    • SQL

    Business Skills

    • Accounting
    • Digital Marketing
    • E-commerce
    • Finance
    • Google
    • Graphic Design
    • IBM
    • Marketing
    • Project Management
    • Social Media Marketing

    Career Resources

    • Essential IT Certifications
    • High-Income Skills to Learn
    • How to Get a PMP Certification
    • How to Learn Artificial Intelligence
    • Popular Cybersecurity Certifications
    • Popular Data Analytics Certifications
    • What Does a Data Analyst Do?
    • Career Development Resources
    • Career Aptitude Test
    • Share your Coursera Learning Story

    Coursera

    • About
    • What We Offer
    • Leadership
    • Careers
    • Catalog
    • Coursera Plus
    • Professional Certificates
    • MasterTrack® Certificates
    • Degrees
    • For Enterprise
    • For Government
    • For Campus
    • Become a Partner
    • Social Impact
    • Free Courses
    • ECTS Credit Recommendations

    Community

    • Learners
    • Partners
    • Beta Testers
    • Blog
    • The Coursera Podcast
    • Tech Blog
    • Teaching Center

    More

    • Press
    • Investors
    • Terms
    • Privacy
    • Help
    • Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Articles
    • Directory
    • Affiliates
    • Modern Slavery Statement
    • Manage Cookie Preferences
    Learn Anywhere
    Download on the App Store
    Get it on Google Play
    Logo of Certified B Corporation
    © 2025 Coursera Inc. All rights reserved.
    • Coursera Facebook
    • Coursera Linkedin
    • Coursera Twitter
    • Coursera YouTube
    • Coursera Instagram
    • Coursera TikTok