Kazuyoshi Takeuchi and The Art of Character Design

Character Designer Kazuyoshi Takeuchi

This past week in Tokyo Japanese animator and character designer Kazuyoshi Takeuchi introduced the art of Japanese character design to our animation students, who have been studying in Tokyo, learning about manga, anime and Japanese animation techniques. 

Kazuyoshi Takeuchi has over 75 animation credits to his name, including the legendary "Akira", which was the foundational moment of his career.  He described it as "a great honour" to work with Akira director Katsuhiro Otomo. 

Character Design Evening Class Returns 24 June 2026

Character Design by Luzia Soares

Our 2D Character Design evening class returns to Escape Studios on 24 June 2026. 

Character Design is an eight week evening class taught by industry veterans.

Steve guides students through the principles of character design, building up to an industry brief.

Character Design is Back on 10 Feb 2026

Character Design by Luzia Soares

Our 2D Character Design evening class returns to Escape Studios on 10 February 2026. 

Character Design is an eight week evening class taught by industry veterans.

Steve guides students through the principles of character design, building up to an industry brief.

Character Design is Back 3 March 2025

Character Design by Luzia Soares

Character Design returns to Escape Studios on 3 March 2025. 

Character Design is an eight week evening class taught by industry veteran and Escape Studios' Head of Character Design Steve Sole.

Steve guides students through the principles of character design, building up to an industry brief.

Character Design Made Simple

Character Design is something that all animators should know a little bit about; it's also one of the most demanding (and fun) parts of the animation process.  This video is a basic introduction to the art of character design; in this short tutorial we show how to begin the process of character design with basic shapes, working outwards to develop contrasting characters with different characters and personalities.  

Character Design is Back on 21 October 2024

Our online Character Design Evening Class returns to Escape Studios on 21st October 2024

  
Character Design is an eight week evening class taught by industry veteran and Escape Studios' Head of Character Design Steve Sole.

Steve guides students through the principles of character design, building up to an industry brief.

Last Call for Character Design 10 October 2022

character design by Escapee Leroy Dias

Last call for our online Character Design Evening Class - which returns to Escape Studios on 10th October 2022.

  
Character Design is an eight week evening class taught by industry veteran and Escape Studios' Head of Character Design Steve Sole.

Steve will guide students through the principles of character design, building up to an industry brief.

There is also an eight week period of aftercare at the end of the course, where students are encouraged to continue working on their portfolios, polishing their work to industry standards. 

Aimee-Rose Schiele Concept Artist at West Pier Studio

"Ginger" by Aimee-Rose Schiele

Many congratulations to Escapee Aimee-Rose Schiele who is working as a concept artist and character designer at West Pier Studio in Brighton.

Aimee-Rose took our character design class at Escape Studios, and is now working in industry, putting her skills to practical use; concept art and character design are among the most creative parts of the animation pipeline.

West Pier Studio is a leading games and software development studio based in Brighton, a stone's throw from Brighton beach and its iconic West Pier.  West Pier Studio "creates and publishes high quality applications across all platforms".

Seta Kendir Concept Artist at Fireslug Studios

Seta Kendir

Many congratulations to Escapee Seta Kendir who is working as a concept artist and character designer at Fireslug Studios.  

Seta took our character design class at Escape Studios, and is now working in industry, putting her skills to practical use; concept art and character design are among the most creative parts of the animation pipeline.

Fireslug Studios is a London based independent games studio founded in 2020, currently working on their first title: "Ashborn".

Steve Sole Returns for "Movement & Narrative"

Character art by Steve Sole

We're delighted to welcome back character designer & visual development artist Steven Sole to teach at Escape Studios in September 2022.

Steven will teach our first year undergraduate students Movement & Narrative, a mini-module in which students develop their skills in creativity, design, and visual narrative, starting on Monday 19th September 2022.

Steven Sole comes to us from Framestore and from Tiger Aspect Productions, where he was Art Director on Mr Bean.  To see some of Steve's work, visit his official site.

Character Design Returns 5 Sept 2022

Our online Character Design Evening Class returns to Escape Studios on 5th September 2022.

  
Character Design is an eight week evening class taught by industry veteran and Escape Studios' Head of Character Design Steve Sole.

Steve will guide students through the principles of character design, building up to an industry brief.

There is also an eight week period of aftercare at the end of the course, where students are encouraged to continue working on their portfolios, polishing their work to industry standards. 

Character Design is Back on 25th April 2022

Artwork by tutor Steve Sole

Our online Character Design Evening Class returns to Escape Studios on Monday 25th April 2022.

  
Character Design is an eight week evening class taught by industry veteran and Escape Studios' Head of Character Design Steve Sole.

Steve will guide students through the principles of character design, building up to an industry brief.

Animation Event with Alberto & Leo Wed 8 Dec

"An Evening With..." Alberto Mielgo and Leo Sanchez Barbosa

Escape Studios is collaborating with Siggraph London for "An Evening With" event next week with legendary designer Alberto Mielgo and Leo Sanchez Barbosa.

This event takes place on Wednesday 8th December at 6.30pm GMT via Zoom.

To sign up, follow the official Zoom link.

Last Call for Character Design on 8 Nov 2021

Learn with Mr Bean designer Steve Sole

Last call for our online Character Design Evening Class, which returns to Escape Studios on Monday 8 November 2021.

  
Character Design is an eight week evening class taught by industry veteran and Escape Studios' Head of Character Design Steve Sole, who will guide students through the principles of character design, building up to an industry brief.

Students will learn the basic principles of shape design; how to achieve contrasting characters, how work towards a client brief, and how to put together a "bible" of design information. 

Steve has worked on multiple industry projects including the "Mr Bean" series at Tiger Aspect productions, and has also worked for VFX studios such as Framestore.  

You can find the official course page here. 

Character Design Returns on 8 November 2021

Steve Sole

Our online Character Design Evening Class is returning to Escape Studios on Monday 8 November 2021.

  
Character Design is an eight week evening class 
taught by industry veteran and Escape Studios' Head of Character Design Steve Sole, who will guide students through the principles of character design, building up to an industry brief.

Students will learn the basic principles of shape design; how to achieve contrasting characters, how work towards a client brief, and how to put together a "bible" of design information. You can find the official course page here. 

Steve Sole Teaches Character Design 18-21 Jan

Steve Sole

We're delighted to welcome back character designer & visual development artist Steven Sole to teach the fundamentals of character design from January 18-21.

Steven will be teaching our 2nd year undergraduate students, who are currently working on their 2nd year Specialism Module CR5001, where students start to choose their own specialism.

Steven Sole comes to us from Framestore and also from Tiger Aspect Productions, where he was Art Director on the hit TV series Mr Bean.

To see some of Steven's work, visit his official site.

Char Design Evening Class Back on 10 May

Steve Sole

Our online Character Design Evening Class is returning to Escape Studios on 10th May 2021.

  
Character Design is an eight week evening class 
taught by a working industry professional; our tutor Steve Sole will guide students through the principles of character design, building up to an industry brief.

Students will learn the basic principles of shape design; how to achieve contrasting characters, how work towards a client brief, and how to put together a "bible" of design information. You can find the official course page here. 

Last Call for Character Design on 19 October

Artwork by Josh O'Brien

Last call for our online Character Design Evening Class, which is returning to Escape Studios on 19 October 2020. 

Character Design is an eight week evening class taught by the very talented Josh O'Brien, an experienced character designer currently working for Blue Zoo Animation in London.

Like all of our courses, this class is taught by a working industry professional; Josh will guide students through the principles of character design, building up to an industry brief.

Character Design is Back on 19 October

Artwork by Andrea Torrejon

Our Character Design Evening Class is returning to Escape Studios on 19 October 2020.

Character Design is an eight week evening class taught by the very talented Andrea Torrejon, an experienced character designer whose recent work includes the Disney TV Series "101 Dalmation St".

Like all of our courses, this class is taught by a working industry professional; Andrea will guide students through the principles of character design, building up to a live industry brief.

Learning character design isn't just about drawing cool characters; it is also about learning what the industry actually needs from a character designer - turnarounds, model packs and an animation "bible".

Last Call For Character Design on 29 June

Artwork by Andrea Torrejon

Last call for our Character Design Evening Class, which is returning to Escape Studios on 29 June 2020.

Character Design is an eight week evening class taught by Andrea Torrejon, an experienced character designer whose recent work includes the Disney TV Series "101 Dalmation St".

Like all of our courses, this class is taught by a working industry professional; Andrea will guide students through the principles of character design, building up to a live industry brief.

Learning character design isn't just about drawing cool characters; it is also about learning what the industry actually needs from a character designer - turnarounds, model packs and an animation "bible".