The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Negros Occidental and HolySoft recently hosted a 5-day basic workshop on 2D and 3D Character Concept Art, aimed at empowering young artists and aspiring designers.
The event featured an exhibit showcasing the character concept artworks created by the participants, held at the Ayala Capitol Central ground floor on December 7, 2024.
The initiative was spearheaded by Jinky Joy Besa, President of HolySoft Studios Philippines, and Lynna Joy B. Cardinal, Provincial Director of DTI Negros Occidental.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony, also held at Ayala Capitol Central, was led by Usec. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue of the ICT Industry Development, DICT Philippines.
The workshop featured a creative bootcamp with Mike Borromei and Mico Valiente, titled Unleashing the Art of Storytelling through Design. Participants learned to incorporate narrative elements into every detail of their character designs, from costumes and posture to colors and accessories. They explored how shapes, patterns, and facial expressions could bring a character’s personality, background, and motivations to life. The process emphasized collaborative brainstorming, sketching, and refining ideas to ensure the designs aligned with a cohesive artistic and narrative vision.
The workshop also included a deep dive into 3D character creation. Over the next three days, participants explored the fundamentals of 3D modeling, sculpting, and texturing, all while learning how to embed storytelling into every element of their designs. They honed their skills in creating 3D assets that resonate with a character’s role and narrative within a project, pushing their designs to new heights.
Guided by industry experts Daryl Feril, Ryan Rodero, and Christian Pamotillo, the participants gained valuable insights into the design process. Through expert critiques, they learned the importance of purpose, intent, and anchoring in design choices, ensuring their work seamlessly integrates into the narrative and world-building aspects of their projects.
This transformative bootcamp empowered the participants to create characters that not only look striking but also tell compelling stories.