How to Turn a Doodle into a Character Design

Start with What You’ve Got

Ever scribbled something on a napkin or in the margins of a notebook—and then wondered, “Could this be a character?”

You’re not alone. Many character designers (even pros) start with quick, silly doodles. And with a little shaping, story, and style, those loose drawings can turn into expressive characters worth developing.

Doodles are like creative fingerprints—raw, unfiltered, and packed with potential. They already hold personality. Your job is to draw that out—literally.

Step 1: Look for the Personality

The first step is observation. Ask yourself:

• What emotion or attitude does the doodle give off?
• Does it look shy? Loud? Mischievous?
• What animal, object, or creature does it remind you of?

Don’t overthink it. This isn’t about anatomy or logic—it’s about vibe. The point is to *respond* to the drawing. Even a blob with legs can spark a character idea when you approach it with curiosity.

Step 2: Refine the Silhouette

Strong characters have strong silhouettes. Trace over your doodle and exaggerate the shapes that make it interesting—whether it’s a giant head, wonky arms, or tiny feet.

Silhouette isn’t about detail; it’s about shape clarity. Can you recognize the character just from their outline? If so, you’re on the right track. This makes your design more readable and memorable, even from a distance.

Step 3: Add Meaningful Features

Once you have a base shape, start thinking about:

• Eyes: Big and wide? Squinty and suspicious?
• Mouth: Smile, frown, crooked smirk?
• Posture: Upright and proud? Slouched and unsure?

These are acting choices in visual form. Your goal isn’t realism—it’s expression. Let the design show who the character is before they say a word.

Step 4: Give It a Story

You don’t need a full backstory—but a tiny spark helps. Ask yourself:

• Where does this character live?
• What do they want?
• What’s their biggest challenge?

Even if it’s silly—like a talking slice of toast who dreams of becoming a lifeguard—it’ll help you design with intention. That intention makes your drawing feel *alive*.

Step 5: Redraw with Confidence

Once you’ve explored the personality, silhouette, features, and backstory—redraw the character cleanly.

Don’t trace. Rebuild it from your imagination using everything you’ve learned.

This is where your doodle becomes a real design.
It’s not about perfection—it’s about clarity, expression, and personality.

Looking for fun ways to practice? This might help:

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a fancy sketchbook or hours of training to start designing characters.
You just need a doodle and a little curiosity.
So next time you draw a weird creature in the margins—pause. What could it become?

Source Material

• Bloop Animation – Character Design Course
• YouTube – Creating Dynamic Characters from Loose Sketches
• YouTube – How to Draw Characters Consistently (Marc Brunet)