An exhaustive and 100% online program, exclusive to TECH, with an international perspective supported by our membership with The Design Society”

The creation of visual characters not only defines the success of a narrative but also forms the emotional core of experiences in video games, animation, and multimedia products. In fact, in an industry where the relationship between design and technology evolves at a rapid pace, creative professionals face the challenge of generating coherent, expressive, and technically viable visual identities. This need becomes even more urgent when considering the sustained growth of the digital industry and the continuous demand for specialized profiles in this field. 

With this vision, TECH presents the Master's Degree in 2D Character Design and Creation, a university qualification designed to enhance skills through a rigorous academic structure. In this way, the academic experience enables mastery of everything from the fundamentals of anatomical drawing to the keys of visual storytelling, character psychology, and integration into interactive environments. As a result, students will have the opportunity to stand out in a highly competitive sector. 

TECH has designed this 100% online academic opportunity with the aim of offering flexibility without compromising excellence. Moreover, its innovative Relearning method will foster a progressive and effective acquisition of knowledge, adapted to the pace of active professionals. Furthermore, the guidance of a faculty made up of industry experts ensures an up-to-date, rigorous, and creative experience, aligned with the real demands of the international market. 

Thanks to TECH's membership with The Design Society (DS), students will become part of a global community dedicated to design and its study. They will have access to open-access publications and be able to participate in collaborative events. Additionally, the membership supports the maintenance of the society and its platforms, facilitating interaction and access to specialized resources for professional development in design.   

You will design creatures, humans, and animated objects according to industry technical standards, thanks to this 100% online university qualification from TECH”

This Master's Degree in 2D Character Design and Creation contains the most complete and up-to-date university program on the market. Its most notable features are: 

• The development of practical cases presented by experts in 2D Character Design and Creation 
• The graphic, schematic, and practical contents with which they are created, provide scientific and practical information on the disciplines that are essential for professional practice 
• Practical exercises where self-assessment can be used to improve learning 
• Special emphasis on innovative methodologies in 2D Character Design and Creation 
• Theoretical lessons, questions to the expert, debate forums on controversial topics, and individual reflection assignments 
• Content that is accessible from any fixed or portable device with an internet connection 

The wealth of practical resources in this program will help solidify theoretical knowledge efficiently”

The faculty includes professionals from the 2D Character Design and Creation field, sharing their work experience, as well as recognized specialists from leading societies and prestigious universities. 

The multimedia content, developed with the latest educational technology, will provide the professional with situated and contextual learning, i.e., a simulated environment that will provide an immersive learning experience designed to prepare for real-life situations. 

This program is designed around Problem-Based Learning, whereby the student must try to solve the different professional practice situations that arise throughout the program. For this purpose, the professional will be assisted by an innovative interactive video system created by renowned and experienced experts. 

TECH offers you the most innovative teaching methodology in today’s academic landscape: Relearning"

You will generate original and creative ideas in 2D Character Creation that adapt to various artistic styles and narrative objectives"

This syllabus has been designed to enhance both the technical and creative mastery of professionals in the field of Character Design. Throughout the course, graduates will develop advanced skills in morphological construction, visual storytelling, and graphic expression, covering everything from model sheets to the conceptualization of fantastic creatures and Horror Characters. The program will also explore the design of props, vehicles, and animals, as well as the use of color as an emotional tool. Additionally, tools will be integrated to create functional characters for video games, consolidating a comprehensive vision.

You will apply the fundamentals of Character Design, such as proportions, anatomy, and silhouettes”

Module 1. Characters

1.1. Characters

1.1.1. Analysis and Development of Characters
1.1.2. Styles and Designs Based on Zones and Cultures
1.1.3. Evolution of Characters and Current Styles

1.2. Styles in Each Product

1.2.1. Characters for Film
1.2.2. Characters for Series
1.2.3. Characters for Video Games

1.3. Styling Techniques

1.3.1. 2D
1.3.2. 3D
1.3.3. Cut-Out

1.4. Characters in Advertising

1.4.1. Advertising Styles Through History
1.4.2. Contemporary 2D
1.4.3. Contemporary 3D

1.5. Analysis of Character Types

1.5.1. Cartoon
1.5.2. Manga
1.5.3. Realistic

1.6. Typology

1.6.1. Hero - Antihero
1.6.2. Villain - Antithesis
1.6.3. Strongman - Fool

1.7. Character Archetypes

1.7.1. Professions
1.7.2. Ages
1.7.3. Personalities

1.8. Animal Characters

1.8.1. Zoomorphic Humans
1.8.2. Anthropomorphic Animals
1.8.3. Pets

1.9. Character Characteristics

1.9.1. Literary
1.9.2. Psychological
1.9.3. Physical

1.10. Character Merchandising

1.10.1. History
1.10.2. Style Guides
1.10.3. Commercial Application

Module 2. Character Construction

2.1. Geometric Shapes

2.1.1. Basic Shapes
2.1.2. Shape Combinations
2.1.3. Axes

2.2. Action Lines

2.2.1. Curves, Horizontal, and Diagonal Lines
2.2.2. Simple Shapes in the Action Line
2.2.3. Structure and Limbs

2.3. Complex Shapes

2.3.1. Combined Geometries
2.3.2. The Pose
2.3.3. Head Divisions

2.4. Anatomy

2.4.1. Classic Human Canon
2.4.2. Proportions
2.4.3. Action Poses

2.5. The Head

2.5.1. Construction
2.5.2. Axes
2.5.3. Eyes and Facial Features

2.6. Hair

2.6.1. Female Hair
2.6.2. Male Hair
2.6.3. Hairstyles

2.7. Cartoon Character Creation

2.7.1. Exaggerating Proportions
2.7.2. Heads and Expressions
2.7.3. Silhouette and Poses

2.8. Cartoon Animals

2.8.1. Pets
2.8.2. Quadrupeds and Birds
2.8.3. Other Types

2.9. Limbs

2.9.1. Construction
2.9.2. Joints
2.9.3. Poses

2.10. Hands

2.10.1. General Construction
2.10.2. Human Hands
2.10.3. Cartoon Hands

Module 3. Model Sheet

3.1. Construction

3.1.1. Three-Quarter View
3.1.2. Head Divisions
3.1.3. Clean Up

3.2. Turnaround

3.2.1. The Five Poses
3.2.2. Guide Lines
3.2.3. Symmetry and Asymmetry

3.3. Poses

3.3.1. Action Poses
3.3.2. Interaction with Props
3.3.3. Camera Position in the Pose

3.4. Expressions

3.4.1. Neutral
3.4.2. Happy
3.4.3. Sad and Angry

3.5. Hands

3.5.1. Construction
3.5.2. Positions and Rotations
3.5.3. Interaction with Props

3.6. Comparatives

3.6.1. Head Divisions and Guide Lines
3.6.2. Adjusting Other Characters to the Protagonist
3.6.3. Interaction

3.7. Mouth Codes

3.7.1. Standard Universal and Add-ons
3.7.2. Phonetic Correspondences and Lip Sync
3.7.3. Neutral, Happy, Angry, Sad

3.8. Blinks

3.8.1. Neutral Forms and Other Expressions
3.8.2. Closed Position
3.8.3. Inbetweens

3.9. Staging

3.9.1. Position in Backgrounds
3.9.2. Camera Positions
3.9.3. Interactions

3.10. Error Sheets

3.10.1. Do’s
3.10.2. Don’ts
3.10.3. Help for Animators

Module 4. Props. Vehicles and Accessories

4.1. Props

4.1.1. What is a Prop?
4.1.2. Generalities
4.1.3. Props with Narrative Weight

4.2. Accessories

4.2.1. Accessories and Clothing
4.2.2. Real Accessories: Professions
4.2.3. Fantastic and Sci-Fi Accessories

4.3. Cars

4.3.1. Classic Cars
4.3.2. Contemporary Cars
4.3.3. Futuristic Cars

4.4. Motorcycles

4.4.1. Contemporary Motorcycles
4.4.2. Futuristic Motorcycles
4.4.3. Three-Wheeled Motorcycles

4.5. Other Vehicles

4.5.1. Land Vehicles
4.5.2. Aerial Vehicles
4.5.3. Marine Vehicles

4.6. Bladed Weapons

4.6.1. Types and Sizes
4.6.2. Design by Era
4.6.3. Shields

4.7. Firearms

4.7.1. Long Guns
4.7.2. Short Guns
4.7.3. Mechanism: Moving Parts

4.8. Futuristic Weapons

4.8.1. Firearms
4.8.2. Energy Weapons
4.8.3. FX of Futuristic Weapons

4.9. Armor

4.9.1. Classic and Contemporary Armor
4.9.2. Futuristic Armor
4.9.3. Mechanized and Robotic Armor

4.10. Props in Video Games

4.10.1. Differences with Animation Props
4.10.2. Props and Their Use
4.10.3. Design

Module 5. Animals

5.1. Quadrupeds

5.1.1. Comparative Anatomy
5.1.2. Realistic and Their Use
5.1.3. Cartoon

5.2. Canines

5.2.1. Anatomy
5.2.2. Design
5.2.3. Poses

5.3. Felines

5.3.1. Comparative Anatomy
5.3.2. Design
5.3.3. Poses

5.4. Herbivores

5.4.1. Ruminants
5.4.2. Equines
5.4.3. Cartoon

5.5. Large Mammals

5.5.1. Comparative Anatomy
5.5.2. Construction
5.5.3. Poses

5.6. Marine Animals

5.6.1. Mammals
5.6.2. Fish
5.6.3. Crustaceans

5.7. Birds

5.7.1. Anatomy
5.7.2. Poses
5.7.3. Cartoon

5.8. Amphibian Reptiles

5.8.1. Construction
5.8.2. Poses
5.8.3. Cartoon

5.9. Dinosaurs

5.9.1. Types
5.9.2. Construction
5.9.3. Poses

5.10. Insects

5.10.1. Design
5.10.2. Poses
5.10.3. Comparatives

Module 6. Objects and Plants as Characters

6.1. Flowers

6.1.1. Examples
6.1.2. Construction
6.1.3. Poses and Expressions

6.2. Vegetables

6.2.1. Examples
6.2.2. Construction
6.2.3. Poses and Expressions

6.3. Fruit

6.3.1. Examples
6.3.2. Construction
6.3.3. Poses and Expressions

6.4. Carnivorous Plants

6.4.1. Examples
6.4.2. Construction
6.4.3. Poses and Expressions

6.5. Trees

6.5.1. Types
6.5.2. Construction
6.5.3. Poses and Expressions

6.6. Shrubs

6.6.1. Types
6.6.2. Construction
6.6.3. Poses and Expressions

6.7. Objects

6.7.1. Examples
6.7.2. Personality
6.7.3. Types

6.8. Home Appliances

6.8.1. Types
6.8.2. Construction
6.8.3. Poses and Expressions

6.9. Vehicles

6.9.1. Types
6.9.2. Construction
6.9.3. Poses and Expressions

6.10. Other Objects

6.10.1. Types
6.10.2. Construction
6.10.3. Poses and Expressions

Module 7. Fantastic Creatures

7.1. Dragons and Hydras

7.1.1. Examples
7.1.2. Construction
7.1.3. Poses and Expressions

7.2. Giants

7.2.1. Examples
7.2.2. Construction
7.2.3. Poses and Expressions

7.3. Flying Creatures

7.3.1. Comparative Anatomy
7.3.2. Construction
7.3.3. Poses and Expressions

7.4. Aquatic Creatures

7.4.1. Modifications of Real Types
7.4.2. Construction
7.4.3. Poses and Expressions

7.5. Underground Creatures

7.5.1. Geometric Shapes
7.5.2. Development
7.5.3. Poses and Expressions

7.6. Fairy Beings

7.6.1. Human Anatomy
7.6.2. Construction
7.6.3. Poses and Expressions

7.7. Hybrid

7.7.1. Foundations
7.7.2. Design
7.7.3. Poses and Expressions

7.8. Demonic Beings

7.8.1. Anatomy
7.8.2. Design
7.8.3. Poses and Expressions

7.9. Gods and Demigods

7.9.1. Human Anatomy
7.9.2. Construction
7.9.3. Poses and Expressions

7.10. Other Fantastic Creatures

7.10.1. Examples
7.10.2. Construction
7.10.3. Poses and Expressions

Module 8. Horror Characters

8.1. Vampires

8.1.1. Human Anatomy
8.1.2. Design
8.1.3. Poses and Expressions

8.2. Frankenstein’s Monster

8.2.1. Anatomy
8.2.2. Construction
8.2.3. Poses and Expressions

8.3. Werewolf

8.3.1. Comparative Anatomy
8.3.2. Construction
8.3.3. Poses and Expressions

8.4. Mummy

8.4.1. Human Anatomy
8.4.2. Design
8.4.3. Poses and Expressions

8.5. Swamp Monster

8.5.1. Anatomy
8.5.2. Construction
8.5.3. Poses and Expressions

8.6. Ghosts

8.6.1. Examples
8.6.2. Construction
8.6.3. Poses and Expressions

8.7. Zombies

8.7.1. Human Anatomy
8.7.2. Animal Zombies
8.7.3. Construction and Poses

8.8. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

8.8.1. Human Anatomy
8.8.2. Construction
8.8.3. Poses and Expressions

8.9. Death

8.9.1. Anatomy
8.9.2. Construction
8.9.3. Poses and Expressions

8.10. Aliens and Beings from Other Dimensions

8.10.1. Geometric Shapes
8.10.2. Design
8.10.3. Poses and Expressions

Module 9. Color

9.1. Color Basics

9.1.1. Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Colors
9.1.2. Digital Color and Color Issues Across Different Screens and Mediums
9.1.3. Color and Pigment

9.2. Color Theory

9.2.1. Color Wheel and Its Scales
9.2.2. CMYK and RGB
9.2.3. Hexadecimal Pantone

9.3. Light Theory

9.3.1. Light and Its Effects
9.3.2. Schemes in Animation Cinema
9.3.3. Physical Qualities of Color

9.4. Chromatic Relationships

9.4.1. Temperature
9.4.2. Contrast, Balance
9.4.3. Perception. Synesthesia

9.5. Contrasts and Harmonies

9.5.1. Visual Weight of Color
9.5.2. Color and Music
9.5.3. Harmonies and Equivalents

9.6. Psychology, Symbolism and Metaphor of Color

9.6.1. Emotional and Symbolic Color
9.6.2. The Meaning of Color in Different Cultures
9.6.3. Goethe’s Theory of Color

9.7. Color in Storytelling

9.7.1. Color Analysis in Different Narratives
9.7.2. Color Script
9.7.3. Project

9.8. Character Color on Background

9.8.1. Environment
9.8.2. Contrasts
9.8.3. Color Palettes

9.9. Digital Application

9.9.1. Layers
9.9.2. Filters
9.9.3. Textures

9.10. Lighting

9.10.1. Lights
9.10.2. Shadows
9.10.3. Highlights

Module 10. Video Games and Characters

10.1. Characters and Video Games

10.1.1. Character Analysis in Video Games
10.1.2. Character Target Audience
10.1.3. References

10.2. Types

10.2.1. 2D-3D
10.2.2. Platforms and Types
10.2.3. Pixelated Characters

10.3. Methodology

10.3.1. Work Planning and Types of Documents
10.3.2. Analytical Drawing
10.3.3. Line Drawer and Shape Drawer

10.4. Defining a Style

10.4.1. References and Key Points
10.4.2. Light and Color: Creating an Atmosphere
10.4.3. Characters: Personality and Consistency

10.5. Traditional 2D

10.5.1. References
10.5.2. Creation
10.5.3. Model Sheet Package

10.6. Cut-Out I

10.6.1. References
10.6.2. Methodology
10.6.3. Construction

10.7. Cut-Out II

10.7.1. Color
10.7.2. Rigging
10.7.3. Libraries

10.8. 3D

10.8.1. References
10.8.2. Design
10.8.3. Construction

10.9. Pixelated Characters

10.9.1. References and Documentation
10.9.2. Design
10.9.3. Poses

10.10. Reference for 3D Modeling

10.10.1. Color Palettes
10.10.2. Textures
10.10.3. Lights and Shadows

You will create 2D Characters that can be used across different platforms and formats, such as video games, animation, or comics”