Character Concept Design Brief

Today we got our briefs for semester 1, here's mine:

" You have been outsourced by a AAA development studio to aid the visual development of new I.P: A 3rd person action game in early pre-production for the new generation of consoles. They are looking for character designs that are reminiscent of Bob Rafei’s work on the Jak n Daxter series crossed with the unique and twisted character art of Valves ‘DOTA2’.

You are to conceive of 2 completed character designs complete with model sheets and accessory break downs.

1 – Protagonist and side kick (should be early to mid-teens and atypical emit heroic qualities). He or she should also have an fantasy creature companion or your own invention but they must complement each other.

2 – Antagonist: An older and unknown creature that emanates all the atypical villainous qualities. "

I'm a fan of Bob Rafei's work so really excited about this.  I've started off the project with some research of Dota 2's and Jack and Daxter's character art (plus one random selection of Rafei's take on Uncharted) which you can find above.  

I'll probably still be in the research phase for another week.  So... Next steps:

• Research similar art styles and designs to the chosen artists (in regards to Rafei's work, the artists Dave Guertin and Greg Baldwin spring to mind.)
• Look in to hero/heroine archetypes  
• Research fantasy creatures for the companion and villain characters
• Research heroes/heroines portrayed in film/games etc that are in the age group specified by the brief