The best examples of diverse examples of character design in illustrative drawing

Real-world examples of diverse examples of character design in illustrative drawing

Let’s start with what everyone actually wants: concrete, visual ideas. When people search for examples of diverse examples of character design in illustrative drawing, they’re usually looking for ways to break out of drawing the same skinny, 20-something protagonist with perfect hair.

Here are several real-world style directions that working illustrators use to build diverse casts:

Stylized animation-inspired characters

Think of the exaggerated silhouettes you see in modern animation: big heads, tiny legs, or wildly asymmetrical shapes. Many character designers create a cast where examples include:

• A short, pear-shaped grandma mechanic with grease on her cheeks and floral overalls.
• A lanky teen with a prosthetic leg, neon sneakers, and a shaved pattern in their hair.
• A stocky, middle-aged dad who’s a ballet teacher, always carrying a gym bag and a portable speaker.

None of these characters look like each other, and that’s the point. Their bodies, clothing, and props all tell story. If you want an example of how pros push shapes, check out how animation programs teach shape language and contrast in character design, such as the curriculum from major art schools like the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) or CalArts.

Graphic novel and webcomic character lineups

Open almost any popular webcomic and you’ll see a buffet of character variation. Strong examples of diverse examples of character design in illustrative drawing from the webcomic world might feature:

• A nonbinary mage with vitiligo, visible under transparent sleeves, and a staff made of recycled tech parts.
• A wheelchair-using hacker with fingerless gloves, oversized hoodie, and expressive eyebrows that do half the acting.
• An auntie who runs a bodega, with thick arms from lifting crates, gold jewelry, and a permanent “I’ve seen everything” expression.

These aren’t just diversity checkboxes. The way each character is drawn—line weight, posture, gesture—tells you how they move through the world.

Children’s book illustration characters

Children’s publishing has been steadily demanding more inclusive casts. Some of the best examples of character design in picture books use simplified shapes but very specific cultural and physical details:

• A group of kids at a playground: one with a cochlear implant, one with tight 4C curls in colorful beads, one with a hijab and light-up sneakers, one with albinism and sunglasses.
• A grandparent character who uses a cane, with visible wrinkles, comfortable sandals, and a patterned cardigan that tells you exactly what decade they grew up loving.

Organizations like We Need Diverse Books (https://diversebooks.org) highlight how much representation matters for young readers, and that flows directly into how illustrators design their characters.

Indie game and concept art characters

Indie game art is a goldmine for examples of bold character design. Concept artists often post lineups that mix genres and cultures:

• A Pacific Islander-inspired sky sailor with tattoos that follow traditional patterns, a flight jacket, and a glider board.
• A fat, older woman as the main knight, armor tailored to her body, with a practical braid and calloused hands.
• A trans masc botanist in a fantasy world, with binder lines visible under a loose shirt, a satchel full of plants, and dirt-stained knees.

These are the kinds of real examples you’ll see on art platforms and portfolios in 2024–2025, where “hero” no longer automatically means young, thin, and conventionally pretty.

How illustrators build diversity into character design from the ground up

Now that we’ve walked through some examples of diverse examples of character design in illustrative drawing, let’s talk about how those characters actually get built.

Silhouette and shape language

If every character you design fits the same basic silhouette, your cast will feel flat. Professional illustrators intentionally vary:

• Height and width
• Proportions (head-to-body ratio, limb length)
• Center of gravity (do they feel top-heavy, bottom-heavy, or balanced?)

For instance, imagine a trio:

• A very tall, rectangular bodyguard with narrow shoulders but long arms.
• A compact, triangle-shaped street vendor with a wide base and narrow shoulders.
• A soft, circular librarian who always seems to be quietly hovering instead of stomping.

Even as simple black shapes, these are instantly recognizable. That’s one of the best examples of how silhouette alone can create diversity.

Culture, identity, and research (without stereotyping)

Modern character design leans heavily on research. If you’re drawing characters from cultures other than your own, you need references beyond a quick image search.

Good practice includes:

• Looking up clothing, textiles, and accessories from real regions.
• Understanding hair textures and protective styles, especially for Black characters.
• Learning how disability aids actually look and work (wheelchairs, canes, prosthetics), using real resources from medical and rehab organizations.

For instance, if you’re designing a character with diabetes who uses an insulin pump, looking at medical resources like the National Institutes of Health (https://www.nih.gov) or educational pages from hospitals can keep your design grounded in reality.

These details don’t have to be front and center, but they add quiet authenticity that separates lazy stereotypes from thoughtful representation.

Age, disability, and body diversity

Some of the most interesting examples of diverse examples of character design in illustrative drawing come from simply drawing people we see in everyday life but rarely see as leads.

Think about:

• Older characters with visible aging: wrinkles, gray hair, stooped posture, age spots, loose skin on hands.
• Disabled characters using mobility aids, hearing devices, or service animals.
• Characters with different body types: muscular, fat, bony, soft, broad, petite—and not always framed as a joke or a villain.

For health-related references (like wheelchairs, prosthetics, or medical devices), designers often study real-world information from sites such as MedlinePlus at the U.S. National Library of Medicine (https://medlineplus.gov), which offers clear visuals and explanations.

Fashion, styling, and subculture

Clothing is one of the easiest ways to show diversity without turning your design into a checklist. Instead of drawing the same hoodie-and-jeans combo, think about:

• Subcultures (goth, skater, cottagecore, streetwear, metalhead, techwear).
• Regional styles (South Asian formal wear, West African Ankara prints, Mexican huipils, etc.).
• Occupation-based clothing (nurse scrubs, construction gear, lab coats, food service uniforms).

For example, an example of strong character design might be a Black goth violinist with long acrylic nails, platform boots, and a battered violin case covered in band stickers. Another might be a genderqueer florist in paint-stained overalls, mixing delicate floral tattoos with chunky work boots.

2024–2025 trends shaping the best examples of character design

If you’re trying to keep your work current, it helps to know what’s trending in character design right now.

Trend: Everyday heroes and “slice of life” casts

More illustrators are moving away from epic fantasy armor 24/7 and toward everyday characters: baristas, bus drivers, nurses, gig workers, teachers. The best examples of modern character design often show:

• A nurse in colorful scrubs covered in cartoon prints, with visible fatigue under the eyes but a warm smile.
• A rideshare driver with dashboard charms, phone mount, and a car interior that tells a whole story.

This shift is tied to the popularity of slice-of-life comics and animation, where small, human stories matter more than giant battles.

Trend: Neurodivergent and mental health representation

Another 2024–2025 shift: more characters coded or explicitly written as autistic, ADHD, anxious, depressed, or otherwise neurodivergent.

Visual cues might include:

• Noise-canceling headphones as part of the character’s regular design.
• Fidget items, stim toys, or jewelry they’re always handling.
• Clothing chosen for comfort over style: soft fabrics, tagless shirts, loose fits.

For artists who want to represent mental health respectfully, it can help to read reputable health information from sources like the National Institute of Mental Health (https://www.nimh.nih.gov). That knowledge filters into more grounded, non-caricatured character designs.

Trend: Hybrid styles and mixed media looks

Some of the best examples of diverse examples of character design in illustrative drawing are happening in hybrid styles: part anime, part Western cartoon, part graphic novel. You’ll see:

• Painterly textures with flat, graphic shapes.
• Line art mixed with collage-style patterns.
• Characters rendered in a semi-realistic way but with very stylized proportions.

This mashup approach gives artists room to borrow from multiple visual traditions and create casts that feel more global.

Practical ways to create your own diverse character lineup

Enough theory. Let’s talk about how to actually build your own set of characters that could sit alongside the best examples of character design you admire.

Start with a “cast board,” not a single hero

Instead of designing one character in isolation, sketch a whole cast on one page. Aim for contrast:

• One very tall, one very short.
• One broad, one narrow.
• One relaxed, one tense and angular.

As you sketch, ask: if I saw these silhouettes from across the room, could I tell them apart instantly? This is how many pros generate examples of diverse examples of character design in illustrative drawing for portfolios and pitches.

Use real people as reference (but remix them)

Sit in a café or scroll through street photography. Notice:

• How people sit, slump, or fidget.
• The way hair actually falls, frizzes, or gets tied up quickly.
• The mix of patterns and colors in everyday outfits.

Take two or three real people and combine traits: the posture of one, the hair of another, the clothing of a third. This method produces real examples of character design that feel grounded instead of invented from a vacuum.

Build story into props and accessories

Props are underrated. A character’s backpack, keychain, or phone case can say more than a dramatic pose.

Examples include:

• A teen with a cracked phone screen and a home-stitched patch on their bag.
• A delivery worker with knee braces, a reflective vest, and a beat-up insulated bag.
• A retired boxer with taped fingers, old medals in a pocket, and a grocery list sticking out of a wallet.

Each of these props can be drawn simply, but they deepen the design.

Check your lineup for patterns and bias

After you’ve drawn a page of characters, step back and ask:

• Are all my villains scarred or disabled? (If yes, rethink.)
• Are all my heroes young, thin, and conventionally attractive?
• Do I only draw certain ethnicities as background characters?

This is where awareness matters. You’re not just trying to hit a diversity quota; you’re trying to avoid lazy patterns that show up when you draw on autopilot.

FAQ: examples of character design questions artists keep asking

What are some strong examples of diverse character design I can study?

Look at modern animated series, indie games, and award-winning graphic novels. Shows and comics that feature varied casts—different ages, races, body types, and disabilities—are packed with real examples of character design you can pause and sketch from. Also browse portfolios of working character designers; many share lineups specifically to show range.

How many characters should I design for a “diverse” lineup?

There’s no magic number. Instead of fixating on quantity, focus on contrast. Even a group of four can demonstrate diversity if their silhouettes, ages, styles, and identities are clearly different. Many portfolio-ready examples of diverse examples of character design in illustrative drawing use lineups of 5–8 characters to show range without overwhelming the viewer.

Is it okay to design characters from cultures I’m not part of?

Yes, if you approach it with respect, research, and a willingness to listen. Avoid stereotypes, use real references, and, when possible, get feedback from people from that culture. You’re aiming for thoughtful representation, not costume.

What’s an example of a quick exercise to improve my character design diversity?

Pick a mundane location—a bus stop, grocery store, or waiting room. Fill a page with characters who might be there. Force yourself to vary age, body type, style, and mood. This kind of exercise quickly generates many small examples of diverse character design you can later refine.

If you treat your sketchbook as a casting call instead of a beauty pageant, you’ll naturally start producing better, richer examples of diverse examples of character design in illustrative drawing. The more you look at real people, study current media, and question your own habits, the more interesting your characters will become—on the page and in the minds of anyone who meets them.