Pictoplasma, a Conference Spotlighting Contemporary Character Design

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On November 11th and 12th, Pictoplasma, the global character design conference and academy from Berlin, returns to New York for its eighth edition. The specific celebration of character creation speaks to the value they place in identity, empathy, and interaction within storytelling. That's why we're excited to partner with Pictoplasma this year, hosted at Parsons School of Design. A number of WNW Members are already confirmed speakers, including Amber Vittoria, Dan Woodger, Haejin Park, Jing Wei, and Laura Callaghan. In addition to a roster of speakers leading character exploration in everything from illustration and animation to game design and toy design, the event also features screenings of experimental shorts and music videos.

Below, we catch up with Pictoplasma speakers Amber Vittoria, Dan Woodger, and Haejin Park to learn how character creation shapes their practice and why Pictoplasma’s emphasis on character design empowers them for further exploration.

Header image by UntitledArmy

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How does character fit into your creative practice?

Dan: Character is practically squished into everything I do as an artist. It's the vehicle I’ve always chosen for my ideas. The facial expressions, body positions, and movement of a character are how I express myself creatively.

Amber: The ability to tell a story through the eyes of a human being has been an integral narrative tool in my illustration process. Building a character and story is how my work can relate to those who view it.

Haejin: Before I plan a picture, I always start with a character in mind. One character defines a lot of story, mood, and theme for the whole illustration. My characters are constantly evolving. I find interest in making unique individual characters, but still, they all speak the same language and come from one style. I put a lot of heart into every character; I want them to have their own strong identity and represent my abstract emotions.

“I put a lot of heart into every character; I want them to have their own strong identity and represent my abstract emotions.”

— Haejin Park

What led you to join Pictoplasma as a speaker this year?

Amber: The ability to share my approach to work and learn how other character-driven artists work is incredibly inspiring.

Dan: My agents at Jelly London put me forward for it. I've wanted to speak at Pictoplasma for years, this really is a dream come true.

Haejin: I was asked to speak and it was honestly a big surprise—I never thought of myself as a character designer. I am super honored to be a speaker this year and look forward to sharing my process and studying my own characters.

“Character design is the oldest universal language in existence. From cave paintings to emojis, humans have been using characters to express our ideas and emotions for literally thousands of years. A conference that holds character design up and celebrates it in all its various forms and mediums is incredibly empowering.”

— Dan Woodger

How does a conference that specifically highlights character creation empower you as an artist?

Haejin: I think it is a huge support to an individual artist's vision. I am subconsciously drawing myself into my characters and adding my personality to them—it is so amazing how such a big conference wants me to share my world.

Amber: It enables me to explore different ideas of character and how viewers can relate to these ideas.

Dan: Character design is the oldest universal language in existence. From cave paintings to emojis, humans have been using characters to express our ideas and emotions for literally thousands of years. A conference that holds character design up and celebrates it in all its various forms and mediums is incredibly empowering. I can’t wait to hear the stories and inspiration behind all the amazing and diverse visual languages other artists have created.