11 Best Books on Character Design for Production

We have compiled a list of the Best Reference Books on Character Design For Production, which are used by students of top universities, and colleges. This will help you choose the right book depending on if you are a beginner or an expert. Here is the complete list of Character Design For Production Books with their authors, publishers, and an unbiased review of them as well as links to the Amazon website to directly purchase them. If permissible, you can also download the free PDF books on Character Design For Production below.

 
1."Peter Pan" by J M Barrie and Minalima Ltd
“Peter Pan” Book Review: This book brings the story to life in a fresh and engaging way. The book is beautifully designed, with intricate illustrations and pop-ups that add a sense of magic and wonder to the story. The writing itself is a delight to read, with Barrie’s whimsical prose capturing the imagination and transporting the reader to the magical world of Neverland. This edition of Peter Pan is a must-read for fans of the original story and those looking for a beautifully designed book to treasure.

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2."Harry Potter: The Creature Vault" by Jody Revenson
“Harry Potter: The Creature Vault” Book Review: The book features detailed illustrations and photographs of creatures such as dragons, centaurs, and werewolves, as well as insider information about the design and creation of these creatures for the movies. The book also includes behind-the-scenes stories and interviews with the filmmakers and artists who brought these creatures to life on screen. Overall, “Harry Potter: The Creature Vault” is a must-read for any Harry Potter fan and a fascinating look into the world of creature design in filmmaking.

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3."none" by Arthur Rackham
“Rackham’s Color Illustrations for Wagner’s “Ring” (African Art Art of Illustration)” Book Review: This book features 64 watercolor illustrations from Siegfried & The Twilight of the Gods, along with illustrations from The Rhinegold & The Valkyrie. This is a stunning collection of illustrations by Arthur Rackham that brings Wagner’s epic opera to life. The intricate and detailed illustrations showcase Rackham’s mastery of color and light, while also capturing the drama and emotion of the story. The book is a must-have for fans of both Wagner and Rackham, as well as anyone who appreciates the art of illustration.

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4."The Dark Knight: Featuring Production Art and Full Shooting Script" by Craig Byrne and DC Comics
“The Dark Knight: Featuring Production Art and Full Shooting Script” Book Review: This is a must-have book for fans of Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece. The book features a full shooting script and production art from the film, giving readers an in-depth look at the creative process behind the movie. The illustrations and behind-the-scenes information provide a fascinating insight into the making of the film, while the script allows readers to fully immerse themselves in the story. This book is a valuable addition to any fan’s collection.

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5."Diseno digital de personajes / Digital Character Design" by Arturo Balseiro
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6."Animated Performance: Bringing Imaginary Animal, Human and Fantasy Characters to Life (Required Reading Range)" by Nancy Beiman
“Animated Performance: Bringing Imaginary Animal, Human and Fantasy Characters to Life (Required Reading Range)” Book Review: This book explores the techniques for animating characters and bringing them to life, highlighting the flexibility and creative possibilities that animation offers compared to live-action. The book covers different character movements and provides readers with tips, examples, and exercises to try. With over 200 illustrations, the book showcases a variety of animal and fantasy characters to inspire and guide readers in their own animated creations.

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7."Prepare to Board! Creating Story and Characters for Animated Features and Shorts" by Nancy Beiman
“Prepare to Board! Creating Story and Characters for Animated Features and Shorts” Book Review: This book offers insights into the techniques of animation by a master. It covers the process of pre-production, story development, and character design. The book explains how creative character design is connected to storyboard development and provides examples of both positive and negative designs. It also includes interviews with leading animators and explains the principles of cinematic storytelling, including camera angles, lenses, and composition.

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8."Designing Movie Creatures and Characters: Behind the scenes with the movie masters" by Richard Rickitt
“Designing Movie Creatures and Characters: Behind the scenes with the movie masters” Book Review: This book takes readers on a fascinating journey behind the making of some of the most iconic movie creatures and characters. The book covers the process of concept development, character design, and execution with interviews with leading film and animation artists. It includes stunning visuals of sketches, drawings, sculptures, and finished designs that illustrate the creative process. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in movie making, character design, and creature creation in the film industry.

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9."Beijing Opera Costumes: The Visual Communication of Character and Culture" by Alexandra B Bonds
“Beijing Opera Costumes: The Visual Communication of Character and Culture” Book Review: This book explores the costumes of Jingju, the highest form of stage arts in China. It provides an analysis of the costumes and the methods used to select them, including the use of color and surface. The book also covers costume theory and design elements, and their modifications. It further discusses the process of choosing costumes for a production and dressing actors. The book includes 250 color and black-and-white photographs as well as pattern drafts to illustrate the concepts presented. It is a valuable resource for students and professionals in the fields of theater, costume design, and Chinese culture.

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10."Game Character Modeling and Animation with 3ds Max" by Yancey Clinton
“Game Character Modeling and Animation with 3ds Max” Book Review: This book is a guide for 3D modeling. It has five main subjects. It explains how to create a 3D model of a body and head. It also teaches how to unwrap a model and create textures for it using Photoshop. The book covers rigging or skinning a character and how to make it move. It also explains how to put the model into the Unreal editor and compile it for play.

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11."Learning Blender: A Hands-On Guide to Creating 3D Animated Characters" by Oliver Villar
“Learning Blender: A Hands-On Guide to Creating 3D Animated Characters” Book Review: This book teaches how to make 3D characters from the beginning. It gives step-by-step instructions using a free program called Blender. The book has chapters on designing, making the shapes, and adding colors and shadows. There are also chapters on other important topics like how to make the character move and look realistic. The book has tips to help make the process easier. It also comes with video lessons. The book explains how to use new and improved tools in Blender to make textures, colors, and lighting. It’s helpful for anyone who wants to learn Blender, no matter how much experience they have.

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We have put a lot of effort into researching the best books on Character Design For Production and came out with a recommended list and their reviews. If any more book needs to be added to this list, please email us. We are working on free pdf downloads for books on Character Design For Production and will publish the download link here. Fill out this Character Design For Production books pdf download" request form for download notification.

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Manish Bhojasia, a technology veteran with 20+ years @ Cisco & Wipro, is Founder and CTO at Sanfoundry. He lives in Bangalore, and focuses on development of Linux Kernel, SAN Technologies, Advanced C, Data Structures & Alogrithms. Stay connected with him at LinkedIn.

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