As I mentioned in my last post Boost your Engagement With These 3 Character Design Tips, I have a detailed chart pairing physical attributes with symbolical and psychological personality associations. If you are looking to for an economical way to symbolically tell your story, this character design trait list is a good place to start.

I got this as a handout while in school at SAE in Byron Bay, Australia. I think they got it from a CGC school in Sydney. Other than that I don’t really know who to credit this character design guide and character symbolism chart to, I’m sad to say.

Character Design and Symbolism

Body Part When small/short When large/long Eyes Blind, Timid, Obsessive, Narrow-Minded Young, Inquisitive Lashes Assertive, Troubled, Vicious Desirable, Drowsy, Loving Forehead Stupid, Vacucous Intelligent, Nerdy, Wise, Elderly Hair (male) Conservative, Efficent (Bold = Freaky) Rebellious Hair (female) Assertive, Efficient Freedom Ears Attentive, Clever Deaf, Dumb, Elderly, Pixie Lips Pensive, Mean, Un-sensual, Quiet Sexy, Talkative Chin/Jaw Submissive Power, Strength Cheekbones Weak Beauty, Officious Neck Narrow-Minded, Red neck, Strong Inquisitive, Elegant, Clumsy Female Breats Athletic, Impish Nurturing, Matronly Male Pectorals Introverted, Self Absorbed, Incapable Noticeable, Forthcoming, Strong Arms (thick=protective) Introverted, Incapacitated, Meticulous Able, Capable, Gangly Hands (thin fingers) Artistic, Sensitive Manipulative, Dexterity Hands (thick fingers) Manual Labor Strong, Powerful Hips Grace, Swish Lazy, Maternal Stomach Fit Jolly, Voracious Legs Stubborn, Slow, Dominant, Grounded Servile, Heplful, Fast Feet Nimble, Weightless Earthy, Dumb Hair/Fur Color Association Hair/Fur Blue Heavenly, Cold, Young Hair/Fur Green Mysterious/ Mystical Hair/Fur Brown Tender/ Loyal Hair/Fur Yellow/Red Evil Hair/Fur Black Dominant, Evil Hair/Fur Blond Desire, Vague, Vain, Youth Hair/Fur Brunette Centered, Earthy Hair/Fur Pink Eccentric Hair/Fur Green Out of this world Hair/Fur Blue Banal, Superfluous Hair/Fur Silver/Platinum Pure, Wealthy Hair/Fur Gray Mature, Wise Hair/Fur Purple Elderly, Respectable Hair/Fur Black Melancholic, Aggressive Other Association Thin Legs Elegance, Ungainly, Gangly Sharp/Angular Lines Masculine, Negative, Evil, Weathered, Intellectual Soft/Rounded Lines Feminine, Positive, Friendly, Young, Superficial Moustache Macho, Hiding Beard Respect, Knowledge Glasses Dumb, Self Absorbed, Intellectual Hunchback Old, Reclusive

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