Cartoony and stuff. Does this look good?

[shrox]

I don't like doing cartoony stuff because I never know if it is done. I am making a character for a company, but I could use some advice and critiques. A few questions,

A. Does it look OK?

B. What is it missing? (No mouth or legs on this one)

C. Which is less scary for kids, pic #1 or #2?

I can't tell you what it's for, but I need some comments from outside my head.

[nickdigital]

I prefer #1. Having the arms up high makes it less human...more droid like. It does make it look more hunchback-y though. So not sure how kids will react.

[paulhart]

The arms up high makes if less human and slightly more menacing, (think of hunching up your shoulders and walking around like Frankenstein). This is coupled with the bulging eyes, which appears to suggest alarm, all qualities which are off-putting. The dissimilar eyes also give it a weird vibe. Keep the arms lower, (look at SpongeBob) make eyes more equal, soften them a bit and be careful of eyebrows looking angry or suspicious. By raising that one eyebrow and bulging that same eye, that side of the face transmits alarm and surprise, the other side is softer. You may want to also bring down the eyelid to be softer. It may help to hold a paper mask over some aspects so you can isolate your observation of what is contributing to the adverse impression, try seeing each half separately, they are very different, as are people's and often carry a different emotion.

[ericsmith]

I would definitely add lower eyelids as well. You'll have much more opportunity for expression that way.

eric

[shrox]

I prefer #1. Having the arms up high makes it less human...more droid like. It does make it look more hunchback-y though. So not sure how kids will react.

I was thinking of Monsters Inc with the arms up higher.

I agree with Nick about the droid look, but having the arms up high makes it look a little more menacing IMO and kids might think that. Then again, it doesn't LOOK like a "monster" so really... who knows how kids will react. If you have any sisters or brothers or friends who have kids... perhaps ask them to have the kids look at it?

I like the droid comments, the paddle shape is part of the product. That gives me some direction.

The arms up high makes if less human and slightly more menacing, (think of hunching up your shoulders and walking around like Frankenstein). This is coupled with the bulging eyes, which appears to suggest alarm, all qualities which are off-putting. The dissimilar eyes also give it a weird vibe. Keep the arms lower, (look at SpongeBob) make eyes more equal, soften them a bit and be careful of eyebrows looking angry or suspicious. By raising that one eyebrow and bulging that same eye, that side of the face transmits alarm and surprise, the other side is softer. You may want to also bring down the eyelid to be softer. It may help to hold a paper mask over some aspects so you can isolate your observation of what is contributing to the adverse impression, try seeing each half separately, they are very different, as are people's and often carry a different emotion.

I have seen a few characters with different sized eyes, I found them a little off putting too, but since that character is popular, I threw that in. SpongeBob is a good analogy.

Are the arm shapes OK? I haven't settled on colors for the cartoony parts either, what are "scary" colors to avoid? Thanks for the suggestions. If you want spaceships, I am a master. If you want cutesy, it's a struggle!

[nickdigital]

Arms are probably fine. The hands look a bit knuckle-y. Like he works out and has a really low body fat percentage. They could probably be softened a little. He looks like if he were to grab you or shake your hand he'd be doing it with a vise like grip.

[probiner]

Hi shrox
It's hard to answer your questions without knowing the porpuse. Anyway here are my sugestions in the picture.

I think he looks a bit generic and lacking of someting in him that gives him a point of interest (if he needs such), but i don't know what.

Cheers

[shrox]

The droid comment has given me some ideas, and lends itself to what this item is for very nicely. Out with the Mickey Mouse hands and in with the Freddy Krueger hands... not. Some kind of happy robot hands I think. No bones that way too! Some kind of friendly camera eyes too.

Thanks Nick!

[shrox]

Hi shrox
It's hard to answer your questions without knowing the porpuse. Anyway here are my sugestions in the picture.

I think he looks a bit generic and lacking of someting in him that gives him a point of interest (if he needs such), but i don't know what.

Cheers

I didn't notice your take on it there, neat.

[Dexter2999]

I like the arms higher up for some reason.

To make him look more friendly, I might suggest making the hands puffier. Almost like they were stuffed plush toy hands. That way they don't look menacing if they were to touch a person. (Think of the Hamburger Helper hands) Using a kid friendly color like yellow which is non threatening might help as well but not critical especially if it turns out to just make the hands distracting.

[shrox]

Friends,

Thank you for all the help, I think I have a good design nailed down now, but I can't show it yet! But I will soon.