character-design-system

name	character-design-system
description	A character design system skill used by the storyboarder and image-generator agents. Provides character sheet design, silhouette testing, expression charts, and AI image generation consistency methodologies. Used for 'character design,' 'character sheet,' 'visual consistency,' 'character setup,' and related topics.

Character Design System — Character Design Methodology

Expert knowledge used by the storyboarder and image-generator agents when designing characters and generating consistent images.

Why a System Is Needed

The biggest challenge in AI image generation is character consistency. If the face changes from panel to panel, the comic falls apart. A systematic character sheet and prompt strategy are the keys to consistency.

Character Sheet Design

Required Components

Character Sheet
├── Full-body front view (default pose)
├── Full-body side view
├── Full-body back view
├── Face close-up (3/4 angle)
├── Expression chart (6 basic emotions)
├── Outfit design (default + variations)
└── Props/Accessories

Character Specification Template

## [Character Name]

### Basic Info
- Age: / Gender: / Height: / Body type:
- Role: Protagonist / Antagonist / Supporting / Extra

### Key Visual Traits (AI Prompt Fixed Values)
- Hair: [Color], [Length], [Style] (e.g., "short black hair, messy")
- Eyes: [Color], [Distinctive features] (e.g., "sharp dark brown eyes")
- Body type: [Type] (e.g., "athletic build, broad shoulders")
- Distinguishing features: [Scars, glasses, tattoos, etc.]

### Outfit
- Default: [Detailed description]
- Variations: [Context-specific outfits]

### Prompt Anchor Phrase
"[gender] [age range], [hair], [eyes], [body type], [clothing], [distinctive feature]"
-> Insert this phrase identically into every panel's prompt

Silhouette Test

Good character design should be identifiable from the silhouette alone.

Silhouette Differentiation Elements

Element	Differentiation Method
Body Type	Exaggerate height and build differences
Hairstyle	Give each character a unique silhouette shape
Posture	Assign different default poses (habitual stances)
Props	Items they always carry (staff, book, hat)
Clothing Silhouette	Capes, coat tails, hoods, etc.

Key Character Differentiation Checklist

• When three characters are side by side, can they be distinguished by silhouette alone?
• Can each character be identified when converted to black and white?
• Can characters be told apart in a reduced thumbnail?

Expression Chart (Expression Sheet)

Six Basic Expressions

Emotion	Eyes	Eyebrows	Mouth	Other
Joy	Crescent-shaped, narrowed	Raised	Wide open/Smile	Flushed cheeks
Sadness	Drooping, moist	Inner ends raised	Downturned	Tears, head lowered
Anger	Sharp, narrowed	V-shaped downward	Clenched/Open	Forehead veins
Fear	Wide open, small pupils	Raised	Open	Sweat, trembling
Surprise	Wide open, dilated pupils	Raised	O-shaped	Leaning back
Contempt	Half-closed	One side raised	Smirk/One side up	Head turned away

Character-Specific Expression Variations

The same emotion is expressed differently based on character personality:

Emotion	Energetic Character	Cool Character	Timid Character
Joy	Cheering, jumping	Subtle smile	Shy smile, averted eyes
Anger	Shouting, violent gestures	Cold stare	Teary-eyed, clenched fists
Surprise	"Whoa!" exaggerated reaction	Eyes widen slightly	Steps back, covers mouth

AI Image Generation Consistency Strategy

Reference-Based Generation

1. Generate character sheet first as a reference image
2. Use the reference in all subsequent panel generation prompts

Prompt Consistency Rules

1. Anchor Phrase: Copy identical character appearance description into every prompt
2. Style Lock: Consistently use the same style instruction (e.g., "Korean manhwa style")
3. Negative Prompt: Include prevention phrases like "different face, inconsistent design"
4. Reference Image Required: Always include the character sheet as reference
5. Outfit Changes Must Be Explicit: When outfit changes, start with "same character, new outfit:"

Handling Consistency Breaks

Problem	Cause	Solution
Face changes	Appearance description missing from prompt	Reinsert anchor phrase + reference
Body type changes	Distortion from angle	Explicitly specify body type ("athletic build," etc.)
Outfit changes	Outfit not specified in prompt	Always include outfit description
Color changes	Lighting variation	Specify intrinsic colors ("always red jacket")