Angela Schmold - Cyberpunk Folk

My main aim with this set of characters was to create a set of NPC's that all equally self-express, to the point that their unique identities become the norm. I wanted to create part of a world where as many kinds of people could feel comfortable and have their true selves expressed.

Independent style and customization play a lot in these characters. The base designs aren't exceptionally fashionable, but they were designed to have a unique, base identity across the set.

I used hair, colours and elements of sexual expression to explore and establish gender identity in this future, notably bringing women into a confident and powerful light. I tried to balance a changed societal taste for nudity with a selective and personalized wardrobe, sometimes contrasted with clothing or styles that are not necessarily attractive in the modern day.

above: a visual direction applied to one of the base figure drawings.

my process work

base figures

above: figure details

above: street fighter, plastic, full-nostalgia

Each character has individualized clothes and a persona to match! Their fashions and frustrations are expressed through their facial expressions and the way they hold themselves.

above: rockabilly, dancer, well suited, toxic

socks with sandals

white sneaks

platformies

above: shoe call outs

cute, confident, challenger, stand'n'pretty

true leo, fanny, pilot, frayed

above: unstoppable, wanderer, heart crusher

above: surfer, full strength, hot, muzeek punk, alien, soft socks+sandals

above: casual, not casual, lifeguard, shameless

figure iterations

"female" figure ideation sketches

"male" figure ideation sketches

visual directions

I applied different effects and styles to one of the figure drawings, to flesh out visual extremes and take trends to fun extremes. Through the lens of each style, characters takes on a new light.