ECHO of Ador-Grove: Character Design

This project is a 1.5-month personal exploration into creature and character design for an original game concept. I developed an imaginary cozy farming and creature-collecting RPG centered around restoring elemental balance through planting, crafting, and building relationships with magical creatures. From the initial concept to the worldbuilding, visual direction, and final artwork, every aspect of this project was created independently.

At the heart of the game is a timid protagonist shaped by a difficult past that has made her wary of other people. Rather than seeking comfort in human communities, she finds peace in the forest, where she lives alongside magical creatures who respond to her quiet kindness and gentle nature. Her design reflects this emotional duality: soft, rounded forms communicate warmth and vulnerability, while subtle angular elements hint at emotional distance and guardedness. Over time, her connection to the natural world becomes stronger than her ties to her former life, and she gradually chooses to embrace this new sense of belonging.

Non-playable characters were designed with strong symbolic identities that visually connect them to natural forces and cultural roles. Their silhouettes, materials, and motifs serve as narrative clues, encouraging players to interpret their significance through observation rather than exposition. This approach supports environmental storytelling and invites deeper engagement with the world.