Sketchar: Supporting Character Design and Illustration Prototyping Using Generative AI

TL;DR

Sketchar is a Generative AI tool that enhances character design collaboration in game development by enabling designers to prototype and generate visual concepts, improving communication and workflow efficiency.

Contribution

This paper introduces Sketchar, a novel GenAI-based system that supports non-artistic designers in character prototyping, bridging communication gaps in interdisciplinary game design teams.

Findings

Generated images fostered design refinement

Designers without artistic backgrounds found workflow more expressive

Sketchar improved interdisciplinary collaboration

Abstract

Character design in games involves interdisciplinary collaborations, typically between designers who create the narrative content, and illustrators who realize the design vision. However, traditional workflows face challenges in communication due to the differing backgrounds of illustrators and designers, the latter with limited artistic abilities. To overcome these challenges, we created Sketchar, a Generative AI (GenAI) tool that allows designers to prototype game characters and generate images based on conceptual input, providing visual outcomes that can give immediate feedback and enhance communication with illustrators' next step in the design cycle. We conducted a mixed-method study to evaluate the interaction between game designers and Sketchar. We showed that the reference images generated in co-creating with Sketchar fostered refinement of design details and can be incorporated into real-world workflows. Moreover, designers without artistic backgrounds found the Sketchar workflow to be more expressive and worthwhile. This research demonstrates the potential of GenAI in enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration in the game industry, enabling designers to interact beyond their own limited expertise.