Circus Royale
A character design project exploring the different eras of clowning and circus aesthetics in popular culture. From original Americanised clowns such as Emmett Kelly to modern TV interpretations like DC’s Joker, there was a huge pool of creative inspiration to work from. This project surrounds a circus-themed action game concept, with one design progressing into a 3D character model.
The female character below incorporates acrobatic influences of clowns such as Auriol, and the glamorous outfits of sircus cabaret performers, introducing a charismatic twist on an acrobatic performer. The lion motifs are a nod to the use of lion/tiger taming in traditional circuses, and the subsequent bans of these performances over recent decades.
Alternatively, the male character below is inspired by historical court jesters: performers often found in monarch or noblemen households, employed to entertain guests during royal court.