Name

Courtney Boyer

Course

Animation, MA

Contact

About

After several years of experience in the creative industry, I felt it was the ideal time to advance my skills and pursue a long-held goal: completing my master’s degree. This step not only aligns with my passion for character design but also opens the door to a future career as a lecturer in animation. Gaining deeper expertise now will equip me for the exciting challenges and opportunities ahead in the industry. My passion lies in character design, particularly in critically analysing and creating female characters. I’m fascinated by the intricate details that go into designing a character and the process of bringing them to life through animation. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see a character evolve from concept to animation. My strengths are rooted in character design and keyframe animation, and I am eager to further hone these skills in a professional environment.

Project overview

The Role of Leading Female Character Design in Animation

The goal of my work is to critically examine the portrayal of lead female characters in animated feature films, focusing on how stereotypes have influenced their design and the broader implications of these portrayals. This research delves into the ways in which traditional and often limiting stereotypes have shaped the visual and narrative construction of female characters, exploring the potential consequences for both the industry and audiences. To approach this, I have not only conducted in-depth analysis but also applied my skills in character design and animation to create alternative representations. By designing and animating female characters that challenge these stereotypes, I aim to highlight the possibilities for more diverse and authentic portrayals in animation. My work is both a critique and a demonstration of how thoughtful character design can contribute to more nuanced and empowering representations of women in animated films.

Fire and Fenrir Film

UCLan Degree Show artwork submission by Courtney Boyer named The Role of Leading Female Character Design in Animation

Female Main Character Sheet

UCLan Degree Show artwork submission by Courtney Boyer named The Role of Leading Female Character Design in Animation

Character Size Chart

UCLan Degree Show artwork submission by Courtney Boyer named The Role of Leading Female Character Design in Animation

Main Character Poses

UCLan Degree Show artwork submission by Courtney Boyer named The Role of Leading Female Character Design in Animation

Film Test Frame

UCLan Degree Show artwork submission by Courtney Boyer named The Role of Leading Female Character Design in Animation

Film Poster