Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Want to learn how to design a character in Illustrator so that it’s ready for animation? In this easy-to-follow tutorial, Jess Riley shows you how to create a simple, animation-friendly character design step by step. Ideal for beginners looking to get into character design or motion graphics.
► Envato, the unlimited creative subscription: elements.envato.com/?utm_campaign=yt_tutsplus_dhkmqkndXxU&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=youtube.com&utm_content=description
Learn how to rig and animate in our follow-on tutorial: youtu.be/MXrQROmttqA
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:22 Part 1: Who are we creating?
00:01:36 Part 2: Sketching
00:04:41 Part 3: Initial drawing
00:06:52 Part 4: Colour
00:08:13 Part 5: Texture
00:09:08 Part 6: Prepping for animation
► Related links:
- Knitted texture: elements.envato.com/knitted-texture-seamless-pattern-77Q7TAP?utm_campaign=yt_tutsplus_dhkmqkndXxU&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=youtube.com&utm_content=description
Follow Jess Riley on Instagram: instagram.com/jiley.gif
CREDITS
Video Creator: Jess Riley
Producer: Tom Graham & Joel Bankhead
Video Editor: Marco Correa
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Envato Tuts+
Discover free how-to tutorials and online courses. Design a logo, create a website, build an app, or learn a new skill: tutsplus.com/?utm_campaign=yt_tutsplus_dhkmqkndXxU&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=youtube.com&utm_content=description
► Envato, the must-have subscription for any creative: elements.envato.com/?utm_campaign=yt_tutsplus_dhkmqkndXxU&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=youtube.com&utm_content=description
► Subscribe to Envato Tuts+ on YouTube: youtube.com/tutsplus
► Follow Envato on X: twitter.com/envato
► Follow Envato on TikTok: tiktok.com/@envato
► Follow Envato on Instagram: instagram.com/envato
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► Explore Envato's full stack of AI tools, all included in your subscription: labs.envato.com/?utm_campaign=yt_tutsplus_dhkmqkndXxU&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=youtube.com&utm_content=description
Want to learn how to design a character in Illustrator so that it’s ready for animation? In this easy-to-follow tutorial, Jess Riley shows you how to create a simple, animation-friendly character design step by step. Ideal for beginners looking to get into character design or motion graphics.
► Envato, the unlimited creative subscription: elements.envato.com/?utm_campaign=yt_tutsplus_dhkmqkndXxU&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=youtube.com&utm_content=description
Learn how to rig and animate in our follow-on tutorial: youtu.be/MXrQROmttqA
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:22 Part 1: Who are we creating?
00:01:36 Part 2: Sketching
00:04:41 Part 3: Initial drawing
00:06:52 Part 4: Colour
00:08:13 Part 5: Texture
00:09:08 Part 6: Prepping for animation
► Related links:
- Knitted texture: elements.envato.com/knitted-texture-seamless-pattern-77Q7TAP?utm_campaign=yt_tutsplus_dhkmqkndXxU&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=youtube.com&utm_content=description
Follow Jess Riley on Instagram: instagram.com/jiley.gif
CREDITS
Video Creator: Jess Riley
Producer: Tom Graham & Joel Bankhead
Video Editor: Marco Correa
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Envato Tuts+
Discover free how-to tutorials and online courses. Design a logo, create a website, build an app, or learn a new skill: tutsplus.com/?utm_campaign=yt_tutsplus_dhkmqkndXxU&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=youtube.com&utm_content=description
► Envato, the must-have subscription for any creative: elements.envato.com/?utm_campaign=yt_tutsplus_dhkmqkndXxU&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=youtube.com&utm_content=description
► Subscribe to Envato Tuts+ on YouTube: youtube.com/tutsplus
► Follow Envato on X: twitter.com/envato
► Follow Envato on TikTok: tiktok.com/@envato
► Follow Envato on Instagram: instagram.com/envato
► Follow Envato on Facebook: facebook.com/envato
► Explore Envato's full stack of AI tools, all included in your subscription: labs.envato.com/?utm_campaign=yt_tutsplus_dhkmqkndXxU&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=youtube.com&utm_content=description










