Devlog 3 Character Design and Clothing

February 01, 2025

Devlog 3 Character Design and Clothing

Character Design and Clothing

Characters in Lost in Zania were designed to reflect the environment in which the players would play. I researched fashion brands like Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel to capture a sense of well-off people who do not mind ostentatiously showing their wealth in their clothing. Another critical factor was attempting to capture Tanzanian culture and fashion within the fictionalised version of Dar es Salaam. This required extensive research, including studying traditional Tanzanian clothing, observing the fashion choices of wealthy people and celebrities in Tanzania, and understanding the cultural significance of certain clothing items.

Modelling the characters and their clothes was not just about designing expensive clothing. It was about bringing their personalities to life, even from a distance. The clothing was carefully chosen to immediately showcase their unique traits, allowing players to connect with the characters before any interaction.

I knew that the character design process would be long and meticulous. However, I was confident that this thoroughness would pay off in the end, ensuring the highest quality of the game.

There are 10 interactable characters within the game, excluding the security guards. Each character's base body model was based on the screenshot below, mainly on the female and slim male body types.

I modelled all the characters and unwrapped them in Blender and used substance painter for texturing the clothing and accessories for each character.

Character Name: Imani Zuwena

My design concept for Imani Zuwena, the oldest daughter of the Zuwena family, was of her appearing off as dignified elegance, with seamless leadership, reserve, and a firm sense of identity.

Top: She wears a tan-coloured short-sleeved beige tunic with a brown neckline and sleeved stripes, which add to the detail and make a clear contrast.

Skirt: She wears a knee-length skirt mirroring the beige Platte from her top, featuring vertical and horizontal brown lines. Combined with the topic, her clothing shows formality and composure.
Belt: She wears a black belt on her waist, featuring a dove with flowers, which acts as a symbol of elegance and empowerment.

Shoes: She wears a pair of structured heeled boots laced with patterns in tones that reflect and enhance her outfit. With high collars and a mix of brown and tan, I wanted the shoe to elevate her look both literally and symbolically.