Easy Character Design

If you're new to vector, one of the first projects you may wish to take on is creating a cute, character from scratch. These types of projects introduce you to fundamental drawing concepts of building characters from basic shapes, as well as the odd trick here and there, which you can bring into more advanced projects as you progress.

Until you get there or if you're wanting to try a fun exercise, check out our collection of Easy Character Design tutorials. These tutorials are idea for those of a beginner to intermediate skill level and most, regardless of your vector software of choice, you should be able to follow along.

Posts in this series

How to Create Typeface Characters
I started a character design project that merges typefaces into unique monsters, cute animals, and various other font inspired character creations. The...
Julian Dorado
6 Jan 2010
Design & Illustration
Create an Adorable Hedgehog with Basic Tools in Inkscape
In this tutorial, we'll be using basic shapes in Inkscape to create a hedgehog character. We'll also go over some neat concepts such as custom tapered lines,...
Aaron Nieze
23 Sep 2013
Design & Illustration
Create a Resting Owl Scene With Brushes and Pattern in Adobe Illustrator
In this tutorial, we will be creating a resting owl scene using basic shapes and brushes in Adobe Illustrator. We will also be utilizing the Paintbrush Tool...
Jude Christoper Roxas
15 May 2013
Design & Illustration
Quick Tip: How to Create a Cute Cartoon Dinosaur
This Quick Tip will show you how to create a cartoon dino using only basic shapes like rectangles and circles. This is a step-by-step tutorial for beginners....
Chris Hildenbrand
27 Feb 2012
Design & Illustration
Create a Simple School Teddy Bear in Adobe Illustrator
In this tutorial we will learn how to create a cute Teddy Bear and some school themed items. We'll be using basic shapes and the Pathfinder panel, so you...
Yulia Sokolova
27 Aug 2013
Design & Illustration
How to Design a Cheeky Koala Mascot Head
We're going to put those vector eyes you learned how to make not long ago to some good use! This tutorial will show you how to combine basic shapes with some...
Birthed Creative Studio
10 Feb 2010
Design & Illustration
Create an Easy, Retro Pumpkin Card in Adobe Illustrator
In this tutorial you will learn how to create a retro Halloween greeting card in Adobe Illustrator. It will include an easy to create pumpkin and a simple...
Nataliya Dolotko
15 Oct 2013
Design & Illustration
Create a Cute and Simple Panda With Basic Shapes in Adobe Illustrator
In this tutorial you will learn how to create a cute illustration with upside down panda in Adobe Illustrator. You will use the basic shapes and some use of...
Nataliya Dolotko
15 Aug 2013
Design & Illustration
How to Draw Little Red Riding Hood With Basic Shapes in Adobe Illustrator
In this tutorial you will learn how to create an adorable cartoon Little Red Riding Hood with her basket and bunch of flowers. You will use the Pen Tool (P)...
Nataliya Dolotko
25 Mar 2013
Design & Illustration
Creating a Simple Kawaii Yeti With Basic Shapes in Adobe Illustrator
In this tutorial, I am going to show you how to make a cute monster character in Adobe Illustrator using basic shapes, the Pathfinder panel, the Width Tool,...
Amanda Tepie
9 May 2020
Design & Illustration
Create a Twitter Style Bird Mascot
Using some basic shapes, effects, and gradients I will show you how to create a Twitter mascot for your blog or website. Twitter is a popular free web...
Ryan Putnam
4 Aug 2008
Design & Illustration
How to Create a Cute Bunny Vector Character
In this Adobe Illustrator tutorial, I will show you how to create a cute bunny character. This tutorial uses simple shapes and gradients that are easy to...
Ryan Putnam
19 Aug 2011
Design & Illustration
Create a Super Happy Octopus Character
In Illustrator it's really easy to create fun characters with some simple shapes and the Pathfinder panel. In the following tutorial I will explain how to...
Ryan Putnam
9 Feb 2012
Design & Illustration
Create a Thanksgiving Illustration With Basic Shapes Using Illustrator
Thanksgiving is here! In this tutorial, you will create a pilgrim character, bowl and roasted turkey in Adobe Illustrator. Using just simple shapes - it's...
Nataliya Dolotko
28 Nov 2013
Design & Illustration
How to Create a Hanging Monkey Illustration in Adobe Illustrator
Are you interested in drawing in Illustrator? In this tutorial, you'll learn how to draw a vector monkey illustration step by step!
Nataliya Dolotko
28 Feb 2023
Design & Illustration
How to Create Easy Kawaii Animals in Adobe Illustrator
Learn how to create and transform cute, Kawaii animal illustrations using basic shapes in Adobe Illustrator.
Nataliya Dolotko
25 Aug 2016
Design & Illustration
How to Create a Collage Illustration in Adobe Illustrator
So far I’ve been making tutorials strictly by using vector shapes. But in this tutorial, I will show you how to create a fun digital collage in Adobe...
Ivan Petrusevski
16 May 2016
Design & Illustration
How to Create a Cute Spring Rabbit in Adobe Illustrator
Believe it or not, spring is almost upon us! In this tutorial, you will learn how to create an adorable rabbit delivering a bouquet of tulips just using...
Nataliya Dolotko
9 Mar 2016
Design & Illustration
How to Create a Character Kit in Adobe Illustrator
Design your own characters from scratch using Adobe Illustrator. This is a tutorial that looks like a fun game!
Nataliya Dolotko
10 Feb 2016
Design & Illustration
How to Create a Game Character Sprite Sheet in Affinity Designer
If you've ever wanted to try out game development and character design, then this tutorial is for you! Today we’ll be creating a sprite sheet for a fancy...
Yulia Sokolova
14 Jan 2016
Design & Illustration
How to Create a Cute Gingerbread Man in Adobe Illustrator
Yay! More character design! Learn how to draw a cute gingerbread man character in Adobe Illustrator.
Diana Toma
22 Dec 2015
Design & Illustration
Create a Kawaii Farmer for the Harvest Season in Adobe Illustrator
Let's create a harvest scene with a cute farmer and his pig using basic shapes. You will use basic shapes and Warp Effects, and will cut out a few shapes...
Nataliya Dolotko
4 Dec 2015
Design & Illustration
Create a Friendly, Futuristic Robot in Affinity Designer
In this tutorial we’ll go time travelling into the future and create a friendly, futuristic robot in Affinity Designer. We’ll be using simple shapes to...
Yulia Sokolova
19 Nov 2015
Design & Illustration
How to Create a Trio of Cute Pencil Characters in Adobe Illustrator
Want more character design? Here is how to create cute pencil characters in Adobe Illustrator.
Diana Toma
12 Nov 2015
Design & Illustration
How to Create an Owl Character Using a Circular Grid in Adobe Illustrator
In this tutorial you`ll learn how to create an owl character using Grid, Circular grid and Align panel.
Marta Bērziņa
9 Nov 2015
Design & Illustration
Create a Cute Raccoon Character in Adobe Illustrator
In this tutorial you'll learn to create a cute raccoon character using basic shapes and borrowing some elements from a previous tutorial.
Nataliya Dolotko
3 Nov 2015
Design & Illustration
How to Design a Quick, Quirky Character in Adobe Illustrator
Character design sounds like a difficult process at first, but it really can be simple and fun. In this small tutorial I will show you how to create a simple...
Ivan Petrusevski
12 Oct 2015
Design & Illustration
Illustrator for Kids: How to Create a Cute Cactus Character
In this Adobe Illustrator tutorial for kids, you'll learn how to create an easy and cute cartoon character. You'll use basic shapes, the Line Segment Tool...
Nataliya Dolotko
3 Sep 2015
Design & Illustration
Create a Fun Cartoon Character Face in Adobe Illustrator
In the following steps you will learn how to create a fun character face in Adobe Illustrator.
Andrei Marius
19 Mar 2014
Design & Illustration
How to Create a Cute Monster Character in Adobe Illustrator
In the following steps you will learn how to create a detailed monster character in Adobe Illustrator.
Andrei Marius
1 May 2015
Design & Illustration
How to Create a Valentine's Day Cupid Illustration in Adobe Illustrator
Draw an adorable cupid for Valentine's Day! Learn how to create a person using just the Ellipse Tool.
Nataliya Dolotko
14 Feb 2015
Design & Illustration