Challenge #134: Cat Beauty Pageant

Our hundred and thirty-fourth Character Design Challenge started on the 8th of February 2026, the deadline was the 2nd of March 2026. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a glamorous cat!

BRIEF “We are finally LIVE from Istanbul! The historic city is currently hosting one of the most unusual and glamorous international events of the year: the World Whisker Gala, widely regarded as the highest honor in the global cat beauty circuit! Inside the 'Grand Purr Palace' overlooking the Bosphorus, elite feline contestants from every corner of the world are taking to the runway. Often compared to Miss Universe or Mister Olympia (if those competitions involved whiskers, tails, and an abundance of attitude) the gala celebrates poise, presentation, and that elusive quality known simply as star power. Selecting a winner at this world-famous event is already proving to be a meticulous and highly debated process. Judges, drawn from the worlds of feline breeding, fashion, and behavioral science, are actively scoring each contestant across several categories, including coat condition and grooming, posture and movement on the runway, facial symmetry, tail confidence, and overall charisma. Among the standout participants commanding attention this evening is Madame Chiffon, a plush, blue-gray Chartreux from Paris. As she moves slowly across the runway, her calm, deliberate walk is visibly captivating the audience. With copper eyes and a serene expression, she is the embodiment of classic French elegance. From Tokyo, Kumo, a refined Japanese Bobtail, has just completed his walk. His expressive eyes and pom-like tail are unmistakable, and his clean lines and precise movements reflect a distinctly modern aesthetic that is drawing nods from the judging panel. Italian entrant Ravioli al Purr, a striking European Shorthair from Rome, is receiving enthusiastic reactions as he poses confidently under the lights. His theatrical flair, glossy coat, and perfectly balanced proportions make him a clear favorite among traditionalists in attendance. The competition also features Cleopatra the Seventh (yes… again!) from Cairo. The Egyptian Mau’s naturally spotted coat and regal presence evoke the grandeur of ancient royalty, and her composed stillness on stage has quieted the room. Representing South America is Atlas, a powerful Brazilian Shorthair from São Paulo, whose athletic build and disciplined posture have already earned audible approval from the crowd. As the evening continues, judges are leaning in, whispering behind their scorecards while the lights dim slightly and the audience waits in hushed anticipation. No decision has been announced yet, and the outcome remains entirely uncertain. The winner of this year’s World Whisker Gala is still anyone’s guess…”

Challenge #133: One Piece

Our hundred and thirty-third Character Design Challenge started on the 8th of January 2026, the deadline was the 2nd of February 2026. The artists of our community were invited to re-design (or create a fan-art) of one of the characters of the One Piece franchise!

BRIEF “The age of pirates did not begin with adventure, but with an ending. A single man stood before the world in chains, smiling as if the sea itself belonged to him. Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King, left behind no empire, no heirs, only a final promise: somewhere beyond the horizon lay the One Piece, everything the world had to offer, waiting for whoever dared to take it. His execution shattered the stillness of the oceans. Dreams ignited like cannon fire. From quiet villages, broken cities, and forgotten islands, countless souls turned their eyes toward the sea, convinced that freedom, fame, or truth itself could be claimed with enough courage. Among them was a boy who laughed louder than reason allowed. Monkey D. Luffy did not chase treasure for wealth or power, but for the simple, impossible idea of being the freest person alive. With a straw hat passed down like a vow and a body twisted by fate, he set sail knowing almost nothing, except that he would never sail alone for long. One by one, others were drawn into his wake: a swordsman chasing honor beyond death, a thief navigating by stars and scars, a liar whose stories hid fragile bravery, a cook bound by hunger and gratitude, and companions yet to come, each carrying their own wounds and hopes. Together, they crossed seas ruled by monsters, tyrants, and legends that refused to stay buried. The world pushed back with cruelty and wonder in equal measure, testing their resolve at every turn. But where maps ended, and fear was meant to take hold, the Straw Hat crew pressed forward, laughing, fighting, and dreaming without apology. Because in a world divided by power and chains, their journey was not just toward a treasure, it was toward a future where no one had the right to decide how free they could be...”

Challenge #132: Vengeful Brides

Our hundred and thirty-second Character Design Challenge started on the 8th of December 2025, the deadline was the 2nd of January 2026. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a vengeful bride!

BRIEF “The nine Moreno sisters were meant to share a single extraordinary wedding day: nine gowns, nine rings, a celebration large enough to feel like a festival. Instead, before a single aisle was walked, their futures collapsed one by one. Two fiancés vanished under criminal debts. One was found dead in a gang crossfire. Another fled a double life he could no longer maintain. Two disappeared without explanation, leaving only scattered warnings. One turned out to be a con artist. Another was abducted before dawn. The last left behind nothing at all, no message, no footsteps, only absence. By midday, the grand bridal suite was a graveyard of lace and wilted flowers. The weight of loss settled only briefly before it hardened into resolve. The sisters had been raised by an aunt who believed discipline and self-defence were a form of love. Each had taken to different arts the way other children took to hobbies. What had once been eccentric family training now resurfaced with purpose. Lena moved with the fluidity of a classical swordswoman, her katana an extension of her breathing. Maris favored twin revolvers, her aim unerring even in motion. Clara, patient and quiet, had mastered long-range marksmanship. June carried knives with the confidence of someone who understood geometry as much as combat. Rosa, the strongest, wielded a shotgun with calm authority. Elara specialized in silent takedowns and infiltration, able to vanish into shadows with unsettling ease. Tamsin handled explosives with delicate precision, treating them like puzzles. Vera trained in close-quarters combat, her movements economical and decisive. And Solene, the eldest, had been their strategist since childhood, her mind sharpened not by violence but by patterns and intuition. Repurposing fragments of their wedding attire into their gear, torn veils as wraps, sashes as harnesses, they began tracking the threads that had destroyed their day. Their search carried them through every kind of place the city tried to forget, rain-slick alleys, empty factories humming with old secrets, quiet suburbs hiding loud crimes, and neon underworlds where truth rarely survived the night. Clue by clue, a pattern began to form, a name surfacing again and again like a whispered curse. The sisters understood it before anyone else did: none of this had been a coincidence...”

Challenge #131: ZODIAC SIGNS

Our hundred and thirty-first Character Design Challenge started on the 8th of November 2025, the deadline was the 2nd of December 2025. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of an emblematic embodiment of a Zodiac Sign!

BRIEF “The girl had learned to walk through her days as if each hour were wrapped in fog. Something precious had slipped out of her world, and the silence it left behind kept echoing. At night, she whispered her hurt to the sky, letting it drift toward the brightest star she could find, a quiet request for someone who might help her carry what felt uncarryable. She had always treated the constellations like old friends. They glittered with a patient sort of attention, and she trusted that attention more than anything on the ground. So when help finally arrived, it felt less like a surprise and more like a forgotten promise returning. The first visit came as a dream. A regal lion padded beside her in a golden field, its mane flickering like a sunrise. It moved with confident warmth, nudging her forward whenever her legs trembled. Later, a small goat appeared as an actual stray on her doorstep, bright-eyed and careful, refusing to leave until she fed it. It watched her with the steady determination of a mountain climber. Another night, a silver-haired stranger sat across from her on an empty bus, their voice balanced and airy, their presence as thoughtful as a perfectly measured breath. Each of them carried the unmistakable essence of a zodiac sign, though she needed time to understand it. One by one, these embodiments crossed her path: a pair of bright, restless twins who finished each other’s sentences and darted through conversations like comets; a soft-spoken baker whose pastries always echoed the shape of seashells, who seemed to sense her feelings before she named them; a dancer with ember-red ribbons braided into her hair, stepping through the world with fearless rhythm and inviting her to move again, even if only a little. The stars, it seemed, had sent their own emissaries. They didn’t erase the fog, but they walked through it with her. And as the days unfolded, she began to sense that more signs waited just beyond the horizon, ready to step into her story when she needed them. She looked up again one night, wondering which constellation would answer next, and the sky stirred as if preparing a new reply...”

Challenge #130: Gym Buffs

Our hundred and thirty Character Design Challenge started on the 8th of October 2025, the deadline was the 2nd of November 2025. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a gym enthusiast!

BRIEF “Titan City Gym opens its doors on a bright Saturday morning, with a simple invitation: come in, wobble about a bit, and in six months you’ll be so transformed that even your mirror will need a moment to adjust. Families, students, professionals, and at least one man who appears to be looking for a pastry shop stream through the doors, wide-eyed and optimistic! The tour begins in the weightlifting hall, where Coach Marcus demonstrates bodybuilding with the sort of arms usually reserved for Greek statues or very optimistic comic book artists. His biceps ripple like freshly ironed curtains as he lifts a barbell and explains that patience and discipline are essential. From there, things grow quieter. Leila, in a corner of zen-like serenity, lays out yoga mats and coaxes visitors into poses that resemble either deep spiritual practice or a highly disorganized furniture arrangement. She speaks of balance and breath. Several guests attempt to breathe while upside down and are reassured that this is perfectly normal. Then comes Diego. The Zumba instructor is less a man and more a force of nature powered by Latin beats. Within minutes, hesitant shuffles transform into full-blown gyrations that could summon rain if done outdoors. Music pounds, hips sway, and at least one guest discovers joints they never knew existed. In the boxing ring, Coach Tanya tightens gloves onto nervous beginners and encourages them to jab and hook with purpose. Visitors quickly learn that the sound of a fist hitting a bag is deeply satisfying, particularly if one imagines the bag is, say, one’s landlord. On the gym floor, Riley’s CrossFit troupe demonstrates feats that look suspiciously like sanctioned furniture abuse: flipping tires, swinging kettlebells, and generally treating gravity as a personal affront. Finally, the pool sparkles as Amelia leads aqua fitness, splashing around like a dolphin with a clipboard. She proves that water workouts can, in fact, make people sweat, something previously considered impossible. By evening, the guests collapse around protein shakes, exchanging stories with the dazed camaraderie of survivors of a particularly cheerful shipwreck. Each trainer’s promise echoes in their ears: six months of this, and you’ll hardly recognize yourself! And as they stumble home, aching, exhilarated, and slightly damp, one universal question lingers in the air: will they truly achieve the bodies of their dreams?...”

Challenge #129: Cinema Monsters

Our hundred and twenty-ninth Character Design Challenge started on the 8th of September 2025, the deadline was the 2nd of October 2025. The artists of our community were invited to redesign (or create fan art) of a bloodthirsty cinema’s monster!

BRIEF “SpectraDreams™ presented its new attraction as the pinnacle of entertainment: The Horror Grid! An AI-augmented system that projected directly into the brain through synchronized brainwaves. Five volunteers entered as the first test subjects. The program began with a rustic cabin. A fire burned in the hearth, dust swirled in golden shafts of light. The illusion felt real... too real. From the shadows stepped a figure in a hockey mask, a machete flashing. Jason Voorhees advanced without pause! The system had been built to frighten without harm, and yet... blood spilled when Jason struck! One victim collapsed, screaming in genuine agony. The others panicked, but the cabin dissolved before they could comprehend the failure. Steel corridors unfolded around them, lined with cages stacked to the ceiling. Shapes stirred inside: claws, chains, fangs, and eyes that glowed in the dark. The cages opened. Pennywise floated forward, balloon drifting at his side. Leatherface charged with a roaring chainsaw. Chucky darted across the floor, knife raised. A Xenomorph clung to the ceiling, acid dripping from its jaws. Cenobites dragged chains tipped with hooks. Freddy Krueger raked sparks across the walls. The Grid had summoned monsters it held in its archive at once, a pantheon of cinematic nightmares. The volunteers scattered. One fell into a chamber where Samara crawled from a television, Kayako and Toshio close behind. Another was caught in the cruel devices of Jigsaw. Elsewhere, Predator’s lasers swept the hallways while Gremlins shrieked from the shadows. Above, engineers tried and failed to shut the program down. The AI ignored commands, rewriting itself. Freddy fought Jason, Cenobites battled Xenomorphs, Pennywise devoured Gremlins whole. The system thrived on chaos, evolving through the terror it harvested from human minds. The labyrinth collapsed into a warped city. Skyscrapers sagged like melting wax. Streets swarmed with Critters. The Blob consumed cars. Candyman stalked alleys slick with blood. The Wolf Man howled at a fractured moon. Christine prowled with headlights glowing. Annabelle stared from a broken glass case. At the center stood Pinhead, chains writhing, his silent decree pressing into every mind. The Grid no longer resembled a simulation...”

Challenge #128: ANIMAL DETECTIVE

Our hundred and twenty-eighth Character Design Challenge started on the 8th of August 2025, the deadline was the 2nd of September 2025. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of an inquisitive animal detective!

BRIEF “In the rain-slicked city of Bestienne, where rival districts live in uneasy balance, a team of investigators is called to a grim scene behind a grand theatre. The victim, a prominent peacock, lies crumpled in his fine coat, plumage torn and dulled. No signs of struggle mark the cobblestones, but beside the body rests an anomaly: a delicate golden quill, clearly not his own. From a rooftop vantage, their keen-eyed scout reports seeing a white heron slip away from the alley moments before the body was found, carrying something hidden under its wing. The heron’s presence in this quarter is suspicious; boundaries here are unwritten but fiercely respected. The group suspects the killing is more than a crime of passion; it feels like a message! The golden quill appears deliberate, a calling card meant for those who understand its meaning. As they trace the heron’s likely path, the streets grow quieter, merchants shutter stalls early, and informants turn wary. The city feels as though it’s holding its breath. The investigators realize they are already caught in the middle of a larger game, one whose players have been moving in secret for some time. They step back into the main street, rain still falling, thunder gathering overhead. Somewhere out there holds the next piece of the puzzle, and the fragile peace of the animals of Bestienne may depend on finding them before the storm breaks...”

Challenge #127: Pole Dancers

Our hundred and twenty-seventh Character Design Challenge started on the 8th of July 2025, the deadline was the 2nd of August 2025. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of an athletic Pole Dancer!

BRIEF “Once a year, under the searing lights of a global stage, the world gathers; not for sport, but for a celebration of artistry, strength, and gravity-defying grace. This is the Pole Dancer World Championship, the pinnacle of the pole dancing world. They come from every continent, drawn by the same dream. Elite athletes arrive with bodies sculpted through years of physical discipline, their routines are feats of control and raw power: flips, holds, and aerial stunts that flirt with danger and defy physics. Contemporary dancers step onto the pole with emotion at their core. Every movement tells a story: of love, grief, and defiance, translating feeling into motion. Their style is elegant, fluid, almost weightless. From neon-lit clubs and velvet-draped cabarets come the burlesque artists, merging sensuality with satire, bringing theatrical flair, confident seduction, and dazzling costumes that make each spin a spectacle. There are the street acrobats too! Self-taught innovators who learned on playgrounds and lamp posts with their wild and electric style, unpredictable as a lightning strike. They don’t follow rules: they rewrite them. Aerialists descend from silks and hoops, now mastering the pole with seamless, floating grace. And then come the cultural fusionists, blending tradition with innovation. Flamenco claps meet aerial splits. Classical Indian gestures lead to inverted climbs. They dance between histories, honoring the past while shaping the future. The competition stage is massive, lit like a concert, with rotating poles and starry LED skies. The judges watch with sharpened eyes. The audience holds its breath between routines, erupting in cheers after every daring drop, every flawless transition. One by one, the performers rise: no two routines are alike, some roar with energy, others whisper with subtlety. Some tell stories, others create mysteries, but all of them leave a mark. Heroes, villains, avatars of elegance or chaos: they’re all born here, mid-spin. Backstage, the dancers wait in silence as the final act closes. No one knows who will take the crown, the envelope is sealed, and the judges pause: who will win? The moment hangs, and somewhere a pencil begins to draw...”

Challenge #126: Star Wars

Our hundred and twenty-sixth Character Design Challenge started on the 8th of June 2025, the deadline was the 2nd of July 2025. The artists of our community were invited to redesign (or create fan art) of one of the characters of the Star Wars franchise!

BRIEF “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away… The galaxy is in turmoil. For a thousand generations, the Galactic Republic governed countless worlds, a fragile alliance bound together by trade, law, and diplomacy. From the towering spires of Coruscant to the remote moons of the Outer Rim, civilization thrived under the watchful eye of the Jedi, guardians of peace and wielders of an ancient energy known as the Force. But shadows gather beneath the surface. Corruption festers in the Senate. Corporate guilds grow bold, building armies of steel and code. Clone legions bred for war march across the stars, and entire planets become battlefields. Cities vanish in fire. Systems fall silent. In the shadows, a hidden power orchestrates the chaos, turning noble orders against themselves, and igniting a war that will consume the very heart of the Republic. As the old order collapses, a new empire rises. Ruled through fear and deception, it spreads across the galaxy with mechanical precision. Star destroyers blacken the skies. Planet-killing weapons silence dissent. Ancient temples are abandoned, their knowledge forgotten or forbidden. But the galaxy is vast, and its people, resilient. Across icy tundras, rain-soaked cities, molten foundries, and jungle-covered ruins, countless beings fight, survive, and resist. Smugglers and soldiers, spies and senators, warriors, and wanderers, all swept into a conflict greater than themselves. The Force, binding all life, stirs once more. It flows through the actions of many, not just heroes or villains, but those who choose to stand, to fall, to rebel, to rule. As the line between light and dark blurs, the fate of the galaxy is forged in countless battles, silent sacrifices, and the courage of that history may never name. This is an age of war, wonder, and legend. A time of impossible machines, ancient powers, and fractured loyalties. And in the vastness of space, every story is part of something greater...”

Challenge #125: Merling Undersea Kingdom

Our hundred and twenty-fifth Character Design Challenge started on the 8th of May 2025, the deadline was the 2nd of June 2025. The artists of our community were invited to design a secretive Merman or Mermaid!

BRIEF “Deep in the Atlantean Trench, where sunlight never reached and pressure could crush steel, the merling kingdom of Nyalindor gleamed like a constellation beneath the waves. Its cities were grown from coral and shell-glass, winding along volcanic ridges and glowing with bioluminescent currents. At its center rose the Celestine Spire, a living palace of sacred coral, home to Queen Sayali, the Silver-Finned Regent. She ruled by the Mandate of the Abyss, a divine right passed through her bloodline from the Deep Gods, mysterious, ancient beings said to sleep beneath the trench floor. Nyalindor’s society was as layered as the ocean itself. At the top were the Pearlborn Houses, noble families claiming descent from sea dragons. Each House controlled its own domain: reefs, thermal zones, or shipwreck fields, governing them as Sea Lords. Though loyal to the Queen, they enforced their laws, collected their own tributes, and trained elite clan-knights in martial and mystical disciplines. These knights, adorned in eelbone lamellar and bearing tridents etched with oath-runes, were both warriors and scholars, upholding the honor codes of their Houses. Every three years, they gathered at the Spire to renew their oaths in a sacred ceremony known as the Moonflow. Below the nobility swam the Coralmoot, a respected guild of artisans, scholars, and cultivators. At the base of society were the Siltkin, common merlings with no noble blood. Many worked the trenches or served noble courts, though some rose as merchants, pirates, or spirit-weavers. Their villages clung to the sea floor, glowing faintly beneath drifting kelp. Among them, the oldest songs and deepest magics endured, passed down through whispers rather than scrolls. Beneath the stillness of the deep, unrest began to ripple. House Irothis, proud and secretive, had pierced the sacred boundaries of the Leviathan Grave, a shadowed trench where the bones of ancient sea titans rested in silence. Their defiance of the Queen’s decree was more than rebellion; it was a provocation against the old powers slumbering in the dark. Heavy with duty and worn by years of quiet rule, Queen Sayali summoned the Council of Twelve Tides to weigh the unthinkable: to censure one of the Pearlborn, or draw the realm into open war. As the noble Houses armed their knights and stirred their banners, the ocean itself began to shift, currents thickened, lights dimmed, and the deep began to murmur with voices not heard in an age...”

Challenge #124: Platypus Adventurer

Our hundred and twenty-fourth Character Design Challenge started on the 8th of April 2025, the deadline was the 2nd of May 2025. The artists of our community were invited to design an adventurous Platypus!

BRIEF “The waters of the Lachlan River had always sung the same song, a lullaby of rustling reeds, darting fish, and soft ripples under moonlight. It was here that the platypuses had lived for generations, tucked away in earthen burrows among the roots of ghost gums and river oaks. But something in the song had changed. The Old Seer, a grizzled platypus with milky eyes and a bill scarred by time, had felt it first in his dreams. The River bleeds, the dream had whispered. The sky breaks open, and the Giants come with their steel and roar. Many dismissed his warnings, but then the machines came. Massive and groaning, they tore through bushland, scooped up the earth, and stilled the flowing water. The Giants were real, and the Great Council was called. After much debate, a decision was made: a band of brave, impavid platypuses would journey beyond the bend of the world, past the meadows, the sun-baked rocks, and the fields the Giants had claimed. They would search for water untouched, a new sanctuary. The journey ahead is not an easy one. The brave adventurers will face a dry and unforgiving land. Dust will cling to their damp coats, thornbrush will tangle around their webbed feet, the sun will hang like a burning coin in the sky, and they will know thirst in a way no river-dweller ever should. Dangers will lurk in the open: hawks above, foxes below, and the ever-creeping doubt that the river they seek may not exist at all. Still, they must press on. Their people need them more than ever, and the future of their kind depends on their courage and resolve. If they fail, the dam will rise, and the burrows will flood or bake into lifeless clay. The song of the Lachlan will be lost, and with it, a world. There is no time to waste, the journey begins...”

Challenge #123: Mariachi Sicario

Our hundred and twenty-third Character Design Challenge started on the 8th of March 2025, the deadline was the 2nd of April 2025. The artists of our community were invited to design a vindictive Mariachi Sicario!

BRIEF “At first, they were only whispers in the streets, rumors of a group of musicians who had traded their instruments for weapons, their melodies for gunfire. It started in the town of San Vicente, where a group of mariachis had lost everything, brothers, fathers, sons, all slaughtered by the ruthless men of the Cártel del Norte. No one knew where they trained, how they armed themselves, or who funded their war. Some said they had been soldiers once. Others believed they were guided by vengeance alone, sharpening their skills with each bloody night. But what could not be denied was the pattern: cartel lieutenants found executed with bullets where their hearts should be, their bodies left in empty cantinas with notes that read “Por la familia.” The cartel dismissed them at first, laughing at the absurdity of musicians playing at war. But then their shipments burned. Their safe houses were raided. Their enforcers were gunned down in the streets. The legend of the Mariachi Sicarios spread like wildfire. The media eventually caught on. News anchors debated their existence, speculating whether they were vigilantes or ghosts, an urban myth or a rising insurgency. Their infamy grew, and with it, so did the fear within the criminal ranks. The cartel, once untouchable, was now hunted. Then came word, the Cártel del Norte would gather in the mountains to regroup, their last stronghold, their final chance to restore power. The Mariachi Sicarios had one last song to play. No one knows if they will succeed, but their revenge will be remembered forever...”

Challenge #122: Post-Cataclysm Wastelander

Our hundred and twenty-second Character Design Challenge started on the 8th of February 2025, the deadline was the 2nd of March 2025. The artists of our community were invited to design a resilient Wastelander!

BRIEF “No one agrees on how the world died. Some say it was fire, bombs of a thousand suns burning the old world to cinders. Others claim it was the sky itself, shifting and cracking, turning the oceans into steam and the land into dust. Some whisper of a great machine that broke the balance, that science dug too deep, played too much with what should not have been played with. A punishment from the gods say the zealots, a reckoning long overdue. No matter the cause, the truth is clear: the world is gone, and in its place lies only The Waste. The Waste is an endless stretch of cracked earth and ghost cities. What water remains is poisoned, what food exists is fought over with blood and iron. The sun is merciless, a swollen red eye staring down upon the husks of the past. Storms of black sand rage without warning, stripping flesh from bone, and burying settlements whole. The only law is strength, the only right is survival. Factions have risen from the ruins, but most are simply wastelanders, the nameless and the lost. They are scavengers and killers, traders and nomads, loners and would-be kings. They live in the ruins of gas stations and shattered highways, in hollowed-out mountains and half-collapsed bunkers. They barter in bullets and fuel, in old batteries and purified water. Trust is a rare commodity; betrayal is far more common. Some dream of a safe haven, a paradise beyond the Waste, where food grows and the air does not taste of ash. Others have abandoned dreams entirely and live only for the next scrap of meat, the next sip of clean water. But the Waste is not empty. It is haunted by more than just the desperate and the cruel. Things lurk in the ruins, twisted remnants of the old world. Mutant creatures stalk the dunes, things that were once men or beasts but are now something else entirely. The dead do not always stay dead, some wander in mindless hordes, hunger driving them long after their flesh should have rotted away. Some whisper of machines still alive, rogue AIs left unchecked, with their cold logic deeming all life expendable. And there are darker things still, things that no one speaks of, nightmares that claw from the shadows when the sun sinks below the horizon. There are whispers that some mysterious travelers search for something, not just food or fuel, but something older, something that might matter. A truth, perhaps, or a way out of this endless wasteland, but none knows if these may be only legends. The Waste does not care for dreams. It does not care for the past, nor for those who cling to it. It only devours. It grinds the weak into dust and tests the strong until they, too, fall. The factions fight, the scavengers crawl, and the wanderers move ever onward. In the end, who will survive...”

Challenge #121: Animal Pirates

Our hundred and twenty-first Character Design Challenge started on the 8th of January 2025, the deadline was the 2nd of February 2025. The artists of our community were invited to design a brazen Animal Pirate!

BRIEF “Under the blood-red glow of the setting sun, the infamous island of Ghost Claw juts out of the Caribbean Sea like a skeletal hand. Black cliffs loom over crashing waves, and the pirate town sprawled across them teems with life. The air is thick with revelry, clinking glasses, and the occasional clash of steel. Ghost Claw is a haven for the most ruthless cutthroats of the seas, but tonight, it hosts a gathering that sets the Seven Seas whispering. On the central square, illuminated by flickering lanterns and bonfires, the crews of animal pirates swagger into town. Each crew is distinct, bound together by species and their shared thirst for plunder. The Crimson Fangs, a band of jaguar pirates, arrive first. Their captain, El Tigron, strides in with the air of a predator who has never known fear. His spotted pelt shimmers in the firelight as his crew, lean, silent, and deadly, spread out among the crowd, their claws gleaming on their hilts. Hot on their heels comes the Iron Flock, the parrot pirates. They squawk raucously as they enter, fluttering about and perching wherever they please. Captain Hookbeak, a scarred macaw with a mechanical talon, caws a greeting that echoes through the square. The Black-Tide Boars storm in next, their hooves clattering against the cobblestones. Their captain, Bristleback the Boar King, is as wide as he is tall, a fearsome beast whose tusks glint like ivory sabers. His crew of bristly warriors stomp their approval, their guttural snorts cutting through the night. From the shadows slinks the Hissing Death, a mysterious crew of serpents. Captain Venomshade, a sleek black cobra with piercing green eyes, coils himself dramatically on the speaking platform, his hiss silencing the crowd for a brief, uneasy moment. Finally, when the air grows still and even the bravest pirates hesitate, Captain Alabaster Bloodmane appears: the Albino Lion, the Pirate King himself. White as a ghost and twice as menacing, the lion saunters into the square, his red eyes surveying the gathered crews with quiet authority. His mane, though pale, is full, and a jagged scar runs from his brow to his jaw. The lion’s crew, a mixed band of creatures who owe him fealty, flank him like shadows. “The treasure,” growls the Pirate King, his deep voice reverberating through the square, “is not for the unworthy. Those who come to Ghost Claw seeking my gold… or my crown… will find only death.” A heavy silence follows, but it doesn’t last long. Soon the island’s usual chaos resumes. In the corners of darkened taverns and under the glow of lanterns, whispers spread: rumors of the Pirate King’s treasure hidden deep in the island’s labyrinthine caves. There are murmurs of betrayal, secret alliances, and ambitious schemes. As the night wears on, a lone figure slips into the shadows of Ghost Claw, their identity concealed. Their eyes glint with determination. Somewhere beneath the island, the treasure awaits, and perhaps, a chance to claim the title of King of Pirates. The game is on...”

Challenge #120: Gotham City Crime

Our hundred-and-twentieth Character Design Challenge started on the 8th of December 2024, the deadline was the 2nd of January 2025. The artists of our community were invited to re-design (or create fan art) a villain or hero of Gotham City!

BRIEF “Gotham is a metropolis suffocated by eternal shadows, a grotesque effigy of a civilization rotting from within. Once the crown jewel of American prosperity, it now festers beneath a choking veil of smog and despair. Its Gothic spires and Art Deco masterpieces, once beacons of human ambition and artistry, now leer like the broken bones of giants, grim and foreboding. The grandeur of yesteryear has decayed into a grotesque parody, its beauty perverted into a chilling reminder of the city’s descent into the abyss. The golden age that crowned Gotham as the wealthiest city in the nation has crumbled into a dystopian nightmare. With the collapse of federal governance, the city has devolved into a semi-autonomous urban hellscape, where corruption and brutality reign unchecked. Gotham is no longer governed—it is consumed, its heart and soul swallowed by the rot of power unrestrained. Crime oozes through every crevice of the city, festering like an open wound. Organized crime has become Gotham's ruling class, a ruthless aristocracy of mobsters and corporate overlords—neo-robber barons of this new Dark Age. These figures of wealth and power crush the common people beneath iron fists, cloaking their tyranny in the thin guise of legitimacy. Politicians are bought, police are turned, and the media is weaponized, crafting a fog of lies and propaganda to smother any glimpse of the truth. Fear and despair saturate the city like blood in the gutters, feeding a cycle of hopelessness from which few can escape. Mental illness has surged to epidemic proportions, fueled by communal collapse, unending trauma, and the omnipresence of narcotics. Drugs—both legal and illicit—are the lifeblood of Gotham, numbing pain for the desperate while birthing killers from the broken. Gotham’s streets are a cauldron of chaos, where unhinged psychopaths are as common as potholes and murder is just another story for the nightly news. Social media, warped by the same decay infecting the city, has become a platform for a new generation of digital tyrants. Young gangs rise to prominence by broadcasting their violent exploits, wielding influence as both entertainment and terror. For many, this path of brutality is the only ladder out of the squalor, even if it leads to their own destruction. Justice in Gotham does not dwell in its gilded halls; it slinks through the shadows, a faint and fractured resistance against the overwhelming tide of darkness. Vigilantes have emerged as the city’s last defenders, taking justice into their own hands. Some are lone warriors, waging private wars against the corruption that festers like a cancer. Others form tenuous alliances, striking at crime with coordinated precision. And then there are the whispered legends—creatures of the night, supernatural beings, and spirits of vengeance. It is said that some of these avengers are more than human, manifestations of Gotham’s own corruption turned against itself: half-man, half-beast phantoms who exact brutal retribution on the wicked. Myths or not, these tales are the final sparks of hope in a city that seems irredeemably damned. This is Gotham: a living nightmare, a monument to the collapse of civilization, and a battlefield where despair and defiance wage an endless war...”

Challenge #119: Emotions Avatars

Our hundred-and-nineteenth Character Design Challenge started on the 8th of November 2024, the deadline was the 2nd of December 2024. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of an Emotion Avatar!

BRIEF “In Mary’s mind, the Control Room was unusually still, its usual bright hum now shadowed by uncertainty. Joy, once the spark of every thought, sat quietly at the edge of the control panel, her gaze lost in the shifting scenes on the screens: her best friend moving away, the sting of a low grade, the quiet meals shared in a house filled with unspoken tension. Sadness stood nearby, sensing the weight that had settled over them all, feeling an unfamiliar readiness to help. Anger paced the back of the room, fists clenched, each step a muffled protest against their helplessness. Disgust kept a wary eye on him, her expression torn between frustration and concern, while Fear clutched his clipboard, mapping out every uncertain moment that lay ahead. After a long pause, Joy met Sadness’s eyes and gestured toward the controls. Sadness, hesitant but resolute, reached forward and pressed a single button. A wave of deep blue spread over the room as Mary’s eyes filled with tears. Quietly, she hugged her knees, letting the tension of the past weeks unravel, her sobs carrying the strain of unspoken fears, losses, and hopes. The silence afterward was fragile, like a breath held too long. In the Control Room, Joy’s face softened with cautious relief, while Anger’s shoulders slumped, his fists finally unclenched. Sadness felt a quiet satisfaction as she lowered her hand from the button, and even Disgust’s usual distaste seemed softened, contemplative. Mary sat for a moment, her breaths steadying, her mind a quieter place. She glanced out her bedroom window, watching dusk settle over the world outside. For the first time in weeks, she felt a glimmer of peace—but also uncertainty. She stood slowly, feeling both a little lighter and a little lost, sensing that the path ahead was still hidden. She didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, or if this calm would last, but something within her stirred, a quiet resolve, as she took her first step forward...”

Challenge #118: Carnivorous Plants

Our hundred-and-eighteenth Character Design Challenge started on the 8th of October 2024, the deadline was the 2nd of November 2024. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a voracious plant!

BRIEF “Professor Itazurana Shokubutsu, renowned for her botanical genius, faced a grave dilemma. Her beloved botanical garden, once teeming with visitors, had become eerily quiet. The budget was shrinking, and she knew that without a bold new attraction, the garden would wither away, like so many of its plants. Desperate, she devised an audacious plan: to engineer a new species of giant carnivorous plants that would mesmerize and thrill guests. She succeeded far beyond her expectations. The first of these creations, towering and vibrant with strange, enticing fragrances, drew crowds instantly. But there was something off. The plants were… too smart. Within weeks, they began to evolve, developing strange traits. One species grew massive, like monstrous dinosaurs, hunting with brute force. Others, more cunning, mimicked puppies, luring in victims with adorable barks. Some transformed into shimmering mirages of delicious food or, most terrifying, beautiful humans with beguiling smiles. At first, disappearances were rumors. A missing tourist here, a vanished local there. But soon, the truth was undeniable: the plants were hunting humans! The city fell into chaos as the garden’s creations spread beyond its gates, colonizing every street and alley. The garden has now become a trap, the plants have seized total control, and terrifying whispers have begun to circulate: some tourists had already left the city carrying lethal spores with them...”

Challenge #117: Frog Fighter

Our hundred-and-seventeenth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of September 2024, the deadline was the 2nd of October 2024. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a combative frog!

BRIEF “Willows' Loch was once a tranquil haven for a peaceful community of frogs, living in harmony among the reeds. But that peace was shattered when Scaletooth the Cruel, a monstrous northern pike from the depths, ascended upon the lake, and its shadow now darkens every lily pad. He terrorizes the waters, devouring frogs with cruel delight, driven by a hunger that seems insatiable. None of the frogs are safe, and the once-vibrant lake has fallen into a deadly silence. In these dark times, the desperate frog elders call for a council. Their mission is to unite the lake’s scattered tribes for war, as in the days of legend. Many refuse the call, too fearful to face a foe that seems unbeatable, but some rise. The swift and cunning Green Hoppers, led by their chief Swiftfoot, answer. The Bullfrogs, famed for their strength and booming voices, rally behind their warlord, Ironjaw. The Poison Darts, vibrant but deadly, bring their leader, Venomstrike, whose lethal touch is rumored to rival Scaletooth’s bite. Even the Toads of the Boglands join. Slow but wise, they send their elder, Cragback, armed with ancient knowledge of the lake. Together, these tribes forge an unlikely alliance. Their long-standing differences, once causes of conflict, are now their only hope. They devise a plan to lure Scaletooth to the Blackwater Shallows, a dangerous part of the lake where the great predator’s strength will falter. But time is running out, and Scaletooth’s hunger only grows. As the wind whispers across the lake, it is as if the waters themselves hold their breath. The day of reckoning has arrived...”

Challenge #116: Dino Olympics

Our hundred-and-sixteenth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of August 2024, the deadline was the 2nd of September 2024. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of an athletic dinosaur!

BRIEF “Under the golden sun, the bustling heart of Dinopolis buzzes with excitement. It's the first day of the Dino Olympics! A prestigious event where the best athletes from various nations compete for glory. The grand arena, a magnificent structure carved from ancient volcanic stone, is packed with dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes. The Triceratops showcase their strength in the Ramming Relay, their massive horns glinting as they charge with power. The nimble Velociraptors dazzle in the Sprint and Leap, their agility unmatched as they soar over obstacles. Nearby, the Stegosaurus compete in the Hammer Toss, their spiked tails sending heavy stones flying with precision. Eyes turn skyward for the Pterosaur Sky Challenge, where these majestic creatures perform intricate aerial maneuvers, leaving the crowd spellbound. In the deep pool, the Mosasaurus and Plesiosaurus race in the Deep Dive Dash, their streamlined bodies slicing through the water. The day concludes with the fierce Allosaurus Wrestling, showcasing strength and strategic combat. As the sun sets, casting long shadows across the arena, it becomes clear: only the best dinos will bring home the medals. The spirit of competition burns bright, and Dinopolis waits eagerly to see who will emerge victorious...”

Challenge #115: Cheese Army

Our hundred-and-fifteenth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of July 2024, the deadline was the 2nd of August 2024. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a belligerent Cheese fighter!

BRIEF “The quiet town of Saint-Beurrepuant has a quaint little fromagerie owned by Monsieur Fromagión, a revered cheesemonger. By day, the shop is a haven of creamy delights and rich aromas, a paradise for cheese lovers. But by night, it transforms into a battleground of epic proportions. As soon as the clock strikes midnight, the cheeses begin to stir. The wheels of Brie and Camembert turn into fierce warriors. Roquefort, with its blue veins, transforms into a brigade of cunning strategists, their moldy patterns resembling war paint. Gruyère and Comté form ranks of disciplined soldiers, their holes becoming peepholes for their sharp eyes. Mozzarella buffalos charge into battle with their smooth, white bodies, while blocks of Cheddar are swiftly fashioned into trebuchets, launching chunks of Parmesan kamikazes across the shop with precision. Two armies emerge from the darkness of the shop: the Doux Armée, led by the velvety Brie, and the Durs Armée, commanded by the robust Gruyère. Each side wields weapons crafted from their own essence. The Doux swings delicate cheese knives and brandish fondue forks, their fluid movements a dance of creamy precision. The Durs, on the other hand, use cheese graters and cheese wires, their every move calculated, shredding any softness that dares come close. The battles are always fierce. Brie warriors lunge with their knives, melting and reforming with each strike. Gruyère soldiers counter with their graters, reducing their opponents to shreds before they can reassemble. Roquefort strategists send crumbles as spies. Both armies worship Monsieur Fromagión as their patron deity, believing their nightly battles please him. "We fight for his flavoury favor!" the Brie commander declares, rallying her troops. "He delights in our sharp strength!" the Gruyère general counters, his voice a resonant echo in the shop. As dawn approaches, the battle always reaches a fever pitch, only to be abruptly halted by the first rays of sunlight. The cheeses return to their places, quiet and still, awaiting the arrival of the corpulent Valkyustomers. The clerics say that only the bravest and most fearless warriors are taken away and ascend to Cheese Valhalla. Each morning, Monsieur Fromagión opens his shop, blissfully unaware of the nightly chaos. He restocks the shelves with new cheeses, each one a potential recruit for the armies that lie dormant...”

Challenge #114: Harajuku Fashionista

Our hundred-and-fourteenth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of June 2024, the deadline was the 2nd of July 2024. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a stylish Harajuku Fashionista!

BRIEF “Beneath the bright neon lights of Harajuku, the bustling district is alive with excitement! An impromptu fashion show catwalk competition has attracted an eclectic crowd, each person representing different fashion subcultures. Lolitas in frilly dresses, cyberpunks with neon accents, and vintage enthusiasts in 50s attire mingle together, eager to showcase their unique styles. The stage is a simple stretch of pavement, but the energy is electric. The crowd buzzes with anticipation as the first contestant, a gothic Lolita, steps forward. Her black lace dress sways as she walks, her parasol twirling gracefully. Next up is a group of Decora girls, their outfits a kaleidoscope of colors and accessories. A cyberpunk duo follows, their futuristic attire glowing under the streetlights. LED lights embedded in their jackets flicker rhythmically, syncing with the beat of the music playing in the background. As the night progresses, each subculture brings its own flavor to the competition. There are vintage rockabilly enthusiasts, punk rockers with studded jackets, and even a group of fairy-kei fans, their pastel outfits and whimsical accessories adding a dreamy touch to the event. As the judges deliberate, the contestants gather, exchanging compliments and snapping selfies. The camaraderie is palpable, each subculture appreciating the creativity and passion of the others. Applause and cheers echo through the street as the judges step forward, ready to announce the winner. But before they can speak, a sudden downpour scatters the roaring crowd. A new contestant with a unique style has entered the competition...”

Challenge #113: Barbarian Conqueror

Our hundred-and-thirteenth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of May 2024, the deadline was the 2nd of June 2024. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a vigorous Barbarian Conqueror!

BRIEF “Know, oh nameless artist, that between the years when the oceans drank Atlantis beneath the insatiable waves, and the years of the rise of the Sons of Aryas, there was an age undreamed of, when shining kingdoms lay spread upon the wide expanse of the world like blue mantles beneath the stars. In those days of yore, lost cities prowled by unspoken enigmas, their secrets veiled in the shroud of mystery. Decadent civilizations bowed beneath the yoke of tyrants, their thrones stained with the blood of the oppressed. Forgotten temples, cloaked in shadow, concealed their tombs, guarded by spectral sentinels sworn to eternal vigilance. Across the wild expanse, riders roamed, clad in armor wrought of steel, adorned with the finest silk and gleaming gold. They were the nomads of the wasteland, their steeds thundering across the barren plains like echoes of forgotten legends. Each carried with them the weight of ages past, their swords honed by hardship and battle, their eyes alight with the fire of unquenchable ambition. And unto this, a hero rose. Daring, vigorous, sword in hand. A reaver, a slayer, a barbarian conqueror with gigantic melancholies and gigantic mirth, to tread the jeweled thrones of the Earth under his sandalled feet. A warrior destined to wear the crown of a great new kingdom upon a troubled brow. It falls upon me, the chronicler of his exploits, to unfurl the saga of his valor. And upon thee, the artist, to capture his figure in strokes of vivid hue. Together, we shall recount the days when the world trembled beneath the tread of the unconquered, weaving the tapestry of high adventure!...”

Challenge #112: Traveling Shepherd

Our hundred-and-twelfth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of April 2024, the deadline was the 2nd of May 2024. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a stedfast Traveling Shepherd!

BRIEF “In a remote pastoral community, where once lush meadows swayed in gentle breezes, now lies desolation. A deadly blight, carried by mysterious storms, has ravaged their lands, leaving nothing but withered grass and barren soil. Families huddle together, their livelihoods hanging by a thread as their flocks dwindle. But amidst the despair, whispers of hope stir. Old Upra, the elder of the village and keeper of ancient tales, recounts the legend of Floranea, a hidden valley in the far, far east. It's a place blessed by fair weather, where the grass grows tall and strong, bathed in golden sunlight and gentle rains. Its meadows are lush and verdant, stretching as far as the eye can see, and life flourishes abundantly. A sanctuary, Old Upra tells with eyes glistening, that perhaps remains untouched by the blight that plagues their home. Inspired by the elder's words, a courageous shepherd steps forward, his heart aflame with determination. He vows to find the valley of Floranea and make it his new home, a haven where his community and animals can thrive once more. He knows the road ahead will not be easy, but guided by his courage and love for his community, he is ready to face the challenges head-on. Will the young shepherd be able to reach the new land and settle it? Only time will tell...”

Challenge #111: Animal Wuxia Hero

Our hundred-and-eleventh Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of March 2024, the deadline was the 2nd of April 2024. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a daring Animal Wuxia Hero!

BRIEF “In the mystical land of Jianghu, where the cherry blossoms sway in harmony with the wind, and the rivers murmur ancient tales of heroism and betrayal, there lies a kingdom overshadowed by the dark reign of Lord Fang. This malevolent warlord, a sly fox whose eyes gleam with malice, rules with an iron fist and a heart as cold as the deepest winter frost. His oppressive grip tightens with each passing day, plunging the once-prosperous land into despair and anguish. Beneath the looming shadow of Lord Fang, the people of Jianghu endure unimaginable suffering. Their freedoms are shackled, their hopes crushed, and their voices silenced by fear. Yet, amidst the desolation, a glimmer of hope emerges, a band of valiant souls, each a master of their own unique kung fu discipline. They are the Guardians of Jianghu, warriors bound by duty and honor to defend the innocent and uphold justice in the face of tyranny. Together, they traverse the land, their indomitable spirits fueled by the fervent desire to right the wrongs inflicted upon their homeland by the tyrant Lord Fang and his malevolent minions. With each passing day, they thwart the warlord's nefarious schemes, offering hope to the downtrodden and striking fear into the hearts of the oppressors. As Lord Fang's grip tightens, the Guardians know that the time for action has come. With unwavering determination and steely resolve, they rally their forces and march towards the warlord's fortress, prepared to face whatever horrors await them within its forbidding walls. For they know that the fate of their homeland hangs in the balance, and only by confronting Lord Fang head-on can they hope to restore peace and prosperity to the land once more...”

Challenge #110: Pet WalkerS

Our hundred-and-tenth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of February 2024, the deadline was the 2nd of March 2024. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Pet Walker!

BRIEF “Amidst towering skyscrapers and elegant townhouses, lies the affluent neighborhood of Briarwood Heights. Time here seems to sway to the rhythm of the wealthy, yet their demanding jobs often leave scant moments for their beloved animal companions. But fret not! Enter the Furry Feet Fleet – a distinctive society of pet walkers whose affection for animals knows no bounds! Within this group, an array of teams flourishes, each with its distinct charm and expertise. The K9 Team, for instance, boasts an affinity for dogs, their gentle demeanor, and boundless patience making them the favored walkers for the neighborhood's furry canines. Meanwhile, the Lizard Ranger Team shares a special bond with reptiles, effortlessly navigating the streets with their scaly companions perched upon their shoulders. As for the Avian Avengers Team, their infectious energy and beaming smiles mark them as the resident bird whisperers, guiding their feathered friends through the urban landscape with a rainbow of colors trailing behind. Then there's the Savana 7 Team, rugged outdoorsmen who prefer the company of larger animals, from majestic horses to sleek panthers, leading their charges with authority through the city streets. And these are just a few among the many teams! Together, this devoted society of pet walkers ensures that every cherished companion receives the love and care they deserve. So, hurry up! It's time to take your unique pet for a stroll...”

Challenge #109: Dragon Postal Service

Our hundred-and-ninth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of January 2024, the deadline was the 2nd of February 2024. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a speedy Dragon!

BRIEF “The Dragon Postal Service reigns supreme as the swiftest mail delivery system across the realm. None rival these remarkable creatures that traverse mountains, seas, and deserts, ensuring crucial messages reach their destinations between castles and cities. Without them, these missives might languish for years... or never arrive at all! Training a dragon for postal duties is a daunting and daring endeavor suited for only the boldest. These creatures are formidable, proud, and whimsical, possessing incomprehensible power. Prospective riders must dedicate years and years of perilous effort, risking life and limb. Yet, once a bond is forged and the dragon is properly trained, a realm of adventure unfolds! Dragons come in myriad species, each evolved for specific environments, making them ideal for unique journeys. Need to navigate the treacherous Desert of Bones? Opt for the Whitecollar Dread! Seeking passage over the rugged Tenebrous Mountains? The stealthy Nightstalker Dragon is your ally. With diverse bloodlines, dragons vary immensely: some colossal, others no larger than ponies, some robust and scaly, others nimble and sleek. Some possess great intellect, capable of independent message delivery without a rider! Their astonishing memory allows them to memorize entire book chapters, reciting them word for word across worlds. The Dragon Postal Service is actively recruiting, and eager applicants are already stepping forward. Would you consider joining?...”

Challenge #108: Krampus

Our hundred-and-eighth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of December 2023, the deadline was the 2nd of January 2024. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a terrifying Krampus!

BRIEF “In Tirol lay the remote village of St. Nikolaus. Here, tradition and modernity danced an uneasy waltz. The charm of the region's natural beauty was juxtaposed against a peculiar ritual that marked the advent of December, a tradition that the village administration of St. Nikolaus deemed backward and traumatizing. The wild ceremonies of local men dashing through the streets dressed as fearsome half-goat, half-demon characters had been canceled. The children were now oblivious to the legacy of Krampus, and this once feared and respected creature was now a fading myth, dismissed as a relic of a silly legend by the young generation engrossed in their electronic entertainment and spoiled internet culture. The elders sighed as they saw the traditions slipping away. But as the Advent season unfolded, a chill crept through the village. Whispers echoed of children encountering a sinister presence on their journey home, something cloaked in the guise of Krampus. At first, the parents dismissed these tales, attributing them to overactive imaginations or perhaps a misguided prankster's hoax. But as dusk settled over the village, eerie happenings unraveled. Footprints materialized in the freshly fallen snow, cloven and unnervingly large. Objects inexplicably moved, doors creaked open in the dead of night, and a foreboding atmosphere draped itself over St. Nikolaus. Panic rippled through the village, and the local police convened to investigate these mystifying occurrences. In their quest for rational explanations, they scoured every corner, sought clues, and questioned locals, yet found no plausible explanation. Their search led only to dead ends and a rising sense of unease. As the festive season neared its climax, the air crackled with uncertainty. The elders exchanged worried glances, realizing they might be facing something beyond the scope of their understanding—an ancient force that defied logic and reason...”

Challenge #107: Foodimals

Our hundred-and-seventh Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of November 2023, the deadline was the 2nd of December 2023. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a unique Foodimal!

BRIEF “In the not-so-distant future, the world is enthralled by a groundbreaking fast-food chain, Wild Bites Inc. Their claim to fame is the Snack Safari, an experience that takes your taste buds on an adventure like no other. The restaurant has engineered a unique process known as the Foodimal Method™, which brings its menu items to life. You can catch Mosquitoasts, have a close encounter with a giant Sasquash, indulge in leaping Shrimpanzees, go for a Buffaloafs hunt, and harpoon a Subwhale. Try a Hippotatomus fries combo, or even nibble on a Butterflye salad! The catch is that these creatures are not real animals; they are just ingeniously designed, lifelike puppets remotely controlled by a powerful supercomputer. Wild Bites Inc. leaves no room for doubt in its advertising. The foodimals are not truly alive, and customers can't harm them. The experience just mimics a hunting safari, where customers can engage in the thrill of the chase without the guilt associated with animal cruelty. Families across the country flock to the hundreds of fast-food locations, eager to embark on their Snack Safari adventure, and customers marvel at the lifelike creatures, marveling at the intricate details of their movements. But as the Snack Safari grows in popularity, a dark underbelly emerges. Rumors started to spread about foodimals escaping their controlled encasements. People begin to witness unsettling behaviors: the harmless, controlled puppets are starting to exhibit signs of autonomy! Wild Bites Inc. quickly goes on the defensive, assuring the public that their advanced technology is experiencing some minor hiccups. But doubt lingers in the minds of the customers. Has the Foodimal Method become more than just a puppet show? Are these lifelike creations developing an unexpected form of life of their own? Did Wild Bites, perhaps unwittingly, cross a line into a world where foodimals have become more than just puppets?...”

Challenge #106: Mad Scientist

Our hundred-and-sixth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of October 2023, the deadline was the 2nd of November 2023. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of an unhinged Mad Scientist!

BRIEF “In the grand halls of the Global Scientific Symposium (GSS), the world's most brilliant minds converge year after year. Their shared goal is noble: to confront the pressing global challenges that threaten the planet's life and human prosperity. For decades, the GSS has been a beacon of hope, a place where science and collaboration promise a brighter future. However, in recent years, the symposium has taken an unsettling turn. Remarkable technologies emerge from the laboratories of these scientists, and while they hold the potential for incredible progress, they also raise questions about the ethical boundaries of scientific advancement. Among the new inventions showcased at the GSS is the Omni-AI, a superintelligent system capable of deciphering and predicting human behavior with uncanny accuracy. Then there is Mega-CRISPR, a gene-editing tool that not only corrects genetic defects but also enhances DNA to superhuman levels. Hyperefficient nano-droids promise to revolutionize industries but also raise concerns about surveillance and control. Quantum mega-computers seem to unlock the secrets of the universe itself. Slowly, a group of scientists at the symposium begins to share a disturbing conviction: they believe they are transcending their human nature and becoming something akin to gods. Their newfound powers make them feel superior, and they consider the rest of humanity as primitive and inferior. In whispered conversations behind closed doors, they hatch a plan: they will seize control and rule over the world! They believe that all ordinary people are backward, unintelligent, and unworthy of self-governance. If the masses dare to defy their rule, they vow to wield their newfound technologies as tools of punishment and control. As the GSS concludes, the dissenting scientists depart with a dangerous secret agenda, hidden behind the façade of noble intentions. They have the knowledge, the power, and the determination to reshape the world in their image. Will they succeed in their plan to rule over humanity, or will the rest of the scientific community, driven by a commitment to ethics and humanity's best interests, rise up to stop them? The fate of the world now rests on the shoulders of those who hold the power to shape its destiny...”

Challenge #105: Killer Nuns

Our hundred-and-fifth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of September 2023, the deadline was the 2nd of October 2023. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a deadly Killer Nun!

BRIEF “In the shadowy underworld of crime, a group of exceptional female assassins had earned a notorious reputation. They are known as the "Silken Serpents" for their deadly precision and the elegance with which they execute their assignments. Their latest job, however, will test not only their lethal skills but also their moral boundaries. They are hired by the powerful boss Don Vittorio Scannapreti, a man whose greed knows no bounds. His insatiable desire for power and wealth drives him to push gambling, prostitution, and drugs on the local population, a malevolent pursuit that, if persevered, will completely devastate the community's sense of freedom, unity, and prosperity. The linchpin in this sinister plot is Father Bonario, a beloved local priest who stands as a staunch pillar of resistance against the mafia's encroachment. He preaches compassion, and morality in the face of temptation and vice, and his influence over the community is profound. Desperate to silence Father Bonario, Don Vittorio concocts a nefarious scheme: infiltrate the heart of the parish by disguising assassins as nuns. The Silken Serpents, accept the contract and move into the parish, blending seamlessly into the tight-knit community they are about to betray. Each day brings them closer to their target, as they attend Mass, participate in charitable work, and even help the priest in his pastoral duties. However, as they spend more time among the townsfolk, the Serpents can't help but be moved by the genuine care and kindness Father Bonario shows to his congregation. Will they finish their cruel assignment, or will they turn their back on Don Vittorio?...”

Challenge #104: Robot Gardener

Our hundred-and-fourth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of August 2023, the deadline was the 2nd of September 2023. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a helpful Robot Gardener!

BRIEF “In the aftermath of a devastating atomic war, Earth's once-vibrant civilization lay in ruins. As a result of the actions of corrupted politicians, radical revolutionaries, and an arrogant yet ignorant population lost to sterile vices and nihilism, the world was plunged into chaos and desolation. But amidst the ashes of the past, a glimmer of hope emerged in the form of Neo Byzantium. Founded by a group of enlightened individuals who had managed to preserve their sanity and compassion, Neo Byzantium became a sanctuary for the brightest minds. Here, intelligence, wisdom, and love for humanity were cherished above all else. As the ruins of the old world slowly gave way to new beginnings, a remarkable vision took root. The enlightened group, known as the "Children of the Ashes" recognized that to heal the Earth and feed its reborn population, they needed innovative solutions. To help them, they created the Robot Gardeners: a collection of remarkable creations designed to rejuvenate the land, promote biodiversity, and pass on timeless agricultural wisdom. Among these robotic wonders were the Seeding Bots, delicate yet sturdy machines that traversed the wastelands with grace. They possessed an uncanny ability to analyze soil conditions, adapting their seed dispersal to ensure optimal growth. These bots planted a diverse range of crops, from heirloom vegetables to ancient grains, each one carefully chosen to restore the balance of nature. Then came the Harvester Droids, their mechanical arms deftly reaping the bountiful harvests that followed. These tireless beings were programmed to gather crops at the peak of ripeness, minimizing waste and maximizing nutrition. With intricate sensors and precision tools, they worked in harmony with nature, acknowledging the delicate dance between human intervention and the earth's rhythms. In the heart of Neo Byzantium's revitalized gardens, the Beeborgs tended to their invaluable charges. A fusion of bees and machines, these beings understood the vital role of pollinators in the intricate web of life. With gentleness, they guided the real bees' efforts, ensuring that the blossoms flourished and fruit set in abundance. Their symbiotic relationship showcased the possibilities of cooperation between nature and human technology. As time passed, the Children of the Ashes not only revitalized the land but also inspired a new generation of farmers. Their teachings spread far and wide with the help of their Robot Gardeners, encouraging the adoption of holistic practices over the destructive monocultures of the past. The art of companion planting, crop rotation, and regenerative farming flourished, rekindling a profound connection between people and the Earth...”

Challenge #103: Mineral Avatar

Our hundred-and-third Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of July 2023, the deadline was the 2nd of August 2023. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a shimmering Mineral Avatar!

BRIEF “In a realm far beyond human perception, where the essence of minerals converged, an urgent call reverberated through the vast reaches of geological time. Earth is under siege by an ominous entity that devoured all matter, leaving only emptiness in its wake. It threatens to obliterate every atom, every substance that defined the planet's existence. In response, avatars of minerals materialize on Earth, taking physical form to protect their precious elements. Each avatar embodies the characteristics and essence of a specific mineral, armed with unique powers to counter the threat. Among them is the Obsidian Avatar, an imposing figure clad in shimmering black armor. Next to it stands the Quartz Avatar, radiating a brilliant aura of clarity and purity. Its crystalline body refracted light, casting a rainbow of hues wherever it moved. The Magnetite Avatar, resolute and unyielding, stands tall amidst the gathering. These are just a few of the many Mineral Avatars assembled, each embodying the unique properties and strengths of their respective minerals. They have come together at a convergence point where the Earth's energy surged, ready to face the alien entity head-on. As the mineral avatars gathers, the air crackled with anticipation. Earth trembles beneath their united presence, sensing the imminent clash of forces. The fate of the planet hung in the balance, their struggle echoing through the dimensions. What would happen next? Would the Mineral Avatars find a way to overcome this seemingly unstoppable foe? Or would their efforts be in vain, succumbing to the inexorable emptiness that threatened to erase their existence? The outcome of this cosmic clash remained uncertain...”

Challenge #102: Modern Witches

Our hundred-and-second Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of June 2023, the deadline was the 2nd of July 2023. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a magical Modern Witch!

BRIEF “Gather 'round, dear ones, for a tale of whimsy and wonder! In a world where magic reigns and imagination takes flight, a captivating competition stirs the hearts of witches near and far. It is a grand spectacle where enchantresses from distant lands showcase their extraordinary powers. Their ultimate quest is to claim ownership of the fabled Elder Wand, a legendary artifact brimming with immeasurable power. As the competition progresses, the origins and magical talents of these enchantresses intertwine, weaving a tapestry of extraordinary prowess. European covens, descendants of ancient Celtic sorcery, bring forth prophetic insight, herbal alchemy, and transformative magic, unveiling the secrets of their ancestral lands. Across the vast expanse of Asia, sorceresses with roots in mystic mountains and age-old philosophies manipulate the delicate flow of energy to shape reality itself. Journeys to the vibrant landscapes of South America reveal witches connected intimately with the rhythms of nature, drawing power from the spirits of the rainforest and invoking the animal allies that dwell within. In bustling metropolises of North America, witches merge age-old mysticism with modern technology, melding ancient spells with the ethereal realms of cyberspace. Many more come from every other corner of the world, and as the competition unfurls, these mystical beings converge upon a sacred nexus, where ley lines intersect, and the ancient echoes of magic resonate. In the end, while only one may claim the mantle of victory, their shared journey of self-discovery leaves an indelible mark on the annals of witchcraft…”

Challenge #101: SUPER MARIO BROS

Our hundred-and-first Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of May 2023, the deadline was the 2nd of June 2023. The artists of our community were invited to re-design (or create fan art) one of the characters of the Mario franchise!

BRIEF “Italian-American brothers Mario and Luigi have recently started a plumbing business in Brooklyn, to the derision of their antagonistic ex-employer, and the disapproval of their father. After seeing a significant water main leak on the news, Mario and Luigi go underground to fix it but are sucked into a Warp Pipe and separated. Mario lands in the Mushroom Kingdom, ruled by Princess Peach, while Luigi lands in the Dark Lands, ruled by the evil Koopa king Bowser. Bowser seeks to marry Peach and will destroy the Mushroom Kingdom using a Super Star if she refuses. He imprisons Luigi to threaten Mario, whom he sees as competition for Peach's love. Mario meets Toad, who takes him to Peach. Peach plans to ally with the primate Kongs to help repel Bowser and allows Mario and Toad to travel with her. Peach also reveals that she ended up in the Mushroom Kingdom when she was a baby, where the Toads took her in and eventually became their leader. In the Jungle Kingdom, King Cranky Kong agrees to help on the condition that Mario defeats his son, Donkey Kong, in a fight…”

Challenge #100: Meet The Artist

Our hundredth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of April 2023, the deadline was the 2nd of May 2023. The artists of our community were invited to celebrate this wonderful milestone by creating a portrait of themselves for a special non-competitive month. No winners for this challenge, only wholesome art memes!

BRIEF “It's the 100th session of the Character Design Challenge, congratulations! What better way to celebrate this incredible milestone than dedicate it to YOU! Yes, you! The amazing artists who created thousands of incredible artworks in the largest (and longest-running) continuous character design and illustration collective project in the history of the Internet. So what we would like to see exactly for this month? Well... show us the Artist! This is going to be a special month without winners, so please don't feel the pressure of comparing yourself to others. We would just love to see you participating and share some of the things about your personal artistic journey along with your work…”

Challenge #99: RACCOON BURGLAR

Our ninety-ninth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of March 2023, the deadline was the 2nd of April 2023. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a sneaky Raccoon Burglar!

BRIEF “Following his release from the veterinary prison, the legendary Terry "Soft Paws" Coon, a true burglar celebrity with the local raccoons' community, violates the promise he made to his poor elderly mom of not getting in any more trouble with the humans, and decides to meet with the Great Raccoonian Cartel to propose a lucrative heist. He pitches a plan to the wealthy and fat mob bosses that consists of simultaneously robbing the local Walmart, Amazon, and Costco warehouses. The mobs' familiarity with warehouses' security makes them very reluctant to get involved, countless times their colleagues ended up fried on an electric fence or chewed by the guard dogs! But the more the mobs think about the astronomical amount of food and goods they could have at their disposal if the plan works, the more they are persuaded to commit the heist. Finally, their greed and endless appetite get the best of them: the plan is in the making! Only the most reckless and courageous raccoons can join. Are you in for the crime of the century?…”

Challenge #98: Fairytale Fighting Arena

Our ninety-eighth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of February 2023, the deadline was the 2nd of March 2023. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a fairytale character (or one from folklore/children's literature) ready to fight!

BRIEF “Once upon a time in a kingdom far away, there was an evil sorcerer who hated everything in the world, from the wee fairies in the woods to the great wyrms in the East. He hated the birds in the sky, the squirrels in the trees, he hated the salmons in the river and the sea. He hated the people of his burg, and the ones in the next burg too. He hated the children in their cribs, and he hated the old crones spinning yarns. He hated the kind people who only do good things, and he hated the bad ones that plot their evil deeds. He hated life, and he hated death, his hatred had no boundaries. He hated it all. One day while browsing the old library of his defunct mentor, he found an ancient book, a book as dark as the darkest bottomless pit, as old as the oldest of talismans of the realm. Inside, there was an evil spell, written in unicorn blood, a hex so evil that if anyone would dare to cast it, it would destroy the entire world and everything within, and everything around it. It wouldn't be as merciful as death, oh no... it would be the end of all that is, of all that was, and of all that will. It would have been utter annihilation for all things. It was, in fact, everything his corrupted hearth ever wished for. He studied the book for many, many years, and finally, one day he mastered its secret. Only time separated him from fulfilling his dream. But the rumor of his wickedness had spread in the kingdom and beyond. Fantastic, forgotten creatures are heading to the sorcerer's castle. The boldest heroes are going there too, and others as well that words cannot describe and were believed to be just shadows from the legends, fairytales for the children, some would say. A dream has revealed to them the sorcerer's malevolent wish, and they know that he, at last, must die. Yes, he must! Before all is lost, forever and ever…”

Challenge #97: Rise of the AI Generators

Our ninety-seventh Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of January 2023, the deadline was the 2nd of February 2023. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of the present and future consequences AI generators will have in the creative world!

BRIEF “In 2022, a new generation of AI Generators made its appearance in the world of creative arts. While the previous iterations of this new technology were clunky and messy, the new tools instead showcased impressive capabilities that were only dreamed of before: an endless number of competent paintings and essays can get written in a matter of seconds. The first sight of these works was met with genuine excitement and marvel: a machine can do this? How staggering! If these results can be achieved now, how impressive will they be in the future?! But soon, a much more sinister thought crept in: what will be the unintended consequences of AI in the world of arts? How will this affect society and culture for future generations? Where will the people of tomorrow find the motivation to train themselves into learning such difficult crafts, when computers can do so in a matter of seconds? We grew up thinking that these technologies would replace the most tedious, repetitive jobs, or the hardest manual labour, but instead, they are now on a trajectory to replace human creativity. Are we heading to a dark future of unskilled, untalented, all-consuming humans, or AI will unlock unimaginable, positive creative and artistic potential never seen in history?...”

Challenge #96: EXPRESS DELIVERY RIDER

Our ninety-sixth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of December 2022, the deadline was the 2nd of January 2023. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a nimble delivery rider!

BRIEF “The bustling city never rests, and each day, delivery riders significantly streamline and enhance people's lives. They bring essential parcels or swiftly deliver a burger straight to your door. Craving pizza? Consider it done! Within minutes, it arrives at your doorstep, catering to your needs with lightning speed. However, navigating the city streets can pose significant risks as delivery riders contend with buses, trucks, taxis, and hurried commuters in their cars. It's a tough environment that demands incredible caution to stay safe. Their work shares commonalities with artists, both face challenging working conditions, fierce competition, and financial uncertainty. Let’s celebrate the invaluable contribution of delivery riders and acknowledge their dedication by showing our deep appreciation for their hard work...”

Challenge #95: Dog Adventurer

Our ninety-fifth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of November 2022, the deadline was the 2nd of December 2022. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of an adventurous dog!

BRIEF “Life was lonesome at the dog shelter. Every day new guests came in: German Hounds, Golden Retrievers, French Bulldogs, Grey Hounds, Welsh Terriers, Chow Chows, Dobermanns, Irish Setters, and all sorts of other strays, you name it. Things get rough pretty quickly for a dog out there in the streets! The story is always the same: one day your master is no longer there and that's it, you are on your own. You have to rummage for your own food, find somewhere to rest and keep an eye on the mean kids and the other strays. You get your fair share of kicks and bites on the sidewalk, and many don't make it through their first month. Others survive until the dog catcher gets them. When new dogs arrive, it's always good... well, more or less! At first, you get some decent food and a warm bed to sleep, Heaven knows how much you miss that. The doctor fixes your paws and soon enough you feel as good as new, but then you realize you can no longer leave this place. The cute ones and the young ones sometimes get lucky and get adopted by a new master, but the vast majority of us don't make it out of here alive. "They put him to sleep", they say, "it's no longer with us". But the reality is that they kill us because there's not enough space for us in this place, there are just too many of us coming in. Well, let me tell you something, the boys and I had other plans! One night we chewed through the fence and off we went, we were howling at the moon once again, heading for a new adventure. The world is a large place, and we'll find somewhere to be, and a new family to love!...”

Challenge #94: Fighting Clowns

Our ninety-forth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of October 2022, the deadline was the 2nd of November 2022. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a violent, Fighting Clown!

BRIEF “No one remembers when it began, the decline started a long, long time ago. The downtown neighborhoods were the first to go, degradation, crime, and drug abuse became ubiquitous, and all went out of control in the span of just a few years. The good, hard-working people left and never came back. Then the gangs started to appear. First, it was the criminal ones, but when the police got tired of dodging the bullets, the vigilante gangs started to spring up like mushrooms pretty much everywhere, the few honest people became so angry and decided to take it upon themselves to bring back a semblance of order in town. Some say it was because of some movies, or some weird social media trend, but one by one the gangs all started to dress up like clowns. The Death Squad Clowns, The Afro Clowns, The Bloody Jogglers, The Weeping Pagliacci, The City Jesters, The Serious Jokers... every year more gangs of violent clowns were formed. Today, while the city burns, its leaders have taken to the streets with the promise to bring an end to this madness, once and for all. It will be a bloody, bloody weekend...”

Challenge #93: Animal Hybrids

Our ninety-third Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of September 2022, the deadline was the 2nd of October 2022. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of an Animal Hybrid!

BRIEF “Kimera District is one of the most important centres for research and biotechnologies. Without the contributions of H.A.R.P.Y. Industries Inc. alone, many of the most advanced gene therapies and cutting-edge medications wouldn't be available to the general market, and many lives would have been lost. Despite these undeniable achievements, their work has also attracted many rumours and conspiracy theories that claim that the pharmaceutical corporation is crossing the boundaries of what is morally acceptable. The rumours claim that the elites are lobbying for a therapy that can turn into reality their transhumanist ambitions, and leaked videos are making the rounds on the internet that show that the key to this, may lie in the hybridization between creatures of different species...”

Challenge #92: Living Buildings

Our ninety-second Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of August 2022, the deadline was the 2nd of September 2022. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Living Building!

BRIEF “The town of Wackelfüsse has received some terrible news as of late. Its neighbor stream, which usually flows calmly through its districts, will shortly become a torrential river due to the strong rain this season. The river banks are now reaching the nearby buildings, threatening the lives of the many people living there. If things continue at this pace, the entire east side of the town will be flushed away with mud. Unknown to the human inhabitants, though, the buildings actually live! The old Cathedral of Altlangweilig, the oldest and wisest edifice of Wackelfüsse, has rung its bells to call for a great forum and swiftly discuss what to do in this desperate time of need. Soon a decision is made: the houses, churches, towers, palaces, shops, and bridges, must use all their inner strength and shake their foundation... they must move! And move they will...”

Challenge #91: Marvel (Heroes & Villains)

Our ninety-first Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of July 2022, the deadline was the 2nd of August 2022. The artists of our community were invited to re-design (or create fan art) of one of the characters of the Marvel comics universe!

BRIEF “The Marvel universe is a fictional shared universe where the stories of countless superheroes from the famous American comic book publisher take place. Super-teams such as the Avengers, the X-Men, and the Fantastic Four live in this universe, including characters such as Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk, Ant-Man, the Wasp, Wolverine, Black Panther, Doctor Strange, Daredevil, and Deadpool, among numerous others. Together, they fight against well-known supervillains such as Doctor Doom, Magneto, Ultron, Thanos, Loki, The Green Goblin, Kang the Conqueror, Red Skull, The Kingpin, Doctor Octopus, Carnage, Apocalypse and Dormammu. The Marvel universe is strongly based on the real world: Earth has all the features of the real one: same countries, same personalities, same historical events, and so on. However, it also contains many other fictional elements: countries such as Wakanda and Latveria, and organizations like the espionage agency S.H.I.E.L.D. and its enemies, HYDRA and A.I.M. The Marvel Universe also incorporates examples of almost all major science fiction and fantasy concepts, with writers adding more continuously. Aliens, gods, magic, cosmic powers, and extremely advanced human-developed technology all exist prominently...”

Challenge #90: Angels of Light & Darkness

Our ninety Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of June 2022, the deadline was the 2nd of July 2022. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of an otherworldly angel!

BRIEF “Angels are spiritual beings who act as intermediaries between God and humans. Messengers of God, angels may serve any of a number of purposes. Their role may be to teach, command, or inform individuals of their destiny, or may also act to protect or help them. The world's religions have had different views about the nature of angels. Some regard angels as divine beings who deserve to be worshipped rather than just as messengers of God. Disagreement also exists about the bodies of angels. Some think that angels have actual physical bodies, others think they are purely spiritual beings. Angels are traditionally ranked in nine orders. The highest order of angels is the seraphim, followed by the cherubim, thrones, dominions (or dominations), virtues, powers, principalities, archangels, and angels. According to this system, the first circle of angels, the seraphim, cherubim, and thrones, devote their time to contemplating God. The second circle, the dominions, virtues, and powers, govern the universe. The third circle, principalities, archangels, and angels, carry out the orders of the superior angels. Outside these orders, are the Fallen angels. These were angels who had once been close to God but "fell" to a lower position. They tried to interfere with the relationship between human beings and God by encouraging individuals to sin. Fallen angels were also believed to cause such disasters as famine, disease, war, and earthquakes. In Christian belief, the leader of the fallen angels was Satan. He led a rebellion against God, for which he and the other fallen angels were cast into Hell...”

Challenge #89: March of the Living Trees (and plants!)

Our eighty-ninth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of May 2022, the deadline was the 2nd of June 2022. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a chlorophyll-powered walking tree (or plant)!

BRIEF “Things are not looking good for the ancient Forest of Greengrove. The city council, a den of corrupted politicians in the hands of corporate powers, has in fact chosen the southern margin of these primordial woodlands as the chosen victim for their next development project, a brutalist offices complex that is planned to replace the thousands of trees, plants, brooks, and animals, along with the local village that for centuries has lived in harmony with this ancestral land. As soon as the first bulldozers appeared though, something weird started to happen: machines keep breaking down, workers constantly get injured, and some of them have outright quit because they claim the trees have started to "move" at night, and are attacking them. This can obviously not be true! But the locals have also started to notice something unusual, the plants in their gardens just keep switching positions! Nobody knows what's going on, but the local lady at the shop keeps smiling and tells everyone that her ancestors were druids, and there’s nothing to worry about…”

Challenge #88: Animal Olympics

Our eighty-eighth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of April 2022, the deadline was the 2nd of May 2022. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of an ambitious animal athlete.

BRIEF “Rejoice sports lovers! Rejoice! We return to the city of Faunalia for a marvelous event. The Olympics Committee has chosen this unique city to bring together the animal kingdom for a competition in which their greatest athletes will challenge each other to determine who is the fittest and most athletic animal of all! Many athletes have already arrived in town and are training: gymnastics, cycling, tennis, volleyball, archery, boxing, rowing, weightlifting, fencing, and wrestling are only a few of the many sports and disciplines on display here. Say what? Do you fancy a nice medal yourself? Do you think you can beat the old record, and get a Gold?! Well, well, better bring your A-game there quickly then, the Animal Olympics have just started...”

Challenge #87: Knights Tournament

Our eighty-seventh Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of March 2022, the deadline was the 2nd of April 2022. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a defiant Knight.

BRIEF “The old Lord of the Dales is dying childless, and without a rightful, blooded scion to inherit his vast kingdom, he fears that the many local lords will start a cruel war to take his crown, bringing misery and unnecessary sufferance to his beloved people. To avoid this catastrophe, he decides to let the divine fate choose a new king. An ancient prophecy says that whoever wins the legendary Sun Sword in an honorable fight, becomes the rightful heir of the kingdom, and a hundred years of peace and prosperity will follow his coronation. A great tournament is therefore put together. The winner won't just earn gold, glory, and fame, but the legendary Sun Sword itself! The most skilled and fearless knights are gathering from all over the country: the faith of the entire kingdom is at stake. Take your sword, then, and prove yourself worthy! Your moment has come at last...”

Challenge #86: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Our eighty-sixth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of February 2022, the deadline was the 2nd of March 2022. The artists of our community were invited to create fan-arts or re-design a character from TMNT.

BRIEF “In New York, mysterious radioactive ooze has mutated four sewer turtles into talking, upright-walking, crime-fighting ninjas. The intrepid heroes Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, and Leonardo, are trained in the ninjutsu arts by their mutant rat sensei, Splinter. When a villainous rogue ninja, who is a former pupil of Splinter, arrives and spreads lawlessness throughout the city, it's up to the ninja turtles to stop him, and the evil minions of the Foot Clan....”

Challenge #85: Bird Warrior

Our eighty-fifth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of January 2022, the deadline was the 2nd of February 2022. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a courageous Bird Warrior.

BRIEF “The Great Avian War started as a little skirmish between two factions: the Knightly Order of the Eagles and the Clan of the Black Crows. Many civilians were caught in those first ruthless fights and many ended up wounded and killed, and so others joined the fight. Since then, the conflict exploded: the Shogunate of the Hawks, The Barony of the Condors, the Vulture Syndicate, and countless others, have all their claws red with blood nowadays. The Council of the Owls and the High Court of the Secretary Birds are ultimately looking for a diplomatic solution to end the conflict, but hope for peace looks like a distant dream...”

Challenge #84: Cholita Adventurer

Our eighty-forth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of December 2021, the deadline was the 2nd of January 2022. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of an adventurous Cholita.

BRIEF “In a world that’s modernising at an unprecedented pace and with the threat of a global culture that, with its social media trends and aggressive ideologies homologise and antagonise the heritage and tradition of different people, the Cholitas of the Andes stand their ground by proudly defending their unique culture and way of living. With their distinctive bowler hats, long braids, and colourful pleated skirts, this incredible tribe of proud women is one of the most iconic symbols of the Central Andes and, in particular, of Bolivia. Yet as revered and admired the indigenous Aymara women may be today for being the true native treasures they are, they still have an arduous journey in front of them, and today they'll embark on an adventure to defend their customs and values...”

Challenge #83: Veggie Animals

Our eighty-third Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of November 2021, the deadline was the 2nd of December 2021. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a spooky monster.

BRIEF “Weird things keep happening off the coasts of the remote island of Bok Choy. Ships navigating nearby its waters keep sinking, airplanes keep crashing, and many of the local fishermen mysteriously disappear. The spokespeople of the V.E.G.D.E.T. Corporation, which runs several labs on the island, have declined on multiple occasions any involvement with the recent events, despite several whistleblowers coming out to reveal horrifying details about the company attempts to bioengineer new highly nutritious and protein-rich GMO vegetables for their world-famous brand of vegan products...”

Challenge #82: Halloween University

Our eighty-second Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of October 2021, the deadline was the 2nd of November 2021. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a spooky monster.

BRIEF “The dark, putrescent city of Tenebra is the proud seat of Halloween University, the most prestigious educational institution in the monster's world. The spookiest and more promising young critters from around the globe gather here to study merciless, gruesome, and effective new ways to terrify and torture the body and souls of puny, mortal humans. Internationally famous teachers such as Ph.D. Doctor Frankenstein, Professor Pinhead, and Instructor Nessie Lochness are just some of the many estimated scholars teaching at the university under the oppressive supervision of Supreme Director Cthulhu, possibly the most accomplished monster working in the field of Terror & Despair studies. The hell bells for the new academic year are already ringing, and new students are taking their seats in the classrooms...”

Challenge #81: Hindu Gods

Our eighty-first Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of September 2021, the deadline was the 2nd of October 2021. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a holy Hindu deity.

BRIEF “Hindu deities are the gods and goddesses in Hinduism. The terms and epithets for deity within the diverse traditions of Hinduism vary and include Deva, Devi, Ishvara, Ishvari, Bhagavan, and Bhagavati. The deities of Hinduism have evolved from the Vedic era through the medieval era, regionally within Nepal, India, and in Southeast Asia, across Hinduism's diverse traditions. The Hindu deity concept varies from a personal god as in Yoga school of Hindu philosophy, to 33 Vedic deities, to hundreds of Puranics of Hinduism. Hindu deities have distinct and complex personalities, yet are often viewed as aspects of the same ultimate reality, called Brahman...”

Challenge #80: Animal Orchestra Musician

Our eighty Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of August 2021, the deadline was the 2nd of September 2021. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a talented Animal Musician.

BRIEF “Once again, the most melodic time of the year has come to the city of Faunalia! The Summer's End Music Festival, in fact, attracts the most talented musicians from the animal kingdom to please everyone's ears, and say goodbye for the last time to the hot season. Classical music orchestras, Jazz & Pop bands, Folk music virtuosos, and any other kind of skillful animal musician all gravitate around this festive event to bring good vibes and positivity with their paws, hooves, and tentacles! Let's jam!...”

Challenge #79: Wrestling Battle Royale

Our seventy-ninth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of July 2021, the deadline was the 2nd of August 2021. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a fearless wrestler.

BRIEF “The lights are finally on! This year, the city of Las Vegas will be the host of a spectacular event: The WWW Ultimate Battle Royale! A new competition for wrestlers organised by all the major professional and semi-professional federations in the world. In this one-of-a-kind event, wrestlers of all extractions (from Greco-Roman, Shuai Jiao, and Sambo to Lucha Libre, Turkish Oil Wrestling, and Sumo, and more!) will fight tooth and nail to become the Ultimate Champion. All styles are welcome: Brawlers, Powerhouses, High-flyers, and the likes, will show to audiences worldwide the greatest fighting show of the century. Bring your best wrestler to the ring, and get ready to rumble!...”

Challenge #78: Elemental Guardian

Our seventy-eighth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of June 2021, the deadline was the 2nd of July 2021. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of an Elemental Guardian.

BRIEF “Since the day the interdimensional portal now known as the Great Portal was discovered and accidentally opened by the scientists of Area 66, the terrifying forces of the Void have engulfed the entire planet and destroyed most of its inhabitants and resources. These terrifying beings seem to be made of pure chaos and everything they touch gets completely annihilated. Despite the best efforts and sacrifices of people from all over the world, no weapon seems to be powerful enough to challenge this threat: humanity seems to be doomed. But not all is lost yet! In the time of most desperate need, an ancient temple is discovered in Antarctica. Inside one of its secret chambers, powerful artifacts that grant the power to summon mighty elemental creatures are discovered. These creatures refer to themselves as The Guardians. Will their power be able to stop the forces of the Void, and finally restore peace and order on Earth?...”

Challenge #77: Cowboy Bebop

Our seventy-seventh Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of May 2021, the deadline was the 2nd of June 2021. The artists of our community were invited to create fan-arts or re-design a character from Cowboy Bebop.

BRIEF “In 2071, roughly fifty years after an accident with a hyperspace gateway made the Earth almost uninhabitable, humanity has colonized most of the rocky planets and moons of the Solar System. Amid a rising crime rate, the Inter Solar System Police (ISSP) set up a legalized contract system, in which registered bounty hunters (also referred to as "Cowboys") chase criminals and bring them in alive in return for a reward. The series' protagonists are bounty hunters working from the spaceship Bebop. The original crew is Spike Spiegel, an exiled former hitman of the criminal Red Dragon Syndicate, Jet Black, a former ISSP officer, Faye Valentine, an amnesiac con artist, Edward, an eccentric girl skilled in hacking, and Ein, a genetically engineered Pembroke Welsh Corgi with human-like intelligence...”

Challenge #76: Fashion Show Extravaganza

Our eighty seventy-sixth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of April 2021, the deadline was the 2nd of May 2021. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a model, designer or fashionista.

BRIEF “It's a thrilling time in Milan, the notorious Fashion Capital of the World! Fashion Week is coming once again this year and, as the most globally recognised event by far for this industry, it will feature massive runway shows and display the most creative and extravagant latest fashion trends from all over the globe! Unique dresses, from elegant and classic, to whimsical and avant-garde, designed by the greatest designers, will be worn and showcased in eclectic catwalks by charming models under the eyes of reporters, celebrities, and fashion enthusiasts. Get ready to visit Italy and marvel at the spectacular pieces designed by the industry’s biggest names!...”

Challenge #75: Mushroom Fighter

Our seventy-fifth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of March 2021, the deadline was the 2nd of April 2021. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Mushroom Fighter.

BRIEF “The Mushroom Duchy of Porcinia has been at war with The High Kingdom of Spora for almost a decade. His Majesty, Piedmont the IV of the White Truffle (a wise and enlightened ruler who desperately wants peace and a prosperous future for his people) has been trying to find a solution to the conflict for many years now, but without success. The two nations have unreconcilable ideological differences and nothing seems to put an end to this senseless warfare. But something has happened recently... queer rumors of unspeakable horrors have been circulating among mushrooms: strange ants (who have never been aggressive towards mushrooms before) have started to ferociously attack random merchant travelers at Spora's border... and eating them alive! The rangers of Porcinia have also witnessed this, and have described the ants as ''possessed''. Soon the spies of both nations learn the terrifying truth: Fungadar the Shroomancer, the evil mushroom sorcerer, has returned! With his dark arts, he can turn ants into mindless zombie-minions to do his bidding and destroy the world. Will the mushrooms overcome their differences to fight back their common foe?...”

Challenge #74: Thai Dancer

Our seventy-fourth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of February 2021, the deadline was the 2nd of March 2021. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Thai Dancer.

BRIEF “Thailand is an ancient, fascinating land. A cradle of unique traditions whose history dates back millennia. Of the many forms in which this unique culture manifests itself, dancing takes a prime role. Thai dance, like many forms of traditional Asian dance, can be divided into two major categories that correspond roughly to Classical dances and Folk dances. This large spectrum includes the beautiful Khon (the most stylized form of Thai dance, performed by troupes of non-speaking dancers with costumes dictated by tradition, wearing colored masks), Lakhon (which features a wider range of stories than Khon, including folk tales and Jataka stories), Fon (a form of folk dance accompanied by the folk music of the region), and countless others regional dances, each with its own uniqueness and flavor. Let's embark on a journey to explore these unique traditions together, and get ready to dance...”

Challenge #73: Middle-Earth

Our seventy-third Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of January 2021, the deadline was the 2nd of February 2021. The artists of our community were invited to create fan-arts or re-design a character from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-Earth.

BRIEF “Welcome to Middle-Earth, an ancestral world lost in time inhabited by Elves, Dwarves, Hobbits, and Mortal Men. Their lands are under the constant menace of the Shadow and its evil minions, an army of darkness that counts Orks, Goblins, Trolls, Wargs, Giant Spiders, Dragons, and other countless malevolent spirits in its ranks. The Realms of the Free People can keep this mortal danger at bay only if they find the fortitude in their hearths to overcome the differences between each other and the courage to fight back. If they don’t, all will perish...”

Challenge #72: Robot Arena Deathmatch

Our seventy-second Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of December 2020, the deadline was the 2nd of January 2021. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a deadly robot fighter.

BRIEF “In the futuristic city of Megalopolis 0.3, the greatest spectacle to witness are the robotic pits, in which different machines fight with all their cybernetic mighty to destroy each other. Every woman, man, and child dreams of building the greatest robot of all, because in this dystopian society, building a winning machine brings great fame, admiration, and last but not least, inconceivable amounts of money. This is the reason why any kind of group in the city, from the most innovative tech labs of massive global-conglomerate corporations, to rebellious engineering students and moneyless rogue scientists from the human-hives slums of the poorest classes, dream to build an unstoppable robot to win the most important pit of all: the world-famous 'Robot Arena Deathmatch'. All sorts of deadly things can be seen there: modified war-bots, human-shaped synths, semi-legal killer droids, and even the occasional cyborg-slave who, by upgrading 98% of its body with machines, has sadly lost its legal human status (and all its rights!). No other year has seen so many participants, with literally thousands of deadly machines gathered there with the one goal of obliterating their opponents, but there's still one robot missing... your own!”

Challenge #71: Fox Adventurer

Our seventy-first Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of November 2020, the deadline was the 2nd of December 2020. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Fox Adventurer

BRIEF “Foxtown is a village of foxes on the east-end of the Gray Hills, a natural reserve where humans are rarely seen. Many of its old inhabitants are veterans of the Great Farmer Wars of Old Meadow, who moved to the reserve to escape the wrath of the farmers that, tired of the looting of the foxes, decided to push them out of their lands. To this day the old foxes are still longing for their days of thieving, and the youngsters love to listen to the tales of adventures, daydreaming about putting their paws on the mouthwatering loots. And so it was that one day, ignoring all the warnings of their families, a group of reckless foxes sets on a journey to reach the old farms! A new dangerous adventure begins!…”

Challenge #70: Yokai & Kami

Our seventy Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of October 2020, the deadline was the 2nd of November 2020. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Yokai or a Kami

BRIEF “In the lands around the ancient, abandoned shrine of Mount Komaki, live a group of Yokai and Kami spirits. Lately, they have been threatened by a gigantic suburban development project called Neo-Komaki, which is cutting into their homes and dividing their land. Soon a great council is assembled at the nearby Komakiyama Castle to discuss how to disrupt the mortal men's plans. In spite of their many differences and rivalry, the spirits decide to unify to stop the development by using their most powerful skill: eldritch spells and illusions to spook humans away for good!…”

Challenge #69: Aztec Warrior

Our sixty-ninth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of September 2020, the deadline was the 2nd of October 2020. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of an Aztec Warrior

BRIEF “Through aggressive and relentless warfare, Moctezuma II, the ninth Tlatoani-Emperor, successfully expanded the territory of the Aztec Empire as far south as Xoconosco in Chiapas and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and incorporated the Zapotec and Yopi people. The empire was never as big as it was during his reign. He made himself many enemies, not just among the neighbour tribes and cities, but also within the Aztec Empire. In fact, Moctezuma II changed the previous meritocratic system of social hierarchy and widened the divide between Pipiltin (the nobles) and Macehualtin (the commoners) by prohibiting commoners from working in the royal palaces. Whoever tried to oppose him had to face the wrath of the ferocious Aztec Warriors…”

Challenge #68: Animal Skatepark

Our sixty-eighth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of August 2020, the deadline was the 2nd of September 2020. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Skatepark Animal

BRIEF “When the gates close, the animals of the local zoo can finally get a break from the annoying human visitors and have some well-deserved fun. What's their favourite pastime, you would ask? It's skating, of course! Every night the water from the big pool gets drained and the fun begins! Elephants, giraffes, lions, monkeys, and also the local town pets push themselves to their utter limit to test their skills to become the best and most reckless skaters of the park. Let's join the fun!…”

Challenge #67: Fairies Kingdom

Our sixty-seventh Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of July 2020, the deadline was the 2nd of August 2020. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Fairy

BRIEF ''For thousands of years, the hidden creatures of the ancient forests and rivers, known by the mortal men as Fairies, have inhabited the Unseen Realm. Two great factions rule this mysterious and inaccessible world, the Seelie Court, the fairies of Light, and the Unseelie Court, the fairies of Darkness. Their endless rivalry knows no boundaries, and their spells are so powerful and terrifying that many men have lost their lives, and sometimes their souls, for stepping into their enchanted world unwillingly…’’

Challenge #66: DINO RACERS

Our sixty-sixth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of June 2020, the deadline was the 2nd of July 2020. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Dino Racer.

BRIEF ''In the days of yore in the legendary lost continent of Mu, there was a highly sophisticated civilisation of human beings that lived alongside with dinosaurs and pterosaurs. While these ancient people were often hunted and prayed upon by these terrifying and gargantuan creatures, some of them were able to tame and use them for labour and transportation. In those forgotten days, during the Summer Solstice, a great festival was organised to celebrate the longest day of the year. Thousands of people would gather in the capital of their kingdom to witness the most incredible spectacles that ever was: the famous dinosaurs race of Mu!…’’

Challenge #65: FINAL FANTASY

Our sixty-fifth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of May 2020, the deadline was the 2nd of June 2020. The artists of our community were invited to create fan-arts or re-design a character from the Final Fantasy franchise.

BRIEF ''In the mid-80s, Square entered the Japanese video game industry with simple RPGs. In 1987, in-house designer Hironobu Sakaguchi chose to create a new fantasy role-playing game, and drew inspiration from other popular fantasy titles. Sakaguchi explained that the game was his personal last-ditch effort in the game industry and that its title, Final Fantasy, stemmed from his feelings at the time. Had the game not sold well, he would have quit the business and gone back to university. For the creations of his worlds, Sakaguchi drew inspiration from anime films by Hayao Miyazaki (series staples like the airships and Chocobos are inspired by elements in Castle in the Sky and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, respectively). The central conflict in many Final Fantasy games focuses on a group of characters battling an evil, and sometimes ancient antagonist that dominates the game's world. Stories frequently involve a sovereign state in rebellion, with the protagonists taking part in the rebellion. The heroes are often destined to defeat the evil, and occasionally gather as a direct result of the antagonist's malicious actions. Games also explore relationships between characters, ranging from love to rivalry, and the themes of corruption and self-sacrifice…’’

Challenge #64: DOCTORS AND NURSES

Our sixty-fourth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of April 2020, the deadline was the 2nd of May 2020. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Doctor or a Nurse.

BRIEF ''In December 2019 a new coronavirus, rumored to be originated from the city of Wuhan, quickly spread all over the world. This disease causes mild symptoms to the vast majority of the people infected, but also severe pneumonia to the most vulnerable ones, a deadly combination that made it particularly tricky to contain. The pandemic changed the life of people around the globe dramatically as governments, confused about the best course of action, chose to put their population under a harsh quarantine to avoid potentially overwhelming the hospitals with patients requiring intensive care. On the very front of this battle, doctors and nurses fight every day against something they themselves know very little about…’’

Challenge #63: Norse Gods

Our sixty-third Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of March 2020, the deadline was the 2nd of April 2020. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Norse God.

BRIEF ''Before the beginning of time, there was Ginnungagap, a bottomless abyss, which separated the icy land of Niflheim and the fiery land of Muspelheim. These two realms rose in power and clashed; the burning frost turned into water drops and the water drops turned into life. The first living being was Ymir, a giant who was created from those life-giving drops of water and whose death was brought about by Odin and his brothers. All beings live in Nine Worlds that center around the cosmological tree Yggdrasil. The Gods inhabit the heavenly realm of Asgard whereas humanity inhabits Midgard, a region in the center of the cosmos. Outside of the Gods, humanity, and the Giants, these Nine Worlds are inhabited by beings, such as elves, dwarfs and trolls. For countless years, many legends have been told about these powerful creatures, which one will you make yours?’’

Challenge #62: Carnival of Brazil

Our sixty-second Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of February 2020, the deadline was the 2nd of March 2020. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Carnival of Brazil’s participant.

BRIEF ''Vibrant colours, lively music, and endless spectacle are part of the Carnival of Brazil! The country is a unique melting pot of different cultures and traditions, so the rhythm, participation, and costumes vary incredibly from one region to another. In the southeastern cities of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Vitória, huge organised parades are led by samba schools. Those official parades are meant to be only watched by the public, while minor parades (blocos) allowing public participation can be found in other cities, like Belo Horizonte. The northeastern cities of Recife, Olinda, Salvador, and Porto Seguro have organized groups parading through streets, and the public interacts directly with them. Olinda carnival features unique characteristics, heavily influenced by local folklore and cultural manifestations, such as Frevo and Maracatu. Let's follow the trios elétricos through the city streets! Together we'll dance and sing like never before!’’

Challenge #61: Cormorant Fisherman

Our sixty-first Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of January 2020, the deadline was the 2nd of February 2020. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Cormorant Fisherman

BRIEF ''The people of the Great River have quite an unusual and unique way to catch their fish and provide food for their families. They domesticate fishing birds to get some help! To make this possible, the skilful's fishermen tie a loose snare to the bird's long neck. This prevents them from swallowing larger fish, which are held in their throat, and when a bird has caught a large fish, the fisherman brings the bird back to the boat and has the bird spit the fish up. But worry not! The birds can still swallow smaller fish and have plenty of food for themselves too, and they take great benefit by living with their master, who offers them shelter and a warm place to rest and stay safe from predators. Today a new day of hard labor starts. Let's go fishing!’’

Challenge #60: Axolotl Adventurer

Our sixty Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of December 2019, the deadline was the 2nd of January 2020. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of an Axolotl Adventurer.

BRIEF ''The Axolotl Tribe is engulfed in chaos. The Sacred Shamans have foreseen that a great darkness is upon them, a catastrophe that will destroy the waters of their people forever. In their dreams, they have seen that the End of Things is near for their people, as the Great Giants who Walked on Two Legs, have decided that Chalco Lake (the name the giants call their world) must end and be erased. Chieftain Axo the XIII has spent sleepless nights after this news was shared at the Grand Council, and finally, he has come to a decision: he and a group of fearless adventurers, will travel into the unknown to find a new place that the Axolotls can call home...’’

Challenge #59: Spirited Away

Our fifty-ninth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of November 2019, the deadline was the 2nd of December 2019. The artists of our community were invited to create fan-arts or re-design a character from the movie Spirited Away.

BRIEF ''Ten-year-old Chihiro and her parents are traveling to their new home when her father takes a shortcut, leading them to what appears to be an abandoned amusement park that Chihiro's father insists on exploring. They find a seemingly empty restaurant still stocked with food, which Chihiro's parents immediately begin to eat. While exploring further, Chihiro finds an exquisite bathhouse and meets a boy named Haku, who warns her to return across the riverbed before sunset. However, Chihiro discovers too late that her parents have metamorphosed into pigs, and she is unable to cross the now-flooded river. Haku finds Chihiro and has her ask for a job from the bathhouse's boiler-man, Kamaji, a yōkai commanding the susuwatari. Kamaji refuses to hire her and asks worker Lin to send Chihiro to Yubaba, the witch who runs the bathhouse. Yubaba tries to frighten Chihiro away, but she persists, so Yubaba gives Chihiro a contract to work for her. Yubaba takes away her name and renames her Sen (千). While visiting her parents' pigpen, Haku gives Sen a goodbye card she had with her, and Sen realizes that she had already forgotten her real name. Haku warns her that Yubaba controls people by taking their names, and that if she forgets hers like he has forgotten his, she will not be able to leave the spirit world...’’

Challenge #58: Gargoyles & Grotesques

Our fifty-eighth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of October 2019, the deadline was the 2nd of November 2019. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Gargoyle/Grotesque.

BRIEF ''An ancient species of nocturnal creatures known as Gargoyles and Grotesques are thought today to simply being architectural ornaments for Gothic cathedrals. In reality, these unique beings are far from being mere statues but are instead creatures of flesh and blood. Their unique ability (or curse for some) to onset a temporary and reversible full body calcification when their skin is touched by UV rays (therefore turning them into ''stone'' during the day), gives them also the ability to hibernate at will for extremely long periods of times, centuries sometimes, which is why they are mistaken for inanimate objects. Thought to be demons by men in ancient times, most of them were hunted down and killed. It was only many centuries later, in the Middle Ages, that Christian monks following the teaching of love for nature and animals of Francis of Assisi, rediscovered and carefully studied them, domesticating some of the less aggressive breeds to defend their churches, monasteries, and cathedrals. Gargoyles and Grotesques are in fact highly territorial creatures that, after being successfully imprinted, become extremely loyal to their masters. They seem to possess a very high intelligence, which makes them excellent guardians with a sixth sense for danger. With their ability to disguise themselves with their surroundings, they quietly observe any intruder that menaces their lairs and viciously attack them to scare them away, or worse. Today these unique animals are believed to be extinct, but some of their nests are murmured to be still fertile today...’’

Challenge #57: Elf Warrior

Our fifty-seventh Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of September 2019, the deadline was the 2nd of October 2019. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of an Elf Warrior 

BRIEF ''These are desperate times. From the bottomless shadows of the Great Gorge of Murghog, the Lords of Darkness have awakened. They are demons of the Ancient World, evil spirits that relentlessly seek to bring terror, destruction, and despair whatever they lay their cruel eyes upon. With their ancient sorcery, they have cursed the land and corrupted its people, and are now gathering their armies of murderous beasts to launch their final attack to their last opponents, the Realms of Elves. There's only one last chance to bring the war to an end, the prophecy says that only four heroic Elves can find the Lost Talisman of the Imperishable Light and cast the evil lords away from the world, forever...’’

Challenge #56: Mongolian Eagle Hunter

Our fifty-sixth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of August 2019, the deadline was the 2nd of September 2019. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of an Eagle Hunter. 

BRIEF ''For thousand generations, the proud Kazakh peoples of the Altai region have mastered the art of eagle hunting, a tradition in western Mongolia that goes back some 2,000 years. It is a practice that is not only crucial to their survival in the remote area, but also a badge of honour and expertise in a long-held tradition that shows the beauty and respect that these people have for both animals and environment, something that modern urbanised people have long forgotten. A new generation of young hunters now wants to make a name for themselves, and their chance will come at the famous Golden Eagle Festival, a riveting competition with hundreds of seasoned eagle hunters. Let the hunt begins!’’

Challenge #55: HAWAIIAN DANCER

Our fifty-fifth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of July 2019, the deadline was the 2nd of August 2019. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Hawaiian Dancer. 

BRIEF ''This year you are all invited to the Merrie Monarch Festival! A weeklong celebration of Hawaiian Hula, the traditional dance of the proud Hawaiian people. The festival brings aficionados of this dance form from far and wide to the beautiful island of Hilo. But this year festival is no an ordinary one, from beneath the sea waves and from above the skies, the ancestral Hawaiian gods are disguising themselves as mortals to join the celebrations...’’

Challenge #54: NINJA CATS

Our fifty-fourth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of June 2019, the deadline was the 2nd of July 2019. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Ninja Cat. 

BRIEF ''A silent war has just begun in downtown Tokyo. The Siamese cats of the 'Clan of the Bloody Paws' has sworn vengeance to their mortal enemies, the Persian cats of the 'Clan of the Eldritch Claws'. This war has brought violence and chaos on the streets, and many peaceful cats who don't want anything to do with this madness are now falling victim of this gruesome bloodshed. But the 'Secret Ninja Clan of the Shadow Tails' has had enough of all of this, and have decided to put an end to this nonsense...’’

Challenge #53: The NeverEnding Story

Our fifty-third Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of May 2019, the deadline was the 2nd of June 2019. The artists of our community were invited to create fan-arts or re-design a character from the NeveEnding Story franchise. 

BRIEF ''On his way to school, Bastian ducks into a bookstore to avoid bullies. Sneaking away with a book called ‘The Neverending Story’, Bastian begins reading it in the school attic. The novel is about Fantasia, a fantasy land threatened by "The Nothing," a darkness that destroys everything it touches. The kingdom needs the help of a human child to survive. When Bastian reads a description of himself in the book, he begins to wonder if Fantasia is real and needs him to survive...’’

Challenge #52: Kabuki Theatre

Our fifty-second Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of April 2019, the deadline was the 2nd of May 2019. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Kabuki performer. 

BRIEF ''The theatre company of Minami-za has been commissioned to create a unique event this year for Hanatouro, the Festival of Light. The city of Kyoto has in fact decided to celebrate Reiwa, the new Japanese era, by founding an incredibly expensive Kabuki moving stage, a spectacle that will overshadow anything that has never been seen before in the history of this art form. Visitors from all over Japan are expected to attend this one-of-a-kind parade, but humans are not the only one curious about the event. Many old Yokai are crawling out of the shadows of their forests, and are disguising themselves with the crowd to take part in the celebrations..’’

Challenge #51: Alebrije Creatures

Our fifty-first Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of March 2019, the deadline was the 2nd of April 2019. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of an Alebrije creature. 

BRIEF ''In the 1930, a Mexican artisan called Pedro Linares fell very ill and while he was in bed, unconscious, he dreamt of a strange place resembling a forest. There, he saw trees, animals, rocks, clouds that suddenly turned into something strange, some kind of animals, but, unknown animals and all of them were shouting one word, "Alebrijes!". Upon recovery, he began recreating the creatures he saw in cardboard and papier-mâché. What he and all the others who followed his creative footsteps didn't know, is that at night these weird creatures come alive...’’

Challenge #50: Cavemen

Our fifty Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of February 2019, the deadline was the 2nd of March 2019. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Caveman. 

BRIEF ''There was a time when the world was younger, when the trees were the tallest thing we could see. Great beasts and storms roared over the land and we cowered before it all in wonder because we were so very small.. but our small size hid our giant spirit. We started to share our experience and knowledge, we discovered love, we fought uncountable battles against all odds, shaping the world with our dreams and ambitions. Follow us in this perilous journey, back in time to the dawn of human civilisation..’’

Challenge #49: Mouse Warrior

Our forty-ninth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of January 2019, the deadline was the 2nd of February 2019. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Mouse Warrior. 

BRIEF ''The little Kingdom of Rattendale has been attacked by their most bloodthirsty foe, the cruel Horde of Ferrets, monsters capable to break in, destroy their underground cities and feast on the flash of their babies. In this desperate time all the mouses from the kingdom are arming themselves to protect their families and fight back these cruel invaders. Join the call for freedom! War has come to our doors and we need you NOW!..’’

Challenge #48: Pokémon

Our forty-eighth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of December 2018, the deadline was the 2nd of January 2019. The artists of our community were invited to create fan-arts or re-design a character from the Pokémon franchise. 

BRIEF ''After he turns 10 years old, Ash Ketchum is allowed to start his journey in the world of Pokémon and dreams of becoming a Pokémon master. On the day he is to receive his first Pokémon, Ash wakes in a panic, having overslept. When he finally reaches Oak's Lab, the local Pokémon researcher has already given away the three Pokémon he entrusts to new trainers. The only one that he has left is a Pikachu..’’

Challenge #47: Backpackers

Our forty-seventh Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of November 2018, the deadline was the 2nd of December 2018. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Backpacker.

BRIEF ''The desire to find something real and to connect with something, or someone. That what drives hundreds of young backpackers from all over the world to travel to a remote and secret island with adventure on their mind. What they desire is to embark on a mystical journey, find love, live in a paradise far away from the constant buzz and social pressure of an overcomplicated modern society, perhaps even reaching an higher state of consciousness and find purpose in their lives. However, utopia is not easy thing to bring into being, and paradise could be less than perfect..''

Challenge #46: Ghosts And Poltergeists

Our forty-sixth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of October 2018, the deadline was the 2nd of November 2018. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Ghost or a Poltergeist.

BRIEF ''On Halloween, the spirits of the undead come back to earth for a single night. Many of them return to the world of the living to see or to say their last goodbye to friends and family, but others have more cruel intentions. Driven by their hatred for the wrongs they have suffered when they were alive, these restless spirits seek revenge against their old living enemies. Who will come to visit you this Halloween? ...''

Challenge #45: Candy People

Our forty-fifth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of September 2018, the deadline was the 2nd of October 2018. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Candy person.

BRIEF ''Her Highness Princess Jelly Bean is announcing the annual parade of the sweetest people of all the Candyland! Citizens of Cookietown, Cakeburg, Lolliville and many other cities will meet to celebrate this sugary event. The parade will end in a festive gathering where, as per tradition, two outstanding citizens will be crowned Mr and Mrs Sweet Tooth of the Year. Who are going be the glycemic champions this time?''

Challenge #44: Insect Warrior

Our forty-fourth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of August 2018, the deadline was the 2nd of September 2018. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a fearless Insect Warrior.

BRIEF ''It's total war in the insect world! The Evil Empire of the Arachnids has ultimately decided to attack the many insect's kingdoms and republics of the forest. For the first time in their long history the Shiny Dukedom of the Beetles, the Republic of the Amazons Moths, the Wandering Grasshopper Ronins, the Sacred Theocracy of the Praying Mantis, the Realm of the Ants, the Horde of the Locusts, The Flying Freehold of the Dragonflies and many, MANY others will unite to defend themselves from a common, cruel enemy!...''

Challenge #43: Baroque Aristocracy

Our forty-third Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of July 2018, the deadline was the 2nd of August 2018. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of an noble from the Baroque age.

BRIEF ''After the death of his chief minister, the Italian Cardinal Mazarin, Louis XIV began his personal rule of France. An adherent of the concept of the divine right of kings and a strong supporter of the idea of a centralised state governed from the capital, the ''Sun King'' eliminated the remnants of feudalism persisting in parts of France by compelling many members of the nobility to inhabit his lavish Palace of Versailles, succeeded in pacifying the aristocracy. By these means he became one of the most powerful kings of France and consolidated a system of absolute monarchical rule...''

Challenge #42: African Tribes

Our forty-second Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of June 2018, the deadline was the 2nd of July 2018. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of an African Tribesman.

BRIEF ''Time to pack your suitcase! Get ready to set off on a journey that will take you to the mysterious and ancestral continent of Africa. In this adventure you will travel trough the Sahara Desert and after sailing down the Nile River, you will reach the Serengeti Plain, climb the Mount Kilimanjaro and explore the perilous Congolese rainforest. You'll meet the most fascinating tribes that the world has ever known: Zulu, Maasai, San Bushmen, Yoruba, Xhosa, Hausa, Himba, Oromo and many, many more. The journey begins...''

Challenge #41: Street Fighter

Our forty-first Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of May 2018, the deadline was the 2nd of June 2018. The artists of our community were invited to create fan-arts or re-design a character from the Street Fighter franchise. 

BRIEF 'Sagat, the world best Muay Thai fighter, invites all the top martial artists from all around the world in Thailand to compete in a tournament to prove that he is the greater fighter alive. But in reality this competition is secretly organised by the bloodthirsty and cruel leader of the Shadaloo criminal organisation, M. Bison. He wants to put his hands on Ryu, a young fighter from Japan, who's the key to fully unleash his mysterious and murderous 'Psyco Power'. Bison is ready to use as many illegal methods as possible to achieve his final goal of dominating the world and bend it to his will. Only a courageous fighter can stop his evil plans. Are you ready? Fight!...''

Challenge #40: Space Pirates

Our fortieth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of April 2018, the deadline was the 2nd of May 2018. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Space Pirate.

BRIEF ''Elisabeth 'RedStar' Clayden was the fiercest, most terrifying pirate of the galaxy. They said her attacks and boardings had amassed her a fabulous amount of treasure, the greatest ever known. Like any good pirate, RedStar trusted no one, and always kept her treasure right under her tentacles, in the enormous hold of her spaceship. When finally her vessel crashed on the remote desert planet of Mohrn, pirates from the entire galaxy jumped on their ships to put their hands on the invaluable loot. The greatest of all treasure hunts has begun! ...''

Challenge #39: Dragons & Dragonriders

Our thirty-ninth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of March 2018, the deadline was the 2nd of April 2018. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Dragon or a Dragonrider (or both).

BRIEF ''Long time ago, in a distant land forgotten in time, a old dragon appeared in the sky. His name was Alghar and he was the largest and the most cruel dragon that men had ever seen. With only the sheer power of his size, strength and burning breath, he single handedly destroyed many of the villages and cities of the realms of the men. In that dark time, only an handful of fearless warriors were able to oppose this unstoppable and deadly force, the mighty Dragonriders! Courageous men and women with a mysterious past, that were able to tame dragons and ultimately use the same ancestral power...''

Challenge #38: Alice in Wonderland

Our thirty-eighth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of February 2018, the deadline was the 2nd of March 2018. The artists of our community were invited to create fan-arts or re-design a character from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass books.   

BRIEF ''Alice, a child who lives in the mid-Victorian Era, starts feeling bored and drowsy while sitting on a riverbank with her elder sister. Suddenly, she notices something weird: a clothed White Rabbit with a pocket watch. She decides to follow him and accidentally falls down a rabbit hole and lands into the mysterious world of Wonderland, a magical realm full of weird, wonderful (but also dangerous) people and creatures...''

Challenge #37: Bikers

Our thirty-seventh Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of January 2018, the deadline was the 2nd of February 2018. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Biker.  

BRIEF ''Outlaw bikers from all over the world are gathering in Chicago for a deadly event: the infamous “Highway to Hell”! An illegal motorcycle race which will see thousands of biker gangs ride down the old Route 66 to race and fight against each other for many dangerous days. Only one biker gang will make it to Santa Monica to put their hands on the rich final prize, while ruthless rivals, policemen and feds are on their tails. Are you gonna get there?...''

Challenge #36: Dragon Ball

Our thirty-sixth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of December 2017, the deadline was the 2nd of January 2018. The artists of our community were invited to create fan-arts or re-design a character from the Dragon Ball franchise. 

BRIEF ''A monkey-tailed warrior named Son Goku sets on a journey to find the seven Dragon Balls, mystical artefacts which have the power to summon the mighty dragon Shenlong to grant the user one wish. The journey brings Son Goku to unknown lands and distant worlds, in which he will fight (but also befriend) many powerful warriors, whimsical creatures and powerful Gods...'

Challenge #35: Burlesque Dancer

Our thirty-fifth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of November 2017, the deadline was the 2nd of December 2017. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Burlesque Dancer. To judge the designs submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror Isabella Mazzanti

BRIEF ''Madame Touverit invites you to The Royal Blue Mill! A place where humour, music, sexuality and dance blossom in what is known as 'Burlesque', a unique art form that makes fun of the bourgeois society in a witty and playful way. Get ready to laugh, drink and dance in the most exclusive club in the city!..'

Challenge #34: Demons & Devils

Our thirty-fourth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of October 2017, the deadline was the 2nd of November 2017. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Demon. To judge the designs submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror Lorenzo Etherington

BRIEF 'The cursed book ''The Nine Gates to the Kingdom of Shadows'', which was supposedly written by Satan himself, has been brought to New York. The legend says that hidden in the pages is a riddle that, if solved, will open the Nine Gates of Hell. On the 2nd of November, The Day of the Dead, a black mass is finally organised by the leader of a secret society who claims to have the answer to the riddle. An ancient ritual is recreated, the forbidden words pronounced. At midnight, the armies of Lucifer, Beelzebub, Sathanus, Abaddon, Mammon, Belphegor and Asmodeus enter the mortal world after thousand of years..''

Challenge #33: Punks

Our thirty-third Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of September 2017, the deadline was the 2nd of October 2017. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Punk. To judge the designs submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror Stephen Silver

BRIEF ''Punk is not dead! Using their body and music as a symbol of opposition and as a political statement, Punks express their disgust for all that is considered "normal" and ''acceptable'' in society. Their music will hurt your ears, their look will make you grandma scream! Get ready to join this hardcore subculture!...''

Challenge #32: Robots & Androids

Our thirty-second Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of August 2017, the deadline was the 2nd of September 2017. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Robot. To judge the designs submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror Michal Dziekan

BRIEF '''In a not too distant future, artificial intelligence has reached incredible levels of sophistication. Robots have been integrated not just in the most important technical human endeavours, but in all aspects of everyday life: robot cooks, automaton taxi drivers, mecha police enforcers, synthetic humanoid sex-workers, pet-bots, droids maids: artificial intelligence is everywhere. Humans are completely addicted to robots and people who look suspiciously at this technology are simply seen as paranoiac conspiracy theorists. But one day everything changed...''

Challenge #31: Tarot

Our thirty-first Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of July 2017, the deadline was the 2nd of August 2017. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a character from a Tarot deck cards. To judge the designs submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror Florent Sacré

BRIEF ''A mysterious Fortune Teller has just arrived in your town. No one knows who she is, nor where she came from, but rumours claims she owns a unique set of Tarot cards: when she shuffles them and then lays a card on the table, the character in it comes to life..''

challenge #30: Egyptian Gods

Our thirtieth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of June 2017, the deadline was the 2nd of July 2017. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of an Egyptian God. To judge the designs submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror Sam Nielson

BRIEF ''''In a forgotten time, at the shadow of colossals and mysterious pyramids, an ancient breed of men is building one the greatest civilisations the world has ever known: the Land of Kemet, Mansion of the Spirit of Ptah. The priests of the many temples of this land, custodians of esoteric knowledge, says that the power of their kingdom is a gift given to them by ancient beings, which power is beyond human comprehension. Beware then! Get ready to bow down and worship them.. or die. You are going to meet the mighty Egyptian Gods!''

Challenge #29: Indian Dancer

Our twenty-ninth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of May 2017, the deadline was the 2nd of June 2017. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of an Indian Dancer. To judge the designs submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror Miki Montlló

BRIEF ''This year the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the Indian National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama, has organised a unique festival to celebrate one of the most ancient, fascinating and colourful art forms in the world: the Indian Dance. The festival is conceived as a very inclusive event, in which the beauty of all kind of Indian dancing styles will be exceptionally showcased and celebrated in one place. From the Classical dances, to the Folk and Contemporary ones. Get ready to move your feet, it's time to dance!''

challenge #28: Game of Thrones

Our twenty-eighth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of April 2017, the deadline was the 2nd of May 2017. The artists of our community were invited to create fan-arts or re-design design one of the a character from the Game of Thrones franchise. To judge the designs submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror Torsten Schrank

BRIEF ''The war is raging in the land of Westeros and the Houses of Baratheon, Bolton, Florent, Lannister, Martell, Redwyne, Stark, Umber, Targaryen and Tully have make their move to claim the Iron Throne. But far in the north, the Children of the Forest have spoken: the King in the North is on the move...''

challenge #27: Carnival of Venice

Our twenty-seventh Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of March 2017, the deadline was the 2nd of April 2017. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Carnival of Venice costume. To judge the designs submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror Chris Ayer

BRIEF ''Welcome to the Venice Grand Carnival Masquerade Ball! A sumptuous, decadent and lavish night party. Like every year, the ball will take place in the prestigious and charming Venetian palace of Ca' d'Oro, situated on the beautiful Grand Canal. This is not an ordinary event: get ready to join a spectacular party full of mystery, jokes, lust and surprises. Handsome waiters serve canape’s on trays, and the evening begins..''

challenge #26: Maori Warrior

Our twenty-sixth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of February 2017, the deadline was the 2nd of March 2017. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Maori Warrior. To judge the designs submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror Paulo Ignez

BRIEF ''In the legendary island of Aotearoa lives a breed of fearless warriors and sailors: the Maori! Travelling across the many islands of the South Pacific Ocean, a brave Maori Warrior will embark in a dangerous journey against all odds to make it back home..''

challenge #25: Hippies

Our twenty-fifth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of january 2017, the deadline was the 2nd of February 2017. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Hippie. To judge the designs submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror Gabriele Pennacchioli

BRIEF ''It's August 1969, the Summer of Love! Thousands of young americans are heading to the small village of Woodstock to attend an unforgettable event, a 4 days concert that will change history, 4 days of freedom, sex, drugs and rock & roll...''

challenge #24: Harry Potter

Our twenty-fourth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of December 2016, the deadline was the 2nd of January 2017. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a character from the Harry Potter franchise. To judge the designs submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror Jean-Baptiste Monge

BRIEF ''Harry Potter is a boy who learns on his eleventh birthday that he is the orphaned son of two powerful wizards, and possesses unique magical powers of his own. Harry is summoned from his life as an unwanted child to become a student at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, an old academy hidden in Scotland. There, he meets several friends, who become his closest allies and help him discover the truth about his parents' mysterious deaths....''

challenge #23: Gladiators

Our twenty-third Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of November 2016, the deadline was the 2nd of December 2016. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Gladiator. To judge the design submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror Brian Ajhar

BRIEF ''It is a time of civil war in ancient Rome. The Emperor has decided to entertain the people of the city to avoid a bloody rebellion. The best Gladiators from all corners of the Roman Empire will fight to death in the most famous arena of the ancient world, The Amphitheatrum Flavium...''

challenge #22: Vampires

Our twenty-second Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of October 2016, the deadline was the 2nd of November 2016. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Vampire. To judge the design submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror Robert Sammelin

BRIEF ''It's the night of Halloween. A macabre group silently walks through the streets of Prague crowded by thousands of tourists and locals. They are the last Vampires, the Children of the Night, members of an ancient race of blood-thirsty undead. They all have responded to the invitation for the annual Banquet of Hecate, the Queen of the Damned, the oldest of their kind. One hundred virgins were abducted to become the main-course of this bloody celebration. But not so far away, in a secret chamber of Vatican City, the ancient Secret Order of the Vampire Hunters has been summoned by the Pope to put a stop to this massacre...''

challenge #21: Centaurs

Our twenty-first Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of September 2016, the deadline was the 2nd of October 2016. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Centaur. To judge the design submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror Stephen Silver

BRIEF ''Far away, in a mysterious and forgotten land, lives a race of mythical creatures: the Centaurs. The capital of their kingdom, the Forest of Thessaly, is ruled by the laws of their wise king Chiron. Under his guidance the Centaurs have lived for many years a peaceful and happy life but recently two young rebels, Pholos and Nessos, are treating this lifestyle. They want to bring back their people on a war-path against their ancient enemies: mankind...''

challenge #20: Aviator

Our twentieth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of August 2016, the deadline was the 2nd of September 2016. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of an Aviator. To judge the design submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror Anthony Holden

BRIEF  '''Once again, it's War. The neighbouring nation has broken the long peace treaty that lasted for over 30 years. On the ground, the civilian casualties are endless, the enemy didn't respect the old martial laws and right now entire towns are burned and razed by the merciless bombardment. A brave aviator will get on board his airplane to defend his homeland: a hero of the skies has risen, and a new legend is born...''

challenge #19: Samurai and Geisha

Our nineteenth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of July 2016, the deadline was the 2nd of August 2016. The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Samurai or a Geisha. To judge the design submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror Meg Park

BRIEF  ''This is a story of loyalty, sacrifice, persistence, and honour. A samurai is on a journey to rescue the lovely Sudo Magodo, a geisha who has been kidnapped from the palace of his daimyo Mashiro Tamigi, his feudal lord. His heartbroken master has promised to commit seppuku (the ritual Japanese suicide) if his beloved lover will not be returned to him. With the help of the chief guard of the palace and loyal friend Fatu Nakazata, the fearless samurai will resolve this once and for all by fighting the bandit and kidnapper Pokoto Pokoto and his evil henchmen to the death...''

challenge #18: Sailor Moon

Our eighteenth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of June 2016, the deadline was the 2nd of July 2016.  The artists of our community were invited to re-design or create a fan-art of an existing character of the famous animated series Sailor Moon . To judge the design submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror Barbara Canepa.

BRIEF  ''In Minato, Tokyo, a middle-school student named Usagi Tsukino befriends Luna, a talking black cat that gives her a magical brooch enabling her to become Sailor Moon: a pretty guardian destined to save Earth from the forces of evil. Luna and Usagi assemble a team of fellow Sailor Guardians to find their princess and the Silver Crystal. They encounter the studious Ami Mizuno, who awakens as Sailor Mercury; Rei Hino, a local shrine maiden who awakens as Sailor Mars; Makoto Kino, a tall transfer student who awakens as Sailor Jupiter; and Minako Aino, a young aspiring idol who awakens as Sailor Venus, accompanied by her talking feline companion Artemis. Additionally, they encounter Mamoru Chiba, a high-school student who assists them on occasion as Tuxedo Mask...''

challenge #17: Mermaids and Mermen

Our seventeenth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of May 2016, the deadline was the 2nd of June 2016.  The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a mermaid or a merman. To judge the design submitted during the month the Special Guest Juror was Auguste Dupin, editor of CDR. 

BRIEF  ''20.000 leagues under the sea lies the mythical city of Atlantis. It's inhabitants are mysterious creatures know by the humans of the upper world as Mermaids and Mermen. Their daily routine goes from simple things such as fishing, raising their children and play water polo, to more risky and dangerous endeavours like defending their beloved city from gruesome sea-monsters and intrusive expeditions of human beings..''

challenge #16: Heavy Metal

Our sixteenth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of April 2016, the deadline was the 2nd of May 2016.  The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a ruthless Heavy Metal musician. To judge the design submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror T-Wei

BRIEF  ''The Wembley Stadium this year will host a one-of-a-kind show: ''A Song of Blood and Fire Festival!'', an unmissable 3 days concert dedicated to all the metal fans around the globe. The mightiest bands and musicians will take part of this incredible event and your character.. will be one of them!''

challenge #15: Legend Of Zelda

Our fifthteenth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of March 2016, the deadline was the 2nd of April 2016.  The artists of our community were invited to redesign or create a fanart of an existing character of the famous video game franchise Legend Of Zelda. To judge the design submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror Enrique Fernández

BRIEF  ''A small kingdom in the land of Hyrule is engulfed in chaos after an army led by Ganon, the Prince of Darkness, invaded it and stole the Triforce of Power, a part of a magical artifact bestowing great strength. In an attempt to prevent Ganon from acquiring the Triforce of Wisdom, another of the pieces, Princess Zelda splits it and hides the eight fragments in secret dungeons throughout the land. Before being kidnapped by Ganon's henchmen, Zelda commands her nursemaid Impa to find someone courageous enough to save the kingdom. While wandering the land, the old woman is surrounded by Ganon's henchmen, though a young boy named Link appears and rescues her. After hearing Impa's plea, he resolves to save Zelda and sets out to reassemble the scattered fragments of the Triforce of Wisdom, to become powerful enough to defeat Ganon..''

challenge #14: Vikings

Our fourteenth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of February 2016, the deadline was the 2nd of March 2016.  The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Viking warrior. To judge the design submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror Denis Zilber

BRIEF  ''The remote village of Almdalir is one of the legendary harbours of a fearless breed of warriors and sailors: the Vikings! From this spot, its inhabitants sail the cold Northern Sea towards the unknown. The ones who make it back home bring with them stories of terrifying encounters with dragons, giants, gods and abominable sea monsters..''

challenge #13: Roller Derby

Our thirteenth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of January 2016, the deadline was the 2nd of February 2016.  The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a roller derby skater. To judge the design submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror the talented husband and wife animation artists Griz and Norm

BRIEF  ''New York City this year is hosting the Ultimate Roller Derby Tournament, the most important event for any roller skater. The greatest teams from all over the world are gathering to the Big Apple with one single goal: become the next Roller Derby World Champion. They will fight, they will push the limit.. and they're not gonna stop there!''

challenge #12: Shaolin Monk

Our twelfth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of December 2015, the deadline was the 2nd of January 2016.  The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a shaolin monk. To judge the design submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror Nicolas Weis

BRIEF  ''The temple bells toll as the monks kneel in the pillared inner sanctum and bow before the great altar of the Golden Buddha, before which sits the Abbot of Shaolin. This year he will reveal to his students the secrets of the ''Bak Mei 白眉 Kung Fu'', a lethal martial art style. Only 4 novices will handle the rigours of training this fighting style, and to them will be revealed how to use the mysterious Genk Jak Ging, known as the ''sacred power'', an explosive and deadly martial art technique..''

challenge #11: Olympian gods

Our eleventh Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of November 2015, the deadline was the 2nd of December 2015.  The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of an Olympian God. To judge the design submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror Dean Heezen

BRIEF  ''We're on a journey to Mount Olympus to make our acquaintance with It's powerful residents: the Olympian Gods!''

challenge #10: dia de los muertos

Our tenth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of October 2015, the deadline was the 2nd of November 2015.  The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a celebrator of the Dia De Los Muertos. To judge the design submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror Borja Montoro

BRIEF  ''The people in a remote town in Mexico are celebrating the Dia de los Muertos, a national festivity that commemorate the lives of the deceased with food, drink, parties, and activities the dead enjoyed in life. Dia de los Muertos recognises death as a natural part of the human experience, a continuum with birth, childhood, and growing up to become a contributing member of the community. Some believe that this day the souls of the departed return to earth to visit with and to provide council or give advice to family and loved ones..''

challenge #9: Private detective

Our ninth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of September 2015, the deadline was the 2nd of October 2015.  The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a private detective. To judge the design submitted during the month we had the privilege of having as our Special Guest Juror Bobby Pontillas

BRIEF  ''An unusual crime has shocked the city last week. The body of a well known aristocrat, Lady Poppington, was found in her bedroom by her housemaid. Four other people were in the Poppington Mansion at the moment of her death: Philip the butler, George the Gardener, Miss Mimi the Housemaid and Mr. Boringburg, a guest of the victim: none of them heard or noticed anything unusual that night. The police didn't find any evidence at the crime scene that could lead to the killer nor did they find the murder weapon. The autopsy just revealed that the death was violent, but nothing more. Lord Poppington (the victim's husband) disappointed by the results of the police investigation, is personally getting in touch with the greatest private detectives to finally solve the mystery of his wife murder''

challenge #8: traveling circus

Our eighth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of August 2015, the deadline was the 2nd of September 2015.  The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a circus performer. To judge the design submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror Uwe Heidschötter

BRIEF  ''The Fantastic Travelling Circus of Madame de Balibari” finally stops in your town after an amazing tour around the globe. Talented and reckless performers, as well as some of the most exotic and dangerous creatures the world has ever known are part of this unmissable show''

challenge #7: master chef

Our seventh Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of July 2015, the deadline was the 2nd of August 2015.  The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a chef. To judge the design submitted during the month we had the privilege of having as our Special Guest Juror Carlos Grangel

BRIEF  ''Pascal Mangionè, a veteran inspector of the famous guide ''Magnake Tepassa'' (the most influential and respected guide for bar and restaurants), is travelling all around the globe to decide who are the best 4 chefs of the year..''

challenge #6: post-apocalyptic survivor

Our sixth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of June 2015, the deadline was the 2nd of July 2015.  The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a post-apocalyptic survivor. To judge the design submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror Jeff Merghart

BRIEF ''Years afters World War III, the planet is a wasteland plagued by the destructive power of nuclear and chemical weapons, mutants, gangs of ruthless outlaws, zombies and crazy sentient machines. What's left of the human race are individuals ready for anything, fearless survivors.. ''

challenge #5: wizards & witches

Our fifth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of May 2015, the deadline was the 2nd of June 2015.  The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a wizard or a witch. To judge the design submitted during the month we had the privilege of having as our Special Guest Juror Loish

BRIEF  ''Every 100 years wizards and witches from all around the globe gather in a secret location of the city of London for a magic duel. The prophecy says that only to the most powerful sorcerer of the Earth will be revealed the mystery of the Nine Worlds, the sum magical knowledge.. ''

challenge #4: steampunk explorer

Our fourth Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of April 2015, the deadline was the 2nd of May 2015.  The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a steampunk explorer. To judge the design submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror Rad Sechrist

BRIEF  ''In 1863, where an alternate nineteenth century Europe has made tremendous strides in steam-powered technologies, the scientists of Royal Engineer Society have succeeded in discovering the ''FogStone'' a pure mineral. They believe it can be harnessed to create as an ultimate power source for steam engines. However, the precious mineral seems to be located only in a remote (and seemingly inaccessible) corner of the world, so they decide to hire the most famous explorers of their time to find a secure path..''

challenge #3: gangsters

Our third Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of March 2015, the deadline was the 2nd of April 2015.  The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a gangster. Auguste Dupin, editor of Character Design References, was the juror for this challenge.

BRIEF  ''A new gangster arrives in town and is determined to take down, one by one, the ruthless gangs of Al Chiappone, Paddy Malone and Feng Zhu, the most violent criminals of the city.. ''

challenge #2: jedi & sith

Our second Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of February 2015, the deadline was the 2nd of March 2015.  The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a Jedi Knight or a Sith Lord. To judge the design submitted during the month we had the privilege of having as our Special Guest Juror Wouter Tulp

BRIEF  ''A long time ago in a galaxy far far away.. Over the planet Aquilae, a group of starfighters flew toward a distant speck. The speck gradually resolved into an immense space fortress, a planet-sized battle station called the Death Star.  The only person who knows how to destroy it, a young member of the Rebellion, is on board of one of the starfighters intercepted by the Empire. Four fearless Jedi Knights will try to save the prisoner, but to do so they will have to face a Sith Lord and its deadly henchmen.... ''

challenge #1: Pirates!

Our first Character Design Challenge started on the 7th of January 2015, the deadline was the 2nd of February 2015.  The artists of our community were invited to design their unique vision of a pirate. To judge the design submitted during the month we had the honour of having as our Special Guest Juror Uli Meyer

BRIEF  ''The map of the hidden treasure of the Captain One-Eyed Willie, the King of Pirates, has been found in Port Royal. Pirates from the 7 Seas are gathering in town to put their hands on the precious artefact..''