Polina Hristova

Creature Design Fundamentals

Are you ready to unleash your inner creature designer? Join our thrilling course led by industry expert Polina Hristova, a seasoned professional with over 13 years of experience in the entertainment industry. In this class, you'll learn the fundamentals of creature design, including anatomy, movement, and behavior, and discover how to create believable and unique creatures by studying real-world animals. Polina will guide you through the process, providing expert feedback and mentorship to help you develop your skills and unleash your unique style. By the end of the course, you'll have a portfolio bursting with impressive creature designs and the skills to bring your creature concepts to life in the animation, game, or film industry. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from the best and unleash your potential as a creature designer!

Class Begins

Apply Now

Class Starts Summer June 2023 (Pacific Time Zone/California),

Time: Mondays 7-10pm. June 1st - August 19th (Place holder date)

Cost: ?TBA (don't how much to charge yet)

Students Max (ask Erin). First come first serve basis

(Does not apply to workshops): First is class free (must sign up). All class are first come serve basis. Once the class fills up free option will no longer be available. See details: Link

Class will be hosted on Zoom. Please download app before 1st day of class. Mic is required for critiques, webcam encourage, not required (nobody want to speak to a blank screen)

Shared Google Drive Folder for Student Feedback

Demos will be in Adobe Photoshop. Students are free to choose their own media such as Procreate or traditional media.

This class is for intermediate level art students who want to continue developing their skills. Students are expected the know basics human anatomy

Expect 3-5 hours of homework per week with this class.
Live feedback

Workshop is full, join the waitlist

Course Overview

Welcome to our 8-week course on creature design, taught by industry veteran Polina Hristova. This class is designed for animation, game, and film students interested in learning creatures' art and design for the entertainment industry.

Week 1: Introduction to creature design - In this class, you will be introduced to the basics of creature design, including anatomy, movement, and behavior. We will also explore how to create believable and unique creatures by studying real-world animals.

Week 2-3: Sketching and concept art - You will learn how to create quick sketches and concept art of your creatures. You will learn how to create multiple iterations of your designs and how to develop a concept from a rough sketch to a final polished piece.

Week 4-5: Sculpting and texturing - You will learn how to use digital sculpting tools to create 3D models of your creatures. You will also learn how to texture your creatures to make them look believable and realistic.

Week 6-7: remove this (add basic to 3d sculpting). Creature rigging and animation- You will learn the basics of rigging and animation, including how to set up a rig, weighting, and animating a creature.

Week 8: Final project presentation - You will have the opportunity to present your final project to the class and receive feedback from Polina and your classmates. You will also have the opportunity to discuss your future plans and career aspirations with Polina and learn about potential job opportunities in the entertainment industry.

Throughout the course, Polina will provide expert guidance and feedback on your work, helping you to refine your skills and develop your own unique style. You will also have the opportunity to learn from guest speakers in the industry, who will share their insights and experiences working on some of the most popular films and games of recent years.

By the end of the course, you will have a strong portfolio of creature designs and the skills to bring your creature concepts to life in the animation, game, or film industry. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from the best and unleash your potential as a creature designer with Polina!

Note: This course is designed to provide a thorough overview of the subject matter. The exact content and structure of the course may be adjusted by the instructor to best suit the needs and interests of the class.

Instructor: Polina Hristova

Meet Polina Hristova, a highly skilled and accomplished concept artist with over 13 years of experience in the entertainment industry. As a freelancer, she is currently working on an unannounced project for PlayStation. She also serves as Co-Founder and Artist at DigiInk Creative, where she creates concepts, illustrations, theme park designs, storyboards, and collectible sculptures for the entertainment industry. Polina's extensive experience includes being an instructor and course creator for concept and foundation at DreamWorks, Laguna College of Art, Concept Design Academy, Brainstorm, and CGMA, where she teaches courses such as Intro to Perspective and Creature Design. Additionally, she has worked as a freelance artist for clients such as Warner Bros, Obsidian Entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment America, and NBC Universal, among others, on notable projects such as Minecraft, Into the Breach, Spider-Man Homecoming, and Harry Potter. She has also worked as a concept artist at Obsidian Entertainment and Lucasfilm and as an intern at Naughty Dog. Polina's talent and passion for creating visually stunning worlds and characters are evident in her dynamic and imaginative designs.