I really dislike making my OC's generic humans, as I already have a bunch of OC's like that. But I'm having a hard time creating unique designs. I try creating different things from what I'm used to but I always dislike the way it looks.
And by "unique" I don't nessesarily mean like aliens with usunual amounts of limbs and weird skin colors (though that kind of stuff is rad) but like I have a hard time making OC's with even body types different than "white stick-skinny flat-as-a-board" and hairstyles different than "long wavy ponytail with side-part."
Does anyone have any advice?
find your aesthetic but try to mend certain elements to make it appealing and not too much or too bland but it fits perfectly or close to that
try to think of what the character personaility is like, perhaps certain characteristics can apply to their overall appearance or just part of it, such as a character who's stress may have dark circle/eye bags under their eyes, or someone who's messy may have messy hair but also not too exaggerated because then that would be expected, like ofc he/she has messy hair cause they're messy
think of what that character likes and dislikes and also apply that to their personaility/apperance. Also try to not think as too clichey such as your character may look like someone else's but have it be know that "oh that character is diancie because x or y"
try to study from other people ocs to see how their characters come together, what to avoid, and what to note down.
For the hair and body types, you can look up references and play around with generators to find the ones you like. Think of what kind of personality you want your oc to have and use that to help develop their appearance, interests, etc.
Try looking around at other people's oc's. Find ones you like, determine what it is you like about their oc, and try using those different elements to create your own oc.
I personally like to browse through adoptables and pick out what traits I like best. I know I have a bad habit of using the same hair over and over again, so I can kind of feel your pain.
Instead of trying to do a character right off the bat that's different, try and sketch/plot out things you like that're different. Do some short hair, long hair, funky hair... Try out some different proportions. Then whatever you like that you're comfortable with, or even slightly out of your comfort zone with, go with it!
