Ilya Kuvshinov, renowned for captivating character design, spans from Ghost in the Shell: SAC 2045 to Compile Heart's Villion:Code. We explore his creative process for bringing Villion:Code's characters to life in this anticipated game.
Villion:Code Character Origins
Kuvshinov’s Villion:Code design journey began with a single sketch of all protagonists. This allowed immediate understanding of their collective dynamics: personalities, heights, costumes, faces, and postures. It was vital for establishing a cohesive yet diverse cast for players.
Some characters, like three male protagonists, were quickly approved with minor tweaks. Others, however, required extensive development. Chloe saw multiple redesigns as her personality and backstory evolved. Anastasia underwent the most iterations, gradually becoming asymmetrical—diagonal bangs, varied sleeve lengths, and accessory placements—to truly stand out, a choice that defined her unique visual identity.
Collaborative Vision and Design Scope
As principal character designer, Kuvshinov translated Villion:Code's world, story, and gameplay into vibrant visual identities. His core responsibility was creating compelling characters to drive the narrative and engage players. While his direct input on story or gameplay was limited to one sidequest, his visual contributions were expansive.
Kuvshinov designed all characters: protagonists, antagonists, and NPCs. He supervised 3D model transitions and provided monster concepts. Beyond characters, his art shaped the school logo, cutscene illustrations, promotional artwork, cover designs, and UI portraits, demonstrating his wide-reaching aesthetic influence.
Adapting Design for Media
Character design isn't uniform for Kuvshinov; it adapts to the medium. 2D anime necessitates simpler costumes for repeated drawing. 3D games allow greater detail but introduce polygonal concerns like clipping or transparent surfaces. Villion:Code presented a unique challenge: characters required both Live2D and in-game 3D models, a new learning experience.
A key game design opportunity is player camera freedom. Characters must be recognizable and impactful from any angle and distance, especially in varied gameplay planes. Color and silhouette are critical for consistent recognition.
Near-Future Aesthetic Blend
Villion:Code’s near-future setting mixes advanced tech with modern fashion. Kuvshinov researched how science historically influenced fashion—materials, shapes, costs, and colors. He also studied enduring uniform elements, like serafuku, and doctor’s coats.
Given the school town, extensive research into global school and sports uniforms, past and present, informed his vision. This allowed him to imagine how familiar forms would evolve in a diverse, multicultural near-future school, creating Villion:Code's relatable yet advanced aesthetic.
Signature Style and Evolution
Fashion is central to Kuvshinov's Villion:Code work. The challenge was distinguishing characters within a shared school uniform. This was achieved by understanding each character’s personality. Subtle changes—rolled sleeves, unbuttoned shirts, outerwear, tie styles, or collar positions—become powerful cues. Chloe’s high collar, for instance, subtly hints at her desire to hide.
Kuvshinov’s distinctive artistry is clear. He aims to "say more while showing less." He identifies unique pupil designs as a personal motif. His creative process evolves: for Villion:Code, needing consistent style across many characters (color saturation, shadow depth, line art) and Live2D preparation led him to create a personal painting guideline. This comprehensive guide, detailing palettes, brushes, effects pipelines, and blending modes, significantly streamlined his workflow.
Among his designs, Kuvshinov is particularly proud of the diverse "Helixes," the characters' unique ear devices. Each Helix subtly reveals its wearer's personality through its chosen color and shape.
Experience Villion:Code
Kuvshinov feels fortunate to be part of Villion:Code, calling it truly unique and deep. Despite his specific role, he’s deeply impressed by the game’s story, gameplay, music, and voice acting. He hopes fans, new and old, will experience this profound world he helped create.
