Before I started work I went and did a little research about Tirupur and its flora and fauna. I sketched few characters representing animal like characteristics.
Below is an ape like character with huge muscular arms which help's it swing from tree to tree. The round body shape denotes the cuteness and gullible nature of the guardian of the forest.
He flaunts a sharp canines(teeth) to show the character can be rough and mean when required. he donning a wooden crown highlighting him as a king/protector of the jungle.
This Character is inspired by the spotted deer found in Tirupur and also the deer denoting the one of avatars of Gautam Buddha in the 'Jataka Tales'. The deer is cute with rounded features, but beware his antlers are sharp too, to shoo away the bad guys who destroy forests. The deer is drawn anthropomorphic-which denotes it walks on his hind limbs like humans and acts like humans. But when it demands it turns to its animal side.
Below is a character very human like but its head of a shape of a box denoting a piece of earth, it has a seedling on top of his head which gives it super strength. This Character was loved by the client and thus was finalised and named 'Mikku' the guardian and protector of the forest.
Before finalising the characters I wanted to draw it in many styles and colors so i could see which would suite it the best, all the alterations were shared with the client the one below looked very matured though and has a mark on his chest - the logo of Tirupur Marathon.
After the final Character shape and size was finalised few more color options were tried inspired from nature
Many Poses were also tried....which could be used in Print ads also
This was the final color and size appreciated and selected byt the clients
Few Gifs of Mikku were done for the website
