Ai-Kon Mascot!?

So I submitted an entry for Ai-Kon, an anime convention in Manitoba and the winners were just announced! Didn't win, unfortunately. My design actually I think is a bit unusual, hmm. I'm definitely trying again next year and perhaps spare lots of time so I could make 3 entries instead of 1.

Anyway, if you're around Winnipeg and you love anime, you must go! The dates are July 11-13 this year.

I went last year, for only one day and it was pretty fun! 

Oh, and today I'm going to document what I did with my entry which I had tons of fun with.

Congratulations to the winners, well-deserved I must say :)

Let's get started! But since I'm a bit lazy, the entirety of it is not here.

1.) I actually started this thing around November, I was actually busy around that time, too. So I started sketching around hairstyles for Aiko and the outfit. 

-It was coincidental that when the theme was announced, I just finished Idolm@ster!

2.) On December, I decided to start sketching up other outfits and here it is.

As you can see, I am really biased around short hair styled up. The boots look a bit sci-fi here and I wanted to modify that too...I also wanted some lines around the corset-like vest around the chest area. I'm suspecting Kyoukai No Kanata inspired me to do that...

There were frills so it could look a bit cute. The get-up was very much inspired by only AKB48, I'm clueless when it comes to other Japanese idol groups... OTL

I guess the zipper on the vest and the buttons on the shirt were just for transition effect?

I took in account that if Aiko's energetic we so might as well take out the sleeves. In my imagination, I'd think she'd be the one who dances and runs around a lot.

Considering, AKB48's costumes belts kind of felt vital and I wanted a break-off for the skirt and the vest, since they are the same colour. I was thinking of having the letter A on the circle belt clip but I didn't go through with that.

3.) Finalizing the design happened a week before the deadline! I was thinking colours this time. 

 I  wanted them to be different from last year's mascot, whose basis of Aiko's clothes were teal, white and blue. I had it lime-green and pink for the main outfit first but I changed my mind. 

 That's the finalized design for the clothing, there was another sketch that I made that the boots were based off and I just wanted to add red all of a sudden instead. It can stand for passion, why not?



Her hand accessories were modified because I felt that complete symmetry was kind of boring. I added sleeves back on because I also thought that more skin felt a little boyish? It's ironic, because the design is leaning on the more androgynous side.

Omitted the things around the chest.

I added a black stripe on the belts for variety, so two colours in a whole clothing piece. There was not much thought onto the round belt clip and I wish I would've (nah).

Aiko's belt clip on the sides because there are two belts and an endless belt is not exactly the best option for the outfit? So the belt clips are there.

The frills, boot lining and plaid pattern on the skirt makes it feel more cute I think. 

The vest's gold lining happened in the spur of the moment.

4.) I thought that short hair might be better for Aiko this time. More practical? And I wanted something new for her because she has had long hair for so long. My short-hair loving soul persuaded me to give her short hair.

  There was a promotional photo of this girl group (I don't remember who they are) and I liked one of the member's hairstyles. Thought it was cute.

Of course, my impulse to draw tomboyish haircuts kicked in.

And I debated in which should she have. In the end, the faux-hawk won. Energy apparently stands for hair standing up for me.

5.) I wanted a pose whereas Aiko is in the middle of an exhilarating performance. Adrenaline kicking in the front of the crowd. I'm not that good of an artist yet, so I'm pretty sure there were other exciting poses I could've done. This is the final sketch.

I wanted it to have a cute vibe so, her right hand's pointing out. Inspired by Kanon Nakagawa I guess. I really wanted an eager expression so there's a vague sketch of it there.

6.) I don't sketch the clothes and other details, actually. I draw them out when I make the lines! That's why sometimes my lines are shaky or messy.

 The belt accessories looked a lot better in the design sketch...I shrug it off. I think the clothes needed more movement now that I look at it. More folds, fabric flipping and jumping along with Aiko. Absolutely could've done the boots' angles better.

I believe the expression wasn't too effective...

I gave Aiko an ahoge because I like it. Oh, the days when I drew tons of characters with a cowlick...

Overall, I liked the lineart turnout. The hairclip was last-minute and an (desperate) attempt to make it more girly. It's A is meant to resemble Ai-Kon's logo.


7.) The colouring here was different than the usual. Usually, I blend the colours but this time I cell-shade.

I had so much fun colouring! 

I did feel the sharp feel felt more brash and slightly similar to 2013 Aiko. Also, the vest's airbrush job wasn't too good.

8.) My Aiko of 2014, the final product.

I changed the hue of the colours so it looks more appealing. The eyes were too much on the green side beforehand too.

Overall though, I believe the most emphasized part (am I using the right words) is my approach to a more unusual Aiko. Something new. A realistic case, a hardworking and eccentric Aiko in my opinion. I gave her earpieces because sometimes I am way too thorough with logic.

The outfit is inspired very much from AKB48's ensemble uniforms with each members standing out while still fitting in with their fellow members. 

Instead of conforming to the previous years', I wanted a more different idol-esque attitude for Aiko with more freedom than the strict comings of a real Japanese idol. She may go along with tradition, but she has a charm on to launching new things as seen with her hair.

Anyone know the K-pop girl group f(x)? I was also influenced by Amber but I didn't want her to have really boyish charm. I could've implemented something better next time.

Now that the winners have been announced I am very happy. I was so anxious the past week itching to find out the winners and finally! 

On a related note, I might start a big drawing project full of Aikos in the spring. Really starting to dig Official 2014 Aiko's outfit and I'm looking forward to getting to draw her. Who knows...