Visual stylistics of futurism: the case of the "Meowfront" project
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30857/2617-0272.2026.3.2Keywords:
graphic design, concept art, character, game design, color scheme, style, indie game, digital development toolsAbstract
The relevance of the study was determined by the growing interest in indie games and the need to develop a distinctive futuristic visual style for characters in the action-RPG genre. In contemporary game design, visual imagery played a crucial role in shaping recognizability and emotional immersion, which was particularly important for small studios competing for audience attention through innovation and original concepts. The aim of the study was to identify the principles of forming a coherent futuristic character style for an indie game and to determine effective approaches to combining technological and artistic aesthetics in visual design.
The research employed methods of visual and comparative analysis, authorial experimentation, silhouette and proportion studies, colour solution selection, and the use of digital tools (Adobe Photoshop, Procreate, MidJourney, Stable Diffusion) for creating sketches and basic models. The analysis was conducted with consideration of the characteristic features of indie games and current trends in futuristic and neopunk design.
The results demonstrated that analysing contemporary indie games – specifically Transistor, Hyper Light Drifter, Journey, Hollow Knight, Hades, Cyberpunk 2077, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Ori and the Blind Forest, Pseudoregalia, Ravenlok, Battle Cats, and Cat Quest – made it possible to identify key trends in the visual stylistics of anthropomorphic and technologically oriented characters. Based on this analysis and the generalisation of collected materials, two authorial moodboards were developed and ten characters for the game Meowfront were created, combining structural and chromatic solutions typical of the futuristic aesthetic of indie projects. The findings also showed that combining rounded and dynamic forms, neon accents, and technological detailing together with classical silhouette design principles and modern digital tools ensured the formation of a coherent style and high recognizability of combat roles. This combination enabled the creation of characters with expressive archetypal imagery and stable visual identity.
The practical value of the study lies in the fact that the proposed methodology may be applied to the development of character concept design in other indie projects seeking to integrate futuristic aesthetics with innovative design solutions.
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