I began with some observational drawing to get an idea of the physicality of drinking a cup of coffee:
The brief specified that the characters should be simple and without unnecessary detail; so I began by thinking how I could effectively use basic lines and shapes to capture a recognisable human figure.
I was beginning to get an idea of what I liked and didn't. I started to consider how I could portray characteristics through my design. I wanted this man to be sympathetic; he's had a hard day at work and things aren't going right for him. He's fed up, and maybe feeling a little sorry for himself.
I like how the use of a simple line can communicate so much, he's kind of clunky; implying that he's not taken seriously, he may be clumsy and he is a bit slow. This is an uncomplicated drawing for an uncomplicated man - he just wants to relax with a coffee!
The woman character was conceived afterwards - I found it difficult to convey her in the same style, but with a dramatically different set of characteristics. I wanted her to come across as put together, authoritative and quite snooty. She took a lot of thinking and failed attempts and I still think she's lacking in the satisfying simplicity of the man.
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