Traevon and Yasmin are two characters from an upcoming one-shot and potential series. I developed them both in 2021, inspired by watching my brother play Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. When I applied to the Nick Artist Program for their 2022 year, included these designs in my portfolio. Although I wasn’t accepted, I’m proud of this work!
Keep reading to meet them both!
Traevon:
His general design is inspired by the historical Black cowboys of America’s West and Link’s character design from The Legend of Zelda. His shield, with its shape and geometric designs, is based on the real-life metal shields carved by Mofu-speaking peoples from northern Cameroon. His sword is also based off American sword designs popular during the Civil War. Traevon is a young hunter from a small farming village, so he often brings his hunting rifle (pictured) when traveling and is quite skilled with it. And finally, as Traevon’s final pose shows, he loves music. At the end of a long day, you can find him playing blues songs on his acoustic guitar – true to both the African American and cowboy inspirations for his character.
Yasmin:
The second image is a design sheet for Yasmin Vasquez, the (unwanted) princess of the kingdom both she and Traevon call home. With her nation’s history of corrupt political leaders—a history her own parents have contributed to—Yasmin is put in the unenviable situation of inheriting a national mess. When a frightening political crisis strikes their kingdom, Yasmin runs away and fakes her own death—both to escape her old life and the radicals who want to assassinate her. Disguised as a servant girl, Yasmin makes a living doing odd jobs in a nearby city—until she meets Traevon by chance. Once her identity is revealed, he accompanies her on the long journey to restore their broken kingdom.
Yasmin’s design reflects the complexity of her backstory. She is also Afro-Latina, and I wanted her design to reflect the richness of her mixed ancestry and the complexities of her life experiences. For example, her “princess” attire is inspired from the European style dress of Empress Carlota of Mexico (1840-1927). Her servant girl outfit is based on the gamurra—a 15th century Italian dress, popular during the Renaissance. Her most casual and comfortable dress is based on the clothing of Queen Nzinga Mbande (1583-1663), an Angolan monarch who fought to preserve her people’s independence against the Portuguese. Finally, Yasmin’s default design (in color) is her casual dress with a quechquemitl (a poncho worn by indigenous people throughout Latin America), a sombrero and huaraches (or Mexican sandals).