Character Design Tip: Avoid Overlapping Height Marks

@JoshDaws· July 3, 2026 View original

▶ The 60-second brief

Summary

A user shares a practical tip for character design, advising against letting height marks overlap skin textures to prevent unintended visual artifacts like 'tattoos.'

An individual offered a practical piece of advice for those involved in character design, particularly when utilizing design sheets or templates. The core recommendation is to ensure that any height measurement marks do not extend onto or overlap the character's skin texture. This seemingly minor detail can prevent undesirable visual outcomes. Failing to observe this precaution can lead to unexpected graphical glitches, such as the appearance of 'tattoos' or other unintended markings on the character's body. This highlights the importance of meticulous attention to detail in the asset creation process to maintain visual integrity and quality.

Why it matters

For professionals in game development, animation, or virtual reality, precise character asset creation is essential. This tip helps avoid common visual errors, ensuring high-quality and polished digital characters.

How to implement this in your domain

  1. 1Review character design templates and ensure clear separation of measurement guides from texture areas.
  2. 2Train design teams on best practices for layering and masking in character creation software.
  3. 3Implement quality control checks specifically for visual artifacts on character models.
  4. 4Standardize asset creation workflows to minimize potential for overlapping elements.
  5. 5Utilize non-destructive editing techniques to easily adjust or remove guide marks.

Who benefits

GamingAnimationVirtual RealityFilm & TVProduct Design

Key takeaways

  • Meticulous attention to detail is crucial in character design.
  • Overlapping height marks can create unintended visual artifacts.
  • Proper layering and masking prevent graphical glitches.
  • Standardized workflows improve asset quality.

Original post by @JoshDaws

"Good investigation here. The sheet he lands on is exactly what I've been using for Mary Sue. One thing to look out for though. Make sure your height marks don't overlap the skin, or you'll end up with some interesting tattoos."

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Character Design Tip: Avoid Overlapping Height Marks

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