Character design for Leo
2023
client: Netflix Animation
"The class pet is about to become the class therapist"
Character design
& Visual Development
Max Kostenko had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with Netflix Animation as character designer on the hit animated musical comedy "Leo", starring Adam Sandler. Working under the creative direction of directors Robert Smigel, Robert Marianetti, and David Wachtenheim, Max contributed to the foundational visual language and character ideation of the film’s unique world.
“My primary focus was on the visual development and character design of the main protagonists and various supporting characters. The challenge was to find a balance between a stylized, "cartoony" aesthetic and the expressive, relatable emotions needed for this heart-warming story about an aging class pet.
Working closely with the creative team, I explored numerous iterations to capture the unique personality of Leo the Lizard and his terrarium companion, Squirtle the Turtle.
I joined the project when most of the main characters were already approved. My main task was to create the parents of kids.
but I started with emotion research of Leo and Squirtle
Jake's_parrents
Anthony’s parents
glamorous, a little aggressive. perhaps with a dark past
Class clown’s parents
The first idea was to make a strict father and a conservative quiet mother
Logan’s parents
“A family whose daughter loves to dance” that's all I knew about this task
PIA'S PARENTS
The family is divorced, dad lives with his young wife
TJ'S_PARENTS
The son is a little shy of his father, he has a hairy back, he often behaves strangely in public, and his suit does not suit him.
Skyler'S_PARENTS
Asian family, perhaps the father is a programmer or startuper
ELI'S PARENTS
Young family who is very protective of their child. Obsessed with psychology
Cole’s parents
Mom is a fan of selfies and social networks
