7.1 2D Creature Design

Lesson 1: Create a Mythological Pixel Creature (2D Design)

GOALS

1. Use imagination and storytelling to invent a new mythological creature by combining two animals.

2. Practice character design through visual art sketching on a pixel grid.

3. Write a detailed backstory describing your creature’s environment, habits, abilities, and origins.

4. Begin learning about pixel sprite creation, practice sketching a creature within a 30 x 30 pixel space.

STEPS

1. Spin the Animal Spinner!
   Use the spinner below to randomly select two animals—one from each group—to combine into your mythological creature.
   👉 Spinner Link!

2. Open Your Learning Journal
   Open your Google Doc Learning Journal. Title the new section:
   Mythological Creature Backstory

3. Use These Questions to Brainstorm Your Creature’s Story:

   • Where does this creature live?

   • What does it eat?

   • What are its personality characteristics?

   • Does it have any special powers or magical abilities?

   • What size is it (in comparison to known animals)?

   • What noises does it make (if any)?

   • Has it ever encountered humans or other animals?

   • Is it a hero, villain, guardian, or explorer in its world?

   • Is it the last of its kind, or part of a species?

   • What is its name and how did it get it?

   Optional: Use the AI Brainstorming Partner to generate even more ideas for your creature.
   👉 Link to our FlintAI Mythological Creator Brainstormin Custom Activity!

4. Draw Your Creature!
   Use Sketchbook on your iPad to sketch your mythological creature:

   • IMG_1462-1.JPG

   • Use this 30 x 30 grid (graph paper) and keep your design inside a 30 x 30 area.

   • Color it using 5–8 colors max.

   • Save/export your sketch as a .jpg or .png.

    

5.  

TURN IN

1. Upload the .JPG or .PNG sketch of your creature (from Notability).

2. Paste the link to your Google Doc Learning Journal that includes:

   • The name of your creature

   • Its detailed backstory (at least 1 paragraph, ideally 5–8 sentences)

   • Notes from your brainstorming process