character-design

Character design with genmedia

Use this skill when the user wants to create, refine, or preserve a character. Load the reference files when needed:

• references/anchor-system.md
• references/prompt-patterns.md
• references/examples.md

Load model-routing alongside this skill for default endpoint choices.

The main objective is consistency. Keep the character anchor stable and change only the requested scene, expression, outfit, camera, or action.

Inputs to collect

Only ask for missing inputs that affect identity or model routing.

• Character type: realistic human, stylized, anime, mascot, fantasy, sci-fi.
• Identity anchor: age range, face shape, hair, eyes, build, posture, marks.
• Style: photographic, 3D, illustration, manga, comic, game concept art.
• Needed outputs: portrait, full body, turnaround, expression sheet, outfit set, action still, video shot, edit of an existing character.
• References: source image, approved design, costume, pose, style board.
• Consistency level: exploratory, pitch-ready, production continuity.
• Model preference: use model-routing defaults unless the user names a model or the job needs a quality/cost tradeoff decision.

Genmedia workflow

1. Start from routed endpoint IDs.

   genmedia models --endpoint_id openai/gpt-image-2 --json
   genmedia models --endpoint_id fal-ai/nano-banana-pro/edit --json
   genmedia models --endpoint_id bytedance/seedance-2.0/image-to-video --json
   genmedia models --endpoint_id veed/fabric-1.0 --json
   

   Use text search only as fallback discovery for an unsupported role:

   genmedia docs "consistent character generation" --json
   genmedia models "image editing character consistency" --json
   

2. Inspect schema before each endpoint run.

   genmedia schema <endpoint_id> --json
   genmedia pricing <endpoint_id> --json
   

3. Upload references.

   genmedia upload ./character-reference.png --json
   genmedia upload ./costume-reference.png --json
   

4. Run stills or sheets with download.

   genmedia run <endpoint_id> \
     --prompt "<anchor + variable prompt>" \
     --image_url "<reference url if supported>" \
     --download "./outputs/characters/{request_id}_{index}.{ext}" \
     --json
   

5. Run video async.

   genmedia run <endpoint_id> \
     --prompt "<anchor + shot action>" \
     --image_url "<approved character frame if supported>" \
     --async \
     --json
   
   genmedia status <endpoint_id> <request_id> \
     --download "./outputs/characters/{request_id}_{index}.{ext}" \
     --json
   

Use only schema-supported fields. If the model supports seed, reference image, image strength, multiple image inputs, or negative prompt, use them deliberately and record what was used.

Character anchor

Create a short immutable anchor before generating.

CHARACTER ANCHOR:
[name or codename], [age range], [face shape], [eye shape and color],
[nose and lips], [skin tone and distinguishing marks], [hair color, texture,
style], [body build and posture], [signature clothing or silhouette],
[style target]

Then add a variable block for the current shot.

SHOT VARIABLE:
[expression], [pose/action], [outfit changes if allowed], [environment],
[camera/framing], [lighting], [mood]

Never rewrite the anchor casually. If a result changes identity, strengthen the anchor or switch to a reference/edit workflow instead of adding more style words.

Model routing

• New character concept with maximum consistency: use openai/gpt-image-2.
• Premium but cheaper image option: use fal-ai/nano-banana-pro or fal-ai/nano-banana-2.
• Fast exploratory drafts: use fal-ai/flux-2/klein/9b.
• Consistent sheet from an approved character: use openai/gpt-image-2 first; if editing an existing image, inspect openai/gpt-image-2/edit.
• Outfit variations and character edits: use fal-ai/nano-banana-pro/edit, then openai/gpt-image-2/edit, then fal-ai/bytedance/seedream/v5/lite/edit.
• Expression sheet: one approved face reference, multiple controlled expression prompts.
• Character video: approved still frame first, then bytedance/seedance-2.0/image-to-video for final quality.
• Fast video drafts: use xai/grok-imagine-video/image-to-video.
• Talking avatar or lip-sync: use veed/fabric-1.0, veed/fabric-1.0/text, or fal-ai/creatify/aurora.

Quality bar

Reject or retry when:

• Face shape, eye spacing, hairstyle, marks, or body build drift.
• Outfit changes when the prompt says only expression or pose should change.
• The sheet mixes styles across panels.
• Hands or props distract from the requested design task.
• Video motion changes age, face, costume, or silhouette.

Return downloaded paths and include the anchor used so future prompts can reuse the same identity.