The Manipal Institute of Liberal Arts (MILA) at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Dubai successfully hosted the third workshop in its MILA Unlocked: Media Edition summer series, offering aspiring creatives an immersive introduction to the art of character design.
Titled "Design Your Character: From Shapes to Personality," the workshop was conducted in collaboration with Wacom and led by creative professional Pranjal More. Around 15 participants attended the hands-on session, gaining practical insights into the creative process of transforming simple shapes into expressive and memorable characters.
Designed to mirror real classroom experiences at MAHE Dubai, the workshop encouraged participants to think beyond aesthetics by exploring how character design communicates personality, emotion, and storytelling. Through guided exercises and interactive discussions, attendees learned the fundamentals of visual development while experimenting with industry-standard digital creative tools.
The session received an enthusiastic response from participants, who described the learning experience as engaging, insightful, and highly interactive. Beyond developing technical skills, the workshop provided aspiring designers with a deeper understanding of the creative thinking that underpins animation, illustration, gaming, and digital media.
MILA Unlocked is an experiential workshop series that gives prospective students an authentic glimpse into the learning experience at the Manipal Institute of Liberal Arts. By collaborating with leading industry professionals and global technology partners such as Wacom, the series bridges classroom learning with real-world creative practice, helping participants explore their passions before embarking on their higher education journey.
Through initiatives like MILA Unlocked, MAHE Dubai continues to empower the next generation of creative professionals with industry exposure, hands-on learning, and future-focused education.
