Design & semiótica: uma proposta de guia de orientação para a criação de personagens com foco na temática LGBTQIAP+

Abstract

This research aims to develop a proposed guide for character design based on semiotic concepts, focusing on LGBTQIAP+ themes in fantasy works, with the goal of improving the skills of character designers regarding LGBTQIAP+ issues. In a context of expanding audiovisual content through streaming and access to digital games, the research begins with a theoretical foundation on the highlighted themes and a qualitative approach to investigate the main difficulties faced by the LGBTQIAP+ community in being represented, as well as the difficulties designers encounter in representing the community in characters. Data collection on the target audience was carried out through an online questionnaire to understand the difficulties faced by the LGBTQIAP+ community and designers regarding positive representation. Subsequently, a combined design methodology from Design Thinking (2019), Seegmiller (2008), and Solarski (2012) approaches was applied, allowing for the full development of the guide for LGBTQIAP+ themed characters, as well as the development of a case study of an original character. As a result, the research demonstrated that applying Charles Sanders Peirce's semiotic studies and character design, combined with techniques for perpetuating this knowledge, results in the creation of characters that represent the LGBTQIAP+ community in a dignified way.