OffKai Expo Illustrations - Sam (2024)

The theme this time was to have Sam (with a name too long) be drawn with a travel theme outfit, but more of an anime/ comic con travel appearance. Other notes that were given in the brief were to also include bags, rolling luggage and similar items. 

Keeping that theme and notes in mind, I began a rough draft with a casual outfit and included a tote bag, selfie stick, canister tube (for art prints) and and a couple of ita-bags -- pretty much what you may carry (or see other people carry) at a typical convention. Although I have included a lot more, I felt it would ideally be way too busy in the design. 

The white ita-bag across her chest has numerous charms/ pins -- many of them are avatars of the team that was behind the creation of Sam (with the exception of four pins on the bottom right corner, which are of Studio Élan and VirPro's mascots (along with the group's logos) -- both of whom were sponsors for this year and last year's OffKai Expo. The other star-shaped ita-bag is reminiscent of the stars used across all of OffKai Expo's branding as part of their visuals and even custom oshi mark. 

A lot of the colour scheme as well is reflective of their logo colors, giving her also a more playful/ casual look. Many design elements from the original outfit has in some way also made it in part of her appearance (with the necklace incorporating the play/ pause button from the garter belt, the choker, and even star shaped patterns on the shoes. 

As part of a homage, her suitcase also has a sticker of both SJC and SFO -- in reference to where the convention had first started to where it is now. And as a fun little Easter egg, the horse-shaped luggage tag also includes her incredibly long name as well as the Atrium in the location which has become a popular locale within the OffKai community now dubbed, "Atrium-chan". 

Other illustrations were needed for this year's convention as well, and I was responsible for drawing a couple of chibi versions of Sam. Mainly two versions: one of her sitting on a pile of ribbons (as the ribbon game seemed to gaining a lot more popularity), and one of her having some technical issues. 

The full body illustration as well as the chibi illustrations (save for the technical one, which would be used only if something happened), would be used across different designs and branding throughout the convention, from banners, social media or their own event/ information convention booklet.