

If it comes to light novels there are always some pictures that show a new
character or scene. But when it comes to a character, who decides the design?
For example, if I were an author and my work gets a publisher, then they would
hire an illustrator. So when it comes to the design of a character (let's take
character as a simple example) will the publisher decide that her hair is
short and red or will the author decide that she has long, black hair? Also
feel free to tell me some other example like maybe the illustrator can choose
the design. :)


CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-22T19:29:24.563
40004
2018-03-25T08:05:20.853
2018-03-25T08:05:20.853
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question
light-novel-production
Does the author or publisher decide a character design?


Mainly the illustrator does.  
Basically writers are not involved in design. But he or she can tell the hope
to the editor.

It is an example of making a light novel.

  1. An author write up the novel.
  2. The author passes it to the editor. ( **Perhaps** they will talk about what the author wishes at this time, like illustrator desired by the author, places of illustation and so on.)
  3. the editor orders illustrations for a illustrator.  
Then he tell the illustrator the atmosphere of the work, distinctive features
of charactors like age, hair hength, shape of weapon, chest shape, etc...)  
The editor reads the novel before ordering of course. So the content of the
novel and the illustration rarely differ.

  4. the illustrator sends rough sketches to the editor.  
And the editor shows them to the author.

  5. Then the author and editor modify sentences and the illustrator completes the illustrations, the publisher promotes the release date of the novel.

For answers, I referred to the [remarks of an actual writer](http://araki-
contents.sblo.jp/article/45703885.html).(Written in Japanese.)  
He says that "It is often better for the editor and illustrator not to speak
to the design."  
Many writers respect the illustrator. And it seems that they trust work of the
editor and illustrator.


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2017-04-24T22:35:09.957
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2017-04-24T22:35:09.957
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answer