How to Design a Robot or Android OC

This is part of our design series on how to make an OC! – The ultimate guide to character building.

Are you looking to design a robot OC for your next sci-fi project? Whether you’re looking to design a fun robot helper or an intelligent android, we’ve got some tips to help you out.

Robots are a fun type of character to use, especially in a sci-fi story. So how do you go about designing a cool and creative robot OC for your latest project? Let’s talk about it!

Robot vs. Android vs. AI

The first thing you’ll want to consider is what kind of robot OC you want to create. There are robots, androids, and AI. While the terms are often used interchangeably, they do have some important differences! You’ll want to think about what kind you want to use for your character. Depending on which kind you choose for your robot, you can design them accordingly. If you need help figuring out which type is which, here’s a short explanation of each:

• Robots: machines made to perform specific functions, often with a more mechanical appearance.
• Androids: machines made for more human behaviors, often with a more humanoid appearance.
• AI: Also called "artificial intelligence,” a program made to mimic human thought.

Mechanical Design Details

One thing you’ll want to consider is how you’ll choose to design certain aspects of your robot character. You can think about whether they appear more human or robotic, what materials they’re crafted from, and more. What you choose for your robot OC can help your audience understand what kind of character they are. You can even use aspects like damage or how new an android appears to give your audience an idea of your character’s story. A few ideas to get your creativity flowing:

• A robotic OC made from synthetic materials for a more humanoid appearance
• A robot made from metal and gears for a more mechanical appearance
• A broken and battered appearance for an android who’s been through many wars
• A shiny robot made from a futuristic material for a more advanced design

Robotic Rules of Function

Another thing you’ll want to think about as you design your robot character is how they function. Since they’re a type of machine, they’ll have a different set of strengths, weaknesses, and abilities than a human might. You can think about how they’re powered, as well as what they’re designed to do. Creating a functional robot system for your story can be useful for your character as well. You can incorporate functionality into their design in a variety of different ways! If you need some ideas on how functionality could impact your robotic OC’s appearance, here’s a few to consider:

• A strong build with limited joints for a robot made to lift heavy objects
• A robotic character with a fuel tank attached to their back as their power source
• A robot with large blasters that take a while to charge up
• An android with wheels that are useful for fast travel but not rough terrains

For more ideas on how to create functional systems for your world, whether they be mechanical or magical, check out the article How to Build a Magic System for Your OC's World.

Story Origins for Your Robot OC

Next up, you can think about the origin and backstory of your robot OC. You’ll want to think about where they were made, and what purpose they were created for. You can also think about whether your robot is unique, or a standard design meant to be mass-produced. They might be designed to endure the specific kind of atmosphere or terrain of their home planet. If you need some robotic OC story ideas, here’s a few to think about:

• A ready-made robot made for assisting explorers
• An android with a human mind uploaded into it
• A broken-down robot from an ancient planet's civilization
• A futuristic android that’s the first of their kind

If you need some help creating an immersive planet for your OCs to live on, we’ve got a guide all about building a sci-fi planet design.

A Robot's Identity and Emotion

Another factor you can consider as you design your robot character is how they act emotionally and what kind of identity they develop. Some android characters might be built to learn and develop the way a human would. Others might be unfeeling machines made for a single purpose. Depending on what you choose for your robot OC, you can design them in a way that shows off their identity. If you need some ideas, you could consider:

• An android with an expressive faceplate that shows off their emotions
• A robot with no face for an OC that doesn’t think for themselves
• An android with a brightly colored outfit that shows off their individualism
• A robot with a uniform that shows off their loyalty to their empire

Where Your OC Fits in the Story

Finally, you’ll want to design your robot OC around their role in the story. Depending on what kind of character they are, you can create an appearance that suits their archetype. From antagonists to companions, there’s plenty of different options you could choose from. Your robot might be the main threat of the story, or they might be an android adopted into a found family. Some ideas for your robotic character's design:

• Round shape language and a friendly face plate for a companion robot
• Advanced weapons attached to the arms along with glowing red lights for a villain android
• A bulky build and built-in shields for a protective parent-figure robot
• A human-like appearance and lit-up armor for a protagonist android

Share Your Robot or Android OC on Unvale

There are plenty of things to think about as you design your robot OC. Deciding on their type, their functions, and identity are all aspects you can use in your robot character’s design. 

Once you’ve designed your android or robot OC, be sure to share them with us on Unvale! We’d love to see your characters and their stories!