CHARACTER
DEVELOPMENT
Born out of two unrelated areas of personal research, Miko Weed is unapologetically green, 4ft 7, and badass.
A fresh, chthonic creature with a predominantly aquatic nature and a rebellious philosophy. More than simply strong and powerful, the character stands for inclusivity and the celebration of individuality, with an eclectic blend of interests. Her top three areas are:
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design, aesthetics, and the creative world
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board sports
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seaweed and the ocean
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The character is confident and content in her skin, with an unwavering clarity when it comes to knowing who she is.
During university, I came across Donna Haraway’s writing, particularly A Cyborg Manifesto, and was intrigued by her suggestion that all women are constructed, thus calling us ‘cyborgs’. She argues that once all existing perceptions of women are fully embraced and accepted (by women themselves), we can begin to form a new identity: of women, for women, by women creating a new myth.
In her essay on tentacular thinking, Haraway also claims that our current mythologies are obsolete, promoting the idea of exceptionalism and the ideal human body. It is high time that different tales were told. Thus, Miko Weed was born.
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Originally conceived for a seaweed-focused brand, Miko Weed evolved into a more versatile character, embodying a bold, rebellious spirit and a strong female identity.
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With wild, kelp-like hair and green skin, Miko visually reflects a deep connection to seaweed and the ocean, while her streetwise edge nods to contemporary urban culture.
She’s an edgy, playful figure designed to attract attention, spark curiosity, and help reconnect people with the marine world.​​
​ URBAN GODS
​ MIKO
miko
weed
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Born out of chaos and taking illustrative inspiration from the likes of Gorillaz, the character strikes a balance between funky and unconventional, all while serving a purpose to raise public awareness about ocean health. Miko does it her own way, with attitude, energy, and a mission only she can carry off unapologetically.
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​I proposed the potential for a collaboration with various brands, where my character would promote the brand and its ethos, acting as both a model and ambassador.
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A visual exploration into Miko’s potential, testing how character, identity, and narrative design can extend into brand, print, and digital spaces. Concept-driven projects that explore how a character functions as a flexible design asset across formats and brand environments.
