Character Design: ELI
ELI is a character I’ve had in mind for years. I made the first sketch around six years ago and have kept coming back to him ever since. I always imagined him as the lead in an animated series — either 2D or 3D — set in a cyberpunk-inspired megacity. Virex-9 would be a place of corruption, neon-lit slums, and unregulated human modification.
Over time, ELI went through multiple design iterations, both visually and conceptually. His appearance shifted from a standard cybernetic soldier to something more corporate and manufactured — reflecting the idea that he’s less a person and more a product of a system built on power and control. Each redesign focused on balancing sleek, commercial design with traces of what little humanity he has left.
I also created these posters to explore what merchandise might look like within ELI’s world. They’re designed to reflect the corporate tone of SYGEN CORP — very technical, polished, and focused on achievement, performance stats, and money.
Just like ELI himself, the merch is less about the person and more about the product.
