Terafina Toka Tola Character design

Toka Toka is an idea I’ve been developing. It’s about five friends and daily lives as they navigate life on their home island of Tortola. Terafina is a deaf dark-skinned South African girl. She was born on the island after her parents travelled for a better life.

The design I chose leans on blues and browns, calm and tranquil colors to represent her softer energy and way of speaking. She’s had hearing problems since she was a child so her blue earring aids help her with her day to day life.

As a teen, she’s still has a rebellious streak, choosing to be silent but feisty. Her overall nature however, is fun and lighthearted. In the end, I enjoyed developing her personality as I created her.

Terafina usually falls into the “caregiver” roll even as the youngest member of her little friend group. Her backpack holds every essential thing, including bandages for Chassidy’s crazy antics, a microfiber cloth for Jayden’s glasses, a handkerchief for Princeton’s bougee energy and a loc pick cause Kunle always seems to be missing one.