Character design vs character creation

When you create a character, do you ever base them on a character design system as you develop them?

For example, I’ve developed characters with a relevant Dungeons and Dragons class or build in mind.

 

Ngl, almost all of mine start out based on an established character from a TV show and then I let things organically build from there. I find if I don't have some idea of who they are, then they're too much of a blank slate even if I know their class.

For those of you who write with me,

Flora = Absolutely started as Alexis from Schitts Creek, and her abilities are based on Xayah from LoL
Remi = Young Marco Polo (the one his FC played in the Netflix show. He started out super innocent and naive)
Charlie = Charlie from Hazbin Hotel xD
Vesper = His magic is definitely Azrael from Acotar, personality is Sawyer from Lost


Normally they end up pretty far away from where they've started, but I'm a bit fan of using a trope as a jumping off point.

 

It depends! Sometimes I have a very clear idea of where a character is starting, but other times I only have vague concepts in place.

For example, Alys was a very clear character I had in my head who I wanted to be based on tarot and the occult.

Rhiannon is a bit more vague, pretty much exists because I saw a FC I had to have.

 

Sometimes I've created characters using different role playing systems. Sometimes Shadow Run 4e gives me the attributes and quirks that I'm looking for, otherwise, I'll usually stick with Big Eyes Small Mouth 3e, as it's a very flexible and open system. Recently, I've tried working with GURPS and HERO, and I've dabbled a little bit with FUDGE. But these characters are usually just based on these game systems as templates, as I've found that play by post games work better with less gaurdrails.

 

Depending on the setting , I have used dnd for my basis ( usually in medevil or faery tales) but for my modern supernatuals I just create it rather than design

 

Even my dnd characters I tend to have a set design or concept for before I go in and decide how that relates to species, class and subclass.
I also tend to reuse and repurpose some of my more versatile characters.
I have a space marine that I've kept the overall personality of but turned into a bard for DnD, a cop for modern day roleplay etc.

So I guess concept first, then I choose creation style based on the platform I'm playing on.