(at 15 years old) I designed a forest-elf race for an MMORPG in a Tolkien like world which friends of my best friend were making.
It felt great to dedicate my mind and it’s efforts towards a bigger project.
I would imagine the world while running and cycling in local forests and created ideas based on memories from those experiences.
As I thereby advanced my anatomy and realism for all but the faces, it started becoming clear anime style was holding me back.