This paper introduces the term of shorthands into character design. A combination of a visual element + time/experience to easily convey a backstory in a character's design. This method is then tested in a survey by comparing four characters, where two are designed with shorthands. Unexpected results show how participants put much heavier emphasis on facial expressions and pose when lacking information in the design. At the end of the paper, shorthands are concluded to at least to some degree provide the intended background information, although the participants perceived the characters without shorthands to also provide a lot of information due to their facial expressions.