Believe it or not, but these are the starter designs:
Grass Peacock Witch-Doctor, Fire Centaur Gunslinger, Water Bear (Tardigrade) Deep-sea Explorer

Grass Peacock (or Merak) based on a Zhenyuanlong the long-extinct "peacock dinosaur" recently discovered in China. The pokemon has a carnival mask and performs ritual dances to unleash black magic, thereby gaining a dark typing in its later stages. When it conjures spells its eyes turn black and the many circles on its plume appear as its eyes; this is its signature move, Petrified Woods (dark type attack that always causes paralysis). This starter represents the past of ancient power, archaic practices, and tradition.

Fire Starter is based on a Centaur. The centaur is based on a western gunslinger. It uses its hooves with pistol heels and spurs to fend off its foes. It gains a rock typing in later stages and learns its signature move, igneous blaster (rock type attack that always causes burn). It's physiology allows it to collect minerals and rocks in its heels to unleash strong rock-based moves. This pokemon represents the present or modern "westernization". Its unevolved form is a bi-pedal pony with a bandana-shape fur around its neck.

Water Bear Cub based on Tardigrades "water bears". It is a bit alien-looking like a tardigrade but at least is more bear-like. It's unevolved stage is like a six-paw teddy bear with a bubble helmet. This evolution will gain a steel typing when its evolution receives a nautical deepsea diver helmet. Its signature move is Kunaibernate (steel type attack that always increases evasiveness). This starter represents the future since tardigrades are described as being virtually indestructible and most likely to survive an apocalypse. It also appears a bit like an astronaut that accompanies its future exploration and science theme.