Readability and Staging of Cartoon Characters in 2D and 3D
Hirvikoski, Jarmo (2018)
Hirvikoski, Jarmo
Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu
2018
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2018121421523
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2018121421523
Tiivistelmä
2D cartoons have always been a medium that has amazed its viewers with characterful visual simplicity and exaggeration that exceeds the boundaries of realism. They are also the medium’s greatest strengths against 3D animations that have not been able to compete with the flexibility and liveliness of 2D animations until recently. Therefore the purpose of this thesis was to find means for maintaining the original playfulness and readability of Betty Boop, a classic cartoon character from the 1930s, when her 2D character design is recreated in 3D environment.
The research was started by defining the areas of cartoon character design that can benefit from readability improvements, because readability plays an important role almost in every creative medium from graphic design to literature. Visual elements and narrative become more accessible and understandable to their audience if they are presented with appropriate clarity. Recurring practices were examined in the following series: Betty Boop, Fingerpori, One Piece, Naruto, Dragon Ball Z, Boku no Hero Academia, and The Adventures of Tintin.
The results indicated that cartoon characters’ seemingly scarce details can be harnessed to provide as much information about their forms and purpose as realistic depictions of characters can. Cartoons even boost readability and staging further by using symbolistic cues and abstract elements. Cartoony simplification of specific elements also saved the 3D Betty Boop, because abstraction helped it to draw attention away from technical limitations. The outcome proved that the two mediums work well when they complement each other.
The research was started by defining the areas of cartoon character design that can benefit from readability improvements, because readability plays an important role almost in every creative medium from graphic design to literature. Visual elements and narrative become more accessible and understandable to their audience if they are presented with appropriate clarity. Recurring practices were examined in the following series: Betty Boop, Fingerpori, One Piece, Naruto, Dragon Ball Z, Boku no Hero Academia, and The Adventures of Tintin.
The results indicated that cartoon characters’ seemingly scarce details can be harnessed to provide as much information about their forms and purpose as realistic depictions of characters can. Cartoons even boost readability and staging further by using symbolistic cues and abstract elements. Cartoony simplification of specific elements also saved the 3D Betty Boop, because abstraction helped it to draw attention away from technical limitations. The outcome proved that the two mediums work well when they complement each other.