From Analog to Virtual: Visual Stylizations of Humanoid Characters Across Media

https://doi.org/10.5614/j.vad.2020.12.1.3

Authors

  • Terry Lucas Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

Keywords:

animation, avatar, character design, digital human, moderate aesthetic formalism, new media, visual style

Abstract

Visual stylization and its impact on different aspects of the perception of digital human beings are commonly debated. This study investigated how fictional and non-fictional characters are represented in various media from the perspective of digital humanoid character design. Based on Zangwill's theory of Moderate Aesthetic Formalism, this study focused on the formalistic aspect of visual analysis and interpretation of media artifacts ranging from older media such as paintings to newer media, such as animations, interactive video games and mobile apps. This paper also explores several case studies of how humanoid digital characters are represented via visual stylizations across different media. This article underlines the importance of visual stylization as an opportunity to find unique and innovative ways of communicating with visual means.

Author Biography

Terry Lucas, Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

Terry Lucas graduated with a background in BSc, Information Technology (Arts) from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and MSc, Digital Imaging and Design from New York University. Currently, he is a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Art & Design, Universiti Teknologi MARA. He is a lecturer in the Design Technology (with specialization in Animation) program at the Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. His research interests are in instructional animation, educational animation, cognitive aspects of visual information comprehension, and dynamic visualizations. His research interests are in instructional animation, dynamic visualizations and cognitive aspects of visual information comprehension. He is also interested to collaborate in projects that focus on the potential applications of animation for edutainment purposes such as video, film, games, interactive multimedia, mobile apps, websites, and other forms of new media such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality.

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Published

2020-06-02

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 1 (2020): Journal of Visual Art and Design

Section

Articles
Copyright & Licensing