Computer Graphics & Animation

Biography

Biography: Daniel N. Boulos

Abstract

Stylization is at the heart of 2D animation design and is only recently being more fully explored in 3D animated films. In the early days of 3D animation the push for realism in lighting, rendering and deformations displaced a pursuit of stylization in the quest to expand the capabilities of computer graphics technology. With those technical problems solved, 3D animation has more recently embraced stylization in design and character movement. Stylization also can be interpreted by some as playfulness and, “play is at the heart of animation” (Powers, p52, 2012). Nature can be seen as an “abstract visual phenomenon” (Beckman, Ezawa p101, 2012) and the portrayal of hyper realistic human characters in 3D animation can lead to the alienation of an audience, as they may not accept them as being real (Kaba 2012). It is the ability of animation to “break with naturalistic representation and visual realism” (Ehrlich, 2011) that is observed as one of the strengths of the art. This paper discusses the implications of stylized design and its use in 3D animated films, while drawing important references to traditional hand-drawn animation stylization processes that pose a challenge to modern 3D animation studios.