Anthropomorphism in character design

Abstract

Anthropomorphism has been practiced since the beginning of human history. It has been done to great lengths to non-human entities such as animals and even inanimate objects. Even though animals are the subject to anthropomorphism in a lot of media, this phenomenon explores the humanity much more than it does examine the animals subject to this experience. Apart from the technical studies of the processes used to design characters within this context, alongside of examples of artists doing so, it is important to step back from the practice itself and ask questions. What determined your design decisions? What is the message, and what can be interpreted from it? Why is this specific audience attracted to this design, and by extension, this artwork? It is for this reason that this study is not necessarily just a study of character design and the attribution of human traits on animals, but a gateway to study the human condition.