• Cartoon and Animation Studies
• /
• s.34
• /
• pp.23-43
• /
• 2014

The development of the Internet in the 21st century had made a variety of cross-cultural environment so that animations also have evolved with new features to Web-Animation. In Korea, the web-based flash animation leap forward to the animation Utopia in the early 2000's, but did not last long. The web-based animations should attract audience's attention not only with it's minimum streaming capacity but also with showing it's best qualities as well, Therefore, the stimulating narrative strategies were mandatories for web-animation in 2000's. The absence of in-depth research on media, poor revenue structure, and the emergence of mobile games and e-learning industries made the web-animation become just a one-time/one-consumable content. There were no subsequent generation of korean web-animation ever since. In this study, I want to introduce and analyze the american web animation series, (2005) as a new type of web-animation in current digital culture, In particular, I want to discuss how this web animation appeal to the audience with its narrative strategies through using some aspect of the internet culture which's differentiated from traditional media based cultures. This research could suggest diverse narrative strategies for the future web-animation with new vision. Moreover, This also allows to look at latest web-animation trends and its new experiments.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
• /
• s.6
• /
• pp.7-22
• /
• 2002

Animation constitutes the core of the media industry, which in turn lies at the center of the cultural industry. It is considered one of the industries where South Korea has the competitive edge over other countries. With the pool of customers getting wider, the genre of animation has become more and more diverse, forming a great market for it. Aware of this trend, this study focused on animation as a part of the pop culture, and on providing corresponding various viewpoints for future cultural studies. This researcher measured the practicality and persuasiveness of this study through Shreck, a three-dimensional C.G. animation which is acclaimed for its success in dismantling the old grammar of animation movies that represent the anti-Disney ideas. This researcher felt it imperative to heed the unique language of Shreck, which contains discourses on various cultural ideologies such as paradoxical structure that pits entertainment that is shown through dismantling of the canon, feminism and antifeminism against each other. This study analyzed the entertaining element of the animation genre by means of the Semiotics of Keith Moxey, thereby attempting to establish a legitimate social status of the genre, whose artfulness has been depreciated in the art society. In chapter II, this researcher examines the chronological development of three-dimensional C.G. animation that has shown a rapid advancement. Chapter III defines the cultural ideology of Shreck by exploring basic theories and texts employed in analysis of art works. This study started with the assumption that defines, from the viewpoint of symbology, the animation text as an aggregate of discourses on entertainment, and competitive and paradoxical ideologies. Then, this researcher analyzed the text and the generation process of meanings in Shreck. Consequently, this study has come to the following conclusions: First, Shreck induces changes of concepts about the canon by means of distorting and reversing the existing animation movies, which seems to reflect in the contemporary tendency of seeking new interpretations of entertainment. Second, Shreck shows up the cognitive changes of our age as to feminism by competing feminism against antifeminism. Although Shreck serves as a venue of competition between the two opposing ideas, it stops short of brushing off women as outsiders in society. Rather, it represents the resistance to the male chauvinism existing in the structures of animation and culture. As shown in the text analysis, Shreck presents an advent of a new ideology critical of the previous animation films. In addition, it reflects in the struggle between the pro-feminism on the part of the viewers and the anti-feminism that lies in the social and culture structure. This study, however, is limited in its scope and selection of subject. First, although this researcher has stressed the importance of understanding the animation as part of the pop culture and conducting researches within the historic paradigm, this study fails to provide an in-depth insight in the impacts that the changes in the C.G. industry and the systematic conditions may have on the three-dimensional C.G. animation genre. Furthermore, this study runs the risk of being understood as pro-American due to its selection of Shreck as its research subject.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
• /
• s.20
• /
• pp.1-14
• /
• 2010

The success of a three-dimensional blockbuster movie, AVARTA, brought an public attention on the expansion of three-dimensional computer applications, and it allows experts predict further hardware technology developments to support the such applications. Futhermore, an internet based infra structure and three-dimensional structure, third generation network community, advanced computer networks have influenced advancement in computer technology within the 3D game industry and the spread of 2D computer animation technologies. This advancement of computer technologies allow the industry to overcome a limitation of generating cultural design contexts existed within 2D network community. However, despite of the expansion of 2D and 3D computer technologies, a limitation of analysing designers' intentions on morphology of digital contents and user interface still exists. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze (1) present conditions of the 3D industry and (2) protocols of designers' cognitive design processes based on their design communication, contents, and tools. Analysis was conducted based on literature reviews and case precedent analyses. For the analysis, a 2D Avarta sketch character was designed and then applied into a 3D game system. Observations how designers solve cultural problem within the structure via Avarta were conducted. Outcomes were then coded for further analysis.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
• /
• s.45
• /
• pp.367-396
• /
• 2016

As an animation educator at Mahidol University International College, Bangkok, for eight years I have been in a privileged position to be educating a small section of a new generation of Thai animators. Thailand has had little animation experimentation of their own and pre-internet had limited access to such diversity so I have attempted to bring some of the wealth of animation history, in particular British and European, as this is my background, into the classroom. In particular my teaching aim has been to introduce various possibilities to the choices of medium, styles and textual narratives that early (and current) experimental and independent animators have explored. Since the release of the first commercial feature film, Khun Kluay 2006, the Thai animation industry has gone through various highs and lows in the commercial sector, building a skilled workforce, many of whom trained and worked abroad then returned. Now there is strong evidence of an independent animation starting to emerge. In a continuation to my research on Thai Animation this paper will analyze selected independent works in more detail, exploring the themes, style and technology used. Whilst also acknowledging the possible mis- interpretation as that this is coming from the perspective of an outsider whose cultural language and interpretation may transcend the creators' given experiences and add alternative interpretation. The aim will be to contextualize the content, ideas and cultural perspective and bring more Thai works into the gaze of animation studies academics

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
• /
• s.45
• /
• pp.345-366
• /
• 2016

In Charlotte's Web, each character motivates the other and strives for the new generation based upon motherhood. The intersection between life and death is directly and symbolically addressed as a component of the natural life cycle. Borrowing Kristeva's theory of the semiotic, the symbolic and the chora, this study investigates the dialectical oscillation between the semiotic and the symbolic and the social circumstances of subjects in signification as well as highlights the features of character growth. From a feminist perspective, herein, motherhood is translated not only as a robust foundation for relations among characters but also as an impetus for developing into a good and influential individual who embraces all organisms with care and consideration. Charlotte's Web clearly shows how the semiotic and symbolic elements of each being, united by motherhood, interact and lead to positive change. Though the world appears to consist of incompatible ingredients, they are combined. Charlotte's Web awakens the fact that their harmony makes a commitment to building a more wonderful place. It can be suggested that Charlotte's Web, where animal characters contain two tendencies of the human mind, exhibits human development proceedings.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
• /
• s.26
• /
• pp.31-56
• /
• 2012

This is a scientific study of subjectivity on recognition types and preferences of animation audience. Therefore, Q-methodology was used as a methodology of this study. As a result, it was possible to find the various characteristics according to the preferences of audience on animation genres. The features of each type were classified into 3 types. First was an artistic and literary value-oriented type that explored storytelling and descriptive value. Second was a pictorial and aesthetic value-oriented type that explored visual beauty such as characters and Mise en scene. Third was a visual and entertainment value-oriented type that explored entertainment factors and attractions. Thus, according to the classification of preference types, it was inferred that digital image generation audience with an active preference that can create and consume images have developed a tendency that independently consumed their preferences based on thoroughly personal or subjective preferences rather than classified and accepted their preferred culture as their symbolic expressions of hierarchical position. In this aspect, Q-methodological consideration that is useful to analyze the subjectivity of audience could be a significant work. Nevertheless, this study alone could not reveal various generative contexts of specific preferences. It seems to have more significant results by applying various qualitative or quantitative methodologies together with this study and analyzing recognition types and preferences of audience.

• Archives of design research
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.129-140
• /
• 2003

As the importance of Culture Technology (music, publication, mobile, film, video, cartoon, animation, character, game, broadcasting etc) is increased, the field of character industry recently has been recognized as an independent brand value beyond the existing view point of simple designing; it also has been given much attention as a main axis leading the cultural industry of the 21 st century. The character of a local government plays roles such as a symbolic part of a region, parts of tourism and public relations, and a profit-making function, which results into generation of regional image and activation of regional economy. However, the present application strategy of the character is only limited to an early stage of regional advertisements. In this context, this study is aimed to investigate and analyze the character development of local governments, especially 31 cities and goons of Gyeonggi Province, comparing with those of local governments of Japan. In the long run, this will provide some suggestions for strategy of character applications. Then, this research is expected to be used as basic reference materials for character development of other local governments and government agencies.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
• /
• s.37
• /
• pp.197-219
• /
• 2014

, one of the Disney's animations, hit the 10 million audience mark for the first time in the history of animations released in Korea. not only raised the fever with its theme song, 'Let it go', as well as Elsa, Anna, and Olaf's character products but caused sensations in many ways. If so, we need to think about what kind of meaning did create in Korea to be so sensational. This study examines the value that Frozen intended to deliver and the meaning it generated by using Greimas actant model and semiotic square. From the actant model analysis on Anna and Elsa from , it was identified that Anna desired to recover her relationship with Elsa and to take summer back in Arendelle. Her desires can be interpreted as her love toward Elsa and people in Arendelle. Meanwhile, Elsa always desired freedom although she confined herself because of her ability to freeze. In other words, Elsa desired to free herself from her freezing ability by finding out how to control her ability. Such desires of Anna and Elsa were achieved by their actions of true love, and the solution of all the conflicts in was an action of true love. From the semiotic square analysis on the meaning of , it was found out that created past-oriented value with which characters tried to change their abnormal lives of the present into their normal lives of the past. The characters tried to change their present lives where freezing winter comes in the middle of summer, communication between the sisters is cut off, and people try to take advantage of the abnormal state deliberately, into the past when the sisters had a good relationship and the natural season of summer in Arendelle. The past-oriented value that tried to tell us is similar to our reality. In our reality with a lot of unbelievable news and unstable circumstances, we desire to go back to the past when we were filled with affection and hope even though our lives were tough and difficult. This sentiment must have contributed to the huge success of in Korea.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
• /
• s.22
• /
• pp.81-97
• /
• 2011

The technology of 'Virtual Reality' has placed in advanced tools for human beings' joy and anger together with sorrow and pleasure in our generation. It has recently tried in a variety ways to use as an implication for treatment in the field of Cognitive Psychology. Especially, it widely approaches to human in terms of that a sense of reality in a virtual world through the five senses should reinterpret the meaning of cognition in the real world. Based on this paradigm shift, it allows for new treatment using the technology of virtual reality. A typical example is a field of Therapy in order to overcome panic disorder. It has advantages that in particular development of flexible interaction technologies in a virtual space can lead patients to experience psychological environments rather than physical one. the interaction technology provides environments in which users' five senses can be actively stimulated, it is very useful that information from the experiences in the virtual world allows people to learn through real experiences by renewing potential energies, advantages of Virtual Reality Therapy can be customized treatment by depending on symptoms in patients with panic disorder and are capable of differentiate application for the cure at each stage. It is to treat by leading patients to get accustomed to environments and situations in real world through care process with each symptom and stage. It is helpful that based on A Human-Sensibility Ergonomics, technologies like immersive virtual reality equipment, force-relative feedback and stereophonic sound, and like stimulating the sense of smell make people to induce experiences by stimulating human's five senses. There are many advantages of immersion in virtual world in that the phenomenon such as challenge, interaction, reality, illusion, and cooperation is expanded. As an application for therapy by growing such augmented reality, virtual space and sharing of data through the Internet and also inexpensive its availability have recently expanded the base. There are other benefits of Virtual Reality Therapy offering active interaction environments for cognitive experience which can provide appropriately adjusted environments for patients who are hard to overcome the real situation because of phobia. In addition to that it is safe and economical and patients' confidentiality is assured. Moreover, due to the principles of applying real-time navigation the Virtual Reality Therapy makes modification and supplementation easier and also it can reduce cybersickness because of the supply of Lenticular allowing people to see stereoscopy without eyeglasses, which makes sense of presence clearer. On top of that due to the development of interactive technologies, it is becoming close to sense of reality similar to real world by leading users to navigate by themselves and to operate objects in a virtual space. This paper will therefore examine, although it is of limited, characteristics of application of virtual reality technology based on A Human-Sensibility Ergonomics used for treatment for a disorder. this paper will analyse a range of its application and problems and it will suggest the future possibilities.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
• /
• s.39
• /
• pp.59-83
• /
• 2015

Magical realism, blooming and improving in Latin America, opened the new vision about reality and rationalism, coming out from the out-styled frame of past. While having common points with unrealistic literature, which uses fantastical components, magical realism is different from Surrealism and fantasy literature that is focusing on reality and realizing reality intensely. In the early stage of this research, magical realism was restricted by the characteristics of literature of Latin America, but the research of magical realism is expanding in planning Post-Modernism nowadays. Lately, the influence of magical realism is identified in literatures, arts, films, and animations over the world; according to the research, however, research about magical realism in animations was not done in Korea before. A Korean independent animation "A coffee vending machine and its sword" was evaluated positively in many international film festivals is valuable as the research of magical realism. Throughout this study, this animation "A coffee vending machine and its sword" was analyzed by its narrative and images. The analysis of narrative consists two parts. One is about the form of narrative and the other is about contents through the story. Analysis of Image is also divided into two parts: background image and character image. In this animation, the protagonist is narrating about the fantastic accidents in his life and his own feelings towards it. The narration leads audience to understand his situation and feelings in meta-fiction. On the surface, audience watches the love story of a normal girl and coffee vending machine in this artwork, but deep inside the animation, it is visible that the directors tried to make audiences think about the life of 880,000-won Generation in Korea. The background image was represented as real places in Seoul including the landmark of Seoul, making mimesis of reality in Korea. The character image has two conflicting aspects with reincarnated warrior, Jinyoungyoung and a coffee vending machine. It is a hybrid-character transmogrifying between two characters. Likewise, "A coffee vending machine and its sword" has the characteristics of Korean magical realism through form, content and image. Through analyzing the Korean independent animation "A coffee vending machine and its sword", this research tried to find a way of using factors of fantasy, of representing reality as a dramatic device and of using magical realism of Korean animation for bond of sympathy with audience.