FROM SILHOUETTE TO SOUL: INVESTIGATING THE DESIGN ELEMENTS THAT SHAPE CHARACTER APPEAL IN ANIMATION

Animation is a powerful cinematic medium designed to visually tell stories through movement and expression. Central to its effectiveness is the concept of appeal, the visual and emotional qualities that make characters memorable and engaging. This thesis investigates the impact of six design elements on the overall perceived appeal of an animated character: facial and body proportions, exaggeration, color palette, costume design, silhouette, and skin tone. While advancements in character design and animation have a refined understanding of appeal, it remains unclear which specific traits are most impactful. To address this gap, 60 animated clips were created using two character rigs (one male, one female), each exhibiting one of three variations for each design element. Data was collected from 61 participants, who assessed the appeal of each character based on predefined criteria. A multifactor linear regression analysis revealed color palette as the most influential factor, followed by proportion, with skin tone being the least influential factor. While interaction effects between design elements were found to be statistically significant, their influence was minimal, suggesting each factor contributes independently to character appeal. Additionally, significant differences in appeal were found between specific characters, with the two female characters being rated significantly higher in appeal than their male counterparts. The findings of this thesis offer data-driven insights into how specific design choices shape audience perceptions of character appeal and contribute to a broader understanding of effective character design strategies while offering practical guidance for animators aiming to enhance viewer connection and engagement.