ISSN: 2222-6990
Open access
Some studies highlight the symbolic use of “dead” eyes, such as button eyes in Coraline, there is limited research on how these design choices influence audience perception, emotional engagement, and character development across different animation styles and cultural contexts. An in-depth examination of eye modelling in animation can bridge this gap by providing insights into the aesthetic, emotional, and narrative functions of eyes, as well as their role in enhancing character relatability and visual storytelling. Drawing from historical Eyes have long been recognized as the “windows to the soul,” playing a crucial role in conveying emotions and inner states in art and storytelling. In animation, eye modelling design serves as a powerful tool for enhancing emotional depth, narrative engagement and character development. Despite its importance, research on eye modelling as an independent design element remains limited, particularly regarding its technical, artistic and cultural implications. This study investigates the significance of eye modelling design in animated characters, focusing on how it influences emotional resonance and audience perception. Focuses on eye modeling design of animation characters in the Chinese animation market. Drawing on Chinese, Japanese and American animation films. The research highlights the symbolic and expressive role of eyes in visual storytelling. The research addresses a critical gap by examining eye modeling’s role in emotional expressiveness and its aesthetic impact across diverse animation styles. The findings provide valuable insights for animators, designers, and researchers by offering a deeper understanding of the narrative and visual significance of eyes in animation. By emphasizing the nuanced role of eye modeling, this study contributes to the broader discourse on animation design and visual storytelling, paving the way for innovative approaches to character creation and audience engagement.
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