Experiment Six: Anthropomorphism

“Anthropomorphism.. is [the] attribution of aspects of what is most important to us, to parts of the world that do not have them. It is rooted in a strategy that usually is out of our awareness and always is out of our control.’’ (Mitchell, 1996, p. 58)

My final exploration of Anthropomorphism led me to the work of Teagan White. Her illustrations are adapted to children, using Anthropomorphism as a way to communicate everyday life such as posting letters, seen in Fig. 27 or using the phone, in Fig. 28. I believe this is a great technique in communicating ideas, especially with children, as it helps to create a more interesting approach to a subject which a child may not at first be interested in. It also helps inform the audience of different types of animals in addition to the subject, which also links into my own objectives of informing and educating.

Fig. 27 Teagan White Maybe Foxes and Woodchuck Just Weren't Meant to be Friends (2014)

Fig. 28 Teagan White Critter Post (2014)

I also looked at the work of Ryohei Hase, who has a more mature approach to using Anthropomorphism in his illustrations. In a similar way to White, he has used this technique to help emphasise the chosen subject matters of his pieces, in his piece 'Lion' he may be using the Lion's head as a symbol of pride and confidence. In addition, he merges his use of Anthropomorphism with colour, creating a more fantasy-like element to his pieces.

Fig. 29 Ryohei Hase, Lion (2014)

Fig. 30 Ryohei Hase, Untitled (2011)

For my own experiment, I wished to concentrate on exploring a similar style to White, as her focus is on children's illustrations which is also my aim in my Final Major Project and therefore I felt this would help me with different possibilities for my final outcome. 

Anthropomorphism Experiment

I chose to re-create an Okapi in an Anthropomorphic style. I feel I could practise this style more in order to replicate the same level of effectiveness and continuity which White has demonstrated, however I feel it is quite effective in transforming my original image of an Okapi, whilst still informing and educating what type of animal it is, by emphasising the Okapi's most prominent characteristics.