캐릭터 디자인의 조형성에 관한 고찰 - 인지도 높은 캐릭터의 눈 디자인을 중심으로 -

The value of application of cultural contents by using characters has gradually been expanded as characters are used in combination with other areas beyond the range of animation. In producing characters, characters' faces are the most important part, especially their eyes, since they are the core part that reveals inner and external parts of characters, which we can confirm their mentality. This is an important element that attracts consumers' attention and lets them respond. Likewise, eyes connote implicative and symbolic meanings in character design, which can express characters' personality and familiarity. Thus, this study examines several types and various shapes of eye design expressed in highly recognized characters and considers formative meanings of space and location of eyes in characters' faces. Firstly, if we look at the types of eye design of highly recognized character, they are mainly in simple shapes with dots and lines. It is considered that the simplified design of eyes is more effective when consumers recognize characters. Secondly, the size of eyes in a face is another element that has to be considered along with the structure of characters' eyes for differentiated character design. Thirdly, when the position and distance of eyes is higher and narrower, respectively, the characters look older, and on the other hand, when the distance between two eyes is wider and they are placed in a lower position, the characters look younger. Such eye designs are not formed by each individual element but in an organic relations between them such as shape, size, position, and distance of eyes, and therefore, based on the general personality of characters, all elements have to be considered in creating characters.