Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
recognized emotional states can be expressed through facial expressions and
are understood regardless of cultural traditions; happiness, sadness, anger,
fear, surprise, disgust, and contempt. Other expressions can be easily read
by a wide range of people, but it is argued that these are more subject to
interpretation and may be subject to cultural variations, a matter of nurture
rather than nature: excitement, concentration, confusion, frustration, and
desire.
This very simplistic diagram is intended to demonstrate how such
expressions can be read. Simply by altering one or two of the very simplistic
elements that make up the face, different emotional states can be achieved.
Given the bare minimum of information in the diagram, it is evident that,
if we look at the complexity of the human face by comparison, we can
easily see how we become capable of a very broad range of expressions
and emotions. Some of the signals that we send out to each other may
be universal and have evolved to be easily read by others in a group.
Some of these signals may be easily read by strangers, but the level of
understanding of very subtle signs increases with familiarity of the subject.
Small telltale signs that could go unnoticed by a stranger may be picked
up very clearly by someone who is familiar with a person. Strangers,
acquaintances, friends, and family will all pick up on signals of varying
subtlety.
FIG 6.2
Visual communication is possible even in very simplified faces and with the use of just a few lines.
We may all be well aware of this in our day-to-day life as animators, but
it is part of our job to ensure that our audience reads these messages
loud and clear. At the most subtle level we may even need to identify the
signaling that takes the form of personal traits identified with a given
character.
When we communicate with each other, we tend to look in each other's eyes,
or not, largely as a result of a combination of our particular personalities as
well as cultural traditions and accepted modes of behavior.
