cartoonstyle

Cartoonstyle is a broad term used to describe a visual style common to cartoons, comics, and animation that favors simplification, exaggeration, and bold color over photorealism. It encompasses a range of techniques and aesthetics intended to convey character, emotion, and action quickly and clearly.

Key characteristics include simplified shapes and forms, clean or heavy linework with clear outlines, exaggerated facial expressions and poses, and a limited or flat color palette with minimal shading. The style often relies on readability and timing, using squash and stretch, and other exaggeration devices to convey motion in animation.

Variations exist across regions and periods. Western cartoonstyle traditions have included rubber-hose and modern flat-vector aesthetics, while anime-influenced styles use nuanced expressions and color systems. In digital media, cartoonstyle frequently employs vector graphics, cel shading, and scalable assets, making it suitable for animation, web design, and branding.

Historically, cartoonstyle grew from early 20th-century animation and comic strips, evolving with advances in printing and digital tools. The term does not denote a single codified method but a family of approaches used for humor, storytelling, and accessibility. Uses span entertainment, educational materials, advertising, and user interfaces, where clear, approachable visuals support rapid comprehension.