nonrealistic

Nonrealistic is an adjective describing depictions, representations, or ideas that do not aim to reproduce objective reality. It contrasts with realistic, photorealistic, or naturalistic representations. The term is widely used across arts and media to identify styles, techniques, or approaches that prioritize expression, mood, symbolism, or abstraction over literal likeness.

In visual arts, nonrealistic or non-photorealistic rendering encompasses styles such as expressionism, cubism, surrealism, and other forms of stylized illustration. In these contexts, color, line, and proportion may be exaggerated or simplified to convey meaning rather than to imitate the visible world. In contemporary design and computer graphics, nonrealistic rendering describes techniques that produce stylized images rather than photorealistic images, including cel shading, vector art, and flat design.

In literature and film, nonrealistic may refer to narratives that incorporate fantasy, magical realism, or speculative elements that do not adhere to ordinary rules of reality. The term can also describe editing or mise-en-scène choices that emphasize mood, symbolism, or thematic concerns over literal accuracy.

Usage notes: The word nonrealistic is descriptive rather than evaluative; it characterizes a tendency or approach rather than judging quality. It is sometimes preferred to terms like unrealistic when the aim is to stress intentional stylization rather than failure to reflect reality. See also: Realism; Non-photorealistic rendering; Stylization; Magic realism.