CalArts style is a unique style that animators use. The definition of CalArts style has changed over the years and is a little different. It is often referred to as thin-line animation.
What is CalArts? CalArts style is when thin-line animation is used. Thin-line animation uses thin outlines, rounder shapes, and noodle-like appendages.
One of the reasons it is different from other animation types is its use of shapes and colors. Yet, the shapes and colors in this style are generic, with their large heads, small bodies, and eyes that look like saucers.
CalArts Style Animation Explained
Another reason why this style is unique is due to the emergence of anime-influenced Western animators and cartoonists. This may have caused them to turn their attention to less detail and a simple character design.
Due to an economic downturn in the 2010s, a need for cheaper cartoon character development was created. CalArts style was more affordable and has remained the preferred option in animation as a storyboard artist and animator.
CalArts’ thin lines in an image flicker and disappear sometimes depending on the angle and motion. During the late 2010s, the term Cal Arts style was used by animator John Kricfalusi as an insult.
At the time, it was shown in a blog post by John. He wanted to mock the animation style. An art school animator was taught technique and attended the California Institute of Arts. John is a former animator and was responsible for creating the iconic animated kid’s show, The Ren & Stimpy Show.
The artistic style has been used in shows such as Adventure Time, Gravity Falls, and Over The Garden Wall. Adventure Time is shown on Cartoon Network. Gravity Falls was shown on the Walt Disney Channel and Disney XD. See a full list of new animated movies on our upcoming animated movies page.
The one thing that Cal-Arts style has in common with Adventure Time, Gravity Falls, and Over The Garden is that all three shows were crafted by young artists who have graduated from the California Institute of the Arts.
This style has also been criticized as lazy. However, the CalArts style has stuck around for years after going its own way. Due to its popularity, the style has been incorporated into Powerpuff Girls, ThunderCats, and other great cartoons.
CalArts own style is now a good starting point for creating new animation techniques. It will continue to help creators, designers, and animators create new show projects.
The style is often shown in 2D animation, like The Amazing World of Gumball, which is known to be stiff and robotic in its appearance. This type of animation is also often created in primary colors like pink, yellow, and purple.
Classic animators may have mocked the Cal Art style initially; however, its popularity and ease of use are undeniable and will likely be around for a long time. CalArts alumni have creatively helped old cartoons evolve.
Animation fans can discover more about the controversy behind this style, read more at Byte, and learn about other animation techniques, such as animation smears.
Brandon Crombar
Editor In Chief / FounderBrandon is an animation enthusiast and animated film critic. He has been writing about animation since 2013 to celebrate animated movies, characters, and songs. His favorite animated movies include Finding Nemo, Aladdin, and The Lion King.