The CalArts Style

I just came across this interesting video about how today's cartoons have been taken over by this style called the CalArts Style. People call this the CalArts Style because many animators that are currently working in the industry are said to have originated from the prestigious animation school CalArts. After the trailer for Thundercats came out people were lead to believe that CalArts students are ruining todays cartoons. This is because all animations from shows like Adventure Time, Steven Universe, and Amazing World of Gumball have strikingly similar designs.
However, I disagree with this argument that the CalArts Style is ruining cartoon animation. I believe that there have been previous styles/trends that many shows have taken in the time that cartoon animation has been a thing. For example, in the 80s cartoons were made to look more human. I also believe that saying that an art trend is ruining cartoons is a little far fetched. In my opinion people should not judge a show just on having similar art.
What are your thoughts?

Comments

  1. UnknownOctober 7, 2018 at 6:04 PM

    The idea of the takeover of the "CalArts Style" in animation is interesting, and if I do think about it many shows currently do share many similarities in their art style. However, I completely agree with you in regards to it just being a current trend in animation rather than one particular school/art style ruining animation. Every type of art and media goes through trend periods where aspects of the content overlap with one another. Sometimes people just like a certain look for a period of time, and eventually people will get sick of it an the look will change. I think it's important to judge the quality of an animated work as an individual piece and not be so concerned with whether or not on its surface level similarities to another work.

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