Summary Of Scott Mccloud Amplification Through Simplification

In the vocabulary of comics, Scott McCloud discusses an idea which he dubs, “Amplification through simplification”(2). By logical analysis, it is true that by removing some features and taking the piece of art at face value, we are, in essence, looking at a more simplistic image. However, this simplification is obscured by the amplification effect. That is to say, as one strips away the details and substance in their piece of art, the more significant the remaining features become. With less visual features in the same amount of physical space, our eyes are more keen to notice the particulars that remain. Scott McCloud introduces this idea by comparing hyper realistic faces to those with a more cartoonish look about them. Every single human
One example of this is the history context of architecture and interior design. Hundreds of years ago, the powerful and wealthy had large castles filled with complex artwork, gold trimmed furniture, and other very elegant design choices. In modern times, the wealthy often flock towards more modern, contemporary, and sleek design choices. This includes large windows, basic shapes, white walls and open spaces. By minimizing the amount of details in their space of living, the greater the impression of the features that remain. Although almost completely separate realm from animation, the same concept of amplification through simplification holds true in
A smiley face, essentially just a circle with two dots and a line, can be represented as almost anyone, and by modifying the line and dots within, can represent almost any emotion. This simplistic image can be used to represent a range of complex emotions, ideas, or even characters. Expanding on this idea, simple shapes and colors can portray complex philosophical ideas, arguments, and viewpoints. In what he calls, “philographics” Genís Carreras has designed sleek and elegant posters that conveys the ideas of various philosophical doctrines. Two different examples of his work are shown and cited at the end of this essay. The first poster, Existentialism, prescribes that the, “Individual is solely responsible for giving his or her own life meaning and for living that life passionately and sincerely, dealing with his or her conditions, emotions, actions, responsibilities, and thoughts”(1). While everyone should pursue life passionately, it is up to the individual to decide how they want to go about it. This idea is beautifully represented by a two hearts in a vertical venn diagram. The hearts represent the passion and sincerity, and the vertical venn diagram shows the different paths one can choose to take in life. Similarly, his poster on relativism, claims that, “points of view have no absolute truth or validity, having only relative,