'Disney University' Takes Classic Characters Back to School
Laura McQuarrie — May 9, 2013 — Art & Design
References: hyung86.deviantart & designtaxi
'Disney University' by DeviantART user 'Hyung86' features beloved cartoon characters re-imagined as students in school. Inspired by the upcoming release of Pixar's 'Monsters University,' the series of digital drawings aims to bring youthfulness to the classic Disney characters.
The artist retains a fairly similar style as Disney's illustrations, but modernizes each character with a wardrobe update and details that reference the classic movies. Snow White for example is shown holding an Apple iPad, and Peter Pan's sneakers have tiny Tinkerbell silhouettes in place of the Converse logo.
To give further insight into the imagined lives of these busy school students, the artist includes a small description with each illustration. Cinderella is described as a hard-worker who "always seems to arrive before 12" to her classes, and is gifted with the kind of intelligence that could have been granted by a fairy godmother.
The artist retains a fairly similar style as Disney's illustrations, but modernizes each character with a wardrobe update and details that reference the classic movies. Snow White for example is shown holding an Apple iPad, and Peter Pan's sneakers have tiny Tinkerbell silhouettes in place of the Converse logo.
To give further insight into the imagined lives of these busy school students, the artist includes a small description with each illustration. Cinderella is described as a hard-worker who "always seems to arrive before 12" to her classes, and is gifted with the kind of intelligence that could have been granted by a fairy godmother.
Trend Themes
1. Cartoon Character Re-imagining - There is an opportunity for other artists to re-imagine classic cartoon characters in various settings or situations, appealing to both nostalgia and current trends.
2. Youthful Revamps of Classic IP - There is an opportunity for companies to revamp classic intellectual properties with more youthful and modern designs, potentially attracting a new, younger audience.
3. Diversifying Classic Characters - There is an opportunity to diversify classic characters with a more inclusive representation in order to appeal to a wider and more diverse audience.
Industry Implications
1. Entertainment - The entertainment industry can take advantage of the trend by creating new properties or updating classic ones in order to appeal to new and existing audiences, potentially increasing revenue.
2. Fashion - The fashion industry can capitalize on the trend by creating clothing lines or merchandise that feature nostalgic cartoon characters in modern or fashionable settings, appealing to both the younger and older demographics.
3. Education - The education industry can use the trend to create more engaging educational materials or lesson plans that feature popular cartoon characters in learning contexts, potentially increasing student interest and participation.
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