Ivik Nier Renders Children's Story Characters with Morbidity
Jason Soy — January 12, 2012 — Pop Culture
References: ivikn.deviantart & artforadults.tumblr
If kindergarten teachers read children fairytale storybooks featuring artwork by Ivik Nier, there’s a strong possibility they’d take the moral of each narrative much more seriously. After all, who wouldn’t be scared straight after looking at these renderings of Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty and Alice?
With outrageous weaponry, macabre motifs and blood smeared everywhere, Nier takes innocent characters from children’s stories and makes them almost too badass. It certainly reinvigorates adult interest in the tales when an artist doesn’t take his source material lightly, adding grit and brutality into the mix.
Ivik Nier illustrated these hardcore fairytale characters for a series of playing cards, which explains why the corner of each rendering also denotes whether a character is a Jack, a Queen, a King or a Joker.
With outrageous weaponry, macabre motifs and blood smeared everywhere, Nier takes innocent characters from children’s stories and makes them almost too badass. It certainly reinvigorates adult interest in the tales when an artist doesn’t take his source material lightly, adding grit and brutality into the mix.
Ivik Nier illustrated these hardcore fairytale characters for a series of playing cards, which explains why the corner of each rendering also denotes whether a character is a Jack, a Queen, a King or a Joker.
Trend Themes
1. Morbidity in Children's Story Illustration - Artists are exploring darker imagery in children's storybooks, potentially creating new markets for illustrated books that challenge traditional norms of what is acceptable for young audiences.
2. Reimagining Classic Characters - Artists are taking familiar characters and adding grit and brutality, potentially creating new opportunities for brands who want to revitalize existing intellectual property.
3. Gory Playing Card Designs - Designers are incorporating blood and weaponry into traditional playing card designs, potentially creating new markets for collectors or gamers who want a more adult-oriented product.
Industry Implications
1. Illustrated Children's Books - Publishers and artists who incorporate darker themes into children's books can potentially tap into new audiences and differentiate themselves in a crowded market.
2. Brand Licensing and Merchandising - Companies with established intellectual property can work with artists to create new interpretations of their characters for use in merchandise or marketing campaigns.
3. Custom Playing Card Design - Designers who specialize in creating unique playing cards could potentially tap into a market for collectors or gamers who want a more adult-oriented product.
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