The Long Road

08/12/2003 Archived Entry: "Lexicon"

Here is a list of terms people use interchangeably but are wrong when they do so! Well, at least I figure they’re wrong because I wouldn’t use these words in the same way.

Graphics/Art/(special) Effects/Animation

Graphics should be used almost exclusively for when we’re talking about video games. Graphics would refer to the overall visual look of a game, which include effects and animation. Effects in a game refer to dynamic events upon the environment like the way a lamp casts its light on a wall or the “particle effect” of a door shattering when shot by a rocket launcher. Animation refers to the fluidity of movement of people/objects within the game.

Effects (or Special Effects) is what we should use when talking about movies. The Hulk IS a special effect and an achievement in computer animation but he shouldn’t be called a graphic. If we’re discussing how cool bullet time we’re talking special effects, if we’re talking about how life-like Gollum’s movements are then it’s animation.

When looking at comics or anything else drawn/painted the word is art. If you want you can separate the art in a comic into pencils and colours and if you really know your stuff you can separate the line work into pencils and inks; but that gets incredibly complicated. Do NOT look at a still image and tell me that the animation is good, I’ll kill you.

Lastly, we have cartoons. Whether computer generated (like Finding Nemo) or traditional hand-drawn (Spirited Away) the general term here is Animation. If you’re talking about the distinct look/design of a character or object in a cartoon you can call it art.

Alright, confused? Good. *gets off his soapbox*

Replies: 9 comments

You're just nitpicking. and being a snob again =P

Posted by Anonymous @ 08/12/2003 08:18 PM EST

yes, yes I am.

Posted by Rayne @ 08/13/2003 12:49 AM EST

I don't think that was snobby...it was a logical discussion

Posted by dAN @ 08/13/2003 01:14 AM EST

i completely agree with you thai, about the uses of those words. you didn't mention the terms cgi(computer generated images) or cg (computer graphics, i'm assuming) though, that the movie industry uses to refer to finding nemo and final fantasy and their like.

and absolutely, under no uncertain terms, should cartoons be called japanimation. I'LL KILL YOU THEN. *gets devilish look in eyes*

"under no uncertain terms" is an interesting expression. i hope i used it correctly. thinking about it as it is, it doesn't make all that much sense to me. uncertain terms? what are those? i should have just used "under no circumstances" instead.

Posted by shawnathan @ 08/13/2003 12:20 PM EST

I really dislike when people refer to japan-influenced animation simply as "cartoons"! the word reminds me automatically of Bugs Bunny or Gi Joe -western animation- and we all know how different they look.

"Japanimation" is an ugly word, i agree, but at least it shows some difference between the styles; "Cartoon" or "animation" are way too general in their interpretations.

"Japanese animation" or "Anime" (pronounce "animé" :P) are correct appelations, though. Please, do not confuse these with "manga", though, which refers strictly to japanese-style comic strips.

Posted by Étienne @ 08/13/2003 04:37 PM EST

I think CG is "computer generated", whether animation or images or whatever. "Computer Graphics", to me, implies something interactive, like games.

I'll agree that "cartoons" probably remind people more of the stuff thats aimed at kids but it's not like I wouldn't call Pokemon a cartoon just because it's from japan.

"Anime" is definately the word that should be used for animation out of japan.

You are wrong about "manga", it's not a word for Japanese-style comics; it's the japanese word for comics, japanese-style or not. North American has just used "Manga" to refer to comics out of japan.

Posted by Rayne @ 08/13/2003 08:09 PM EST

That's what i meant, sorry. You can't go in the comic shoppe and ask: "do you have some spiderman manga here?"

Posted by Étienne @ 08/13/2003 09:20 PM EST

...Well, you can, but you'll have to explain yourself afterwards. :P

Posted by Étienne @ 08/13/2003 09:22 PM EST

not if the other people also know what they were talking about. which they would if they read this site =D

Posted by Rayne @ 08/19/2003 02:04 AM EST