Department of Communication, Media, Film and Theatre Studies

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    Character design in a Kenyan animation film: propensity and prospects
    (Kenyatta University, 2025-07) Kanyangi, Clinton Kihima
    Animation in Kenya has experienced significant growth, evidenced by the increasing number of productions, government and private sector support, and heightened audience consumption. Recently, there has been a concerted effort to showcase more Kenyan content and stories. Despite these advances, the appreciation of Kenyan animation films has not reached its full potential. Among the key target audiences, Kenyan children comprise a large segment of this industry. Therefore, it is essential to explore how young audiences interact with and engage in the content they consume to enhance the appreciation of animation films. Familiarity plays a crucial role in the appreciation and engagement of animation films, particularly among young audiences. This study examined character design in Kenyan animation, focusing on the animation series Super Sema, to evaluate the characters' familiarity with a Kenyan child audience. The study analyzed the characters in the film and assessed their familiarity to Kenyan children. Various aspects affecting familiarity were tested, and results were discussed, revealing that physical attributes of the characters were less familiar to the audience. To address this, the study proposed an alternative character design approach aimed at enhancing familiarity, which was tested with a child audience. The approach incorporated feedback from children through focus group discussions, Likert scale surveys, and interviews. The results indicated an increase in familiarity following the redesign. Specific elements that improved familiarity were identified and discussed. Recommendations for producers, animators, and suggestions for further research are provided. The study underscores the importance of incorporating familiar elements, particularly characters, in Kenyan animation films to enhance appreciation and engagement among child audiences. Steps to achieve this have been outlined. The research was guided by five theories: audience reception, Semiotics, usability testing, Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, and expressionism