Pendelton Ward and the Appeal of Adventure Time

Adventure Time is a unique specimen in the world of animation. The Cartoon Network show which premiered in 2010 boasts a broad fanbase made up equally of children and adults. It's success can be attributed to the aesthetic of the world Pendleton Ward has created and the appeal of the characters which inhabit it. Ward's designs have a charming simplicity to them. His main characters are often made up of rounded shapes with curved edges, which lends them an accessible, non-threatening aesthetic, which is an important part of their appeal.

In contrast, characters which are supposed to be identified as being 'bad' have shaper edges and features. For example, while there is more to his character than being simply evil, Ice King has a sharp pointed nose and spiky crown, giving off the impression he is the villain in the Land of Ooo, but at the same time his body is rounded much like the other characters, hinting at an additional layer of depth in his design. 

This principle is also applied to the environments the characters inhabit. The Land of Ooo is made up primarily of rounded hills which contrast with the steep geometric shape of the mountains in the background. These design choices reflect the dynamic and alignment of the characters, whether you notice it or not, which is part of why the show is so broadly appealing to all ages.

Many of the friendly characters in Adventure Time follow a primary colour scheme and the relationships between characters are shown in the use of colour. Finn and Jake's primary colours are Blue and Yellow respectively. These are complimentary on the colour wheel and reflect the relationship between the characters, showing them together in a visually appealing way to show they are friends.

Similarly, the backgrounds and world they are presented against adhere to complimentary colour theory. The Land of Ooo features numerous colourful landscapes, often times with complimentary colour schemes, such as Jake and Finn's treehouse, which is green and often depicted against an orange sky backdrop.