The impact of animation cinema on visual fatigue

A team of researchers from the Terrassa School of Optics and Optometry (FOOT) and the Image Processing and Multimedia Technology Centre (CITM) have conducted a study on the relationship between the visual aesthetics of animation cinema and visual fatigue. The results of the research were published in the journal Scientific Reports.

Jan 10, 2025

The study provides new insights into how colour palettes and scene pacing can increase visual fatigue in young viewers. Experts in optics and optometry from the Terrassa School of Optics and Optometry (FOOT) alongside specialists in multimedia technology, design and animation from the Image Processing and Multimedia Technology Centre (CITM) of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech (UPC) have conducted the research with the participation of 30 university students.

In the study, participants watched two iconic animated films: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, noted for its rapid pacing and vivid colours, and My Neighbor Totoro, by Studio Ghibli, characterised by its calm and natural aesthetic. Each participant viewed the films under two conditions, in full colour and in greyscale, to assess the impact of colour saturation and scene dynamics on visual fatigue.

The analysis was performed through both objective and subjective tests to evaluate visual fatigue. The results revealed that the dynamic visual style and intense colours of Spider-Man led to reduced performance in optometric tests, indicating higher levels of visual fatigue compared to Totoro. Professors Marc Argilés from FOOT and Elisabet Fonts from the CITM, who are both involved in the study, stated: “These findings demonstrate, for the first time, how aesthetic decisions in animated film productions can significantly affect the visual health of young viewers”.

Advanced Visual Analysis Technology
Advanced visual analysis technology was employed to conduct the research. A spectral colourimeter analysed the colour temperature and average illuminance of each film, with specific frames selected every five minutes for Totoro and every ten minutes for Spider-Man. Video segmentation techniques were also applied to measure the average shot duration in each film, revealing that Spider-Man contains 42% of shots lasting less than one second, whereas Totoro features longer and more stable shot durations, which leads to a more relaxed visual experience.

Implications for animated film production
The study highlights the importance of considering the physiological impact of aesthetic decisions when producing animated films, particularly regarding scene pacing, element dynamism and colours. The researchers suggest that incorporating visual pauses or reducing the frequency of rapid shots could help mitigate visual fatigue. Additionally, future studies could explore how repeated exposure to fast-paced animation might affect long-term visual health.

The findings, recently published in Scientific Reports, are a significant contribution to the study of visual fatigue within the context of audiovisual production.