@Draco Dei
Well, humans are hardwired to find cute (and therefore protect) creatures with round faces and shapes. Mostly because babies qualify, neotony as you said.
It’s abstract enough not to invoke the uncanny valley, but at the same time looks like a realistic plush toy.
The blue/orange motif all over Pipette, from the mane, tail and cutie mark to the hooves and eyes. The contrast combination looks well on her, a good palette is key for a pony.
The human characteristics also enhance the familiarity/relatability towards her. This includes forward-facing eyes, flat-ish face, human-like mouth and hairstyle, and round pupils.
The coat is clean, she has no wrinkles and she is very symmetrical, which our brains recognize as healthy and youthful traits that we are subconsciously attracted to.
Stretching things to the extreme, she looks like a foal/cub of an animal, and finding or having one was positive for our ancestors, as it could be domesticated or otherwise make it to work for them. Caring for it and protecting it was the best way to create a bond, so the creature would not hurt them (intentionally), and this is infinitely easier with younger individuals.
Finding it cute is our cultural expression on trying to create such bond, which deep down is survival. It’s like a targeted reaction to a potential opportunity.
Last, in this image the picture of the dragon with the edges, scales and spikes act like a foil for Pipette’s cuteness. It’s pretty much the anthithesis, so the adorable design of the pony riding it is even more remarkable.
You may disagree with some of the explainations, but that’s ok. drops mic
@Background Pony #B1DF
Now that you mention it, I suspect that may a legitimate art/design/psychology question that I would be curious as to the technical answer to.
It might be that (almost, for example the floating eyes freaked her out)) no matter what the circumstances she remains extremely joyful. Then there is the neotony (looking like a young creature, such as having a large head in proportion to the body) of the Pony shape in general. Bright colors (and rarely depicted in shade regardless of the overall lighting level of the picture? I could be misremembering?).
Well, humans are hardwired to find cute (and therefore protect) creatures with round faces and shapes. Mostly because babies qualify, neotony as you said.
It’s abstract enough not to invoke the uncanny valley, but at the same time looks like a realistic plush toy.
The blue/orange motif all over Pipette, from the mane, tail and cutie mark to the hooves and eyes. The contrast combination looks well on her, a good palette is key for a pony.
The human characteristics also enhance the familiarity/relatability towards her. This includes forward-facing eyes, flat-ish face, human-like mouth and hairstyle, and round pupils.
The coat is clean, she has no wrinkles and she is very symmetrical, which our brains recognize as healthy and youthful traits that we are subconsciously attracted to.
Finding it cute is our cultural expression on trying to create such bond, which deep down is survival. It’s like a targeted reaction to a potential opportunity.
Now that you mention it, I suspect that may a legitimate art/design/psychology question that I would be curious as to the technical answer to.