Here’s an experiment for you: place two pictures side by side. One of them should be a photo, and the other a cartoon. Now, tell yourself the ways in which each one appeals to you specifically. Both are special and speak to you in their own ways. The photo captures real life in a way no other medium does. Observe it closely, for long, and you find yourself participating in the action therein. But what about cartoons?
There’s a reason why they’re famous. Just as there’s a reason behind the popularity of tools that let you cartoon an image. They bring life into an idea, making it fun, exciting, and appealing. Cartoons have lived on through the years, with their popularity remaining as strong as ever. And it’s not just the children who are drawn towards it. It’s also the adults and almost everybody else that has a playful streak in them. This article will tell you the reasons behind the growing popularity of turning images into cartoons. You will also receive some tips for choosing a tool for this purpose.
For the sheer appeal of it
The appeal of cartoons is strong enough in itself to attract people. As mentioned earlier, there’s something special about cartoons. In a way, they are a reminder of your childhood. How? You live your childhood days through them. Every time you see one, there’s a smile on your face. Almost as if such an image washed away your worries. That’s the same kind of feeling shared by a lot of people. The popularity of cartoons is a testament to that.
It’s lively, colourful and fun
It’s all of those three and more. Even black-and-white cartoons somehow seem to have life bursting out of them. The colourful ones brighten up your world. And they’ve got life in them. They could be a favourite character from your childhood or one currently trending.
Each image can be a riot of colours, coming together as one colourful spectacle. The best part about this all is that everybody loves them. There’s a reason why major publishing houses and advertising agencies heavily make use of these – their appeal is extraordinary.
Very useful for social media
Anything that is lively, colourful, and fun would be helpful for social media. Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram – cartoons work for all these platforms. Marketers make use of these the first chance they get. The reason: social media engagement.
Most viewers enjoy watching a cartoon bringing a particular memory to life. It could be any occasion: a party, cartoon, or whatever the case might be. The result is a spike in likes, comments, and reactions. You also have the nostalgia factor. Some viewers might connect to a cartoon they might have seen during childhood. The chances of them connecting with that are much higher than a photo.
They make for great gifts
Now, this is a reason that is personal. A gift with a playful cartoon steals the recipient’s heart. If it’s a child, it would make their day.
It’s not just the children who love them, though. Something with cartoons makes for a unique anniversary present, too. What’s more, you can shape the cartoon image in any way you like using a tool. If you think you’re creative, this is your opportunity to showcase it.
Tips for choosing a tool
As popular as cartoons are, you still need an image design tool to transform photos or images. For that, you need an efficient, user-friendly, and fast tool that offers various customization options. How do you find one, though? Here’s a few tips that will work for you.
Are there enough features?
The first thing, and the obvious one, is to look for features. Does it have the features you need? For example, does it have various filter and style options to choose from? Can you work on an image using a variety of colour options? What about the brush tools or the layer editing options? Does it allow you to change the image into a smart object? These are all questions you need to consider.
Is it easy to use?
Easy to use refers to the user interface. However, there are some more factors included. For example, can you apply or make the necessary changes without difficulty? Is there a lengthy tutorial process involved? Can you browse the app without feeling like it was a maze? Especially if you’re a beginner, it shouldn’t take hours to figure out how to import a photo. Or maybe save an image as a PDF once you’re done.
Is it compatible with your devices?
Compatibility is important. Check whether the app works with other devices. It should work with your PC, laptop, tablet, or whatever device you use. Of course, the onus of this lies on you since you should check the operating requirements and other features before choosing a tool. In any case, a good tool will work with various devices.
You might have many reasons to cartoon an image. There’s an anniversary, it’s your hobby, or perhaps you’re just interested in trying the process. Choosing the right tool will make your job easier, and you will get an image that is alive, fun, and attractive.
Andrej Fedek is the creator and the one-person owner of two blogs: InterCool Studio and CareersMomentum. As an experienced marketer, he is driven by turning leads into customers with White Hat SEO techniques. Besides being a boss, he is a real team player with a great sense of equality.