The impact of symbol simplification on visual recognition: a case study of the monkey king in comics design

Abstract

This study explores the impact of symbol simplification on the visual recognition of comic characters, using the Monkey King as a primary case. Through comparative analysis of iconic character designs across different eras, it examines how core mythological symbols are distilled and adapted. The findings reveal that strategic simplification，through the extraction of core iconography, color reconstruction, and modern aesthetic integration，enhances immediate recognizability and communication efficiency while preserving essential cultural meaning, offering a practical framework for modernizing traditional IPs in visual media.