Shaun Tan has created many iconic original human figures, some of which have a comedic look. Many of his characters do not include the common human features, instead are in their own unusual form unlike so many other illustrations.
The picture book ‘Rabbits’ (2010) has very strong character imagery that is both dynamic and sinister. The dynamic shapes are defined with bold colour, which give the characters determined, and almost royal appearance. The sinister image deters me from the characters; the appearance suggests a dangerous and intelligent nature. This book includes a steam punk influence in the construction of the rabbit figures and in some background features.
Shaun Tan portrays his exceptional skill of character design in the picture book ‘What Miscellaneous Abnormality is that?’. The blimp image is a character adaptation of an existing form of the blimp, a pressured airship; this is given life and a personality. The large body portion and small limbs enforces this characters weightless form and floating movement. In this image a large slightly squinting eye gives this figure a curious and carefree personality.
Rose Kerbyson 