Penguins in Media

Looking into how penguins are designed in the varieties of films and games; more often than not are seen as almost waiter-like due to their tuxedo like coat, that or quite suspicious characters. An example of the shifty penguin concept is Aardaman’s ‘Wallace and Gromit: The wrong trousers’. Feathers McGraw, who is a jewel thief; but disguises himself, albeit badly as a chicken when stealing. What made him such an intimidating character for me was the fact that he never spoke a word; Gromit doesn’t speak either but has a more comical appeal as his words are spoken through his expressions, whereas Feathers simply stares wither those little beady eyes, impassive. His body shape is overall quite rounded which is usually used for more welcoming, happier characters; though there a limitations with using play dough. Personally I think his bowling pin shape makes him look more comical, the tiny head suits his tiny eyes.

Another penguin design I drew most of my inspiration from was the Dreamworks film ‘Madagascar’, the military style penguins have a more box like shape to them unlike the ‘Wallace and Gromit’ penguin. The threatening image of the marine like penguins is eased up as they still have their bird like properties, like sliding on their stomachs for sneaking around a cargo ship as they try to take it over.  The fact they were so organized and such a force to be reckoned with made them so popular; so much so they had their own series or episodes revolving around them.

The 3^rd kind of penguins that I looked into are the ‘Prinnys’ from NIS america’s ‘Disgea’ series, both games and animated series. Similar to Aardman’s penguin, the Prinny has a much fatter bowling pin shape. Though they fit the waiter stereotype more so than the other penguins I have looked into, being the lowest of the low, they are virtually slaves; disposable ones- ie. When thrown they explode on impact.  They have a somewhat shifty image about them, but they’re restrained to do what there told so their harmless. Again the design for the Prinnys has a humorous appeal to the audience, along with their catchphrase ‘Dood’.