Children Playing Distinctively Visual

Today, kids spend less time outside than prisoners. The satirical cartoon “Children Playing” by Gary Varvel, exhibits what all of the new technology is doing to the youth. The cartoon displays a group of children playing outside in an unusual fashion. Instead of playing games like hopscotch or hide-and-seek, they are playing on their smartphones and tablets without interacting with each other. The intended message of this cartoon is that kids today would rather indulge themselves into their digital screens instead of playing outside and interacting with their peers. Gary Varvel employs principles and elements of design to highlight the negative impact technology has on children's lives. According to pediatrics, playing outside promotes physical

By reading the sign, one would expect to see multiple kids playing around in the playground area, but ironically the playground is empty. The empty playground in the background represents a token of childhood where kids are usually running and jumping around. The green, open space represents all the potential freedom and fun the children are opting out on. The children are invested in their devices with no smile in sight and no eyes to make contact with, completely unaware of their surroundings. The use of color also plays a role in the cartoon's message. The background is muted and gray, while the foreground is filled with bright colors and sharp lines. This contrast highlights the vibrancy and excitement of technology, while also suggesting that it is taking the place of more traditional forms of play. The cartoon artist employs a strategic use of color as a base element of design to effectively convey a powerful message. The subdued color palette adopted in the artwork skillfully conveys a sense of boredom. The children's attire and their environment are presented in shades of gray and brown, creating an impression of a dull, lifeless, and uninteresting world. In contrast, the screens in the cartoon are depicted in vibrant colors that are highly noticeable and appealing. This color contrast makes the screens appear more important and draws attention to the influential role technology plays in the children's lives. The artwork implies that technology has evolved into more traditional forms of play and