![]() This research raises two key issues: 1) it flags the significant gender imbalances in animation, calling out the risk of male creators perpetuating patriarchal portrayals of women 2) it identifies a desperate need for Hollywood to increase diversity, across race, weight, and shapes, in any future mermaid representations. ![]() Actioned through a design breakdown of a mermaid character from adult-animated television series pilot, Head Above Water, an alternative, reviewed and revamped anti-patriarchy siren is proposed aiming to shift mermaid iconography from a symbol of femininity, to the symbol for fem-inism. In doing so, this study analyses the mythology, design elements and Hollywood’s history of mermaid representation across TV & film, concluding in a case study seeking to redesign the modern mermaid reflective of these values. It argues for the necessary update to mermaid iconography one that shift visual representations away from regurgitated imagery of thin, white, feminine, mer-women servicing the Western Freudian male gaze, to imagery that is reflective of modern day attitudes and ideals consistent with fourth-wave femi-nism. This paper pays attention to the mythology of mermaids, the adult-animation in-dustry, design pedagogy, and a praxis which actively incorporates gender, sexuality, diversity and intersectional dynamics.
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