Emotional Sustainability through Visual Technology for Gen Z: A Semiotic Analysis of Childlike Visuals in Digital Media

The growing awareness of mental health issues, particularly among Generation Z as digital natives, has led to an increased engagement with digital media as a space for emotional reflection and self-regulation. Within this context, emotional sustainability emerges as an important aspect of health-oriented design, emphasizing the long-term maintenance of emotional well-being in increasingly technology-driven environments. This study examines childlike visual aesthetics as a form of visual technology that operates within digital media ecosystems to support emotional sustainability. Focusing on the animated film The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. The film was selected due to its significant emotional resonance, evidenced by audience testimonials and its recognition through the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. Employing a qualitative approach, this research applies Roland Barthes’ semiotic analysis to examine denotative, connotative, and mythic meanings embedded in the film’s visual elements, supported by psychological theories related to the inner child concept. The findings suggest that childlike visuals function as a form of soft technology that mediates emotional experiences, offering a sustainable emotional support mechanism within digital media consumption. The visual simplicity triggers "nostalgia" or "safe space" for the audience, as found in the FGD. This study contributes to interdisciplinary discussions on emotional sustainability, visual technology, and health-integrated design, aligning with SDG No. 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) by emphasizing the role of visual media and design in supporting mental health through the use of accessible, non-clinical visual approaches. Keywords: Emotional sustainability, childlike visuals, visual technology, semiotic analysis, generation Z, mental health support.