The Fox animated sitcom “Bob’s Burgers” will use fan-submitted artwork in its eighth season premiere episode. The promotion reflects a growing trend within the animation industry to allows fans to participate in the production of a series.

The Fox network had set up a website called "Bob's Fart," the latter being a portmanteau of “fan-art”, which will allow fans to submit fan art that can be used in the premiere. The submissions can be done in one of three categories. These are title sequence animations, static background panels, and static character panels.

Subcategories for the character pieces include Bob, Linda, the kids, Teddy, Felix, and Mr. Fischoeder. Subcategories for backgrounds range from mostly concern areas in the restaurant (including the walk-in freezer and the back alley) and the family's apartment (specifically the kitchen and living room.)

An episode made for fans and by fans

The website offers reference art for interested participants. In addition to the artwork, fans are also asked to give a brief description of the piece. Submissions will last until Monday, March 13, 2017 at 11:59:59 am PT.

The fan-inspired episode is intended to be inconsistent between scenes, with a released statement saying that it will also serve as "a testament and a tribute to our creative and talented fans, a.k.a.

you." The next season of "Bob’s Burgers" is expected to debut sometime this fall.

Cartoons give fans a say in what happens

In recent years, the animation industry has found more and more ways to incorporate fans into the process. The cartoon series "Adventure Time" added gender-swapped versions of the cast after artist Natasha Allegri posted online had become popular with fans.

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” developed the character Derpy Hooves as an Easter-egg of sorts after an animation mistake become popular with fans.

Fox has also been known to develop promotions like this involving their animated shows. “The Simpsons,” for example, had released an episode with a scene animated live during the last few minutes.

The main character, Homer, had answered questions from fans in called in live.

That said, the upcoming promotion for “Bob’s Burgers” is currently being considered one of the more ambitious ideas to involve fans in the making of the show.