Animation Fundamentals_Project 1

14/10/2024-11/11/2024 

Ruthlene Chua Zhen Si 0365222 

Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media 

• Instruction
• Lectures (All in Exercise Blog)
• Class Summaries
• Task
• Character Design
• Background Design (Layout) 

• Feedbacks
• Reflections

• JUMPLINK TO OTHER PROJECT
• Exercise + Lectures During Class
• Ball + Tail 
• Project 2
• Walk + Jump
• Final (Action)
• Story Board + Video 

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INSTRUCTION

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Class Summaries 

Week 4: Emphasized consistency in shapes, motion, and character design, enhancing clarity and appeal through strong silhouettes, line of action, and solid drawing techniques.

Week 5: This week we had consultation for the character we made and make adjustment to the character details and postures. 

Week 6: Introduced staging, with principles like the Rule of Thirds, anticipation, and exaggeration to enhance storytelling and clarity, while perspective and timing added depth and flow. 

Week 7: Covered walk cycles, breaking movements into key poses and refining them for lifelike motion using timing, spacing, and consistent placement.

Week 8: Independent Study Week 

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Project 1 (Character Design) 

For this project, I faced a challenge because I'm not particularly skilled at drawing. So, I began by looking for references and starting from scratch. I wanted to design a girl from a ninja village who was a bit clumsy, full of curiosity, and cool. To enhance her mysterious character, I decided to incorporate a cloak into her design. 

Figure 1.0: References of how to draw a cloak

Next, I added a scarf to her design, as her character is set to live in a desert city. The scarf helps protect the wearer from the harsh desert sun and sand.

Figure 1.1: Sketches of cloak 

I received some help from my friends, as one of them taught me how to draw from a 3/4 perspective. I wasn't very familiar with perspective and only knew how to draw from the front and back. I had no concept of drawing from the side, which was actually my weakness. So, I searched for references and asked my friends for guidance. Learning was challenging, but it was worth the effort. 

Figure 1.2: Sketches of body proportion and cloak 

As for the clothes, I designed the upper part with stretchy, sleeveless fabric to keep her cool in the desert. For the lower part, I made loose trousers to allow for easier movement and to provide comfort in the harsh desert environment.

Figure 1.3: Sketches of clothes for the character 

Here's her backside view: 

Figure 1.4: Sketches of back view of the character

This is the front view, but it's still a draft version as I'm still figuring out the perspective and body proportions.

Figure 1.5: Sketches of front view 

Draft 2, is too skinny and doesn't fit with the body proportion. 

Figure 1.6: Second sketches of front view 

My friend guided me how the cloak would be in the 3/4 side of view and i drew it out. 

Figure 1.7: Sketches of side view cloak

Here's the view of the side sketch 

Figure 1.8: Sketches of side view 

These are the references I found online, and I took some time to figure out where the shadows and patterns should be placed to make the design more elegant.

Figure 1.9: Reference of how to draw a cloak 

After tons of research and drawing again and again, i finally come out with a rough digital version of it. 

Figure 2.0 Digital front view 

As I drew the first perspective view, my mind suddenly clicked and started to get something, and I started drawing the others. I added the shadows, facial expressions, and gradients. Finally, I worked on the colors.

Figure 2.1: Digital sketch of front, side, 3/4, back view

Here's the color version of them 

Figure 2.2: Final view of Character design 

Project 1.1: Character Pose Sheet 

For the pose sheet, I also conducted some research to make the body structure look more natural.

Figure 2.3: Reference of poses 1

Figure 2.4: Reference of pose 2

Figure 2.5: Reference of pose 3

I learned about body structure from a YouTube channel, and it was both interesting and helpful in improving my ability to draw poses.

Figure 2.6: Reference and tutorial of how to draw poses

I started with a few sketches, and this is how it turned out once I digitized it. It was a bit messy at the beginning.

Figure 2.7: Digital sketches of poses

When I added the colors, it turned out quite well, but I believe I can improve it in the future once I become more familiar with the drawing techniques and skills.

Figure 2.8: Final poses preview 

Project 1.2: Character Expression Sheet 

As for the expressions, they were a bit easier to create compared to the pose sheet. However, I think there's room for improvement. Since expressions are relatively simpler, it should be easier to refine them and achieve a better, possibly perfect, level in the future. 

Figure 2.9: Digital sketches for expression 

Figure 3.0: Final view of character expression 

Project 1B: Layout Design ( Background )

For this particular layout design, I find some references in the desert. And i choose a wide angle scene view to draw, as first I start with the auxiliary line for the view, which wa taught by the lectures during class. It was really a big support for the view. 

Figure 3.1: Reference for background layout 1

Figure 3.2: Reference for background layout 2

Figure 3.3: Reference for background layout 3

I came out with a sketch and i add some shading and texture to it

Figure 3.4: Sketches for the design for background layout 

And last but not least, the texture and coloring and character

Figure 3.5:Adding texture and shadows for the digitalize layout 

Figure 3.6: Add the lightning to be more darker 

Figure 3.7: Final outcome 

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FEEDBACKS

Week 4_Absent (Refer to recording and get general feedbacks) 

General Feedbacks: Focus on improving consistency, flow, and quality by refining transitions, maintaining uniformity in size and strokes, aligning layers, and reviewing details for a polished and cohesive animation. 

Week 5_Character design 

Specific Feedbacks: The character's skin tone could be more appealing in an orange-yellow shade, though the choice is yours. The body structure could use improvement, and further practice is recommended to enhance drawing skills.

Week 6_Character body language and structure

General Feedbacks: Ensure assignments are submitted in the requested format, complete all required elements like model sheets and expressions, and add missing components for a thorough and polished submission.

Week 7_Character details and background 

General Feedbacks: Ensure submissions include labeled expressions with clear eye and mouth details, maintain consistent scaling and composition, add guidelines for clarity, and address overlapping or unclear elements for better presentation and review.

Week 8_Independent week

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REFLECTION

Experience: 

Week 4 was all about consistency in shapes, motion, and design. It taught me how attention to detail, like strong silhouettes and solid drawing techniques, brings clarity and appeal to a character. In Week 5, consultations for our character designs pushed me to refine posture and proportions, making my work feel more polished. Week 6 introduced staging principles like the Rule of Thirds and exaggeration, which brought storytelling and depth to my designs. Week 7 was a turning point. Learning to create walk cycles taught me the balance between timing and spacing, and seeing the motion come to life was exciting. Week 8, the independent study week, gave me time to reflect and improve without the rush of deadlines.

Observations:

I have learned from this class the importance of consistency and research for a design to be striking. Strong silhouettes, well-considered staging, and small detail refinement really make a difference. Feedback given in consultations on aspects such as proportions and posture made me realize how much those changes would strengthen my work. Staging and walk cycles showed me how timing, perspective, and spacing turn ideas into something fluid and lifelike. The independent study week really reinforced how much I'd grown, especially in areas like perspective drawing, which was one of my weak points. 

Findings:

This semester really proved that persistence pays off. Designing my ninja character from scratch taught me the value of research and problem-solving. Learning to draw from different perspectives and refining poses felt like unlocking a new skill. I learned that good animation and design require planning and attention to detail. Each step, from sketching poses to perfecting walk cycles, built upon the last. Feedback was really important to me in terms of helping me push beyond my comfort zone. It was very rewarding to see my work develop from rough sketches to a full-fledged design.