ILLUSTRATION & VISUAL NARRATIVES - Task 4
25/11/2025 - 04/01/2026 (Week 10 - Week 14)
Lexandra Feodora Stefano/0384629
Illustration and Visual Narratives/Bachelors of Design (Honours) in
Creative Media/ Taylor's University
Task 4 [Final Project]
JUMPLINKS
LECTURE
No lecture, just a briefing on the final project (what we need to do and how)
and a tutorial on how to use some of the programs. Also a reminder to submit
this task on time because this is the final project for this semester.
INSTRUCTIONS
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IkLpmndcnmq0ZiGEVRt4DtAwsy50FJUo/view?usp=sharing
TASK
Reference & Storyboard
In this task, we were asked to make an animation from the scripts that were
given in the slides. From the 3 page script, I decided to go for,
"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and
leave a trail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson.
After choosing the script, I went to pinterest to look for references to
help me with this project. Here are the references that I found.
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| Fig 1.1.1 References (26/11/2025) |
I wanted to make the animations a little more on the cute side with a simple
art style. I also want to make the main character an animal instead of a
person so it fits the the inspiration. Also, I think it just make sense
because usually, animals are more likely to leave a trail in a path than
humans do. Then, I started working on the sketches using IbisPaintX. I decided
to go for 5 panels for this animation. Here are the sketches. My work is inspired by a cute art style that a lot of colouring books and
stickers have, also from the characters called Bubu and Dudu.
The sequence is mainly inspired by the way animators usually draw a
sentimental scene from different angles. I also referenced children's
cartoons for the main character because usually children's cartoons feature
cute animal characters a lot.
|
| Fig 1.1.2 Sketches (27/11/2025) |
Then I asked Mr Fitri for some suggestions, he said that the sketches makes
sense but the angles are too similar. So I changed the sketches into these
instead.
|
| Fig 1.1.3 Sketches 2 (27/11/2025) |
Mr Fitri said to keep the 4th panel from the first sketch because the top
angle can be a bit confusing. He also said the the second panel, I can make
the bunny already inside the tall grass. So I fixed it again and ended up with
this.
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| Fig 1.1.4 Sketches 3 (28/11/2025) |
Then Mr Fitri suggested I added a gradient sky that shows that time was
passing by. So I just added some yellows and oranges to the sky because I
drew the sketch all in 1 layer so it was difficult to edit the colours. Here
is the final sketch.
|
| Fig 1.1.5 Final Sketch (28/11/2025) |
Digitalization (Adobe Illustration)
After getting the approval on the sketches, I started digitizing in Adobe
Illustrator using the previous methods. I used the pen tool, shape tool,
gradient tool, blob brush tool, textures, direct selection tool, multiply
(shadow), shape builder tool, and text tool. First, I made the overall panel
with the pen tool, blob brush tool, shape tool, and gradient tool.
|
| Fig 1.2.1 Base (02/12/2025) |
Then, I decided to add some textures for the pathway using
effect-texture-texturizer so the pathway has a dirt-like texture.
|
| Fig 1.2.2 Texture (02/12/2025) |
After that, I decided to blur the blush and shadow on the bunny using
effect-blur-gaussian blur to make it softer. I also decided to reposition
the clouds so it doesn't hit the grass. Here is the result for the first
panel.
|
| Fig 1.2.3 Panel 1 (02/12/2025) |
Then, I repeated the steps again for the rest of the panels using the tools
that I mentioned before. Here are the results of the panels.
|
| Fig 1.2.4 Panels-Illustrator (05/12/2025) |
Then I asked Mr Fitri for some suggestions, he suggest changing the font to
playwrite for the final panel. So, I changed it and here are the final
results for the digitization.
|
| Fig 1.2.5 Final Panels (06/12/2025) |
Animation
After finishing the illustration, I worked on the animation using Adobe
After Effects. I dragged the Ai file into Ae and started animating. For the
first panel, I decided to make the bunny's nose move as if it were sniffing,
also I decided to move the clouds.
|
| Fig 1.3.1 Panel 1 (10/12/2025) |
For the second panel, I decided to animate the sky, clouds, and also make
the bunny's right ear move.
|
| Fig 1.3.2 Panel 2 (10/12/2025) |
The third panel, I decided to play with the opacity for the highlights, move
the sky, clouds, and some of the flowers. I also animate the leaf to make it
seem like it was blown by the wind.
|
| Fig 1.3.3 Panel 3 (10/12/2025) |
For the fourth panel, I decided to move the leg a little bit, played with
the opacity of the highlight, move some of the flowers, move the sky and
clouds, and also make the leaf fall to the ground.
|
| Fig 1.3.4 Panel 4 (10/12/2025) |
For the last panel, I decided to add a typing animation.
|
| Fig 1.3.5 Panel 5 (10/12/2025) |
After animating in After Effects, I exported the files into my laptop and
decided to continue editing in a different software (CapCut). I combined all
the animation files and picked a background music and adjusted the volume. I
also added a transition on the begining.
|
| Fig 1.3.6 CapCut (12/12/2025) |
After that, I imported my voice recording of me reading the script and cut
them to fit the animation. Then I edited the voice using voice changer in
the app.
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| Fig 1.3.6 Voiceover (12/12/2025) |
Then, I added the caption/text according the the script that I chose. Then I
added a typewriter animation and adjusted it with the voiceover. I also
added a fade out animation to the text.
|
| Fig 1.3.6 Caption (12/12/2025) |
Here is the final results of the animation.
Rationale :
I tried making a simple, pastel, and cute type of animation but the audience
can still get the feeling of the emotion going on. I chose a bunny as the
character because we usually see bunnies explore grass fields a lot and they
usually make their own path, just like what the quote said. The change of
colour for the sky indicates that the bunny was exploring until the sun
sets. I decided to draw paw prints on the path to show that the bunny left a
trail. This project really shows an emotional, sentimental shot and tells us
about finding our true selves thought a simple animated video.
Information :
- BGM : Ave Maria (violin performance)
- Art Style : A cute and simple illustration inspired by “Bubu and Dudu”
- Elements : Clouds, grass, bunny, forest, flowers, leaf
- Duration : 19.9 / 20 seconds
- Software : IbisPaintX (sketch), Adobe Illustrator (digitization), Adobe After Effects (animation), CapCut (video editing)
PDF Documentation :
FEEDBACK
Sketch : The angles are too similar so I need to change some
panels. The top angle can be confusing so I should keep the previous
panel instead, and make the bunny already inside the tall grass for the second
panel. Mr Fitri suggested I added a gradient sky that shows that time was
passing by.
Digitization (Ai) : Change the font for the final panel, the
rest are okay.
Animation : move the clouds to different directions instead of
one direction.
REFLECTION
Experience - When I was told the the final project was
making an animation, I was pretty stressed. Due to that, I decided to
start this project quickly so I can use the time to focus on the
animation. Turns out that the animation process was pretty quick and not
too difficult, so I was able to finish this task pretty quickly. I am
pretty satisfied with the final outcome, considering that this is my
first time animating using After Effects. The tutorial given in teams
was also pretty helpful for this task because it showed a tutorial on
how to use certain tools in AE.
Observations - I observed that my video is pretty simple
compared to some of the videos that I see online. Some of the examples
online plays with the animation more, while I only focus on some
elements only (such as the clouds, leaf, etc). Also, I observed that
angles to make a huge difference on how the scene is pictured, such as
my video that has numerous angles.
Findings - I found that colours can tell a lot in both
illustrations and also videos. It can show time passing by, or the mood
of the situation, or even tell a certain story. Time management is also
important when doing tasks like this to get the maximum results. I was
able to finish this task pretty quickly, but with a satisfying result.
Consultation hours play a huge role on perfecting this task because the
feedbacks that I received actually helped me to improve and make
something better.
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