Statement- Written assignment 2

Continue refining concept, adopting what you found valuable from Mind Map exercise.
After refining my thoughts through the mind map exercise, I came to a better and clearer thinking of what it is that I really desire to do with the thesis project. I have moved on from thinking broadly of what I wanted to approach to narrower conclusions of what I wanted to make and where I am standing with my abilities. I have not only found my standing point but now that I have pulled out a visual map of my thoughts, I also know what it is that I want to shoot for besides the abilities that I already have. Since I have worked previously on product commercials through some storytelling, I wanted to extend on the thought of telling a story with something that substitutes the product.


1. Thesis Concept Statement
This project will deliver an essential message that we all should embed in our lives but is often forgotten,"Protect your things". The term things refer not only to a solid property that one owns but also their identity, relationships with people, environment, moral values and such. 


2. Target Audience
Even though the visual aesthetics and the tone of the animation may be playful the animation will not only target children but also adults because the "things" directed in the contents of the animation will be things that all ages should be mindful and protective of. 


3. Goal / Intent
The primary goal of this project is to deliver a thought provoking message through simplicity. One of the core ideas of the project, the strategy of building acquaintance using repetitive characters, is not to only make the message more relevant to children but is also an idea that takes the advantages of simplicity to tackle a straightforward but thought provoking message. Another goal is to build around the cause and effect plotting which is a simple yet effective strategy for a pedagogical delivery.  


4. Format / Media
I want to make a 2 dimensional animation with a fully generated environment made with vector images. 


5. Aesthetic / Stylistic Direction - Explain why you've made these choices.
2D animation was chosen because of the advantages of flat and simple design aesthetics. Storytelling through flat animation is classic and still popular today as we can see through cartoons. Within the style entertaining and nostalgic visuals can be brought to the viewers of all age groups. 


6. Concerns (in terms of concept or production)
I do not want to be drawn away from the goal of approaching all age groups. Like stated before, creating an unreal playful world can be an advantage but if the technique is used in the wrong direction it could seem to be underestimating the viewer. So I am concerned about keeping a unified project that does not focus too much on the aesthetics than the content. 


7. Existing Precedents
The two following animations show my stylistic/ aesthetic approach and also the idea of using the advantages of 2 dimensional visuals to create a fun to all world.

RE:PLAY FILM FEST: Buck "Lumber Jack's Wood Fest"
Hideyaki Kawashima and Yoshitomo Nara both create characters that can both be relevant to children and adults.

8. Other Inspiration, if applicable. Content Reference : Norton "Stuff Anthem"

Revised mindmap

References

Mind Map

Hideyaki Kawashima

I want to have a surreal, ghostly figure that repeatedly appears in my animation. This figure may be the one that puts the main character in conflict or the one that teaches the main character a moral lesson...

Content Ref.2 Very relevant to my message!

This animation is very relevant to the message I am aiming for. This is one part of the message I want to tell: Protect your identity.

Stuff Anthem

Content References!

After more research following Jun's and the class's advices, I have found an interesting area I want to explore and pitch- PSA. PSAs feel like a mid point between commercials and narratives. I feel like it is a smooth way for me to translate from my original base to a new plate. PSAs substitute what would be in a commercial, a product, with a message.

The written assignment post is edited. More specification is on the post.

More Ref.

Written Assignment 1

1. Within your research findings, identify 3-5 aspects which particularly pique your interest and define why. (List as many as you like - be as specific as possible as to "why" you found each intriguing).

With this thesis project, I desire to further explore the possible animation using 2 Dimensional digitally illustrated images to its furthest extend. What excites me the most are works that have implied effects onto 2D assets to bring them to life. To achieve these, from my research, designers have applied effects that are relevant to the real life like shadows and also animating factors that emphasize motion such as use of angles and sound effects. 2D images may be something that is thought to be put to a limit when animating, however, I am very intrigued by what they can become once life is given to them.

2. What areas of focus are you personally fascinated by / interested in? (ex., kinetic typography, designing for a social cause, interesting use of technology, etc...)

I am fascinated by animations that dialogue character through various actions assisted by rich environmental backgrounds. The animation does not carry a dense message but yet carries a full narrative created for entertainment. These animations work as a whole. Depending on the kind of narrative it tells, the visual assists the story, a solid concept.
I want to deliver a PSA (Public Service Announcement) in short animations. These will be a sequence with the same main character going through phases of incidents to learn the importance of the message. There will be a sequence of 3 to 5 short animations.

3. What personal goals do you want to accomplish in working on your thesis?

Through the works of thesis, I want to push my abilities to the point that I can create any narrative and deliverable with 2D animation. This means that I will have fully accomplished visual aspects, polished movements and cuts along with any additional accessories, like sound effects, also completely polished.

4. Then answer the big question: What project can you envision working on over the next several months? 

Over the next several months, I want to devote myself on creating a project with a fully comprehensive character and narrative. Since, I am focusing on 2D animation, I will be spending my time focusing on making rich and entertaining visual assets along with variety of animated movements to bring them alive.
The message I want to deliver is "Protect your belongings". This refers to not only things within one's property but also nature and environment applies. Since I have a firm message I want to deliver, I have to find ways to "tell" it through entertaining animations.

References

RE:PLAY FILM FEST: Buck "Lumber Jack's Wood Fest"

Some questions to direct my thesis..

What kind of narrative can be effective/ suitable for the style?

Should it deliver a firm message?

Or should it be left as a narrative for entertainment?

How fictional? Or how much should it mimic the real life within its limitations?

How much detail? Mat or rich?

Style…

How much detail to the vector shapes?

Lines applied to the illustrations to mimic the tactile style or kept as obviously computer generated work?

Color scheme? Variety or kept at a limit?

How 3 dimensional? Shadows?

What effects can be created to emphasize force and action?

Transitions? Cam movements, cuts, following an asset?

Character…

What sort of character would deliver the narrative well in this style?

How much movement or focus of the character is needed?

Should it even be the character that delivers the narrative?

Should the appearance of the character be limited?

Or how much detail should be applied to the character?

Should the character be out standing from the background? Or kept blended with it?

Plot…

What kind of atmosphere/ impression should be presented through out the first scenes to the audience?

Does the story take place during the night or day? Does this even matter?

How long is the time lapse of the narrative?

Any voice incorporations?

A narration or speaking characters?

How dramatic should be the contents of the climax?

Does the ending resolve a problem or left as is? Or does it lead to larger troubles?