2D CHARACTER ANIMATION
Cheffy
A looping graphics sequence created using a combination of softwares including Autodesk Maya and After Effects.
This light, humourous animation nostalgically captures my past experiences working in the kitchen of a local Cafe.
Animation Clodia Marland
Creative Direction Clodia Marland
✎ Discovery + Exploration
The project task was to design a looping graphics sequence starring a single main character, with the end result designed for web and social media use. Dynamic movement is required for both the background and foreground components.
The first step involved creating rough thumbnail sketches of various concepts that popped into my head. Since the animation loops, I had to carefully plan how the end of the sequence would seamlessly connect back to the start, ensuring the character’s actions were both repetitive and coherent.
Discovery and Exploration
*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ
Discovery and Exploration *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ
Rough Sketches
✎ Final Storyboard
After brainstorming several ideas, the concept I ultimately selected was based on a personal experience from my time working at a local café.
✎ Mixed 2D + 3D
I set myself a challenge of bringing together 2D and 3D mediums, taking inspiration from the innovative approach of the children's TV show, “The Amazing World of Gumball” - how their background elements were 3D rendered, whilst the foreground and characters were predominantly designed and animated in 2D.
✳ 3D Environment
I used my go-to moodboarding tool, PureRef, to lay out all the reference images which helped to inform the design of the kitchen environment.
The environment was then modelled in Autodesk Maya and rendered using Arnold.
Block Out
Refined models
Final render with materials
✳ Character Design
For the character design and rendering, I used Clip Studio Paint due to its unique reference layer feature which improved the efficiency of my workflow.
The character was divided into individual layers:
✲ Eyes
✲ Brows
✲ Left Arm
✲ Left Hand
✲ Body
All these parts were imported into After Effects for animation using the puppet tool technique.
