My first pitch focused on a stylized self portrait using hand drawn animation, but it leaned more on visual identity than personal presence. For the second pitch, I shifted toward creating a quiet moment of connection through slower pacing, intentional gestures, and a self cel approach.
That direction resonated, with the feedback, “Its like we are getting to take a moment with you.”
Version 01 was a strong starting point for the project, as it established the looping background elements, including the sun and moon cycle, which helped define the mood and timing of the piece early on. Building this loop first allowed me to test pacing and visual rhythm before committing to the final character animation. However, placing the tablet too high in the frame caused it to cover the main action, which made the composition feel cramped.
Based on this, the tablet was moved downward in later versions to better support the animation and keep the focus clear.
In Version 02, the keyframes and blocking for the character were established, giving the animation its core movement and timing. However, the window elements began to pull focus away from the character, unintentionally emphasizing the sun and moon instead. To correct this, the windows were simplified and reduced in visual weight so the character remained the primary focal point.
By Version 03, the piece was coming together visually, with the overall structure working well. The focus shifted to strengthening the character’s line of action and creating a more engaging body loop. The motion was pushed to be more exaggerated and expressive, giving the character more life and personality.
