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Illustration & Visual Narrative - Final Project: Limited Animation

 


27/11/2025 - 18/12/2025 (Week 10 - Week 14)

Cherilynn Farrencia Faustine/0384745

ILLUSTRATION & VISUAL NARRATIVE/ Creative Media/ Taylor's University 

FINAL PROJECT: Limited Animation

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Tutorials

2. Instructions

3. Final Project: Limited Animation

3.1 Ideas & Sketch 

3.2. Digitization (Adobe Illustrator)

3.3. Animation Process (After Effect)

3.4 Final Result

4. Feedback

5. Reflection

TUTORIALS

WEEK 10: 

1. Lecture

In this tutorial, Mr. Hafiz briefed us about the details of our final project and also shows some examples of it from various sources. Transition and composition are important aspects to pay attention to. He also reminded us to complete our e-portofolio. 


INSTRUCTIONS

<iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AL2aCMdPjzhhJOOjBh8kreUG4l-xiPpH/preview" width="640" height="480" allow="autoplay"></iframe>

FINAL PROJECT: LIMITED ANIMATION

1. IDEAS & SKETCH

For this task, we are required to choose one of the script given and make an animated video in the range of 15-20 seconds. For this task, I chose the script "Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." - Buddha.

1.1 Description of Inspiration

I went through Pinterest to search for inspiration and find that it would be interesting if I use a glowy-pastel style for my illustration. This style uses a lot of blur effect and also overlay blending modes, with a dark background. The reason why I choose this style is because this fits the quotes. It gives warm effect, since it was all about candles. 

1.2 Moodboard

Figure 1.1, Moodboard

1.3 Storyboard Sketch

I'm planning to make the first scene begins with a single candle in the dark. Then, another candle slowly lights up the first one, creating a soft glow effect surrounding it. As the light grows, the screen slowly zooms out to reveal more candles around it, represents the "thousands of candle". Then, the screen will turn into a soft explosion, revealing the final scene: a slimy creatures holding hands in space with a star in the center. They slowly spin together, to highlight the "happiness" being "shared".

 
Figure 1.2, Storyboard sketch

1.4 Script

"Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." - Buddha.

1.5 Detailed Information

This artwork's visual style uses a glow pastel aesthetic with soft-bright colors, and smooth gradients effects to form a calm and dreamy vibe, helps viewers focus on emotions and mood. Each scene is guided by the script and visualizes "happiness" through the soft gradient color. Sound and background music are added to support the mood and connect the scenes smoothly.

During the animation process, I followed tutorial tips and feedback to improve the video. Some techniques that I used are:.

  • When zooming out, I track-matted the candles so they followed the big candle.

  • Some text is behind objects to make the scene look 3D (advice from Mr. Hafiz).

  • Candle flames move using layer duplicates to look like real flicker.

  • Fire and background are linked to the main candle so they move together.

  • Wavy motion added to background with Turbulent Displacement effect.

  • Glow effect made with blur and overlay to look soft and dreamy.

  • Star colors use gradient to show “happiness” spreading.

  • Colors of the star changed to match the flame after feedback.

  • Text appears with narrator’s voice so each word shows at the right time.

  • Soft music and sound effects added to match the calm feeling.


1.6 Rationale

This concept was chosen to represent the idea of shared happiness, as expressed in the quote, “Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” -Buddha. The animation presents this idea through soft visuals, soft glows, soft glows. The combination of visuals, sound, and script create a calm experience that reflects the power of sharing happiness.


2. DIGITIZATION (Adobe Illustrator)

Since I wanted it to look glowy, I used the gradient method for the coloring because it fits the theme better. I started with a solid color and used some shape tools to make the candle. Then I used the Pen Tool to shape the tip of the candle and the flame. After that, I applied the Mesh Tool to add gradients. Finally, I added some blur and glow effects behind it using overlay blending modes.

Figure 2.1, Illustration process work (1)
For the second scene, I made another gradient for the candles in the back to differentiate them from the main candle, then I just copied and pasted them. I also adjusted their sizes a bit so it doesn’t look completely the same.

Figure 2.2, Illustration process work (2)


For this scene, it was originally supposed to be an explosion, but I changed it into a growing light because I wanted a softer and smoother accent. I also thought it would be cuter if I added a face and then zoomed it out. So the first panel is just a regular yellow with a face, and then I added some gradient.

Figure 2.3, Illustration process work (3)


During this process, I realized that my sketch for the last 3 frames, which is originally a slimy creature holding hands, was too similar to my inspiration. So, I changed the form into a star. I also did it because the scene before happened to be a zoomed  face, so I just turned it into the star’s face. The star in the center touches a grey colored star, causing it to change color. This fits the idea of sharing happiness. 
Figure 2.4, Illustration process work (4)

Figure 2.5, Storyboard digitization


3. ANIMATION PROCESS (After Effect)

First, I imported all the files one by one. For the animation, I tried doing it frame by frame and also using an overlay method (not really sure what it’s called, but I uploaded per layer (editable layer)). After everything was imported, I separated the layers so I could edit the keyframes. At first, I wanted to do everything frame by frame, but after playing it, some scenes didn’t look that good, so I also use keyframes. 

Figure 3.1, Animation Process

To make things easier, I separate the part with the layer sequence tool.

Figure 3.2, Animation Process

This is for the candle layer. For the candle lighting the main candle, I used position and rotation keyframe to make the movement smoother. Also, I animated the fire moving by frames. I added the fire, duplicated it, and reflected it. Then I repeated that process until there were a lot of them and arranged them in a layer sequence, which eventually created the movement. I use the parent & link tool (to the candle) for the fire, and also adjust the position a little.

Figure 3.3, Animation Process
This is where I started setting up the zoom out candle scene. First, I chose the main candle and positioned it to match the previous frame so the transition would look smooth. After that, I parent & link the smaller candles in the back to the main candle, so when I added the zoom out keyframe to the main candle, the candles behind it would automatically follow. Also for details, I made the lighting overlay zoom out too.

Figure 3.4, Animation Process

After that, I added a fade-in for the yellow-screen-face scene. It’s just the yellow color fading in, with some light overlay below the candle scene.
 
Figure 3.5, Animation Process

For this scene, I want them to open their eyes and then zoom out to show the stars. I also use the keyframe to animate this.

Figure 3.6, Animation Process

At first, my star is just yellow. But then Mr. Hafiz gave me feedback to make the color like the fire gradient, so that it will represents the fire as "happiness" more. I imported the gradient to the layers in after effect and track matte it to each stars.  I also animate the gradient layer so the gradient would change slowly.
Figure 3.7, Track matte gradient

The gradient behind the stars is also animated. I added the turbulent displacement effect wo make it look wavy.

Figure 3.8, Animation Process

For the text, I planned it to fade in along with the narrator reading the script, so each word appears as it is spoken. I made the fill white and changed the blending mode to overlay to give it a glowy effect, which fits the concept really well. I also adjusted some of the text layout from the storyboard to better fit the clip.

Figure 3.9, Animation Process


One more feedback from Mr. Hafiz is it's better if I made some of the text behind the object, so that it will looks more dimensional. 

Figure 3.9, Before & After Feedback




AUDIO CREDITS:
  • The background sound is by Scott Buckley in Youtube.



  • Burning candle sound:

(https://youtu.be/VzHq2-GOuEA?si=JqmpcNI3EENj5mox)


  • The light growing scene sound: 


(https://youtu.be/Ac3l8z9T4Bg?si=fgKXbw6XVOLmN705)


4. FINAL RESULT



WEEK 13
Mr. Hafiz suggested me to change the star's color fill into the gradient (from the fire one) and some of the text can be behind the object to make it more dimentional.



REFLECTION

Experience: 
For this task, I finished it quite fast because once I chose the script, I already knew how I wanted to visualize it. At first, I was really confused because my animation looked stiff, even though I wanted it to have some movement. In the end, I used keyframes for several scenes. This was a very new experience for me. Overall, I found this task fun and enjoyable. I enjoyed working on the animation because it challenged me to think creatively and try new techniques. Even though I felt confused at some parts, the process was still interesting and motivating. Seeing the animation slowly come together kept me engaged throughout the process.

Observations:
I noticed that I was not very familiar with After Effects at the beginning, which made my animation look less smooth. I also realized that my animation improved when I worked step by step instead of doing everything at once, and spending more time adjusting the timing helped make the movements feel smoother and more natural.

Findings: 
From this task, I learned that having a clear idea before starting helps me work faster. I also learned more about using keyframes and effects in After Effects. To improve, I need to explore more and be more confident when trying new ideas. In the future, I want to improve my After Effects skills and my ideation process.
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