CONCEPT

In my Plus+ Plan, I've stated that I wanted to try my hands at digital animation. The plan was to make an animation with a narrative with little to no text, because I want to explore visual symbolisms. I'm interested in the art of telling a story without having to explain it verbally, but through visual language.

I chose the elective Motion Design, as I think this would help me learn the basics of animation and After Effects.

So I've decided to make a somewhat lighthearted animation about the journey/hardships of life, narrated through a flower. Why a flower? You might ask. Honestly, I'm not sure. I've always had this interest in flowers and I could've been influenced by my mother (she's a crazy plant lady).

Jokes aside, I've always liked it when movies, books, etc. use a flower as theme, as a way to reflect on life, because culturally there are a lot of comparisons between humans and flowers

For this animation, I've decided to use the dandelion. The dandelion have multiple symbolisms such as:

- Freedom
- Spiritual growth
- Spread of something
- Childlike hopefulness
- Naïveté
- Optimism
- Overcoming difficulties
- Adaptability
- Hope, wishes

This is the general storyboard of the animation

I started by making some sketches using my trusty old Posca marker, though I quickly find this a bit "typical"/ "too easy". So I wanted to look more into it. Not choosing an easy answer by using Posca markers that always go well with each other.

When it comes to flowers, plants, landscapes I enjoy Van Gogh's work (typical I know). So I looked up some of his painting that shows a field/landscape. The reason why I chose Van Gogh is because I always feel this melancholy feeling in his choice of colours.

So I picked some paintings of his and extracted the "main" colors.

Afterwards, I tried translating/animating something based off of the sketches. Though I found out that it's a bit complicated to animate and I don't really have the time. So I settled with the design on the left for the flower.

Here below I will be explaining the symbolisms in my animation, just in case I failed to get the message across. Though I'll make sure to keep it short, cuz I don't want to say too much :)

The flower popping out from the ground represents "growth". The reason it pops out of nothing, is to make it loop with the last scene

The wind blowing the dandelion seeds away represents the beginning of a journey. Quote: "See where the winds may take you"

This part where the seed is floating all alone represents the initial freedom you have.

The leaf hitting the seed and the raindrop represents the unexpected thing in life that may come. This part shows the seed getting disoriented trying and to find balance after. The snap change in background color represents how quick this change happens and it's a technique to suggest impact (something I learned in my elective)

At the end, the background turns back to light blue representing the "calm after the storm". This part shows the seed finding a place to settle and plants itself to the ground.

The animation will begin loop afterwards, thus the cycle continues (and also the growth/maturity part).