Simplification

Simplification is a very useful tool for an animator, not only does it cut down on workload but it also communicates form and even attitude of a character in one of the the simplest ways posable.

A good example of good simplified character design is Simon's Cat, made by Simon Tofield.

Nothing you are seeing is a cat, yet we read it as a cat. You can say that about both of these pictures. You could even say it about a real cat sat in front of you. You're not seeing the cat, you're eyes are just converting photons into electrical signals which are then processed and interpreted by you're brain. The cat was only involved as a reflector of the photons, it only gives its information away by absorbing certain wavelengths of light, what is left we interpret as colour and, in turn, other things like texture when your brain relates to what it is seeing and calls upon memories of the other senses.

Human interpretation is partly conditioned by culture. So it comes as no surprise that Western cartooning is different to Eastern. However all of them have something in common, that is they are all simplified versions of objects, animals or people via the human mind. We can understand the two dimensional medium of pencil and paper (or in the case of Simon's Cat, graphics tablet and computer). We cant expect a real cat to understand a cartooned illustration of a cat as a cat.

Ceci n'est pas une pipe.

What i would like the rooting message to be about, if you can call it that, is that what we see on screen, what we hear from speakers is nothing. Nothing but an interpretation of the brain, a medium that carries human only compatible information. The real question is; how do i convey this on screen? Its like breaking the fourth wall but also being aware that the wall itself wasn't ever there.

The Rene Magritte Painting Ceci n'est pas une pipe captured this perfectly. How can i convey a simalar message using an animated medium. Maybe by using animated clique and braking it apart? Introducing the viewer to a world that feels plausible on screen then becoming questionable by abstracting? Becoming aware that it is an animated short is usually something that is avoided or embraced as a medium of representation. How would i go about changing an audiences view about what is on screen without spelling it out to them by literally writing Ceci n'est pas une pipe.

Kid's Story - Animatrix

Looseness of hand is a lot more commonly practiced in life drawings and takes more of a back seat in animation, but if animation is about what you read between the frames then why cant those frames be free of a perfect form. In the one of the Animatrix shorts 'Kid's Story' the very free handed drawing style in the chase sequences are amazing to look at and add so much to how you read the animation. It's like a real motion blur, unlike a post edited film, animation or even game. This way your eyes (and brain) work in the same way they would if given less information about things like form and space placement. It's something i am interested to study as i feel the post produced 'motion blur' of today has it all wrong. This is how we use our own ways of interpretation best, to make moving imagery move more 'realistically'.

Starting Somewhere

For my final year studying Animation in university i am thinking up ideas and eventually (hopefully) creating a three minute animation about the subject of my choosing.

To be original these days you have to really think outside the box, or maybe not even think about boxes. For my final animation in my three year degree i want to make something different (just like everyone else).

I am in a spiral of different ways of thinking; 'what can i do that hasn't ever been done or seen before?' or 'why do i need to be so different, why not be more straight forward if others are trying to be different?'.

I know what i like in animation, i will try to follow those and research around techniques in a medium of my choosing. Digital 2D drawing is something i would like to primarily use however, I can change medium if my ideas need it.