EVO: Crafting Environmental Discourse through Anthropomorphic Character Design and 3D Animation

Abstract

This project constitutes a practice-oriented, artistic research project that asks the following question:

How might anthropomorphic character design and 3D animation be used to shape environmental narratives that reflect the designer’s subjective worldview?

The anthropocentric era has accelerated the degradation of our natural environment. This research project acknowledges and responds to such a state of the world through the application of anthropomorphic character design within 3D animation. In investigating the ability of the animated short film to articulate critical messages, this exegesis reviews the knowledge contextualising the practice and applications of the animation medium within this project. The study is framed as practice-oriented research that employs heuristic inquiry to reveal the subjectivity of the researcher within the framework-based development of a 3D-animated short film. In doing so, this project delineates eight methods of technical and creative 3D animation production to chronicle the subjective design choices of the researcher. The resulting artefact constitutes a 3D-animated short film that visually articulates an environmental message designed to be understood by a universal audience. This research contributes to the understanding of how anthropomorphism can be utilised in 3D animation to incorporate concepts of the pluriverse. Additionally, the study contributes to the application of Todorov’s narrative structure in 3D animation through a commentary on the practice of the methodological process and design decisions involved in producing an animated short film.