Project Overview

Role: Visual Designer & Motion Animator
Project Type: Self‑initiated animation project
Goal: To explore character-driven storytelling through short-form animated content, using visual design and motion principles to create emotionally resonant micro-narratives.

This project was an exercise in full-cycle production — from character design and visual development to motion planning, animation, and refinement — aimed at building a repeatable system for stylized storytelling.

Concept Development

Visual Mood: Warm, soft, playful : Designed for comfort and relatability
Inspiration: Bedtime rituals, overstimulation, humor in everyday moments
Character Identity: Nimbi, a cloud-like character with soft edges and human quirks, designed to evoke calm, cozy familiarity

I began by exploring the emotional arc of the moment, the satisfaction of winding down before bed and then added contrast through visual humor

Production & Motion Design

Tools Used:

• Character design & vector prep: Illustrator / Midjourney

• Animation & effects: CapCut, supplemented by AI assisted tweening

• Sound syncing: CapCut + layered timing to match comedic cues

Motion Principles Applied:

• Anticipation (phone lights up gradually)

• Timing & Spacing (delayed reaction adds humor)

• Secondary Motion (lamp glow, character movement in bed)

• Ease in/out (for smoother transitions, natural feel)

AI-enhanced Workflow:
To streamline production, I used AI-assisted interpolation to test out alternative movement options for transitions and lamp glow intensities. This allowed me to iterate rapidly while keeping the final polish manual and intentional.

Results & Audience Impact

Nimbi & Friends quickly gained momentum, reaching thousands of views and generating meaningful engagement from a niche audience of animation lovers, parents, and casual scrollers alike.