BLINK — 2D Character Animation
Frame-by-frame animation exploring eye movement and light as storytelling devices — geometric characters in dark and bright environments.
Outcome. Produced a short 2D animation focusing entirely on eye movement as an expressive tool — geometric characters navigate dark and bright environments, culminating in a character pulling a light string to toggle the scene.
Role: Individual · Dates: Fall 2021 · Context: Art 309 (Exchange) · Tools: After Effects
Concept
The goal was to show character emotion through eye movement alone — not body language, props, or facial expression. To isolate this, everything else was minimized: the characters are simple geometric shapes, backgrounds are stripped back, and motion is kept sparse.
Two contrasting environments — dark and bright — were used to test whether the same eye behavior reads differently depending on context. The final sequence has a character pull a light string, switching between the two states and tying the scenes together.
Process
Initial work explored round vs. angular character shapes and how geometry affects perceived personality before any animation begins. Props were tested and cut — they pulled focus away from the eyes. The decision to use a light-switch mechanic came from needing a simple, legible bridge between the two lighting states without adding narrative complexity.
Sound: Lam Switch Far (YouTube Audio CC0) · North Oakland Extasy — Squadda B (CC0)
