Researching Character Design Principles

Good character designs are essential for any animation project. just like animation I love the concepts of designing characters. When   it be Since my film will be short, the characters need to be instantly recognisable and expressive. I began by looking at character design tutorials and analysing how professional animators simplify their designs.

One of the most important lessons I found is the idea of shapes. Many iconic characters are based on clear shapes—circles, squares, or triangles. Circles often feel friendly, squares seem stable, and triangles can suggest energy or even danger. This makes it easier for the audience to “read” a character quickly.

I also researched silhouette design. If a character’s outline is easy to recognise, they remain identifiable even without details. This is especially useful for short films where every second counts.

Another principle I studied was exaggeration. Characters in animation don’t need to look realistic, but they should be able to move and emote in a way that feels believable. For example, bigger eyes and clear facial features help communicate emotions faster.

Colour was another factor I explored. Many designers use limited palettes to keep characters simple but memorable. For example, one strong accent colour can make a character stand out without overcomplicating the design.

From this research, I learned that my characters should be:

• Based on clear, simple shapes.

• Easy to identify by silhouette.

• Designed with expressive features that are quick to animate.

• Coloured with a limited, striking palette.

Analysing Storytelling Techniques in Short Films

After researching my audience, I wanted to explore how short films actually tell stories in such a limited time. Unlike feature-length films, animated shorts often have just a few minutes to make an impact, so I needed to study the techniques that make them effective.

I started by rewatching some of the shorts from my inspiration playlist, but this time I focused only on how the story was communicated. Many films didn’t use much dialogue at all. Instead, they relied on visual storytelling—facial expressions, body language, colour changes, and sound effects.

I also noticed that good shorts often used a simple but powerful narrative structure. Most followed a very clear beginning, middle, and end, but in a compressed way. For example, some introduced a character’s problem within the first 20 seconds, showed their struggle, and ended with a twist or resolution.

Another technique I studied was symbolism. Some films used objects, colours, or repeated actions to represent emotions or ideas. This was a clever way to add depth without needing extra time or dialogue.

I realised that pacing was just as important as the plot. Shorts that lingered too long on one scene felt slow, but films that rushed through moments lost their emotional impact. The best ones had a rhythm that matched the tone of the story.

From this research, I learned that my film should:

• Focus on a clear, simple story arc.

• Use visuals instead of dialogue to save time.

• Include strong expressions, colours, and sound to communicate emotions quickly.

Understanding Animation Genres and Styles

After watching different short films for inspiration, I wanted to research the genres and styles used in animation. I realised that before starting my own film, I need to know what kind of story I’m telling and which style will work best for it.

I began by looking at common short film genres: comedy, fantasy, slice-of-life, and experimental. Comedy shorts often rely on exaggerated motion and timing for humour. Fantasy uses imaginative characters and worlds, while slice-of-life focuses on everyday moments told in a creative way.

I also compared animation styles. 3D animation (like Pixar) is impressive but requires complex software and rendering, which isn’t realistic for my project. Stop-motion looks great but takes too much time and resources. Which obviously leaves me with 2D animation, which I can create in Clip Studio Paint.

Within 2D, I noticed two main approaches: detailed art with shading and backgrounds, or minimalist styles that focus on movement and expression. For a student project, a simpler style seems more manageable, while still giving me room to be creative.

This research made me realise that my film will likely fit into the slice-of-life or fantasy genre, since both work well in short formats and don’t require complicated storytelling. I also decided to stick with a 2D, hand-drawn style because it matches the tools I have and fits the time limit.

Researching Animated Short films: Finding Inspiration

To begin my research for creating an animated short film, I decided to watch a variety of existing short animations. I wanted to see how professional animators told complete stories in just a few minutes, since my own project will need to do the same.

I started with award-winning shorts films on YouTube. I made a small playlist so I could re watch the most inspiring ones and take notes. There was mostly 3D short films but decided to mostly focus on the 2D ones.

One of the main things I noticed was that short films don’t waste time. The best ones establish characters and tone within the first 30 seconds. For example, some used visual cues instead of dialogue, like exaggerated facial expressions or color changes, to show emotions quickly.

I also paid attention to different art styles. Some shorts had very detailed backgrounds, while others used minimal, sketch-like visuals. This showed me that the style doesn’t need to be complicated—what matters most is consistency and clarity. 

Another key observation was pacing. Some shorts felt rushed, while others flowed smoothly. The ones I enjoyed most had a rhythm that matched the mood of the story, whether it was fast-paced comedy or slow and emotional.

From this research, I learned that my film should:

• Keep the story simple and focused.

• Use visuals and movement to replace long dialogue.

• Stick to a consistent style that I can manage in Clip Studio Paint.

This first round of research gave me lots of inspiration and helped me think about the direction my short film could take.