Target Audience Research


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Now that I’ve chosen my genre (slice of life) and visual style (soft, hand-drawn 2D), it’s important to think about who I’m making this film for. Knowing my target audience will help me make decisions about tone, pacing, visuals, and even sound design.

I started by looking at other slice-of-life animated shorts on platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and film festival websites. Many of these were made for young adults or teenagers, especially those interested in emotional or nostalgic storytelling. This group appreciates animation that feels sincere and artistic, even if it’s simple.

I also looked at online comments and reviews to see how people respond to different animations. In one comment section, a viewer said they cried watching a short about a lonely character who finds hope. This helped me realise how emotionally powerful short films can be when they connect with the viewer's personal experiences.

Based on this, I’ve decided that my target audience will be ages 15 to 25, people who enjoy calm, reflective stories with strong visual storytelling. They might be students, artists, or casual viewers who love animation as a creative medium.

                        


        

To make my research stronger, I also spoke to a few people in my age group. I asked them what they like in animated shorts. Most said they prefer quiet stories, relatable characters, and nice visuals over action-packed scenes. One friend mentioned that background music matters a lot — it helps set the mood and gives the story more feeling.

This was really useful because it confirmed that my ideas were on the right track. I want my animation to feel peaceful, a little emotional, and visually soothing, something that my audience can connect with personally.

I’ve now made a list of features my animation should include to suit this audience:

  • A simple, relatable storyline

  • A calm tone and soft pacing

  • Expressive facial animations

  • Gentle background music

  • A comforting, hand-drawn look

What I have learned

Understanding my audience gives me a clear goal as I move forward with planning the story and characters. In my next blog post, I’ll start working on the storyboard and narrative structure! 

How This Will Help My Romantic Fantasy Animation Project

Researching my target audience helps me shape the story, characters, and visual style to match what viewers enjoy and connect with. Knowing their preferences ensures my romantic fantasy animation will be engaging and emotionally appealing, making the final project more impactful and memorable.

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