EXERCISE 5 - VECTOR/ CHARACTER ANIMATION
EXERCISE 5 - VECTOR/ CHARACTER ANIMATION
March 8, 2026 | Week 1
NAME: Miao Xinjun
STUDENT I.D: 0379525
Information Design / Bachelor of Design in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Exercise 5 (5%)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Instruction
2. Process
4. Feedback
5. Reflection
1. INSTRUCTION
1.1 Lecture
In this week's lecture, Mr. Kannan demonstrated how to create Vector Animations using Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Effects. He patiently taught and helped us during our practice sessions, which allowed me to learn the technique effectively in class. This will be of great help to my upcoming Exercise 5 course.
1.2 Instruction
2. PROCESS
After this week’s lesson, each student was assigned a different Vector Animation asset to work on. I was given Asset A, which was a small scene showing two people trying to stop a car by the roadside. Based on the knowledge I learned during the lecture, I started my first attempt at creating the animation. By using different keyframes and motion effects, I made the two characters, the luggage, and the car enter the scene in different ways. To avoid making the animation look too repetitive, I applied the same method I had practiced during the in-class demonstration. For the male character, I used a scale effect so that he appeared with a zoom-in motion, while the other elements entered through position movement. At the same time, I followed the tutorial and added an extra keyframe between the starting and ending keyframes of each element to create a bouncing effect, which made the movements feel more lively.
In the following week’s lecture, I received feedback on my first version and made a second round of improvements. The feedback suggested that the elements should appear one by one in a clearer sequence, starting from the man, then the girl, the luggage, and finally the car, with the speed of appearance becoming progressively faster. It was also suggested that if the character movements were relatively simple, the background could be animated as well, such as separating the mountains into several layers so they could drop down one after another, or making the clouds move slowly over time. Another important suggestion was to make the scene feel more like a short story. For example, the characters could first stand by the roadside and wave, then the car would appear, making the animation feel more like a complete hitchhiking scene instead of just separate moving objects. I was also reminded that the bouncing keyframe effect needed a more suitable rhythm so that the motion would feel more natural and not too exaggerated.
Based on this feedback, I also added some of my own ideas to improve the final outcome. Using Adobe Illustrator, I separated the grass beside the car and a nearby tree into two individual layers. Then, in Adobe After Effects, I added pins to these elements to create a secondary motion effect, making them sway as if they were being affected by the airflow caused by the passing car. This helped show the car’s speed more effectively and made the whole scene feel more dynamic and vivid. Through this process of feedback and refinement, I was able to complete my final animation with a stronger sense of motion, rhythm, and storytelling.
3. OUTCOME - SUBMISSION
- YouTube Link Here: https://youtu.be/C0-o4Meyaho
4. FEEDBACK
1. Characters appear one by one, from men and women to luggage and cars, with the appearance speed increasing.
2. If the character animations are relatively simple, the background can also be animated: for example, mountains divided into 4-5 layers falling from top to bottom, or clouds slowly moving forward over time.
3. Add a sense of story: for example, a character first stands by the roadside waving, then a car appears, creating a scene about the character hailing a car.
5. REFLECTION
5.1 Experience：
This project gave me a deeper understanding of how vector animation works in the actual production process. Initially, I focused on using the techniques I had just learned in class, such as keyframes, scaling, positional movement, and bounce effects, to enhance the dynamism of the scene. Through my first attempt, I successfully transformed a static illustration into a dynamic scene.
In subsequent lessons, I received feedback that made me realize that animation is not just about making objects move, but more importantly, about controlling the rhythm of the object's presentation and enriching the storytelling of the scene, just as Mr. Kannan told me, "I am always the storyteller." I realized the importance of vivid and rhythmic visuals. I couldn't stop at the first draft; I needed to rethink how to make the animation more attractive and meaningful. This process taught me that animation production is often a cycle of continuous testing, receiving feedback, and refining details. At the same time, I felt more involved in the creative process because I not only followed the tutorials but also incorporated my own ideas into the final work.
5.2 Observation：
During production, I discovered that even subtle changes in timing and movement can significantly impact the overall quality of animation. For example, when elements appear in a clearer order and at a faster pace, the scene appears more organized and visually appealing. I also noticed that if all objects use similar motion effects, the animation can easily become repetitive, monotonous, and lacking in expressiveness. Therefore, enhancing the dynamism of the visuals by varying the movement, such as combining scaling and positional changes, is crucial.
Furthermore, I found that background elements shouldn't always remain static. From feedback, I realized that even with simple character movements, the environment can make a significant contribution to the narrative. Adding dynamic effects to the vegetation immediately brought the scene to life. This made me understand that the focus of animation isn't just on the main objects, but also on how to enhance atmosphere, visual depth, and realism through supporting details.
5.3 Findings：
Through this project, I discovered that successful animation depends not only on technology but also on storytelling and visual perception. Scenes are more effective when the audience can understand what is happening, rather than simply seeing objects moving on the screen. Adding a simple story, such as a character waving from the roadside before a car arrives, makes the animation feel more complete and meaningful. This made me realize that motion design should convey action or context, not just showcase software skills.
I also found that feedback is key to improving creative work. My first version focused more on basic movements, but after revisions, the final version improved in terms of rhythm, sequence, and liveliness. This project taught me that creative work often needs adjustment and experimentation to get better. In conclusion, I learned that vector animation requires both technical control and creative thinking, and I am more confident in using animation principles to make scenes more vivid and engaging.
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