The story of an elf
In this Simulated Work project, I collaborated with second-year students Simiao Wang and Muhan Li. Their story tell of a little elf escaping from a nutrient bottle in a lab. It is attracted by a butterfly and follows it into a cave filled with strange plants in another dimension. However, when it finally catches the butterfly, the world changes again, returning to the lab. It is shocked to find that the lab is full of identical little elves. Simiao explained the deeper meaning of the story to me—under the influence of East Asian family environments, children are often shaped by societal expectations, gradually losing their uniqueness. They believe they have gained freedom, but in reality, they are still trapped in the “lab.”
Scene design experience
This task was challenging for me. I needed to balance emotional storytelling with visual design in the scene creation. The cave design had to match the dreamy and mysterious style while providing enough space for the key scene where the elf chases the butterfly. Additionally, I had to find a balance between 2D design and 3D modeling to ensure the scenes worked well in different shots. This made sure the animation was both visually artistic and narratively effective.
Based on the story, I designed a winding and deep cave. I referred to the mood board provided by Simiao and Muhan, focusing on a dreamy and mysterious style. The cave walls were curved and decorated with blue crystal balls to enhance the sense of mystery. On both sides, there were plants and rocks in blue and pink tones to create a magical atmosphere. After completing the first draft, Simiao and Muhan suggested increasing the curvature of the cave to provide more space for the chase scene, making it smoother and more dynamic. Based on this feedback, I adjusted the cave structure and drew more detailed front views to ensure the visuals matched the story’s pacing.
In this project, I learned how to use color and composition more effectively to express emotions. For example, I chose blue and pink as the main colors to create a dreamy atmosphere. I also used curved cave walls and crystal ball decorations to enhance the sense of mystery. Additionally, I learned how to adjust scene structures based on the story’s needs, making them fit the narrative rhythm better and improving the overall visual impact.
This experience made me deeply aware of the importance of teamwork in animation production. Animation is essentially a collaborative project. Only when each member understands their responsibilities and communicates effectively with the team can the quality and consistency of the work be ensured. Furthermore, I learned how to balance artistic and functional aspects in design, ensuring that scenes are not only visually appealing but also effectively support the story’s development. This experience will be highly valuable for my future animation projects.
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