L1 Animation

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Animation Project Brief

Animation Design

Animation Development

YOUR PROJECT

This is a great opportunity for you to work on a project of your choosing allowing you to explore your interests further, be creative, and gain valuable skills in designing and developing a digital technologie outcome.

At this point you should have spent time learning skills in one or more areas in digital technologies you should have a good idea of what you can create.

We will be working through the

Task #1: Project Document

You are going to work through your project to explore an area, come up with some ideas, define what you are going to make and the design and create your idea.

You will use one document to collate all your work as you go, found via Schoology L1 DT Project document

Task #2: Brainstorm

INTERESTS & SKILLS + OPPORTUNITIES & END USERS

Brainstorm all the possible ideas for a project.

At this stage it should be everything you might like to do and could be a number of different areas within DT.

Then under each of the areas what could you create? Who might be end users? Or go the other way.... what problem could you solve?

Think about:

Qualities / Skills / Talents I feel I have
People who are important to me
Things that impact / affect me
Things that I enjoy doing

Task #3: Your Project Direction

Based on your brainstorm, what area will your project focus on?

Here are some directions specifically for Animation:

Short Character Animation: Create a short animation (1-2 minutes) featuring original characters in a simple storyline. Focus on character movement and expression.
Stop Motion Animation: Use everyday objects or clay to create a stop motion animation. A short story or a series of funny scenes can be engaging.
Explainer Video: Create an animated explainer video on a topic of interest, such as how something works or a summary of a favorite book or movie.
Motion Graphics Music Video: Design a music video using motion graphics and animation to visualize the lyrics or mood of a song.
Educational Animation: Develop an educational animation on a subject you're passionate about, like science concepts, historical events, or language learning.
Digital Comic Strip: Turn a short comic strip into an animated sequence, adding movement and effects to enhance the storytelling.
Game Animation: Create animated characters or assets for a simple game prototype, showcasing their movements and interactions.
Logo Animation: Design a dynamic animation for a brand logo, incorporating visual effects and transitions.
Character Rigging and Animation: Learn about character rigging and animate a character performing various actions like walking, running, and jumping.
Environmental Animation: Focus on creating animated landscapes or environments, adding elements like weather effects or day-night cycles.

Animation Process

Finished Animation Examples

Task #4: Understanding Key Cultural Principles

It is important to know and understand Whanaungatanga, Manaakitanga and Kaitiakitanga. You will need to understand and implement these principles throughout your project.

~ Real World (Positive) Examples ~

Otago Regional Council website co-design with Kāi Tahu
Read about it here

Website example

ORC worked with Kāi Tahu and a mana whenua-owned consultancy to incorporate Kāi Tahu values, narratives, and reo Māori into the design of its website. That is a very clear digital example of whanaungatanga and manaakitanga through partnership and respectful co-design.

Think about:

Who was involved in the design process?
How does co-design show whanaungatanga?
How does using local reo and narratives show manaakitanga?
Why is it better than simply adding Māori words at the end?

NZ government guidance on digital inclusion and accessibility
Read about it here

UX/accessibility example

Digital.govt.nz highlights the need for human-centred design, inclusion of marginalised groups, and better accessibility in digital services. Their research also notes that Māori are among groups at risk of digital exclusion in Aotearoa. This connects strongly to manaakitanga because accessible design is a form of care and respect.

Think about:

If your outcome is beautiful but slow, confusing, or inaccessible, are you showing manaakitanga?
What design choices would make your outcome more caring and inclusive?

Māori data sovereignty
Read about it here

Digital ethics/data example

Stats NZ’s data strategy says co-design with iwi and Māori should be in use and that Māori data sovereignty should be recognised and understood. Te Mana Raraunga’s principles include Whanaungatanga, Manaakitanga, and Kaitiakitanga in relation to data collection, management, and use.

Think about:

If a website collects user data, who is responsible for protecting it?
If cultural knowledge is shared digitally, who should decide how it is used?
How does kaitiakitanga apply to digital information, not just the environment?

Australian First Nations digital inclusion guidance
Read about it here

International example showing that similar cultural and inclusive design principles matter beyond Aotearoa too

Australia’s government guidance for inclusive digital design recommends co-designing services with First Nations communities, following up with the community, using culturally safe visual communication, and being transparent about why information is requested. That aligns closely with whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, and kaitiakitanga in a digital setting.

Why it works for students:
It shows these ideas are not only local classroom concepts — they matter in real digital service design internationally too.

~ Real World (Negative) Examples ~

Coca-Cola - Mixing English & Te Reo

Do you know what's wrong with Coca-Colas use of "Kia ora, Mate"?

Check out the following articles Coca-Cola's te reo marketing blunder to learn more.

How could this have been prevented?

~ Check out this one.... What are your thoughts? ~

Whittakers - Check out their About Page

Have a read through their Values; Ingredients, Packaging, Community & Chocolate Making. Can you see where Whanaungatanga, Manaakitanga and Kaitiakitanga are evident?

Task #5: Understanding Design Factors

Design Factors

Within these 3 principles you will need to understand what design factors you might need to consider within your project.

Design factors include: Social, Cultural, Legal, Copyright, Intellectual Property, Privacy, Ethical, End-user considerations, Accessibility, Usability, Functionality, Aesthetics, Health and Safety, Sustainability and Future Proofing.

Understand what these design factors involve and while doing your research have a think about where Whanaungatanga, Manaakitanga and Kaitiakitanga have been shown and what design factors had to be considered.

Task #6: Research

Based on your chosen topic you now need to do some research.

Research is essential for fostering progress, innovation, and positive societal impact. It empowers individuals and societies to address challenges, seize opportunities, and create a better future.

Research Existing Outcomes

When looking at a range of existing outcomes you might like to think about some of the following:

- What is the aim or goal of the outcome?
- Who are the End Users and where/how did they access the outcome?
- What are the potential applications?
- What are the current trends in Animation?
- What are the key components or features of Animation or your specific area?
- What are the common challenges faced?
- What are the factors influencing the direction of Animation?
- What are the factors contributing to the success/failure of Animation?
- What are the future trends and developments in Animation?
- What are the potential challenges and opportunities in the future of Animation?
- How does [software A e.g. Blender] compare to [software B e.g. Adobe After Effects/Animate] in terms of performance/cost/effectiveness?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of using [software A] compared to [software B]?
- How do users perceive and interact with Animation?
- What are the usability challenges of Animation for End Users?
- How can Animation be optimized to enhance user experience and satisfaction?
- What are the ethical considerations related within the Animation area?

Fox & Co is an award-winning animation studio that creates explainer videos, commercials, films, and graphics packages for brands, agencies and networks. Explore their award-winning portfolio of 3D and 2D animation, motion graphics, and visual effects https://foxandco.nz/portfolio/

Research Relevant Conventions for Animation

Task #7: Implementation of Key Cultural Principles & Design Factors

Now you know and understand what Whanaungatanga, Manaakitanga and Kaitiakitanga are as well as Design Factors.

Whilst you will consider and use these principles and design factors throughout your project there will be specific times that you are showing these.

You need to show & write about:

What design factors you need to consider for your project?
Where and how you think you will be using these principles?
From your design factors, some of them will be more relevant within a principle, where do you feel they will be most evident?

Now it's time to work out what sort of project you might undertake and what it entails

Next: Animation Project Brief

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