From Idea to Screen: The Process of Creating a 2D Short Animation
At VIVIDO Studio, making a 2D short animation is a team effort that requires care and attention. Each step is essential for bringing the story to life, mixing art, technology, and creativity into one smooth experience. Here is a look at how we create animations that connect with the audience:
1. Idea Development: Where Creativity Takes Flight
Every animation begins with a spark of inspiration—a social issue, a cultural narrative, a whimsical tale, or something fun. We brainstorm and polish this idea by asking questions like: What story do we want to tell? Who is it for? What feelings or messages do we want to share? Getting clear on this sets the stage for everything else.
2. Script: Building the Narrative Blueprint
After we have the idea, we craft the script. The script is like a plan for the animation, with the story, dialogue, and key visuals. A well-crafted script not only guides but also enhances the storytelling experience. It’s a group effort where writers, directors, copywriters, and clients work together to get the right tone and flow.
3. Storyboard: Sketching the Story’s Journey
A storyboard is a set of simple drawings that show how the story will play out, scene by scene. It helps us see how the timing, camera angles, and actions will look before we start animating.
The storyboard is the most crucial step in creating the animation. This is where we imagine how the final work will look, so every visual element we see in the animation must be sketched here. It also allows us to spot potential issues early, adjust the flow of the story, and ensure the transitions between scenes feel natural.
By the end of this stage, we have a clear roadmap for the entire animation process.
Storyboard for 4 Big Steps to Fight Climate Change
4. Illustration: Painting the World of Imagination
Our artists breathe life into the storyboard, creating detailed drawings that define the animation's aesthetic, including backgrounds, objects, graphic elements, typography, and all other parts. These drawings set the mood and style of the animation. Before starting the illustrations, a helpful task is to create a mood board that includes the visual styles we like, the artistic direction we will follow, colour pallets, and reference images.
5. Character Design: Bringing Personalities to Life
Characters are the soul of any animation. We design them to match the story and make them relatable. From their faces to their unique features, we think about every detail to make them come alive. We aim to make them dynamic and capable of conveying rich stories through movement and expression.
Character Design for BetterHomesTO Animation
Technically, we focus on clean linework, balanced proportions, and a consistent colour palette that fits the overall style of the animation. We also consider how each character will move, ensuring their design aligns with the animation's technical requirements, such as joint articulation and expressive facial features.
Collaborative feedback and iterative refinement help us craft characters that feel alive, relatable, and perfectly tailored to the story's needs.
Character Design for Hepatitis C videos for Immigrants and Newcomers - CATIE
Character Design for Hepatitis C videos for Immigrants and Newcomers - CATIE
Character Design for HIV Basics - CATIE
Character Design for Civil Society Engagement: Iran Flood
6. Animation: Breathing Movement into Art
Here's where the magic happens! Our skilled animators use special software to bring the drawings to life. They create movements, expressions, camera movements, and actions, either frame-by-frame or digital, to tell the story dynamically. This step requires a lot of skill and creativity to make everything flow smoothly.
A Frame from Survivor Guilt - FEMENA
VIVIDO Studio Animation Demo Reel
7. Sound Design: Crafting the Audio Landscape
Sound design is the stage where the true power of audio comes into play, enhancing the animation’s emotional impact and immersive experience. This phase includes three main parts:
Voiceover: Giving Characters a Voice
Voiceovers add emotion and personality to the characters. We work with talented voice actors and narrators to ensure the voices match the animation perfectly. A good voiceover helps draw the audience into the story.
Voiceover Recording Session at Bamahang Sound Recording Studio
Background Music: Setting the Emotional Tone
Music adds to the mood of the animation. Whether it needs to be playful, serious, thoughtful, or ambient, we create or find the right music to fit the story. Music makes every scene more powerful.
Sound Effects: Adding Life to Every Detail
From footsteps to ambient noises, sound effects add realism and texture to the animation. Every sound is tailored to fit the on-screen action, creating a rich and believable world.
Telling Stories Through Animation
Every step in this process helps build a 2D short animation that people will love and remember. At Vivido Studio, we care deeply about storytelling and quality. Whether it’s an educational tool, a whimsical story, or a message for change, we put our hearts and expertise into crafting animations that resonate and endure. Each frame is a testament to our dedication to quality and creativity, aiming to leave a lasting impact on our audience.
