Decoding Visual Designs: Mapping Isolated Visual Aesthetics and Producing a Dynamic Style Animation

Abstract

This project focuses on the analysis of selected visual characteristics from Shounen-inspired and Iyashikei/Slice-of-Life-inspired animation in the development of a Dynamic Style 2D Animation Showcase. The study aims to identify and document visual elements such as character design, shape language, line , color, lighting, composition, and movement, and to apply these elements consistently in two contrasting visual treatments based on a similar narrative scenario. A Research and Development (R&D) design was employed, supported by a quantitative, criteria-based evaluation. The project followed a three-stage animation production pipeline consisting of pre-production, production, and post-production. Krita was used primarily for digital illustration, character design, storyboarding, frame timing, and linework, while Blender was used for compositing, background depth, visual effects, and scene assembly. The completed animation showcase will be evaluated in terms of art direction consistency, visual differentiation, animation and technical execution, and atmospheric effectiveness using a structured five-point Likert scale. The project is intended to provide a practical reference for student animators, digital artists, animation educators, and future researchers in understanding how systematic visual design decisions can create distinct animation presentations. The resulting showcase demonstrates how selected visual characteristics can be organized and applied consistently to produce contrasting dynamic and calm visual treatments within a 2D animation project.