For my graduation project, I created an animation that tells the story of an experimental creature who follows a butterfly out of a laboratory and into a mysterious cave, where it embarks on a surreal and transformative journey. It’s not a grand epic, but rather a metaphorical expression of something quieter and more personal: the idea that even ordinary, seemingly unsuccessful experiences can hold deep value. Through this project, I didn’t just improve technically—I also learned how to convey my emotions and reflections through the language of animation.

The inspiration for this project came from my thoughts on the lives of ordinary people. Most of us aren’t particularly remarkable, and we often fall short when chasing our dreams. But that doesn’t mean our experiences are meaningless. I wanted to explore the idea that even without obvious success, the journey itself can be precious. The butterfly in the story symbolizes something delicate and elusive—like our quiet desires and longings. The experimental creature follows it not because of a clear reason, but because something inside is stirred. In that way, the story is less about plot and more about inner transformation.

Technically, this project was my first serious attempt at combining 2D character animation with 3D environments. The character was animated in a hand-drawn style to emphasize softness and emotional nuance, while the cave, glass bottle, and other spatial elements were built in Cinema 4D. The final compositing was done in After Effects. This combination of media taught me how to unify different visual elements into a cohesive atmosphere, and helped me discover the power of mixed workflows to tell more immersive stories.

One of the most challenging and rewarding parts of the project was animating the butterfly. I studied real butterfly flight patterns and noticed how they tend to flutter in unpredictable arcs, with occasional pauses and loops. I used smooth S-curves, ease-in and ease-out timing, and overlapping motion to mimic their natural rhythm. For the scenes where the character bumps into a bottle or interacts with growing flowers, I applied principles of physics-based motion, secondary animation, and plant growth paths to create believable and expressive sequences.

Throughout the process, I also learned a great deal about project planning and emotional resilience. From early concept art and storyboarding to modeling, animation, and post-production, every phase came with its own challenges—whether technical, creative, or psychological. There were moments when I doubted myself, when things didn’t look right, or when time felt impossibly tight. But by breaking the project into manageable stages and setting small goals, I was able to stay motivated and on track.

In the end, this project taught me two important lessons. First, animation is more than just a combination of software and techniques—it’s a powerful tool for emotional storytelling. Second, even a small, seemingly quiet story can be deeply moving if told with care.

This is what I love most about animation: its ability to capture fleeting emotions, small gestures, and quiet metaphors that speak louder than words. And this project helped me reconnect with my original reason for choosing animation in the first place—to tell stories that come from the heart, no matter how simple they may seem.