Time flies—my two years in graduate school have come to an end. During this period, I didn’t just learn how to technically produce a 2D animation; more importantly, I discovered the mindset and expressive logic behind the art form. As someone who naturally thinks in images and enjoys storytelling, these two years felt like a door opening, giving me the opportunity to communicate with the world through the language of animation.
When I first began my studies, my understanding of 2D animation was still quite basic. I focused mostly on how good the drawings looked and whether the characters were appealing. But as the courses progressed, I realized that the true charm of 2D animation lies far beyond its surface aesthetics. Composition, rhythm, emotional conveyance, and the believability of motion—these invisible elements are what truly determine whether an animation resonates.
Over the past two years, I’ve received systematic training in character design, storyboarding, keyframe and in-between animation, background painting, and post-production compositing. In terms of tools, I became proficient in Procreate, TVPaint, Photoshop, Nomad and After Effects. I also learned how to combine traditional drawing techniques with digital tools, improving production efficiency while preserving a hand-drawn quality. For my thesis project, I experimented with blending 2D characters and 3D environments to create a slightly dreamlike space. This kind of cross-media integration helped me realize that technology is never the goal—it’s a tool that serves expression.
Of course, the journey wasn’t without its challenges. When I first attempted a full storyboard, I realized how difficult it was to clearly convey the story in my head. Even a single frame’s difference in a walking animation could throw off the entire motion. But it was precisely these “stuck” moments that taught me animation is a process of patience and trial and error. Every small failure was actually a step closer to achieving emotional truth and believability.
Looking back, my biggest takeaway is not just having made some “visually appealing” works, but that I’ve slowly found my own way of expression. I enjoy telling stories with a calm rhythm, focusing on subtle, genuine emotions. I’ve begun using color, composition, and motion details to build a character’s inner world. I no longer only care about technical perfection—I now ask myself, “Why am I making this animation?”
In the future, whether I work in a studio or pursue independent projects, I hope to hold on to this original intention of “speaking through animation.” In a fast-moving industry, being able to tell honest, thoughtful stories—even slowly—is, in itself, a form of power.