Too Many Scarves is a 2D animation project for children between 5 and 8 years old that teaches the value of sharing. The design challenge of this project is understanding how I can successfully create a narrative animation whose story is relevant to the target age, all the while conveying a message that is captivating without the use of a narrator nor character dialogue.
The first step was understanding how children process information. Children may find it easier and quicker to comprehend a story by relying on visual and auditory cues compared to one that relies on dialogue because it develops comprehension, listening skills, and understanding of the story and character. This means basic shapes, simple scenes, and music. Since the characters are not speaking, it’s important for them to show feelings and emotion through facial expressions and mannerisms. Color is a basic formal element of visual communication. If a character turns red, they are upset, if they turn blue, they are most likely sad.
In addition to visuals, music can also engage viewers and enhance the story. When Mouse’s request for a scarf is denied by Squirrel, a mellow piano song in a minor key plays. In comparison to the light-hearted music that is played beforehand, this moodier music emphasizes the sadness and rejection that Mouse feels.
Subsequently, the additional design challenge is the reliance on these types of visuals and audio when there isn’t a narrator or dialogue. In the film Fantasia (1940), The Sorcerer’s Apprentice does this well. As Mickey Mouse tries to use magic like his teacher to advance his chores, things go wrong, and we can hear the music becoming more intense. When Mickey is in trouble, the music is solemn and suspenseful. I believe this is true for my project in that it allows the viewer to be engaged in a different and more thoughtful way.
The style of my animation is 2D which incorporates 24 frames per second and animating on 2s. The animation is a mixture of hand drawn shapes as well basic rectangles, squares, and circles combined to create unique looks. Of the 12 Principles of Animation, I used squash and stretch slow in and slow out, and secondary action. Creating this project using Adobe Animate was a learning process in the beginning as well as during. This pushed me to find the solution and learn how to solve my problems.
My story exaggerates the character’s need to wear an abundant number of scarves. Children know that wearing six scarves at a time is ridiculous. As the scarves are piled high, it’s obvious that it’s too much and unnecessary. When the main character is met with another character who is in need, that is when the children understand something good needs to happen.
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