Personal Projects
Just for fun!
Snow Bird
My Why!
A cardinal and a Blue Jay emerged from that spark. I love how expressive birds can be, even with minimal shapes and colors. This was an exercise in keeping it simple but full of charm, letting motion do the talking. Bold red meets cool blue. Two birds. One small moment of life.
My Design Process,
Prior to any project I always start with sketching!
Balloon Animals
My Why!
Here's a recent animation I created involving two of my favorite childhood aspects—balloons and dogs!! Rigging the characters was slightly tough at first, but I was able to pull through and finish.
I had lots of fun bringing this idea to life! I came up with several concept ideas for the animal balloon animation after watching old Winnie the Pooh clips. At the University of Silicon Valley, we were taught the fundamentals of squash, stretch and timing, and I thought, "why not implement it in the squishiest and most vibrant character that it would make sense for!"
My Design Process,
Prior to any project I always start with sketching!
Space Cats
My Why!
I created this motion design after reading about space, the old joke of a kid asking why the stars are called, "the Milky Way" and being told that the astronaut cats drink from it.
When I was young, I liked to think that the cat astronauts swam in the Milky Way sea. Originally, I was going to create a traffic scene. After visiting my mom with my cat, I wanted to pay tribute to them in some way by creating a short motion design that is whimsy and lighthearted. I didn't expect the space cats direction, but my mom kept relaying the corny joke with the kid, and the concept popped into my head.
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At first, I thought drawing the cats stuck in space ships would be a fun idea, since I could give them rigid poses, but I remembered instances of my own cats jumping off of tables or running from long distances, so I animated them floating throughout outer space to exhibit their gracefulness.
My Design Process,
Prior to any project I always start with sketching!
Cat Lounge
A recent trip to The Cat Lounge in La Jolla, San Diego, ignited the creation of a motion design piece. The warm, inviting ambiance and the relaxed nature of the rescue cats served as the perfect muse. I aimed to encapsulate the tranquil and whimsical atmosphere through illustrations and animations, transforming a simple moment into a delightful visual loop. It's gratifying when everyday encounters inspire creative narratives. Special thanks to The Cat Lounge Rescue and Adoption Center for being the driving force behind this project
My Design Process,
Prior to any project I always start with sketching and mock up version of the subject!
Bakery
My Why!
Inspired by a sweet trip home to Santa Cruz, I created this whimsical rubber hose style motion design! After visiting the amazing Melinda’s Gluten Free Bakery, I couldn’t stop thinking about how charming their treats would look as animated characters straight out of a 1930's cartoon AD. So I brought that thought to life with some nostalgic walk cycles and bouncy baked goods in classic rubber hose fashion.
This was such a fun personal project that combined my love of vintage animation and great gluten-free pastries. Scroll down to see how a cupcake struts its stuff!
California Fish
My Why!
I recently completed a super fun project illustrating and animating California’s vibrant marine life around Catalina Island!
I handled both the design and motion work, and it was an incredible experience, both creatively and educationally. Getting to bring these unique fish species to life through motion design gave me a deeper appreciation for the biodiversity of California’s coastal waters.
One highlight of the project was animating California’s official state fish, the bright orange garibaldi. These iconic fish are found all along the California coast and even down into Baja, and their bold color made them a natural star in the animation.
Big thanks to the team who made this possible. I am so grateful for the opportunity to combine art, animation, and ocean science!
My Design Process
Before beginning the animation process, I start with brainstorming and sketching. I find that working physically with pen and paper allows the project and subject matter to take shape in a more organic way. This stage helps me connect more deeply with the material, and it gives me a strong foundation for the creative direction. I enjoy putting my drawing skills to use to explore what the subject will look like, and these sketches often serve as the base for the animation work that follows.
