Milkflaker – Watch My First Commissioned Animation!

Animation is an art form that blends creativity, technology, and storytelling. Whether it’s a short clip or a full-length feature, animation allows creators to bring their imagination to life. For many animators, getting their first commissioned project is a significant milestone, a sign of growth and recognition within the industry.

Today, I’m excited to share my first-ever commissioned animation! This project marks a huge step in my journey as an animator. It’s not just about completing a task, but about creating something special that represents my skills, vision, and style. This animation has been a challenge, but also a rewarding experience, and I’m thrilled to finally showcase it.

Creating commissioned work means working with clients who have specific requests, and it requires careful communication and attention to detail. In this blog post, I’ll dive into the process of creating my first commissioned animation, share insights into my creative process, and explain what I learned along the way.

Key Points:

• The commissioned animation process involves clear communication with clients.
• My first commissioned animation has taught me new technical skills.
• The final animation represents my unique style and artistic growth.

What Is Commissioned Animation?

Commissioned animation is when an individual or company hires an animator to create a custom animation based on specific instructions. Unlike personal projects, commissioned work requires collaborating with a client who provides ideas, themes, and sometimes even scripts to follow. This form of animation can range from simple short clips to full-length animations depending on the client’s needs.

For my first commissioned animation, the process began with understanding the client’s vision. They provided me with a clear brief that outlined the theme, characters, and overall tone they wanted the animation to convey. The challenge of working with a client was making sure I stayed true to my artistic style while meeting their expectations.

Creating commissioned animations can be a bit different from personal projects, as you need to balance your creativity with what the client envisions. It’s not just about creating art that you love but also producing a piece that meets the client’s specifications and resonates with their audience.

Clients often have specific requirements, so ensure you clarify any doubts or requests before starting the animation.

Note: Effective communication with clients is key to a successful commissioned animation.

How Did I Approach My First Commissioned Animation?

When I first received the commission, I wanted to make sure I handled everything with care and attention to detail. Here’s how I approached the entire project:

1. Understanding the Client’s Needs

The first step was understanding what the client wanted. They provided a brief that outlined everything, including the animation style, the characters, and the mood of the animation. This was crucial because it set the tone for the entire project. I made sure to ask plenty of questions about the timing, pacing, and overall feel they were hoping for.

2. Planning the Animation

After I had a clear idea of what the client wanted, I started planning the animation. This involved creating storyboards and rough sketches of the characters. Storyboarding is essential because it serves as a visual guide, ensuring that the animation flows smoothly and all key moments are captured.

3. Animation and Refinement

With the storyboards approved, I moved on to the actual animation process. Using my preferred software, I began animating the characters, focusing on key movements and ensuring the timing was just right. During this phase, I made constant revisions based on feedback from the client, refining the animation until it met their vision.

4. Final Rendering and Review

Once the animation was completed, I rendered it in high quality and sent it to the client for a final review. After some minor tweaks, the animation was ready to be shared with the public!

This process not only taught me how to refine my animation skills but also helped me better understand the importance of collaboration and client feedback.

Clear communication from the start prevents misunderstandings and saves time later in the process.

Reminder: Don’t hesitate to ask questions during the initial stages of a project.

What Challenges Did I Face During the Process?

Creating my first commissioned animation wasn’t without its challenges. Here are some of the obstacles I encountered along the way and how I overcame them:

1. Balancing Creativity with Client Expectations:
   One of the biggest challenges was balancing my personal artistic style with the client’s vision. While I wanted to create something unique, I also had to ensure it aligned with the client’s specific requirements. This meant making adjustments to my usual style while still maintaining a quality that I was proud of.
2. Time Management:
   Working on a commission involves strict deadlines. I had to manage my time carefully to ensure I met the deadlines while maintaining the quality of the animation. This required prioritizing tasks and staying organized throughout the process.
3. Feedback and Revisions:
   Like any commissioned project, there were several rounds of feedback. At times, the client requested changes that required me to go back and revise parts of the animation. While it was challenging, I learned the importance of staying patient and taking constructive criticism positively.

By overcoming these challenges, I grew as an animator and gained valuable experience that I can apply to future projects.

What Techniques Did I Use for the Animation?

For this first commissioned animation, I used several techniques and tools to ensure the final product was polished and professional. Some of the key techniques included:

1. 2D and 3D Integration:
   I combined both 2D character designs and 3D backgrounds. This allowed me to give depth and dynamic movement to the characters while still maintaining a flat, hand-drawn aesthetic for the figures themselves.
2. Keyframe Animation:
   I relied heavily on keyframe animation to make the movement more fluid and realistic. This technique allowed me to set key points in time for the characters, which I could then refine and adjust to achieve the desired look.
3. Motion Blur:
   To enhance the realism of the animation, I used motion blur. This effect adds smoothness to fast-moving elements and makes the animation feel more natural.
4. Sound Design:
   While the animation itself was visually engaging, I also paid attention to the sound design. The sound effects and music added another layer of immersion and helped set the tone for the animation.

Taking breaks and revisiting your work ensures you spot small issues that you might miss while working on it nonstop.

Note: Always review the animation from start to finish with fresh eyes.

Conclusion

Creating my first commissioned animation was an incredibly rewarding experience. It challenged me to push my creative boundaries while also honing my technical skills. It also taught me the importance of clear communication and collaboration, which are essential when working with clients.

As I continue my journey as an animator, I look forward to taking on more commissioned projects and improving my skills. Whether you’re an aspiring animator or someone interested in animation, it’s essential to approach every project with both passion and professionalism. I hope that my journey inspires others to pursue their creative goals and never shy away from new opportunities!

FAQ’s

1. What is commissioned animation?
   Commissioned animation refers to a custom animation created for a client based on their specific requirements and vision.
2. What tools do I need to create a commissioned animation?
   You’ll need animation software like Blender, Adobe Animate, or Toon Boom, along with tools for sound design and video editing.
3. How do I manage client feedback during the animation process?
   It’s important to communicate clearly and make sure you understand the client’s requests. Regular check-ins and updates can help avoid major revisions later.
4. What are the challenges of creating commissioned animation?
   The biggest challenges include balancing creativity with client expectations, managing time effectively, and handling revisions and feedback.
5. How long does it take to complete a commissioned animation?
   The timeline depends on the complexity of the animation, but it can range from a few weeks to a few months for more detailed projects.