In the process of continuously creating my personal animal IP, I gradually realized that animation creation is no longer just about the work itself, but also closely related to the methods of dissemination and audience interaction. Especially under the influence of the internet environment, whether a character can be remembered largely depends on whether it has a distinctive and consistent visual language and emotional characteristics.

In the past, when operating Instagram and Xiaohongshu, I focused more on the release of the work itself. But in the creation of Shadow Chase, I began to observe which content was more likely to keep viewers engaged. For example, hand-drawn process records, character merchandise, and behind-the-scenes footage usually generated more interaction than the finished product. This made me realize that sometimes viewers don’t just want to see the “finished product”; they also want to see the process of a character’s birth and growth.

Therefore, I began to try to treat the character IP as a long-term development system, rather than just a single project. For example, I gradually began to unify the character’s color scheme and temperament, fix the visual tone, and establish daily life segments for the character. Especially this year, I created and released my own designed WeChat sticker pack, allowing my character to be used publicly on online platforms. I found that this approach is closer to the development path of contemporary independent animators and illustration IPs. The characters exist not only in animation, but also on social media, trending short videos, art books, merchandise, and even in offline spaces.

I believe the “individual creator + independent IP” model will become increasingly important in the future of the animation industry. Compared to large studio systems, small individual IPs are more likely to develop a distinctive style and establish an emotional connection with the audience, even if it only connects with a specific circle of people. For me, that’s enough. I hope that in the future, when people mention me, I will not only be known as an animator, but also as an artist who has built a complete personal visual brand universe.

However, I still need to learn how to balance “artistic expression” and “commercial value.” Sometimes overly experimental content may not be easy to disseminate and promote, while overly catering to platform requirements can weaken the work’s individuality. I hope to find a middle ground: maintaining personal expression while allowing the characters to be understood and remembered by a wider audience.