Through these two semesters of project practice, I’ve gradually clarified that my future aspirations lie in becoming an “independent creator,” rather than simply holding an execution-oriented position in the traditional animation industry. Compared to the rigid, large-scale commercial animation production process, I much prefer a creative approach where I have complete control over everything from character design and visuals to narrative and atmosphere.

Chaos Pause Encores and Shadow Chase made me realize that my interests always revolve around the “emotional atmosphere of my true self.” I’m not fixated on complex plots, especially those with social commentary, because animated shorts struggle to fully express grand narratives within a limited timeframe, and even many feature films inevitably fall into clichés. I focus more on how to express myself more uniquely through animation, leveraging its unique role and imagination (distinct from live-action). I pay close attention to the audience’s psychological experience, emotional shifts, and sensitive anchors. For example, spatial displacement, the atmosphere created by hand-drawn animation, and the emotional changes conveyed by subtle character movements. This more personal approach to creation has also led me to consider the possibilities of cross-media development.

Besides animation, I’m also interested in illustration, installation, projection, publications, and character derivative design. I hope my future works will transcend the screen and interact with people in real spaces. For example, in exhibitions, I could combine projection and handcrafted materials to make the characters part of the spatial experience: I once conceived of a cat-catching-light project. My created kittens would dart around on the screen at high frame rates, with an infrared flashlight in front of them. Viewers could pick it up and project it onto the cat’s projection, following the mad cat’s movements. This would feel like both the owner teasing the cat and the owner trying to keep up with the little madman, which I found very interesting. Alternatively, I could extend the characters into small art products made of different materials—puppet art, metal art, recycled materials, paper art, etc.—allowing viewers to truly touch and perceive their existence and understand the universe of characters I’ve built.

Simultaneously, I’m also starting to prepare more professional development materials. This includes compiling my portfolio, optimizing my resume, establishing a unified visual style, and continuously updating my social media. I realize that as an independent creator, simply possessing aesthetic sense and creative ability is not enough; I also need to build a consistent output and self-promotion ability, as well as the ability to accurately capture current trending topics.

In the future, I hope to apply for more opportunities related to experimental animation, independent film, and cross-media art, including residency programs and collaborative exhibitions. I believe my strengths lie in my sensitivity to emotional atmosphere and visual details, as well as my unique and distinctive personal style. What I need to continue improving are my ability to create complete narratives, character universes, sound design, and teamwork skills.

I hope my work will eventually develop into a stable and enduring personal language, allowing viewers to instantly associate a character with a specific emotional world—a spiritual universe I’ve built—when they see it.