I joined from the beginning with the CEO, resonating with the vision that the human role in the creative process will evolve with generative AI
Goal
Launch a 3D generative animation tool that enables animators to focus on what matters most to them
Challenges
What are the challenges?
Generate Animation with a Specific Length Users can generate animations based on the exact duration they need.
“The ideal length of an animation varies depending on the situation.” – Yong, Freelance Senior Animator
Intuitively Explore Motion VariationsUsers can explore motion variations by setting preferences and regenerating the animation. These preferences are applied to each character, giving them unique characteristics.
"We need to gather user preferences to train our model." - Mickey, CTO
"Each character has distinct motions." - Jung, Senior Animator at Line
Ideate - Iteration 1
How can we help users ideate the motions they want to create?
Ideate - Iteration 2
How might we assist users in ideating the motions they want to create?
Edit Sequences Users can blend and cut sequences to create animations of the exact length they desire.
Edit - Iteration 1
How might we enable users to edit animations to achieve their desired design?
Run Simulations with Multiple Characters Users can import multiple characters and simulate their interactions, giving animators a clearer view of how the animation will appear.
Seamlessly Continue Working with Animation ToolsUsers can seamlessly continue working on their animations using their preferred tools for fine-tuning.
Export - Iteration 1
How might we seamlessly integrate with other tools?
Design Sprint
Aligning the team with the vision and experience was one of the key challenges. To address this, I ran a design sprint, beginning with research sharing and leading into roadmapping.
Insight 2
How can the tool support animators?
Aligned with our vision and competitive research, we decided to build an animation tool with a low learning curve and high control, allowing animators to focus on creative expression rather than the technical aspects of animation.
Insight 3
Who should we focus on to build a more inclusive tool?
We decided to focus on senior animators at agencies in the animation industry for the following reasons: • Senior animators are the decision-makers when it comes to the tools they use. • Agency animators have a high demand for efficient tools. • Animation work requires a high level of expressive capability.
Insight 4
How do animators create the motions they envision?
We decided to focus on the ideation, crafting, and iteration stages of an animator’s journey, as these phases are common across animators from diverse industries.
Insight 5
How do animators communicate their ideas?
We identified four major patterns in how animators communicate and create. I defined the design direction to enable animators to work with multimedia and sequence inputs.
Technical Constraints
Focused on 3 head tall animations
Define
Design Principles
Competitive Analysis
Identified key design questions and conducted a competitive analysis
Design System
Built a style guide and component library
Iteration
Tested with 4 animators from diverse fields
Re-scoping
Decided to focus on ideation and connectivity with other tools.
We found that fine-tuning animation exceeded the company’s capacity but identified two key use cases: client communication and animation. For the first phase, we decided to focus on AI model development and tool integration, with user acquisition driven by offering the client communication feature for free to promote ideation.
Impact
The project is ongoing, and our team continues to monitor key indicators.
Team Reviews
Positive feedback on vision, scope, and experience from the leadership
