Mao
-
ABOUT THE CHARACTER
Māo is a cherished character of mine, known for their fondness for leisurely naps in the sun. They continually strive to push their boundaries and explore new experiences, despite being prone to anxiety. Fortunately, with the help of their emotional support duckies, which they are rarely seen without, Māo is able to confidently navigate any new situation.
Mao – Looping Animation
For this motion piece, I wanted to capture a peaceful, almost meditative scene with just enough subtle movement to bring the illustration to life. The animation features Mao relaxing in their floaty, surrounded by a small army of rubber duckies—floating far from shore but without a sense of panic. The calm, continuous loop reinforces the feeling of peace and stillness.
I used Dawn, Day, Dusk, and Night transitions to show the passage of time through shifting color palettes and small visual cues, like the rising and setting sun and moon.
Using Dawn, Day, Dusk, Night
Process Highlight: Puppet Rigging
To bring Mao to life, I used a combination of techniques in Adobe After Effects. The base was built using line vertex manipulation, enhanced with the Duik Bassel rigging tool for smoother character movement.
For the smaller, more subtle motions—like floating, bobbing, and swaying—I relied on simple rotation, anchoring, and masking techniques to keep everything lightweight and natural.
Small Details That Make It Feel Alive
Some of my favorite elements in this piece are the smallest, most subtle details—like the gentle waves lapping on the shore in the background or the soft, shifting reflections on the water’s surface. These little touches add depth and atmosphere, making the loop feel both alive and endlessly watchable.