Project
AP Computer Science A
Client
The College Board
Role
Art Director
Description
The College Board launched a series of 32 animated videos to play alongside the AP Computer Science A class. As the art director I oversaw the production of the entire project.
This animated series centers on four different stores in a fictional town called Instantiation Springs. Each video depicts everyday problems the store owners encounter and shows how they resolve them using coding skills. By placing abstract concepts in a realistic, story-driven setting, the series helps students gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
Team
Art direction: Xiuqi Wang
Animation and design: Julia Liu, Allen Cousett, Zichun Wang, Sabrina Chen, Kai Yang, Justin Dormitzer
Project
AP Computer Science A
Client
The College Board
Role
Art Director
Description
The College Board launched a series of 32 animated videos to play alongside the AP Computer Science A class. As the art director I oversaw the production of the entire project.
This animated series centers on four different stores in a fictional town called Instantiation Springs. Each video depicts everyday problems the store owners encounter and shows how they resolve them using coding skills. By placing abstract concepts in a realistic, story-driven setting, the series helps students gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
Team
Art direction and design: Xiuqi Wang |
Animation: Julia Liu, Allen Cousett, Zichun Wang, Sabrina Chen, Kai Yang, Justin Dormitzer
Project
AP Computer Science A
Client
The College Board
Role
Art Director
Description
The College Board launched a series of 32 animated videos to play alongside the AP Computer Science A class. As the art director I oversaw the production of the entire project.
This animated series centers on four different stores in a fictional town called Instantiation Springs. Each video depicts everyday problems the store owners encounter and shows how they resolve them using coding skills. By placing abstract concepts in a realistic, story-driven setting, the series helps students gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
Team
Art direction: Xiuqi Wang
Animation and design: Julia Liu, Allen Cousett, Zichun Wang, Sabrina Chen, Kai Yang, Justin Dormitzer
The Process
All 32 videos were divided into 5 batches, with an average of 6 videos per batch and a 5-week timeline for each batch. Because of this tight schedule, I adjusted the typical production process to better meet this project’s needs. Above is a breakdown of how each 5-week production cycle was structured.
The Process
All 32 videos were divided into 5 batches, with an average of 6 videos per batch and a 5-week timeline for each batch. Because of this tight schedule, I adjusted the typical production process to better meet this project’s needs. Above is a breakdown of how each 5-week production cycle was structured.
The Process
All 32 videos were divided into 5 batches, with an average of 6 videos per batch and a 5-week timeline for each batch. Because of this tight schedule, I adjusted the typical production process to better meet this project’s needs. Above is a breakdown of how each 5-week production cycle was structured.
Finding the Balance in Character Design
Designing the characters for this project was particularly challenging. Given the tight deadline, keeping the characters simple would have been the most practical approach. However, each of the character has a distinct personality, performs complicated actions, and deals with real-life situations everyday. Reducing them to basic shapes with limbs felt too limiting under this context.
Therefore I explored multiple design variations and levels of simplification, ultimately found a style that keeps the design minimal while still conveying each character’s personality, role, and connection to their everyday environment.
Finding the Balance in Character Design
Designing the characters for this project was particularly challenging. Given the tight deadline, keeping the characters simple would have been the most practical approach. However, each of the character has a distinct personality, performs complicated actions, and deals with real-life situations everyday. Reducing them to basic shapes with limbs felt too limiting under this context.
Therefore I explored multiple design variations and levels of simplification, ultimately found a style that keeps the design minimal while still conveying each character’s personality, role, and connection to their everyday environment.
Finding the Balance in Character Design
Designing the characters for this project was particularly challenging. Given the tight deadline, keeping the characters simple would have been the most practical approach. However, each of the character has a distinct personality, performs complicated actions, and deals with real-life situations everyday. Reducing them to basic shapes with limbs felt too limiting under this context.
Therefore I explored multiple design variations and levels of simplification, ultimately found a style that keeps the design minimal while still conveying each character’s personality, role, and connection to their everyday environment.
Systematic Thinking
To ensure consistency across every piece of animation, I created a comprehensive design guideline that included not only common elements such as typefaces and color palettes, but also more detailed specifications like stroke width, corner radius, and the highlight color used for selected text. This ensured that animators always had a clear reference during storyboarding.
In addition, I built an After Effects template containing animated versions of the components outlined in the guidelines for the animators to quickly copy and customize, along with several fully animated shots to show the intended look and feel of the final product. These assets significantly enhanced the overall consistency of the entire series.
Systematic Thinking
To ensure consistency across every piece of animation, I created a comprehensive design guideline that included not only common elements such as typefaces and color palettes, but also more detailed specifications like stroke width, corner radius, and the highlight color used for selected text. This ensured that animators always had a clear reference during storyboarding.
In addition, I built an After Effects template containing animated versions of the components outlined in the guidelines for the animators to quickly copy and customize, along with several fully animated shots to show the intended look and feel of the final product. These assets significantly enhanced the overall consistency of the entire series.
Systematic Thinking
To ensure consistency across every piece of animation, I created a comprehensive design guideline that included not only common elements such as typefaces and color palettes, but also more detailed specifications like stroke width, corner radius, and the highlight color used for selected text. This ensured that animators always had a clear reference during storyboarding.
In addition, I built an After Effects template containing animated versions of the components outlined in the guidelines for the animators to quickly copy and customize, along with several fully animated shots to show the intended look and feel of the final product. These assets significantly enhanced the overall consistency of the entire series.
Assets
Assets
Environment
Environment
