Animation creation is an extraordinary journey. Unless you take on it, you will never understand its ups and downs. I had downs with years of professional practical works, and also ups from my academic research and studies. During my animation creation process, I experienced the wonders and charms of this medium, as well as reliving my childhood memories.

My inspiration came from the short story “Noodles in a Basin”, its author recorded his grandparents’ old stories in a realistic and profound manner which left me with a deep impression. From my resonance with that story, I recalled a nostalgic childhood flavor. By using childhood memories as blueprints, I created ‘Taro Porridge’ and later developed it into ‘Watermelon Seeds’, both evoked nostalgic memories from long ago. Also, by using childlike aesthetics, I rediscovered childhood innocence and the satisfaction from familial love.

In the first chapter, I explained my creative inspiration, realization with the animation medium during my studies, and how I broke my past framework to create a childlike aesthetics that represents unsatisfied familial love toward my grandmother. The second chapter analyzes various films from different angles, in order to digest and turn them into creative inspirations. The third chapter dived into the difficulties, adjustments and problem solvings throughout the creative process of ‘Taro Porridge’ and ‘Watermelon Seeds’, till the completion of both works. The fourth chapter sums up my creative direction, and my development plans for the future.