Pippin's Adventure Flipbook

OVERVIEW

Children's Storytelling & Animation

Pippin's Adventure Flipbook is an interactive picture book designed to raise mental health awareness through storytelling. It follows Pippin, a shy squirrel who faces and overcomes his social anxiety, offering a gentle yet impactful narrative for children. With its blend of vibrant, hand-drawn illustrations and modern animation techniques, this flipbook not only provides a heartwarming experience for kids but also promotes understanding and empathy for mental health challenges, making it a meaningful tool for both children and adults.

This project represents the first part of a larger vision, crafted as a final major project in university to showcase my skills. While currently incomplete, it serves as a demonstration of my capabilities and creative approach. Future projects may build on this foundation, expanding the story and exploring new dimensions of interactive storytelling.

PROCESS

I started by exploring the children’s book market, looking at popular animal character stories like Bluey and Little Blue Truck to understand what resonates with kids today. Initially, I drew inspiration from classic illustrators like Beatrix Potter and Shirley Hughes. However, as the project developed, I gradually moved away from their styles and discovered my own unique approach to the visuals. The animation, on the other hand, was influenced by modern flipbook techniques.

CHALLENGES

OUTCOME

The final product, Pippin’s Adventure Flipbook, successfully merges traditional and modern artistic techniques to create an interactive, engaging children’s story. The flipbook has received positive feedback for its accessible storytelling and its ability to capture both children's and parents' attention through the emotional depth of its characters
and narrative.

ROLES

Storyboarding, Character Design, Illustration, Typography, Animation, Book Design & Layout, Packing Design, Market Research, Audience Analysis

TOOLS

InDesign, Callipeg Animation, Procreate, Illustrator, Adobe Acrobat

My main challenge was turning hand-drawn illustrations into smooth animations. I spent a lot of time refining the storyboard to ensure each frame transitioned naturally into the next. With little to no prior experience in animation, I had to teach myself everything from scratch. Much of my time was devoted to adding details to my illustrations; for each frame, I had to redraw my signature zigzag details and adjust the size and color according to the character’s movement. I also had to learn color theory, figuring out which colors complemented each other. Additionally, I was responsible for creating book covers and conducting research for the whole project for the accompanying development book.

24/7 GRAPHIC DESIGN SHOW

This project was part of my degree show, where it was displayed with posters and other work from my graphic design studies. It was a great experience to see everything come together and share my work with others.

NEXT STEPS

There are exciting possibilities for expanding Pippin’s Adventure, including the development of a full series of flipbooks or even an interactive digital app or game creations. Additionally, there were plans to introduce branded merchandise, such as stickers and toys featuring Pippin and other characters, to accompany the project and enhance
its appeal.