Olivia Timplaru on learning frame-by-frame animation

Can you start by explaining the assignment? 

Olivia: ‘The assignment was an individual project that ran throughout the entire semester. The idea was that each student could choose a skill to learn that would fill a gap in their future career. It was very self-directed, almost like an expanded free elective, but with much more structure. We had to plan what we wanted to learn, which tools we would use, which tutorials or courses we would follow, and what kind of accreditations we would aim for. Every week we presented updates to our lecturers, who acted more like guides than traditional lecturers, helping us reflect on our progress and decisions.’ 

What roles did each of you take on during the project? 

Olivia: ‘Because it was an individual project, I took on every role myself. I was the concept creator, animator, researcher, planner, and presenter. I developed the idea, learned the software, documented my learning in a journal, and presented weekly updates. It really showed me how many different roles are involved in even a relatively small creative project.’ 

How did you manage the process? 

Olivia: ‘The project was split into two blocks. In the first block, the focus was on learning. I chose to learn frame-by-frame animation using Adobe Animate and followed online tutorials, mainly from Skillshare. I also spoke to experts, including students from the gaming department, to help me decide which tools were realistic to learn within one semester. The second block was about applying what I had learned, so I developed my own animation concept and worked towards a final outcome while continuing to reflect in my learning journal.’ 

What were some of the biggest challenges? 

Olivia: ‘Time management was definitely the biggest challenge. I was working on multiple projects at the same time, including group projects, a client project, and looking for an internship. Animation is also far more time-consuming than people expect. Creating even a short, ten-second animation frame by frame took weeks. I had to simplify my original idea a lot, which was disappointing, but necessary to be able to finish the project.’ 

How was the project received? 

Olivia: ‘The project was received very positively by my lecturers. I received a grade of nine out of ten, and they were especially interested in my learning process and reflections. Most of the feedback was about learning to slow down and manage my energy better. I saw it as a valuable learning experience, not just in terms of animation skills, but also in understanding personal limits while still in an educational environment.’ 

What are your plans for the future? 

Olivia: ‘I realised that animation, while fun, is not something I want to pursue as a career. It is incredibly demanding, and I learned that it does not suit me in the long term. I am currently doing an internship in BUas’ research and development department, working more in communication and visual translation, such as creating illustrations and graphs to make complex information easier to understand. Looking ahead, I am considering improving my Dutch and finding a communication-focused role in the Netherlands, as that is where I see myself growing professionally.’ 

Connect with Olivia via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-timplaru/