Project Details
A motion film that brings Weixian paper-cutting into a modern digital format.
- My role
- Research · Design · Animation
- Date
- 2026
- Tools
- After Effects Cavalry Cinema 4D Illustrator
Motion Details
Close studies from the film: motif tiles, symmetry, and transformation across the seven-motif system, held in the dreamcore palette.
How it was made
Process
Starting Point
I wanted to respect the structure of the craft, not just copy its look. I focused on symmetry, empty space, and symbolic forms.
The Seven Motifs
Seven core motifs from Weixian paper-cutting form the symbolic and visual foundation: the butterfly, swallow, carp, dragon, flower, sun, and moon.
Shape System
I rebuilt each symbol with seven Tangram shapes. This gave every form the same design language and made the system easier to animate.
Final Look
I combined flat shapes, soft light, and slow transformations in After Effects, Cavalry, and Cinema 4D.
The Seven Motifs
Traditional Weixian paper-cuts I started from: the carp, dragon, butterfly, swallow, flower, sun, and moon.
Rebuilt as Vectors
I redrew each motif in Illustrator, first as line studies, then as flat shapes made from the same seven pieces.
Pattern Studies
Radial patterns built from the same shapes, tested in different color pairs before animating.
Production
The same motifs moving through After Effects, Cavalry, and Cinema 4D.
Look Development
2D material tests for grain and glow, then the style frames that set the final look.
