The Smalls
Year
2021
Workspace
School
Type of Tools
Callipeg
Briefing
As early as the third year of secondary school, we were allowed to design a final project based entirely on our own interests. It was immediately clear to me that I wanted to create a frame-by-frame animated film featuring characters I had invented myself, the “Smalls.” The result was a short film about three minutes long, one I’m still proud of to this day.
What is a Smalls?
1/6
One first Smalls.
The Smalls are little stick figures, each with their own personality. They are gender-neutral, live together as a large community, and love to play pranks on each other. Even back then, I really enjoyed making up stories about these characters and bringing them to life.
First Experience
2/6
The items highlighted in red indicate that they have already happened.
Since I had no prior experience with frame-by-frame animation, I first researched suitable software and workflows. Fortunately, I already owned an iPad, which was perfect for this project.
App Callipeg
3/6
Now the third scene is active.
For the animation, I used the Callipeg app, which I used to draw the entire film. I deliberately chose a black-and-white style so that the characters would take center stage and viewers wouldn't be distracted by colors.
Editing a movie in iMovie
4/6
Here you can see the different levels, from music to video.
I then compiled the individual animations into a complete film using iMovie. I carefully selected appropriate music and added it to the respective scenes to enhance the mood of the story.
Project Presentation
5/6
I then handed this Word document to my teacher.
Finally, I also created an A4-sized report in which I presented my project, the work process, and the resulting animation. This gave the school an overview of my idea and how I brought it to life.
The Smalls & their Future
6/6
The Smalls as a family.
Overall, I really enjoyed this project. I was able to let my creativity run wild and tell my own stories. To this day, it’s still my dream to create a dedicated Instagram account for the Smalls and continue developing them.
This project showed me just how much time and patience goes into frame-by-frame animation. At the same time, I learned the basics of animation—for example, how to make movements look fluid, how to make characters jump or run realistically, and how music can enhance the impact of a scene. Looking back, this project was one of the things that sparked my passion for design and animation. It showed me just how much joy I get from bringing my own ideas to life and telling stories visually.