Choosing Distinct Themes
I started by exploring a range of potential environments and refining them into a set of three that felt visually and thematically different. I used AI-generated references to experiment with different animation styles and moods until I landed on a direction that felt cohesive.
Illustrating Characters and Objects
I designed all characters, scenery, and environmental elements in Adobe Illustrator. Each world had its own visual language, influenced by colour, texture, and movement.
Landscapes & Soundscapes
I compiled the assets into themed animation projects in After Effects, adding movement keyframes, manipulating the camera, applying textures, and layering various effects. In total, I created three fully detailed, thematic 2D animated environments.
I then used Ableton Live to produce a 3-5 minute themed music piece to complement each environment, enhancing the overall atmosphere. The goal was for each world's music and visuals to evoke as similar feelings as possible.
Underwater
Visuals: Swim from the ocean surface down into the deep sea, with different creatures appearing as the depth changes.
Music: Dreamy arpeggiating keys and soft synths with a muffled EQ to mimic the feel of being underwater.
Outer Space
Visuals: Explore the surface of a foreign planet while its moon and nearby planets and galaxies fly by.
Music: Echoing keys, deep bass, intense synths, and lots of effects to create an otherworldly atmosphere.
Rolling Hills
Visuals: Venture through a mountainous landscape that reveals wildlife and scenic views along the way.
Music: A calming mix of piano, shakers, and flute-like melodies inspired by nature.
Between Worlds
A short transition video used while travelling from one world environment to the next.
Coding a Seamless Audiovisual Experience
I wanted users to be able to seamlessly switch between animated worlds with a single click, so I coded the transition to a mouse press. As each animation takes the viewer through a different world, the corresponding soundtrack plays alongside it.
Final Studio Showcase
Worldwander was installed in a dark room with a single screen and a podium-mounted mouse. Users entered to find themselves inside a looping animated environment with matching music. A click on the mouse triggered a short transition and transported them into the next world.
Seeing people interact with the installation made its purpose clearer. Many users imagined it being implemented in VR or as ambient visuals on a TV. The most common request was more control, like picking a world from a menu or navigating both directions instead of only cycling forward.
Testing confirmed that the mood worked, the interaction was fun, and people wanted even more room to explore.