Kilogramme

Kilogramme is an animation studio have been based in Manchester since 2005, producing amazing animations that incorporate both 2-D and 3-D processes. The studio cover the initial concept and design, following through to the final aesthetics. They also create animations that are based for the internet, commercial and children's television series.

I was really inspired by the character designs that the studio had made for their featured animations. It was interesting to see the development designs for the character Bernard as in the animation he looks completely different in both appearance and style, the finalised style reminds me of the Hanna Barbera's The Flintstones and The Ricky Gervais Show through the formation of line and colour, however I believe that this is the aim of the design through the mature humour that is it is aiming for.

'Compared to the other angels, he’s quite short and dumpy – his life is a bit like Ricky Gervais’s in Hollywood –surrounded by people who are a lot more attractive than him. He has a kind of ‘hang dog’ expression a lot of the time – he generally fears the worse.' - Kilogramme

Character design for the 2-D animation, Angels Inc.

I also really like the character design for the short introduction animation for the Big Chip Awards, The style reminds me a-lot of Yusuke Nakano style of work in the Legend of Zelda games such as Windwaker and the Phantom Hourglass; this is through both the design of the background and the character. The character holds the same inspired style of the facial features and expressions. The animation runs really well, smooth and fluid with the characters movements which use a form of squash and stretch as the character runs and falls through the floor. I also liked the combination of the 2-D and the hidden use of 3-D animation style as it suits the appearance of the composition.

Background design

Character design for the 2-D and 3-D animation, Big Chip Awards introduction

I did not really like the style of the 3-D animation, they created for Kaspersky Lab, however the movement of which ran smooth and characters had their own characteristics when moving making it more fun. I did however really like the concept art , created by Guy Mckinley, for the virus characters one of which was an evil house that ran after the main character. The use of line and colour in the concept art reminded me of a style similar to the animated series Gravity Falls, through the use of colour and the stylised portrayal of the house as it is more elongated and shorter than a regular house.

Concept art for Max and the Encounter with the Mobile Malware Monsters animation