Concept & Inspiration

Nine Lives is an illustrated animation created as a student project, exploring the myth that cats have nine lives. The story begins in black and white as a cat falls from a tree, then shifts into vibrant color as each of its past lives flashes before its eyes. The narrative concludes with the cat landing safely on its feet, underscoring how fleeting life can feel and how quickly everything can change in an instant.

Process

Illustration: Hand-drawn frame-by-frame sketches created in Procreate, focusing on expressive linework and pattern-driven details to give the piece a lively, sketchy style.

Animation: Brought together in Adobe After Effects, combining hand-drawn assets with motion to create a fluid storytelling sequence.

Visual Style: The deliberate contrast between monochrome and full color enhances the drama of the fall and symbolizes the shift from fragility to survival.

Final Design

The finished short blends whimsical illustration with layered storytelling, using pattern, sketch-like textures, and bold shifts in color to create emotional impact. The piece captures both the unpredictability of life and the resilience found in moments of change, offering a narrative that is playful yet thought-provoking.

Recognition: Nine Lives was selected for inclusion in the Motion Commotion screening at the ICON Illustration Conference (2022).

Role: Student Illustrator & Animator — responsible for concept, hand-drawn illustration in Procreate, and animation in Adobe After Effects.