Something lurks in the dark. Is your closet door open?
The Midnight Monster ​
3-week collaborative project | Maya | Role: 2D Concept Artist & Object Animator​
I contributed to the character animation and object movement in Maya, focusing on bringing the monster and its environment to life. To help visualize the story and guide the transition to 3D, I also created a 2D animatic (see below), which served as the conceptual foundation for the team.
Due to the tight three-week deadline, we used a free pre-rigged monster model and had to quickly develop a storyline, assign responsibilities, and build the animation collaboratively. Coordinating the animation work was especially challenging, as we couldn't animate simultaneously and had to take turns editing the same scene file.
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​This was my first time using Maya, and I learned a lot, from working under pressure to collaborating with a team through shared files and tight timelines. The story evolved as we animated it, and by the end, we had reimagined the monster as a misunderstood pet, exploring the room gently instead of causing fear.
The experience taught me the importance of effective communication, flexibility, and a clear vision when working as a team.
While we were not fully satisfied with the final product, we were proud of achieving what initially seemed impossible, given the time and technical constraints. The experience pushed us to rethink our original narrative: what if the “monster” wasn’t frightening at all, but simply a misunderstood pet? This led us to reimagine the creature’s behavior of gently closing the closet door, exploring the room without causing damage, purring softly, and eventually leaping onto the bed beside its owner, who isn’t scared but comforted. The accompanying sketches reflect this more tender, playful concept.
