Yen C Chen's "The Simplest Happiness": A Celebration of Play and Joy

Platinum A' Design Award Winner Brings the Chinese Zodiac to Life in a Unique Animation

Chen's inspiration for "The Simplest Happiness" came from the concept of "play." The animation's scene transitions mirror the rich content found in movies, aiming to evoke the same pure happiness in viewers that children experience while playing. The color palette, dominated by red and gold, is a nod to the traditional colors of the Chinese New Year.

What sets this animation apart is its alignment with the channel's image of spreading joy. The Chinese zodiac pig, the symbol for the year, is cleverly designed as a sliced pig, a pun on the phrase "many hot movies" in Chinese. The animation also incorporates elements from four different movies, creating a diverse and engaging viewing experience.

The animation was realized using Adobe and 3D software, resulting in a high-quality video with a resolution of 1920 x 1080, 29.97fps, and a length of 18 seconds. The design was completed in February 2019 in Taiwan. Chen's team, which included himself, worked diligently to bring this project to life.

Chen faced several challenges during the design process. Creating a gratifying look for the character while maintaining a simple and balanced composition despite the addition of numerous elements and details was particularly demanding. However, through careful research and reference to Chinese New Year set design, character design, and the work of various animation artists, he was able to overcome these challenges.

In recognition of its exceptional design and innovative approach, "The Simplest Happiness" was awarded the Platinum A' Movie, Video and Animation Design Award in 2020. This prestigious award recognizes world-class, highly innovative designs that contribute to societal wellbeing and push the boundaries of art, science, design, and technology.

Yen C Chen's "The Simplest Happiness" is a testament to the power of animation in spreading joy and celebrating culture. It is a delightful viewing experience that promises to change the mindset of its viewers, one playful scene at a time.