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From Sticker to Short Film: A 12-Second Animation Short

From Sticker to Short Film: A 12-Second Story with a Lot of Heart



It all started with someone from my neighbourhood. Their story stirred something deep in me — enough to make a sticker inspired by them. It wasn’t just a casual doodle; it carried huge feelings, almost like a bottled-up memory finally finding a shape.

But once the sticker was done, I couldn’t stop there. That little illustration made me want to see it move, to breathe life into it. And so, the idea for a short animation was born.


a love confession quote illustration that creates relatable and sweet gesture to express feelings of pure love made by an indian artist

Choosing the Background

I didn’t have to look far for the perfect setting. A year ago, I had painted an ink sketch of my neighbourhood for another project. The narrow lanes, the rooftops, the quiet charm — it all felt like home. That artwork found its second life as the backdrop for this film.


indian ink painting of a of Indian neighbourhood used as a backdrop for a short animation

Bringing Tommy to Life

Next came character development. I started sketching Tommy, refining his personality through his posture, movement, and little quirks. I turned to Procreate for the animation and relied heavily on YouTube tutorials to figure out the mechanics.


character development of an indian community dog for an animation film

The Balloon & Tokyo

Inspiration for the animation’s central moment came from my pet, Tokyo. He runs like absolute lightning when chasing balloons — a playful obsession that, to me, feels like love: sometimes fragile, sometimes fleeting, sometimes lasting longer than we expect.



indian ink painting of a of Indian neighbourhood used as a backdrop for a short animation where the sound design has been used to give the viewer in depth details of the mood and the location, of the winds, peacock calls and the footsteps of the dog

Adding the Details

Once the animation was complete, I moved on to technical polish — shadows, highlights, and tiny adjustments that make movement feel real.


Sound Design

I wanted the soundscape to capture the innocence behind the story.The main voice is my niece’s — her natural warmth and unpolished delivery made the whole thing feel authentic. Around it, I layered subtle sounds:

  • Wind rustling through the background

  • The rapid patter of paws on the ground

  • The distinct calls of peacocks (a familiar sound in my neighbourhood)


The Final Piece

Five hours of work for twelve seconds of animation. It might sound like a small thing, but every frame, every sound, and every decision carries a piece of my heart.

If you’ve ever wanted to see how something tiny — a sticker — can grow into something much bigger, this is that journey.

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