'Proposal Abstract'

3D computer animation is in its infancy compared to traditional animation's near century of existence. Nevertheless it has rapidly become an admired and powerful tool in the art of storytelling. One of the most significant principles of animation is appeal, particularly in character design. this appeal is what influences the audience to have compassion for the character, it is what drives them to become immersed in the animation they are viewing. Gone are the days where an audience sat stunned in their seats at the sight of a drawing coming to life on screen. With the constant force of technological advancements, computer animation is now capable of realising the most astonishing thoughts of the human imagination. The task of immersing an audience in these tales of 'far off worlds' and 'fantasy creatures' has become much more demanding. It is increasingly essential for animation to boast convincing characters, taking from real-life influences and relying on the portrayal of personality through realistic movement and expression.

It must be clearly established that a thorough investigation into the specific movements of the relevant animal influences is crucial when intending to create convincing creatures it. Additionally this dissertation proposal suggests that not only does the task of creating believable movement fall to the animators, but also to the technical artists who create the rigs capable of this movement. The research aims to fully appreciate the importance of creating competent rigs to  provide convincing movement. To discover how the creation of these structures can be best supported, exploring methods from art and science, and begin to suggest why they are fundamental to the process of a technical artist.