Sprint Two

June 2023

Sprint Two focused on the motion image. It introduced students to early form of animation, such as flipbooks, animatics, frame-by-frame animation and the phenakistascope, which creates an illusion of moving images using multiple drawings. Through these activities, the students gained insight into the animation process and the surprising amount of time it takes to create 15 seconds of motion. The students worked with and were guided by Michel Mulipola (aka ‘Bloody Samoan’), who joined us for the entire four days of Sprint two. Michel discussed his fascinating career as an illustrator and a professional wrestler.

The students revisited two-dimensional design as they worked in teams to design footballs. This required them to think about the four sides of the football and the way different designs could be combined in one football – like the process used to create jerseys in Sprint one.

Finally, the students collaborated with the Sprinters to refine the jersey designs from Sprint One for production. After the final artwork was completed on day four, the students selected and individualised their preferred jersey with their name and number. The designs for the training jerseys and footballs were sent offshore for printing and production.

“It was an absolute delight to see students recognising shared interests with their peers. After they got through the initial jitters of a new space, new people, new expectations and started creating artwork that represented themselves, new connections appeared between the students, who discovered (for example) fellow sci-fi or Broncos fans. It was inspiring to be reminded of the importance of creativity as a way to communicate and build community.’

Alyssa Smedley | Workshop Leader

In the Sprints, I hope to gain more confidence … Personally, that would make me feel more independent – Leilani | Student

[The Sprints were great for] bonding with new people and learning and exploring new things – Dominick | Student

[The Sprints meant I could] meet new people, learn more about my culture and develop new skills for animation – Michael | Student

Working on the Swinburne Sa’ ili Le Ala Discovery Sprints has been an amazing opportunity. A major highlight for me would have to be working with the students to create an NRL jersey and ball. I cannot wait to see the final design outcomes realised. It will be a special moment to remember
– James Pappalardo | Design Sprinter

I truly admire the lengths to which the team went to envelop the participants in a positive and educational environment – Wynyard | Student

Well, I'm a big believer of if they can see it, they can be it. And so exposing them to an institution like Swinburne University, which is a really dope place to be honest, and also to different ways they can express themselves, then they can see the possibilities. They never thought that they could do something like this or that you can express yourself in this manner. So I think that's really important about these opportunities for the kids to branch out beyond what they know and see what's possible.
 - Michel Mulipola

I just thought it’d be cool to be able to, you know, discover what kind of what the true capability of my skills were, and to just be able to implement my culture into my art. (My favourite part was) being to see the actual product of what we created. – Manesseh

What specific goals or outcomes are you hoping to achieve in this sprint that would be meaningful to you?

The goal I want to achieve is to be a decent character designer and animator – Fili

These young people arrived excited and willing to stretch themselves and try new things. They embraced and ran with everything that was on offer. I really loved the way they threw themselves into the cheerleading task. Not many youths are prepared to put themselves out-there like they did.

– Ass Prof Wendy Goff | Chief Investigator

I enjoyed hearing from Michel. As a Samoan who loves drawing, I felt inspired by him as a famous Samoan illustrator and one of a kind

– Zealandia