Little Michi – The Mischief Diary

Little Michi – The Mischief Diary is a short 3D animation about Michi, a tiny mischievous creature who sneaks around when we’re not looking, collecting small treasures and leaving playful messes behind. The story was inspired by my fascination with everyday environments and how they might be seen from a different scale, drawing influence from The Secret World of Arrietty. The project began as an idea for a one-minute 2D/3D hybrid but evolved into a fully 3D two-minute short. I designed and modelled Michi from scratch, learning character rigging, animation and compositing along the way. Peer feedback also led me to adopt 2D-style facial expressions within a 3D model, a technique inspired by Battle Kitty. Texturing was a major focus, with details like felt fabric and subtle fur helping to bring warmth and realism into the world. The process was full of challenges, from rendering across multiple computers to experimenting with compositing techniques like time remapping and colour correction. But each obstacle became part of the learning journey, and the final piece reflects my passion for building playful, imaginative 3D worlds that invite audiences to connect with characters in a personal way.

I am Lucia. Growing up with drawing as a constant in my life, it has been my longest-lasting passion and the foundation for my creative journey. Over time, this interest expanded into designing, modelling and animating, where I found joy in turning imagination into something tangible. That’s why I am now here at UNSW as a fine art student. I am especially fascinated by colouring and texturing, often working with vibrant palettes and adding details that might go unnoticed, but which bring richness to the final work. Little Michi – The Mischief Diary is my first 3D animation, and through it, I discovered how much I enjoy the process of building characters and worlds in three dimensions. I like to push myself to the limit, learn new skills and experiment something out of my comfort zone. I will, wherever I can, continue creating imaginative, playful worlds. I see myself as fun, creative and imaginative, always eager to dive straight into ideas the moment they spark.

Instagram: @lfhy.p
Email: luciafanhy@gmail.com