Piper Stone's Multimedia Portfolio

animation

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purpose

The brief required bringing an idiom or metaphor to life through animation, not through literal imagery, but through abstract visual interpretation that captured the phrase's deeper meaning.

The challenge was to craft a narrative where characters and scenes embodied the idiom's essence, making the underlying message visible without showing it directly.

achievement

objective

For "Curiosity Killed the Cat," the interpretation moved beyond literal animal representation into a story about ambition, disobedience, and consequence. A junior detective wants to prove himself to his superiors, pushing for assignment to a difficult case.

When refused, he steals the case files anyway, ignoring his colleague's warnings. His investigation leads to professional repercussions, the consequences of his unchecked curiosity playing out through the case he wasn't supposed to touch.

approach

Abstract interpretation was prioritised over literal representation. Rather than showing an actual cat or even cat-like characters, the story translated the idiom into human terms—ambition as the "curiosity," transgression as the dangerous choice, and professional destruction as the consequence.

This approach required deeper engagement with the idiom's meaning rather than surface-level visual translation. Character design utilised penguin characteristics, black and white colouring, distinctive silhouette, particular body language, without creating a literal penguin character

An animated short was produced that visually conveys the idiom through abstract characters and scenes rather than literal representation. The narrative follows a junior detective's journey from ambition through transgression to consequences, with every story beat reflecting the idiom's core warning.

The visual direction was based on vintage noir detective aesthetic from mid-20th century cinema. Textured illustration compliments the limited colour palette.

The animation communicates the idiom's message through visual storytelling as viewers understand the detective's ambition, his transgression, and ultimately his downfall without dialogue. The story functions as a complete visual narrative where character design, scene composition, and movement all reinforce the central metaphor.

"The Tip of the Iceberg"

full animation

game design

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A 2D platformer game prototype in which the player must help an unconventional hero survive a dangerous prehistoric world

premise

A mad scientist working frantically in his lab rushes to complete his time machine when a lab chicken escapes its cage and enters the device.

The chicken tumbles out of the time machine as it overloads in prehistoric times, leaving him stranded as a dino/chicken hybrid.

Now trapped millions of years in the past, the chicken must survive in this hostile environment and journey through the land to find the machine and return to the present.

project
objective

The objective was to create a fully playable 2D platformer game prototype in Unity.

The core mechanics of a game were implemented, including character movement with smooth animation states, enemy logic with hostile interactions, physics-based gameplay using 2D physics engine with gravity, collisions, and rigidbody dynamics, environmental hazards and interactive elements, and interaction mechanics fitting the survival theme.

Beyond mechanics, the game includes production-quality structure elements: a start screen with navigation, a menu, and a production logo.

approach

Game development involved continuous iteration and refinement and each challenge was resolved systematically.

Unity’s 2D physics engine allowed the creation of dynamic, responsive gameplay. This approach made the game feel reactive. Using Unity’s Animator system, seamless transitions between movement states were created that visually communicate the character’s

current status and capabilities. Playtesting revealed what worked and what didn’t, and difficulties pacing were adjusted and corrected continuously.

Game assets were created in Illustrator and brought to Unity to be integrated into the game. Decisions made in preproduction were often altered and refined during development and iterative gameplay.

hero

A former test subject chicken which partially devolved to its evolutionary ancestor when sent back in time

idle

walk

jump

damage

death

The prehistoric setting, hybrid creature concept, and environmental hazards influenced level design, enemy behavior, and gameplay progression. The chicken must navigate hostile terrain, avoid predators, and survive environmental challenges, and the narrative premise directly shaped mechanical decisions.

This prototype included one game level comprised of three stages. Each stage of the game has a unique environmental challenge, and the narrative premise directly shaped mechanical decisions.

level

stages

stage 1: jungle

begin the game, get through
poison plants, climb the tree and
cross the canopy to reach the cave

stage elements

stage 2: cave

dodge trilobites and
stalagmites, cross the lava
and reach the swamp

stage elements

stage 3: swamp

cross the water, dodge the lava,
ascend the rock face to reach the
time machine, and complete the game

stage elements

interface

“Devolution” game walkthrough

music video

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project

objective

A music video was created in which the alien removes his human disguise and walks around Cape Town in his true form before being captured.

The character was animated with rubber hose animation, giving him expressive movement that stands out against the rigid human world around him. Hand-drawn elements added emotional weight at key moments, while motion graphics highlighted important story beats.

purpose

The task was to create a music video for South African alternative rock artist François Van Coke’s song "DSK (Dominee se kind)" that captured themes of rebellion and loss of control.

Rather than showing the song’s literal meaning, the narrative followed an alien disguised as human who decides to spend his final days on Earth in his true form.

This approach turned abstract song themes into a story audiences could follow—a character choosing to be authentic knowing it will have consequences.

The final video catches attention and connects with the target audience by turning abstract ideas into a story people can follow.

video concept

An alien studying human kind on earth decides to spend his last few days on earth as himself out of his human disguise despite his friends’ warnings. He spends his time running around Cape Town fulfilling his bucketlist, and is ultimately captured.

approach

Cape Town’s locations were critical to the story, as the viewer is meant to recognize where the protagonist. Sound and visuals were planned together so that moments of musical intensity matched visual intensity, keeping viewers connected to both the music and the story.

The transformation sequence was a major aspect of the video—showing freedom and vulnerability as the alien’s innocent movement contrasts against a world that sees him as a threat.

Using story instead of direct meaning made the concept stronger. The alien represents anyone hiding who they really are, with rebellion as a personal choice rather than a political statement.

Video assets were created in Procreate and animated in After Effects with the use of Rubber hose for its flexible style.

visual treatment

Bright, contrasting colours and hand-drawn illustrations with a textured brush were used to compliment the minimalist style. Neon tones give a sci-fi/surreal/indie comic feel.

brush

colours

“DSK”
full video

film

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purpose

"Run" is an short film project that challenged a production team of 24 students across two independent film crews, each developing its own original story that would ultimately be told side-by-side in a split-screen format. The title sequence was designed and animated as the visual and narrative gateway into this complex dual-narrative experience.

The title sequence needed to introduce two contrasting storylines simultaneously, establishing visual and thematic differentiation while maintaining visual and emotional symmetry across the split screen. It had to communicate the film's concept and genre.

project

objective

Working collaboratively, the graphic design team developed a title sequence that was integrated into a 15 minute split-screen short film designed for simultaneous dual-narrative viewing, where both stories play on a divided screen, allowing audiences to experience multiple perspectives and interactions across the narrative divide.

the title sequence establishes visual differentiation using a high contrast, minimal colour scheme and symbolic imagery.

Cinematography and framing was used to complement and contrast the two narratives within the shared screen space. The visual strategy ensures that audiences feel the presence of both stories simultaneously, not watching two films, but one unified experience fragmented and reunified through formal design.

The sequence successfully communicates the film's narrative while remaining visually cohesive and compelling. Audiences gain understanding of the premise through visual and thematic design, experiencing a professional-quality opening that respects the creative vision of both narratives.

Rather than treating the split screen as a constraint, it was embraced as a formal design opportunity. The title sequence introduces the vertical divide at the start of the film.

Shared objects or motifs appear in parallel. These moments of connection transform the split screen from a passive viewing format into an active narrative device—the division itself becomes storytelling.

Collaborative production across two creative teams required continuous communication, compromise, and shared creative vision rather than each team developing independently and then combining footage together.

This collaborative approach meant that the title sequence, and ultimately the entire film, felt unified despite emerging from multiple creative voices. The process demonstrated effective communication and artistic collaboration.

visual

treatment

The title sequence and credits drew from the colours of the film and used orange and blue as an accent to the otherwise monochromatic colour scheme, accompanied by a grunge texture overlay to give the design depth.

These contrasting elements combined with symbolic imagery worked to represent the film's themes and plot, as well as the literal divide of the film's format and creation.

colours

typeface

texture

studio branding

Graphic design responsibilities extended to production company branding, including logos, graphics, and social media content creation.

Armadillo Productions branding combined minimalism and grunge aesthetics, using a minimalist colour palette of red and black, accompanied by rough textures, and the typography is bold and clear.

Altogether the branding sought to reflect the grit and character of team it represented.

typeface

colours

logo variations

product design

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An intelligent, fully automated fishing system combining motorized reeling, telescopic portability, dual-interface operation to improve accessibility in fishing

purpose

Worldwide, 220 million people fish recreationally—it's a lifeline to nature, community, and mental wellbeing. Yet 1.7 billion people with mobility or dexterity limitations are excluded from fishing entirely. Traditional rods demand strength, precision, and stamina that become impossible with arthritis, age-related conditions, or physical disabilities.

This project created a challenge to design a product that merges hardware innovation with thoughtful digital interface design to restore independence and access to those systematically excluded from a cherished activity.

Adaptive Angler preserves the authentic fishing experience while making it possible for everyone.

project

objective

A 3D prototype of Adaptive Angler, a fully automated, intelligent fishing system featuring a motorised reel, telescopic collapsible design, dual-interface control system, integrated accessibility features, and renderings showcasing material and real-world functionality.

Adaptive Angler removes physical barriers while maintaining complete user autonomy and control.

The motorised mechanism eliminates demands for strength or dexterity, while the accessible interface ensures users remain fully engaged decision-makers—choosing location, bait, timing, and catch management.

Created a comprehensive companion interface with intuitive onboarding, customisable controls, real-time data visualisation including (navigation, catch history, AI detection results), accessibility-first design (high contrast, large touch targets, jargon-free language), and seamless ecosystem connectivity with animated prototypes demonstrating user interactions.

approach

Complete Reimagining

Rather than creating an "easier" version of traditional fishing, Adaptive Angler transforms fishing from a physically demanding activity into one driven by strategy and observation—skills unaffected by mobility limitations.

Accessibility-First Design

High contrast palettes, large touch targets, simplified menus, jargon-free language, and clear layouts, ensure genuine accessibility for users with mobility, dexterity, visual, and cognitive challenges.

Dual-Interface

The detachable touchscreen (designed like nautical GPS technology) serves as the comprehensive control hub, while the simplified rod-mounted screen provides only essential controls. Users decide their experience, reducing cognitive load during active fishing while maintaining full management capabilities.

Wearable Form Factor

The collapsible, lightweight design integrates technology as an extension of capability, not as assistive equipment. It's portable, dignified, and designed like premium technology rather than medical gear.

Integrated AI Intelligence

Fish detection automatically identifies species, weight, and length—removing the need for physical inspection while creating personalised fishing histories that keep users deeply engaged.

reel interface

a detachable screen on the side of the reel which may be removed and stuck to a surface while fishing for easy accessibility and minimal distraction. It features touch screen and physical button controls for ease of use. It serves as the main control panel for the rod allowing customisable controls in addition to the standard features of typical nautical gear such as navigation and atmospheric conditions

rod interface

a secondary touch screen interface fixed to the rod grip for simple control while actively fishing. This interface handles the catch and release process including casting, reeling, logging catches, and an emergency function

personas

user journey

"Adaptive Angler" product video

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