Mal.ja.a (noun) is an Arabic word that means refuge.
Through a journey of fantasy and imagination, we follow a Third Culture Kid character through different states of instability, hopefulness, and empathy.
Character Development
I went through several trials trying to create a minimalistic character whose body language has a lot of personality. I started with a very simple silhouette but it seemed too rigid. I slowly started to add more detail and try out different heights till eventually I created my perfect silhouette.
Character Design
Through drawing the turnaround of the character, I mainly focused on the movement of the hair and dress because they are the most essential parts in giving her a personality and showcasing her emotions. I continued to develop walk cycles to emphasize her emotional states.
The Introduction
This animation is on a loop displayed as a screen saver meant to lure people towards the project. It shows the TCK character packing up and moving away.
Empathetic
The ability to relate and shed light on things based on experiences. It is the bond created by a common understanding of people. “Being a TCK, I have been exposed to so many kinds of people from all over the world. This has made me more empathetic with the people I meet."
Unstable
The feeling of uncertainty. The dilemma of choosing between multiple places causes the feeling of unsteadiness. It is the need to be in both of those places but constantly stuck in between. “I have moved to many different places, torn as to which one I can call my home. Eventually, I decided to call them both my own.”
Hopeful
This is the anticipation that there is something better that awaits us. The feeling of optimism that assures you there is more to your current state. It is the light that peaks through that guarantees you a better path. “As a TCK, I am hopeful that with every new place I go to a new adventure awaits me.”
Installation
These animations were then projection mapped onto a wooden box to represent that safe place we all try to find and stay in. The Introduction animation was placed at the start of the video to lure people towards the installation. Through a touch sensor, the viewer can choose which mood they would like to watch based on their preference.
