What’s for Dinner (2025)

Motion Graphics


What’s for Dinner is my thesis project at University of Southern California, John C. Hench Division of Animation + Digital Arts,  I spent my very last student year with this film. 

It is a 3-minute-long motion graphic film about a girl navigating the world of food choices as she grows up. What begins as an exciting adventure gradually becomes overwhelming. How does she handle all the choices? …Maybe the answer already lies in the flow.



Software
Adobe Illustrator, Adobe After Effect, Cinema 4D

Inspiration
The initial inspiration came from all the time I wasted and lost inside Uber Eats and my fridge trying to decide what to eat. :(
I feel like I’ve always had a hard time making decisions...

We are constantly facing decisions in our lives. It can be something as big as where to be in the future or something as small as what to eat for dinner.

It’s a film about food decisions and growth!
Why Food?
Food can tell us so much about a person! You are what you eat!

Chopstick or knife and fork: Culture difference
Strawberry milk or coffee/wine : Age difference
Salad or hamburger: current lifestyle difference 
Diet or stress eating: mental mood difference 

Story Structure
01 Childhood
Welcome to the kingdom of sweetness!

When we’re kids, life feels simple—no overwhelming choices, no endless options. We just eat whatever our family prepares for us. And during this magical time, there’s one thing we all share: a love for sugar!



02 Teenagehood
All the yummies in the world!


As we grow up, we face more and more choices. Traveling and exploring new places introduces us to new flavors and new cuisines. We want to try it all!





03 Adulthood
Making decisions is hard :(


Choices are great, but sometimes they’re just too overwhelming.
With so many food options, we can’t help but feel a little lost.






04 Kidult
Go with the flow


How do we handle all these overwhelming choices? Maybe the answer is simple—don’t overthink it. By letting go of perfection. Don’t overthink every decision—just pick something and enjoy it. When we stop stressing, food becomes fun again!


Character Design
Type Design

Styleframe
Trailer

Full Credit
Director, Animator, Designer: Muling Shi
Music, Sound Designer:  Anji Dang
Voice Actor:  Laura Karoubi ( Little Girl ),  Melissa White ( Big Girl )
Additional Character Animator:  Zhifan Chai
Additional 3D assets: Yuki Li, Floria Huang

2025 Feb.

Please Eat Well :)