提到今年最令人驚豔的學生作品，不得不提獲得第14屆全國技專院校電腦動畫競賽優勝的動畫短片《機器人設計學院》，搶眼的末日風格設計，細緻的人物動態與表情，都讓人眼睛為之一亮。映CG在 36 期【Gotcha! 寶可夢旋風再起!】特別專訪導演劉得維。幾乎一人包辦所有動畫工作的他，是如何打造《機器人設計學院》這樣優秀的畢業作品呢？

Along with student works amazing came this year, you shouldn't miss this one! "National Animation Contest for Vocational Education" is a representative award contest in Taiwan. One of the student works, "Robots' Design Academy" had already caught the audiences' eyes, slapped a defeat on others, and won the Honorable Prize for 14th contest. The eye-catching apocalypse style, meticulous characters' personalities, and expressions made this short one of a kind! What to be worth mentioned, behind this work, it is solely done by the director Eric Liu. He almost ran the whole show for this project, from creative job to animation work. Let's get to know more stories behind it!

熱愛末日世界的獨特美學

「《機器人設計學院》剛開始的故事大綱，與現在所看到的截然不同。」導演笑著與我們分享，剛開始的故事是聚焦在機器人R與小女孩芯，在人類幾乎消失，兩人經過了12年的陪伴，機器人R進入設計學院，開始發現學校教學的內容與芯所說的不一樣，凸顯教育制度的僵化。然而指導老師認為這樣的故事邏輯可能有問題，才逐漸發展成現在的劇情。而談到為何選擇末日世界做為背景，導演提及自己非常喜歡末日風格的動畫與遊戲，而《機器人設計學院》也參考《尼爾：自動人形》、電影《機械公敵》、《成人世界》以及日本動畫等等的美術風格與世界觀。

Passionate with Apocalypse Style

"The story outline of 'Robots' Design Academy' in the beginning is entirely different from what it's like now." Eric shared with us. Initially he had the story in this way: After all the human beings were extinct, R and little girl Xin accompanied with each other for 12 years. Robot R entered "Robots' Design Academy" and began to discover the studies in school. After that, R noticed that the study was different from the one he heard from Xin. Such findings highlighted the rigidity of the robots' education system.However, Eric's mentor teacher pointed out there could be some logic problem of this story outline. Step by step, Eric took his mentor's advice and revised his story into the one we see today.

When it comes to why the apocalypse visual style was used , the director mentioned that he likes the animation and games of such style very much. Besides, Eric took many games and movies such as "Nier: Automata", "I, Robot", "Chappie", and many other Japanese animations as visual style or story reference for creating "Robots' Design Academy".

打破僵化的教育制度

《機器人設計學院》不僅故事精彩，畫面也非常精緻迷人，在談到學校的外型為何選擇以金字塔的造型作為基底，導演說到：「金字塔型的建築比較有特色，也能體現機器人設計學院保守、古板的感覺。」而教室的門與窗也使用金屬材質打造，為了讓整個學校更像「機械工廠」的氛圍。劇中，機器人P教授將摩艾像作為代表人類精神的設計，要學生一字不差的背誦，為何要如此設計？導演表示：「摩艾像面無表情的神色，能帶出權威、宗教的感覺，並且與故事中想探討的『標準答案』的印象相似，又能帶出人類工藝的精神。」P教授也象徵學校教育，讓學生無法自主思考，失去了學習該有的價值。

Break the cage of educational systems

The story of "Robots' Design Academy" is not only wonderful, but also presents a very delicate and charming picture. When it comes to using the pyramid form as the base of the school building, Eric said: "Pyramid shaped building is a bit more unique, and reflects the rigid and conservative characteristics of the design academy." The doors and windows of the classrooms are also made of metal, in order to make the whole school more as a "machine factory".

In the story, the robot professor P took Moai statue as the standard of "Human Spirit" – the spirit and icon of human design. Also, he required his students to unconditionally exercise his design theory: completely replicate the design of these stone statues. The Moai's expressionless face brings an impression of authority and religious feeling, and it's somewhat similar to the topic this animation discussed: the standard answer. Moreover, these Moai statues presents a sense of human craftsmanship. Also, the professor P is the representative of rigid education system: the system where students are not allowed to think independently and lose the chance and value of learning. 

突破枷鎖，追尋自己的夢想

最後，導演大方將自己的畢製經驗分享給即將開始做畢業作品的同學。「建議大家在開始畢製旅途前，仔細想想自己想追求的東西。請放膽、勇敢地做你真正想做的主題，探討你真的在意的議題。不必擔心故事太膚淺。作品好壞在於能不能用切身經驗、有力地表達出來。當有了自己想說的話、想追尋的目標，你所爆發的潛能和意志力將更強大，幫助你跨過這段旅程所有的障礙。走完這一年的旅程、可以用精彩的故事向大家訴說，會覺得一切付出都是值得的。」

更多《機器人設計學院》精彩訪問都在 映CG 36期【Gotcha! 寶可夢旋風再起!】

Suggestions: Don't be afraid of pursuing your dreams!

In the end, Eric generously shared his experience and thoughts with the students who are about to starting their own graduation projects. He says, "I suggest everyone think more about what you really want to persue, before starting your graduation project journey . Be bold and brave to do what you really want to do, and discuss topics you really care about. There's no need to worry about whether your story is too simple or superficial , because the quality of your work is determined by whether it expresses your unique personal experience in a powerful and impressive way. With the message you really want to convey and the goal eager to persue, your potential and willpower will be stronger, helping you to overcome all kinds of obstacles on the way. After this one-year journey, you will have a wonderful story to share, the one telling others that all you paid was worth of it.

More interview contents are available in the newest 36th issue of InCG Magazine " Gotcha! Pokémon Tornado!"