Mount Graham Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis)
A stylized short exploring gesture, alertness, and ecological urgency through minimal motion and line. Built as a 2.5D illustration study in Blender (Patata School, Chapter 1).
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Project Overview
The Mount Graham red squirrel is one of North America’s most critically endangered mammals, found only in the high‑elevation forests of southeastern Arizona. This short animation highlights vulnerability through expressive motion and line, building emotional resonance through stylized gesture and rhythm.
Creative Process
Created as part of a 2.5D illustration study in Blender, the squirrel’s movement was designed to feel hand‑sketched and slightly unsettled. Rapid jumps up, down, and side‑to‑side suggest alertness; a jittery line style, minimal background, and layered timing reinforce the emotional tone.
Visual Storytelling & Symbolism
The squirrel’s agitated motion mirrors its status in the wild: purposeful yet precarious. By holding tension in the loop, the piece explores how minimal digital motion can carry ecological meaning without relying on heavy narrative or text.
Environmental Context
Endemic to the Pinaleño Mountains, the species faces wildfire, habitat loss, and climate pressure. This work sits within a broader series using animation to foster emotional connection with at‑risk ecosystems in Arizona.
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