In Week 07, of Design for Animation, Narrative Structures, and Film Language with Professor Nigel Mairs, the focus of the session was partially on developing argument structures, but more importantly for me, it became a week of serious reflection and decision-making about my research direction. While the formal teaching on argument structure lasted for around thirty minutes, the rest of the session, and my independent study time, was spent evaluating multiple topic possibilities and understanding what kind of research I wanted to commit to for the final critical report.
At this stage, I had not finalised my topic. Instead, I explored a wide range of ideas related to animation, narrative, and meaning. Some of the topics I considered included:
a) The evolution of character archetypes in children’s animation
b) The use of colour psychology in animated storytelling
c) The impact of streaming platforms on animation aesthetics
d) The role of humour and satire in adult animated television
e) Animation as a tool for cultural preservation
However, many of these topics did not fully align with what I wanted to research. Some were too broad, some were too technical, and others lacked a strong personal or cultural connection. Through this process, I realised that for the research to be meaningful and sustainable, it needed to connect with my own lived experiences and observations like the below chosen topic:
“Hidden political messages in animation.”
WHY I HAVE CHOSEN THIS TOPIC
Growing up in India, I have consistently seen animation used not only for entertainment but also as a medium to subtly communicate social values, political positions, and ideological viewpoints. Animated films and television shows often reflect societal hierarchies, government policies, and cultural anxieties in indirect ways. This made me increasingly interested in the idea of hidden political messages in animation, not overt propaganda, but implied meanings embedded through narrative, satire, symbolism, and visual language.
This topic stood out because it allowed me to combine animation studies, political awareness, and cultural analysis without becoming overly abstract. Unlike other topics I considered, this one offered a clear research question, strong case study potential, and access to both Indian and international animated works. It also aligned well with what we briefly discussed in class about argument construction, as the topic required careful framing, evidence-based analysis, and critical comparison.
By the end of Week 07, I had not formally proposed the topic yet, but I had clearly identified my direction. I understood what my research requirements would be: clear case studies, academic sources, comparative analysis, and a structured critical argument. This week was essential in narrowing down my focus and setting the foundation for the formal research proposal that would follow in Week 08.
Overall, Week 07 functioned as a preparatory and exploratory phase, helping me move from uncertainty to clarity and allowing me to choose a topic that was academically relevant, personally engaging, and critically strong.