Animating on Clay
Motion design is usually all about screens, pixels, and keyframes. But what if it wasn’t? Yes, I’m animating on clay
Feb 15, 2025
Design
1 min
How It Started?
I came across Turn Studio, a pottery artist making looping animations on ceramic pieces using a strobe light :O
It was mesmerizing. And I knew I had to try it.
The idea is simple: paint a sequence frame by frame on a spinning ceramic surface.
When viewed under a strobe light (flashing at the right speed), the painted frames merge into a looping animation, no screen needed.
It’s like motion design, but in the real world.
Why Pottery?
Because I love motion design, but I also love experimenting.
Sometimes, you just want to break out of digital and try something real.
The Process
Designed the animated cat running sequence.
Printed it on a vinyl mask sticker & cut it out.
Wrapped the sticker around a clay bowl and painted over it with underglaze paint.
Fired it in a kiln at 1000°C.
Placed it on a turntable and hit it with a strobe light.
And just like that, the cat started running
Final Thoughts
Not all motion belongs on a screen.
Creativity is about pushing boundaries.
So here I am
painting tiny animations on pottery
experimenting with light, and trying to make something new.
Because why not? :)
Watch full process video here - https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cxx1ntoPbX-/
