Runet Prize 2021 ◊ Digital Communications AWARDS АКМР 2022 ◊ Golden site 2022
Art direction • Design • Lettering for titles
SMF Animation Studio, formerly known as Soyuzdetmultfilm, Unionchildcartoon was launched on June 10, 1936. Since that time the studio has produced thousands of cartoons in a wide variety of genres and art techniques.
For its 85-year anniversary TASS released a special project, The Hero’s Path, featuring an interesting take on five iconic characters created by the studio. These characters are from the most loved animation from the golden collection of Soyuzmultfilm, produced from the 1950s to the 1980s.
These cartoons were created during the time of analogue media, so The Hero’s Path was designed with a newspaper layout and also with the Soviet-era style lettering in mind. Background illustrations mimic the artistic style of the original movies while the heroes’ illustrations were provided by SMF Animation Studio.
Each of the five chapters is the author’s detailed take on features which may be obscure to the audience when they are children. She gives the story behind the creation of the heroes and also describes the underlying narratives. Chapters include:
The Cat Matroskin, a business executive, from the Three from Prostokvashino series
Eeyore, the self-reflecting toy, from the Winnie-the-Pooh Soviet adaptations by Fyodor Khitruk
Bagheera, a transgender fighter, from the Adventures of Mowgli animated movie
The Wolf, a stylish hooligan and a rebel, from the Well, Just You Wait! series
The Kitten Gav, a naïve individualist, from the Who Said Meow? film
Each chapter features the original illustrations and storyboards made for the movie. The Hero’s Path has become a part of the permanent exhibition of The Moscow Museum of Animation.
