Gunther is a stop-motion animation puppet for ASL (American Sign Language) videos. This project was a collaboration with my wife Meghan. Also a shout out to Michelle Lyon for doing the plush work on Gunther!
(2015-2016)
This is the animation test for the fully plushed Gunther puppet.
Gunther's magnetic facial features
Gunther's feet (internally articulated) • Shout out to Meghan for making these!
Gunther with Funkle Mike's armature
pre-plush armature
adjustable ball/socket shoulder joints
interchangeable eyes using velcro (later became magnets)
armature 1.0 (left), armature 2.0 (right)
snail (internally articulated) • one of the creatures in Gunther's world
This is the original animation test of Gunther's ABCs. An empty water jug was used as a place holder head (which freaks some people out. sorry!).
The initial concept sketches are below.