# How I made my animated PhD story

I created my character images in Codex, then uploaded them with my story to Claude Design and used its Animation setting. Here’s the quick version you can adapt for your own story.

## 1. Create your character

Upload a few clear, recent photos of yourself and an illustration reference you like. Ask your image-generation assistant:

> Create a friendly cartoon avatar of me in the attached illustration style. Keep my recognizable facial features, hair and glasses. Full body, simple outfit, transparent background, no text.

Adjust the first character until it feels like you. Use that approved image as the reference for everything afterward.

## 2. Make a small pose library

Ask for the same character explaining, thinking, confused, frustrated, celebrating and feeling proud. Keep the face, clothes, proportions and art style consistent. Request each pose as a separate image—not only a combined character sheet.

## 3. Download and name the images

Save the individual transparent PNGs. Use descriptive filenames such as `thinking.png`, `frustrated.png` and `celebrating.png`. Check that the background is actually transparent, not a checkerboard drawn into the image. You only need the poses your story uses.

## 4. Write your story in beats

Jot down: where you started → what you wanted → what got difficult → what changed → where you ended up → what it meant to you. Include real details and emotions. For mine, the subject was my PhD journey.

## 5. Bring it into Claude Design

Start an Animation project, upload the character PNGs, and paste your story. Try this adaptable prompt:

> Turn my story below into a short animated story video using the uploaded character images. First map it into scenes, then build the animation. Match the illustrations’ playful style. Choose poses that fit each emotion, use short on-screen text and give important moments time to land. Keep my character consistent and don’t invent events. Format: [vertical 9:16 or horizontal 16:9]. Length: [your target]. Story: [paste your story].

## 6. Refine, then save your video

Watch it through and request specific changes: “slow down this scene,” “use the confused pose here,” or “make the ending simpler.” Check the facts, text and character consistency.

To get a video file, screen-record a clean playback, or export the HTML/ZIP and render it to MP4 with a compatible workflow. These are finishing options—not a claim that Claude Design has a native MP4 export button. [Claude Design’s documented export options](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/14604416-get-started-with-claude-design).

The key: create a consistent character first, then give Claude both the images and a real story to work with.