Ten Ox Herding Pictures is a Zen teaching series about progress toward awakening and returning to society with wisdom and compassion. I adapted the core arc into a short-format narrative where composition and rhythm carry meaning, not dialogue.

The source has 10 stages, but a 30-second runtime limits exposition. The story needed readable beats and smooth transitions, while keeping a consistent style that is simple enough to animate and still emotionally legible.

I selected key stages (search → footprints → perceive/catch/tame → ride home → transcend → return) and storyboarded 32 frames to control camera, movement direction, and pacing. Visual style uses geometric abstraction and high-contrast gradients, mixing Western illustration clarity with ink-painting mood.

Delivered a complete pre-to-post pipeline: concept sketches, an 8-page storyboard set covering all 10 stages, and 20 style frames that lock lighting, palette, and composition for production. The result is a coherent 30-second piece designed for clear readability and controlled rhythm.