Dragons, large dangerous animals, hideous and frightening creatures, fiends, monstrosities, and freaks; they are all monsters.
In the Monster Project, children get to create a monster themselves. This monster is then used by students from Saxion University of Applied Sciences as inspiration for creating a new monster. The monsters appear in apps, games, books, animated films, board games, VR experiences, and more.
The Monster Project is originally an American initiative developed by artists for children.
Dragons, large dangerous animals, hideous and frightening creatures, fiends, monstrosities, and freaks; they are all monsters. Monsters exist in all times, places, and cultures: the Loch Ness Monster, Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster, the Yeti, and Cookie Monster. Children find it exciting to imagine monsters. Writers, filmmakers, and artists find monsters a rewarding theme. They inspire fear, can symbolize anger and danger, and challenge us to overcome them.
In the Monster Project, children create a monster themselves. This monster is then used by Saxion University students as inspiration to create a new monster. The monsters appear in apps, games, books, animated films, board games, VR experiences, and more. The monsters created by students and children are exhibited together at Concordia, with a festive opening for the creators on June 28, 2023, at 3:00 PM.
From concept to something new
Children learn how a concept (their drawing) can develop into something new. They discover what their idea can achieve for others. They also learn that creativity can take many different forms.
Students use the children’s imagination as a source of inspiration. They learn to build upon an idea and gain experience in further developing a concept. They also learn how to present their results in a way that is accessible and understandable to children.
The collaboration
The students at Windroos receive a workshop in designing their own monster and create a description of the world it lives in, its friends, what it likes to eat, and so on. The students from Creative Media and Game Technologies transform the drawings into 3D models and discuss with the children the process of translating a drawing into 3D animation and storylines. Before the final product is completed, the children get to test it again and give their feedback.