Dr. Melody Li

Biography

Melody Li is a dedicated animator, animation director, teacher, and researcher with over a decade of experience in the animation design industry before transitioning into academia. She has worked on notable industry projects, including motion graphics campaigns for Optus and data visualisation for the Commonwealth Bank. Melody is also involved in branded animation for NBN and has contributed to an animation/art installation at Hilton Melbourne. Her animation projects encompass both 2D and 3D animation, motion graphics, film, light projection, hologram, and virtual reality. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with film directors, artists, and musicians on feature films and animations that have been exhibited at prestigious festivals such as the Japanese Film Festival, Sydney Film Festival, and ACMI Melbourne. Melody is passionate about giving back to the community and helping students achieve their goals. She is researching work-integrated learning methods for media arts students and partners with professionals in the field to work towards global sustainability goals. Notably, she led a group of UNSW animation students to collaborate on a documentary directed by Kathy Drayton, producing a feature film titled 'The Weather Diaries' focused on the impact of climate change. During the pandemic, she also guided students in creating an experimental animation called 'Pandemic Vibrations' to provide mental health relief within the community. Through her collaboration and research, Melody explores digital innovations that communicate perception, memory, and feelings through art and storytelling.

Research Interests