Vtube/Streaming Rigs
This independent research project focuses on studying and mastering Live2D Cubism to create professional-quality VTuber models. With VTubing’s growing presence in digital entertainment, I aimed to understand the full process of rigging—from breaking down artwork to animating expressive, dynamic avatars. This research explores the technical and artistic challenges of developing a functional VTuber model, refining skills in digital illustration, animation, and software integration.
Client
DELIVERABLES
VTuber Models Animation Rigging Design
Year
2021
Role
Animator, Rigging Artist, Creative Direction
The "Angel" VTube Rig was my first full project in Live2D Cubism, marking the beginning of my deep dive into VTuber model creation. This rig served as a hands-on study of the software’s tools and capabilities, teaching me the intricacies of breaking down artwork into functional layers, rigging movement, and implementing key features such as mouth articulation (A, E, I, O, U), toggleable emotes, and fluid, natural motion. The goal was to create a model that met the standards of professional VTube rigs, commonly used by streamers on platforms like Twitch. The artwork for this rig came from a Monster Prom commission by Viperfish, featuring a “Monstersona” designed in my likeness. Preparing this illustration for animation was one of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the process. I had to carefully separate the artwork into individual moving parts while maintaining the integrity of the original style. This involved filling in obscured details, reconstructing overlapping areas, and ensuring the model's layers would move believably when animated. Using Live2D Cubism, I experimented with parameters that controlled facial expressions, physics-based movement, and head turns to create a sense of three-dimensionality. Adjusting deformations and meshes allowed me to fine-tune how different elements moved, ensuring smooth transitions and preventing distortions. Each step of this process deepened my understanding of how 2D art can be transformed into a dynamic, expressive character, setting the foundation for more advanced rigs in my research.
Angel Rig
The "Angel" VTube Rig was my first full project in Live2D Cubism, marking the beginning of my deep dive into VTuber model creation. This rig served as a hands-on study of the software’s tools and capabilities, teaching me the intricacies of breaking down artwork into functional layers, rigging movement, and implementing key features such as mouth articulation (A, E, I, O, U), toggleable emotes, and fluid, natural motion. The goal was to create a model that met the standards of professional VTube rigs, commonly used by streamers on platforms like Twitch. The artwork for this rig came from a Monster Prom commission by Viperfish, featuring a “Monstersona” designed in my likeness. Preparing this illustration for animation was one of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the process. I had to carefully separate the artwork into individual moving parts while maintaining the integrity of the original style. This involved filling in obscured details, reconstructing overlapping areas, and ensuring the model's layers would move believably when animated. Using Live2D Cubism, I experimented with parameters that controlled facial expressions, physics-based movement, and head turns to create a sense of three-dimensionality. Adjusting deformations and meshes allowed me to fine-tune how different elements moved, ensuring smooth transitions and preventing distortions. Each step of this process deepened my understanding of how 2D art can be transformed into a dynamic, expressive character, setting the foundation for more advanced rigs in my research.
Jiu Rig
The "Jiu" VTube Rig was my first fully solo rigging project from start to finish, serving as a test to see if I had fully grasped the Live2D rigging process. Unlike my previous model, where I worked with pre-existing artwork, this time I created the illustration myself, allowing me to design it with rigging in mind from the start. My goal was to develop a more intricate and expressive model, refining my ability to handle fine details and push the technical boundaries of what I had learned. For this rig, I leaned into the more traditional anime-inspired aesthetic commonly seen in VTubing, drawing inspiration from artist Hapnu (@japhers). I deliberately chose a painterly style, knowing it would challenge me in new ways—specifically in preserving brushstrokes and blending while making the model flexible enough for animation. Additionally, I wanted to experiment with features not often seen in Live2D rigs, such as a more defined nose, testing how well I could integrate and animate subtle facial features without them feeling stiff or unnatural. This project reinforced my understanding of Live2D Cubism’s deformers, physics settings, and layer organization. Since I had complete control over the artwork, I could better anticipate how different elements would move, making adjustments to the initial illustration as needed. From constructing the mesh to fine-tuning facial expressions and body movement, Jiu was a critical step in proving my ability to independently execute a high-quality VTuber model from concept to completion.
Debut
Timelapse
Playboi Rig
The "Playboi" VTube Rig was my third Live2D rig and an opportunity to further refine my skills while exploring underrepresented design elements in VTuber models. I wanted to push beyond conventional styles by incorporating distinct facial features, such as a fuller nose and thick lips, as well as natural and protective hairstyles—elements rarely seen in Live2D rigs. This project allowed me to experiment with how these features could be rigged dynamically while maintaining their natural structure and fluidity in motion. Inspired by the work of Trin (@ttolouh) on Instagram, I aimed to capture the warmth and expressiveness in their depiction of Black characters. Adapting this aesthetic into Live2D required careful attention to how shading, highlights, and facial movements interacted to maintain the richness of the design. Unlike more simplified anime-style rigs, Playboi involved extra refinements in the rigging process to preserve depth and texture while ensuring smooth and believable animation. This project further deepened my understanding of Live2D Cubism’s deformer system, as I worked to create nuanced lip and mouth movements, layered hair physics, and facial expressions that felt organic. Playboi was a key milestone in my independent research, allowing me to refine my ability to handle diverse character designs and push the flexibility of Live2D beyond typical VTuber aesthetics.
Debut
Timelapse
Raijee Rig
The "Rajieeee" VTube Rig was my final project in this research, and one I’m particularly proud of due to the unique challenge it presented. For this rig, I chose to work with a completely different art style—one inspired by the distinctive work of artist Awuradwoa Afful (@rajieeee) on Instagram. I admired how their illustrations captured a playful yet grounded expression of Black identity, which felt both friendly and comforting. This style, with its bold lines and vibrant colors, was a departure from the typical anime influences I’d worked with in my previous rigs. The goal of Rajieeee was to take this unconventional, more graphic style and adapt it into a professional, clean VTube rig while preserving the essence of the original artwork. I focused on ensuring that the character’s features, from the stylized face to the flowing hair, could move fluidly and naturally within Live2D Cubism. Rigging this model pushed my ability to handle non-traditional art and still meet the high standards for animation, dimension, and interactivity required for VTubing. This project stands out not only because of the artistic challenge but also because it allowed me to showcase my growth as a rigging artist. Adapting a unique style into a fully functional VTube model required creative problem-solving, and I’m proud of how Rajieeee turned out, as it represents the culmination of all the techniques and skills I developed throughout my research.
Debut
Timelapse
Vtube/Streaming Rigs
This independent research project focuses on studying and mastering Live2D Cubism to create professional-quality VTuber models. With VTubing’s growing presence in digital entertainment, I aimed to understand the full process of rigging—from breaking down artwork to animating expressive, dynamic avatars. This research explores the technical and artistic challenges of developing a functional VTuber model, refining skills in digital illustration, animation, and software integration.
Client
DELIVERABLES
VTuber Models Animation Rigging Design
Year
2021
Role
Animator, Rigging Artist, Creative Direction
The "Angel" VTube Rig was my first full project in Live2D Cubism, marking the beginning of my deep dive into VTuber model creation. This rig served as a hands-on study of the software’s tools and capabilities, teaching me the intricacies of breaking down artwork into functional layers, rigging movement, and implementing key features such as mouth articulation (A, E, I, O, U), toggleable emotes, and fluid, natural motion. The goal was to create a model that met the standards of professional VTube rigs, commonly used by streamers on platforms like Twitch. The artwork for this rig came from a Monster Prom commission by Viperfish, featuring a “Monstersona” designed in my likeness. Preparing this illustration for animation was one of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the process. I had to carefully separate the artwork into individual moving parts while maintaining the integrity of the original style. This involved filling in obscured details, reconstructing overlapping areas, and ensuring the model's layers would move believably when animated. Using Live2D Cubism, I experimented with parameters that controlled facial expressions, physics-based movement, and head turns to create a sense of three-dimensionality. Adjusting deformations and meshes allowed me to fine-tune how different elements moved, ensuring smooth transitions and preventing distortions. Each step of this process deepened my understanding of how 2D art can be transformed into a dynamic, expressive character, setting the foundation for more advanced rigs in my research.
Angel Rig
The "Angel" VTube Rig was my first full project in Live2D Cubism, marking the beginning of my deep dive into VTuber model creation. This rig served as a hands-on study of the software’s tools and capabilities, teaching me the intricacies of breaking down artwork into functional layers, rigging movement, and implementing key features such as mouth articulation (A, E, I, O, U), toggleable emotes, and fluid, natural motion. The goal was to create a model that met the standards of professional VTube rigs, commonly used by streamers on platforms like Twitch. The artwork for this rig came from a Monster Prom commission by Viperfish, featuring a “Monstersona” designed in my likeness. Preparing this illustration for animation was one of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the process. I had to carefully separate the artwork into individual moving parts while maintaining the integrity of the original style. This involved filling in obscured details, reconstructing overlapping areas, and ensuring the model's layers would move believably when animated. Using Live2D Cubism, I experimented with parameters that controlled facial expressions, physics-based movement, and head turns to create a sense of three-dimensionality. Adjusting deformations and meshes allowed me to fine-tune how different elements moved, ensuring smooth transitions and preventing distortions. Each step of this process deepened my understanding of how 2D art can be transformed into a dynamic, expressive character, setting the foundation for more advanced rigs in my research.
Jiu Rig
The "Jiu" VTube Rig was my first fully solo rigging project from start to finish, serving as a test to see if I had fully grasped the Live2D rigging process. Unlike my previous model, where I worked with pre-existing artwork, this time I created the illustration myself, allowing me to design it with rigging in mind from the start. My goal was to develop a more intricate and expressive model, refining my ability to handle fine details and push the technical boundaries of what I had learned. For this rig, I leaned into the more traditional anime-inspired aesthetic commonly seen in VTubing, drawing inspiration from artist Hapnu (@japhers). I deliberately chose a painterly style, knowing it would challenge me in new ways—specifically in preserving brushstrokes and blending while making the model flexible enough for animation. Additionally, I wanted to experiment with features not often seen in Live2D rigs, such as a more defined nose, testing how well I could integrate and animate subtle facial features without them feeling stiff or unnatural. This project reinforced my understanding of Live2D Cubism’s deformers, physics settings, and layer organization. Since I had complete control over the artwork, I could better anticipate how different elements would move, making adjustments to the initial illustration as needed. From constructing the mesh to fine-tuning facial expressions and body movement, Jiu was a critical step in proving my ability to independently execute a high-quality VTuber model from concept to completion.
Debut
Timelapse
Playboi Rig
The "Playboi" VTube Rig was my third Live2D rig and an opportunity to further refine my skills while exploring underrepresented design elements in VTuber models. I wanted to push beyond conventional styles by incorporating distinct facial features, such as a fuller nose and thick lips, as well as natural and protective hairstyles—elements rarely seen in Live2D rigs. This project allowed me to experiment with how these features could be rigged dynamically while maintaining their natural structure and fluidity in motion. Inspired by the work of Trin (@ttolouh) on Instagram, I aimed to capture the warmth and expressiveness in their depiction of Black characters. Adapting this aesthetic into Live2D required careful attention to how shading, highlights, and facial movements interacted to maintain the richness of the design. Unlike more simplified anime-style rigs, Playboi involved extra refinements in the rigging process to preserve depth and texture while ensuring smooth and believable animation. This project further deepened my understanding of Live2D Cubism’s deformer system, as I worked to create nuanced lip and mouth movements, layered hair physics, and facial expressions that felt organic. Playboi was a key milestone in my independent research, allowing me to refine my ability to handle diverse character designs and push the flexibility of Live2D beyond typical VTuber aesthetics.
Debut
Timelapse
Raijee Rig
The "Rajieeee" VTube Rig was my final project in this research, and one I’m particularly proud of due to the unique challenge it presented. For this rig, I chose to work with a completely different art style—one inspired by the distinctive work of artist Awuradwoa Afful (@rajieeee) on Instagram. I admired how their illustrations captured a playful yet grounded expression of Black identity, which felt both friendly and comforting. This style, with its bold lines and vibrant colors, was a departure from the typical anime influences I’d worked with in my previous rigs. The goal of Rajieeee was to take this unconventional, more graphic style and adapt it into a professional, clean VTube rig while preserving the essence of the original artwork. I focused on ensuring that the character’s features, from the stylized face to the flowing hair, could move fluidly and naturally within Live2D Cubism. Rigging this model pushed my ability to handle non-traditional art and still meet the high standards for animation, dimension, and interactivity required for VTubing. This project stands out not only because of the artistic challenge but also because it allowed me to showcase my growth as a rigging artist. Adapting a unique style into a fully functional VTube model required creative problem-solving, and I’m proud of how Rajieeee turned out, as it represents the culmination of all the techniques and skills I developed throughout my research.