Integration, optimization, and interdisciplinary collaboration in animation research
As part of the digital-humanities project AniVision — a film analysis of animation styles in utility films from Austria, East and West Germany between 1945 and 1989 — I took on a genuinely exciting and demanding task: building and maintaining a database that represents all of the project's ELAN files.
About my role at the university
Working in the research group gave me the chance to contribute to a string of innovative projects, AniVision among them. The position let me gather real experience in modern database design, frontend and backend integration, and database performance optimization. The interdisciplinary exchange with experts from both animation research and computer science showed me how technical and artistic perspectives reinforce each other to drive digital innovation.
Technical approach and implementation
Backend with FastAPI
For the backend I chose FastAPI — a modern, fast, capable Python framework well suited to building RESTful APIs. With it I built a stable, flexible API over the database that reliably handled every operation around the ELAN files.
Frontend with Svelte and Tailwind
To give users an intuitive interface, I built the frontend with Svelte and Tailwind CSS. The combination produced a responsive, modern, lightweight interface where animation researchers can search, filter, and analyze the data — in a design that's as attractive as it is functional.
Flexible, normalized data storage
A central challenge was storing the data flexibly and, at the same time, in a strongly normalized way.
• ELAN file integration: the files created in ELAN carry extensive annotations and information. This data had to be structured so it stays both flexibly extensible and standardized.
• Metadata and additional information: beyond the core data, we collect various metadata and extra information about the films and animations, calling for a thoughtful database design that allows future extensions without friction.
Performance optimization and system integration
To keep everything running smoothly I dug deep into MySQL performance optimization, using TypeORM for an efficient binding between database and API. I also implemented video handling and caching strategies to cut load times and lift overall system performance.
Challenges and learnings
AniVision was not only technically demanding but full of learning opportunities:
• Working with files from another tool: integrating ELAN files into our database required a deep understanding of the file structures and underlying data models, and taught me how important it is to interpret external formats cleanly and translate them into a consistent internal system.
• Database design: a robust yet flexible design was essential to meet growing demands; storing data in a normalized way while staying ELAN-compatible deepened my grasp of relational modeling and optimization.
• Frontend and backend integration: tightly coupling a FastAPI backend with a Svelte/Tailwind frontend showed me how much a clean interface architecture matters for usability and performance.
• MySQL performance optimization: optimizing queries and efficient caching were decisive factors in keeping the system performant as the data volume grew.
• TypeORM and video handling: TypeORM enabled a structured, type-safe database binding, while video handling and content caching ensured a smooth user experience.
These experiences broadened my technical skills and sharpened my eye for interdisciplinary collaboration and systematic problem-solving.
The project is a vivid example of how digital technology and interdisciplinary approaches can reinterpret historical film art and make it accessible. I'm looking forward to the next challenges and to building further solutions in the digital archiving and analysis of animation films.
AniVision showed me that technical challenges — whether in data integration, performance optimization, or interdisciplinary exchange — always offer great opportunities for personal and professional growth. Together with my colleagues, I'm proud to have contributed to the digital study and preservation of our cinematic heritage.