Modern motion graphics creation
To continue developing my knowledge and skills in motion graphics, it was important to look at what professionals in the industry are using today. So, I took a deep dive into Adobe After Effects and everything it has to offer.
Going into this project, I knew had a little bit of experience in After Effects, but nothing beyond the basics. Truthfully, I always found my time on the software to be frustrating. As someone with a lot of experience in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, After Effects just felt like another language.
It was laggy, none of the hotkeys were the same, and it just seemed more complicated than was necessary. However, I knew that if I wanted to learn more about motion graphics, I would have to learn to tolerate After Effects.
The project I decided to work on was a personal introduction to myself that included multiple animation techniques and assets.
I started by creating a script that an animation could compliment. This process went well; however, I was way too ambitious. As I got to work in After Effects, I saw that this project was going to be far more time consuming than I initially expected.
Although the video about is only around 45 seconds long, it took me many hours to complete. I can confidently say I feel much more comfortable in the program. What used to feel foreign now felt somewhat recognizable. By the end of the process, I was flying.
I encourage you to take a look at the final introduction above.
Readings
Animated Storytelling by Liz Blazer (Chapters 2, 3, 4)
In chapter 2, Blazer emphasizes the importance of a strong narrative in animation. She encourages the reader to refine their ideas by focusing on the core message they wish to convey. A compelling story is built on a well-defined theme, which guides creative decisions.
She discusses two main types of story structures that can be used to create this narrative. The first is the three-act structure. This is very common and basic to understand. These stories have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Defining these and creating this structure in your work helps the viewer to more easily follow along with your story. The other type is a non-linear structure. This doesn’t mean that a story just goes off the rails; there is still a structure, it just may not be as clearly defined as beginning, middle, and end.
Chapter 3 focuses a lot on pre-production and ideation. Creating thumbnails, then a shot list, then a storyboard will help you when you get to making the piece. Think about all the details of each scene before you create them. This includes things like composition and staging. It is important to not just jump into creating the animation because you will likely have issues with story structure. Planning is key.
Chapter 4 looks into color and how that affects an animated story. Knowing basic color theory and how different colors can evoke certain feelings can help you to better tell your story. It is best to know what you want the mood of your piece to be, then to pick colors based on that. It important to use colors that complement each other and not to use too many colors in such a way that the viewer becomes overwhelmed.
Research
Comma by Seven
This short animation is a great example of what can be done with 2D animation. To start, the monochromatic color pallet and different textures that are used make the work look really polished. Additionally, when there is text on the screen it is laid out well and in a sophisticated manner. It shows that good design principles trump all and that sticking to the fundamentals is crucial.
Another thing that is great about this video is how he the creator uses motion when transition to different “scenes”. Everything flows as if it is one. This is crucial to the viewing experience because any jarring or harsh transitions will take the viewer away from the experience that they are watching. There is a lot of good inspiration to be taken from this video.
Animator versus Animation by Alan Becker
This video is a classic that I remember watching when I was younger. There is a series of them know which probably use more modern animation techniques, but I figured for the sake of this blog it was worth adding the original. After Effects was likely not used considering the time that it was uploaded and the fact that the scene is literally in an Adobe Flash window. I still believe there are some worthwhile takeaways for a modern motion graphics project.
The reason this video got so popular is because of its ability to use familiar images to set a scene that this surreal sequence is taking place in. The fake blends with the real incredibly well. It shows that when using images in motion graphics, there are important ways to make everything work cohesively within the frame.
Nervi by Dedo Ciego
I honestly can’t tell you much about what this project is or what it was created for. I found the video on motionographer.com and didn’t really care to read into what it was all about. The visuals were so stunning that I was really focused on them.
This video does two things really well. 1) It uses image within a motion graphic to enhance the overall storytelling. Hand picking images that go with the story along with using masking and textures creates this creepy, dystopian feel that is incredibly interesting to look at. In my project, it will be important to make sure that images are incorporated just as well. 2) The video establishes a visual identity and sticks by it. This goes a long way toward making a great viewing experience that is not interrupted by distractions.
Hi! My name is Peyton McKenzie.
I am a professional graphic designer, photographer and content creator.
I encourage you to explore my portfolio to get a better idea of the work I create. If you are interested in working with me or have inquiries of any kind, don’t hesitate to reach out over email.
