Motion Graphics & Compositing: Project I - Deconstructing Digital Images & Rendering

 MODULE DST 60704: Motion Graphics and Compositing 

Tristan Vaughan Sleep - 0365120

Motion Graphics and Compositing / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media

Motion Graphics and Compositing - Project I: Technical & Motion Graphic Sensibilities

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MODULE INSTRUCTIONS:

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“FEB - MARCH 2025: DST 60704 / MOTION GRAPHICS & COMPOSITING  MODULE INFORMATION BOOKLET”

Project I: Technical & Motion Graphic (Weighted 20%)

Project I: For this project in the module, students of the cohort are expected to complete a series of small tasks to advance their skills for motion graphics. In these tasks, students are to create a series of short animations, using important skills about design, timing, spacing etc. which will then be composted together to make a custom animation, scored to any soundtrack of choice. After demonstrating their proficiency and knowledge, the students' work is to be uploaded to their own personal e-Portfolio.

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PARTICIPATED LECTURES:

WEEK I & II: Group Introductions and Project Plans

Course Expectations: Beginning the module, the cohort and I would be introduced to the course by the lecturer and would be informed about the workload and scope expected of us to complete within the time provided. Students would be briefed on the individual project and exercises found within the module while being shown prior students work for example - not only as a guiding reference but also to show that such designs would be possible for us to achieve. With the briefing done, the cohort would be provided with the first project and would be asked to first look at the examples included within it before working. From here, we were asked to start looking online for inspiration for the project and producing sketches.

 

Motion Graphics: In general, Motion Graphics is a type/series of animation which uses texts and patterns/textures as a major component. It is considered to be a development of graphic design, using animation to enhance the visuals. Since its conception and use in media, Motion Graphics has been debated whether it should be considered full animation or some lesser variant due to it using a combination of media. In its design, motion graphics can be used to heighten the appearance of the project, helping to merge graphical design, sound and motion together to make a memorable design. It is important to communicate with the viewer, and add depth to the story. Together with music and effective copy, they can give us a message. We use them to create ads, title sequences for movies, videos and to share information.

WEEK III: Guides for Composition

Composition: Composition refers to the method used to arrange various visual elements (moving or stationary) to create a general idea to aid in getting the author's message across. In design, it looks into the elements of the work such as its lines, shapes, colour, value, texture, form and/or spacing to be composed in a specific pattern in accordance with the principles of art and design.

Unity: refers to the arrangement of objects within the composition to create a sense of harmony and wholeness, achieved by using similar elements (whether it be size, colour etc.) and placing them in such a way to make the connection.

Balance: refers to the development of a composition which spaces the objects in an evenly distributed manner to create the main message; more symmetrical arrangements can suggest calm or organisation while asymmetrical arrangement creates a more dynamic feeling.

Movement: refers to the arrangement of objects and its path within the composition to create a more dynamic design with flow and movement; enhances the visuals of the composition and makes it feel more lively.

Rhythm: refers to the tempo of movement, switches or other changes found within the composition to create a sense of expectation and engagement to the piece; sets the pace and allows for greater changes in small amounts of time.

Focus: refers to the strategic design, layout and motion to dictate the focal point within the composition to help the audience's eyes feel less lost within the vast piece.

Contrast: refers to creating strong differences between elements of the composition which can enhance the message of the author - creating different feelings based on the extent of the contrast. 

WEEK VI & V: Video Guides & Study

Forming a Group: Beginning the module, the cohort and I were

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Project I - Technical & Motion Graphic:

WEEK I: Finding Inspiration

Leading Inspiration: For the first task given to us on the first week, the cohort and I were tasked with finding a series of short animation clips which heavily use Motion Graphics as its main appeal - if it was a tutorial/step-by-step explanation, it would also count. The main goal of this exercise is not only to find inspiration for the upcoming project 1 but it was also useful to the lecturer as they could gauge our individual interests and could dynamically shape the in class lectures to help us achieve our goal.

For this task, students would need to find three simple animations (expanded into three categories instead) which mainly inspire them when working. It was recommended by the lecturer to search for these animations on sites such as Instagram or Pinterest as the length of the videos would be brief but would also get across the main/best information quickly.  

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“Sources of inspiration and Reasoning”

WEEK II: Introduction to Project I

Main Document: With the previous task completed and the workload arranged, the next task would be for the students to start working on the first major project of the module which serves as a simple introduction on how to set-up, design, time and arrange motion graphics to create a decent final project. For this task, the lecturer had provided us with a working document which had small sample techniques to use when making our own arrangement. The goal is for us to reinterpret four of the eight designs and their themes to not only show we know how to animate but also to show our creative building of an idea. 

Beginning with this document, I began the first project by looking at each of the smaller compositions and their use of timing, shape, arrangement while also looking at the more technical aspects such as motion graphs, clipping masks, 3D interpretation etc. Seeing the basics of the Adobe After-Effects program, I would start developing some designs on paper first, that way I would have an end goal to work towards instead of needing to think of what I need to add or what comes next.  

WEEK III & V: Project I

Symmetry: Following up with the guides provided by the lecturer and having a more defined plan with the sketches, I would be able to begin working on project 1 - starting with the edit of Symmetry. Looking at the original design, I wanted to build upon it with a more unique use of angles of symmetry which originally started as a horizontal line. Realising that it would be closer to the original and would look like it had been rotated 45 degrees, I ultimately designed it to have two lines of symmetry in both directions. To make the presentation of the shape look more unique than a rotated square, I first envisioned the animation to use lines to mark out the symmetrical lines and then have one set of shapes moving in while another shape shifts out from the centre. With the rough Idea achieved, I added some additional details such as both outer-lines for the diamond to make the appearance look more ‘flashy’ and sudden.

Focus: For the second design, I felt a bit short of ideas on how to design an element which represents focus as it's something done with vibrant colour or lens shifting. Therefore, the only good idea for the element was to make it designed after some form of reticle which naturally shows where someone should be looking. From the concepting phase, I knew I wanted the reticle to look and feel more unique and had the Idea to add in smaller details like some rotating parts and a ripple-like effect in the centre. Furthermore, with the idea of focus, it was important for the design to start from the centre with a quick flash which immediately gets the viewers attention.

Scale: For this third design, I also fell a bit short on ideas as the idea of making scale is more-or-less limited to one feature of the tool you have access to. The plan was, for this design I would arrange five squares into a grid and have the middle one scale to different sizes with the outer four changing to fill the negative space. With it appearing a bit bland, I also planned to design it such that the middle square would move around the composition to make the scaling feel more dynamic. Interestingly, this animation I would have to actually lose some aspects of from the concept to practical phase as the animation’s run-time was too short.

Rhythm: For this final Design, I originally had trouble coming up with a concept for rhythm as it is a simple repeating event or the consistent timing of an action. The first concept I had tried to design was simple shapes which each produced a different rhythm, being inspired by the different time signatures in music. This was also expanded upon with a video which visualises audio using shapes in a similar way which made me believe this was possible. However, it was in completing this