INFORMATION DESIGN: FINAL PROJECT

04/01/2022 - 17/02/2022 (Week 01 - Week 07)

Alicia Teng Yi Ling / 0345159 / BDCM

Information Design

Final Project

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LECTURE

Week 1 / Motion graphics

Motion graphics are a mix of graphics and movement. It depends on graphic composition as well as animation skills. Composition is a combination of graphics and typography while animation is a combination of movement and rhythm. 

Steps to make a motion graphic: 

• Step 1: Write a script that tells a story 
• Step 2: Brainstorm and then storyboard your visualisations

Previsualization 

Before you create a storyboard for your scenes, write down visual notes based on the duration of the voiceover for each scene.

Mood Board

A mood board helps you to organize your inspirations, ideas and references for the        motion graphic's style.

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INSTRUCTIONS

Final Project

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Idea Development

Week 1

My group members: Adena, Adeline, Diane, Sasilvia, Yi Ki.

During this week, we were given two tasks. For the individual one, we had to find and recommend three professional motion graphics videos and then write down our reasons for why we think they would be good to reference as well as how they inspire our group motion graphics video. For the group task, we were to create a mood board for the video and sketches for three of the most challenges frames from the script we chose to do.

Individual Task

Fig 1.1 Recommended Motion Graphics Video #1

I enjoyed how simple the animation and art style was. In this manner, viewers are able to view and comprehend the words and messages better. The subtle shadows used with the graphical elements and words add a sense of depth to the frames so it does not look too flat. The font chosen is also simple and clear and fits well with the overall aesthetic. The rotation of the words from frame to frame is smooth and adds movement so it does not feel too stagnant

For my group project animation, we can take inspiration from the well timed camera panning, smooth word rotations, simple art style that helps to  effectively convey the intended message to the audience while appearing cute and dynamic at the same time.

Fig 1.2 Recommended Motion Graphics Video #2

The colour palette throughout this video is so stunning in the way each frame has such a multitude of colours that somehow complement and elevate each other, making a very dynamically and visually appealing view for the audience. The chosen fonts and typography are well chosen and they reflect the fun and bouncy mood of the video. I truly admire the creative transitions between each frame and how the creators introduced something new each transition, it was very fun to watch and a great learning experience.

While it will be very difficult if we attempt it, I think it would add a lot of dynamic appeal to our motion graphics video if we try to learn the transitions in this video. There was a lot of rotation, scaling, and fast paced movement between the frames which I think would captivate our audience and maintain their attention throughout the video.

Fig 1.3 Recommended Motion Graphics Video #3

The variety of shapes with different animation effects and sizes used in this video create a captivating scene. The transitions are smooth between each scene and small bouncing effects are used here and there so the frame does not remain still. The colour palette is simple with a few key tones but it keeps a consistency throughout the video that helps to maintain the overall aesthetic and rhythm. The soundtrack is upbeat and cheerful and matches well with the sunny atmosphere in the video.

We could reference the shapes in this video and how well they are utilised throughout the video to create movement and dynamic detail. We could also try the smooth transitions that look clean and minimalistic as they are easy for the viewer's eyes to follow.

Group Task 

To start off, I studied a few motion graphics videos that are about pregnancy, menstruation and puberty. The one below is my favourite due to it's simple illustration with a bright colour palette with lots of tonal variation. The graphics are easy to follow and the voiceover is clear and simple enough for younger audiences to comprehend.

Fig 1.4 Pregnancy Video Reference

Mood Board

I created our mood board using Adobe Photoshop. I put in pictures that we thought reflected what we wanted to put into our video (for example, colours, style, topics, etc.). I also included our general colour palette which has mixes of pinks to allude to the body (flesh) as well as the colour ideas and inspirations for our narrator character design.

Fig 1.5 Finalised Mood Board (08/01/2022)

Script Breakdown

Week 2 - 3

Fig 2.1 Final project script breakdown template (04/02/2022)

During this time, our task was to breakdown the script we had chosen. The template for this was given to us in which we were to fill in the running time for each dialogue and the visuals we had planned for them. We assigned two people to each section of the script (Puberty, Menstruation, Pregnancy) that would work together to fill it up. I was grouped with Diane and did scenes 9, 10, 11 and 12. 

Sketches

Below are the rough sketches I did for our animatic video. I did scenes 9, 11 and 12. I used Adobe Photoshop and mostly the brush tool to create them. I went for simple line art for easier animation and a pastel colour palette for the frames I coloured.

Fig 2.2 Scene 9 Frame 1 (08/01/2022)

Fig 2.3 Scene 9 Frame 3 (08/01/2022)

Fig 2.4 Scene 11 Frame 4 (08/01/2022)

Fig 2.5 Scene 12 Frame 1 (08/01/2022)

Animatics

Week 4

During this week, I compiled all of everyone's sketches to create the final animatic to show Mr. Martin for feedback. I used Adobe After Effects to do so. There was sound (dialogue) in each file so to make things smoother, I removed all audio from them and placed a singular full audio file then timed the scenes on top. This ensured a smoother transition and better timing between scenes.

Fig 3.1 Group 02: Final Animatic Video (07/02/2022)

Video Execution 

Week 4-6

My Role: Colouring Frames

Firstly, we began by dividing the work into five categories: Sketching, line art, colouring, animation, editing). My role was to assist with colouring the frames after line art for the next part, animation. My wonderful group member and friend, Adena, helped me with some of the frames due to time constraints. I used the tools: fill in (to make limbs easy to manipulate and animate), brush (for small details like highlights), shape, and pen and I used Adobe Illustrator. My group mate Yi Ki requested that we upload the files as CS6.

For the colour palette, I decided on a pastel theme but with darker edges for contrast so the scenes would not look too flat. For backgrounds, I drifted towards purples, blues, greens as they are more cool toned and the narrator who is warm and yellow-toned stood out well against them.

Below are some of my favourite frames that I coloured.

 
Fig 4.1 Scene 1 Frame 1 Colour (08/02/2022)

Fig 4.2 Scene 6 Frame 7 Colour (13/02/2022)

Fig 4.3 Scene 12 Frame 3 Colour (15/02/2022)

After finishing each scene and frame, I would upload them into our group's shared google drive folder into a sub-folder named colouring. From there, Yi Ki or Adeline would animate them.

Final Project Video

Fig 5.1 Final sex education motion graphic video (22/02/2022)

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FEEDBACK

(08/02/2022)

• Flow part done by Sasilivia is promising
• Clear visuals and animation
• Planning well, good job, continue on

(15/02/2022)

• Frame 01: Not worth trying to make the narrator lipsync as there will not be enough time. Instead use simple mouth movements.
• Frame 11: Subtle & nice. Animated according to contents
• Apply motion blur to the menstruation products

(17/02/2022)

• SO far great, but consider sound effects
• Colour looks washed out in different parts. 
• The animation at 01:55 starts slow but then is fast. Current is distractive because of doraemon looking hand. Why does the narrator come back in frames it is not needed
• If there is a want to emphasise the narrator, use words or bounce effects
• Suggested using a caption to help at 02:16
• Background moves slightly horizontally at 02:21 

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REFLECTION

Experience

Overall, it was a tiring project as it was a large one and I have a difficult time trying to balance my time doing this and also working on my other individual assignments, I still enjoyed learning new things. For example, trying to use Adobe Illustrator more. I am used to using Adobe Photoshop so the interface and software was a bit different and I often forgot that it did not have some tools that I liked to use but I would say I gained quite a bit of valuable experience trying out new techniques and this would be helpful towards my future projects. I had a lot of fun with my group, they were fun, innovative, creative and hard working people that made this entire process a joy. I hope to be able to work with them in the future.

Observations

I found out that once I have a solid colour palette down, it makes the entire colouring process a lot easier. I struggled a lot at first because I had no idea what to start with, which colours would look best together and what would capture the viewers attention. But as soon as I got a solid plan and colour scheme it was much better and I like how the overall video turned out.

Findings

I found that by putting vibrant cool toned and warm toned colours together in each frame creates a dynamic visual so the overall image does not look flat and monotonous. I also found that added some shading to the graphical elements also helps to add more depth to the video. Overall, the colouring of the scenes is important for feeling of the video, how you colour it will strongly affect the message you are trying to convey to the audience.