Motion Graphic and Compositing / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Task 1 / Exercises
LECTURES
Week 1:
During the first week, we were briefed through the module and were introduced to motion graphics and compositing. After we are familiar with the terms, we are required to search for some motion graphic videos and choose 3 of our favorites. To choose, I always pick the one I'm drawn with the most and that is usually because either I adore some aspect of it, or because I'm familiar with it. I found this motion graphic which became my first favorite.
Fig 1.0 First motion graphic video
I was drawn to it because it looks simple yet it works. There is some rain, coffee, and music for the elements and the person uses values of black and white. I come from a small city called "Bogor" also known as "The Rain City", which is considered one of the tourist spots, especially for the Jakartans (people from the capital city of Indonesia) and we have cafes everywhere we go, it's cheap and the coffee always tastes so delicious and the place is always comfy and well designed aesthetically. Usually, they have live music during the weekend or just some music on any other day. I chose this video since the vibe somehow relates to my background which is the city of Bogor. Since Bogor rains often, I would say almost everyday we do have a lot of gloomy skies and that vibe suits the color palette, which is a value of black and white. The animation is clean and simple and yet it works. The creator wants to focus on modern style (which is rather simple) than it being flashy/more to animation. The smoothness of the transition between each scene of elements gives a soothing feel and the music choice with the beat matching the transition is perfect. The color palette compliments the simplicity since it's only a variety of one color of its value.
Fig 1.1 Second motion graphic video
I chose this second one because I'm mainly attracted to the color palette. I love bright and contrasting colors like blue, green, purple, etc. It also gives me a familiar feel to myself since I love to game both video games and arcades, I know it refers more to "gambling" but some games also have the gacha system. I love how the creator put 2 contrasting colors which is purple and orange. I feel like blue would work better since orange compliments blue more than purple and greenish yellow works best with purple, but it this case it still works. The animation is also quite smooth but the transitions are okay. Overall I like the feel and vibe of this motion graphic video which feels fun and happy.
Fig 1.2 Third motion graphic video
I know this is made for an advertisement but I like it, I chose this one cause I like traveling and it made me want to visit those places. I like how it's made vertically rather than horizontally (it might be made for Instagram or TikTok advertisement) but it works. I love the green color it really stood out and supports the vibe of the theme which is advertising the "flora and fauna". I love how the creator picks some orange/yellow in the elements since the color compliments green the best. I love how the composition is quite chaotic but somehow it works and the transitions are quite smooth too.
Week 2:
This week we learned the basics of Photoshop and how to trace images also compile them. We got an understanding of what a layer is and how to create a collage to later animate it into a motion graphic in after effects. I found that this assignment is very similar to the module I took in the first semester which is digital photography and imaging. It shares the same design elements and task, the only differences is that in this module we have to animate it into a motion graphic and the resolution is 1920 x 1080 in horizontal instead of vertical. We are given one week to finish the assignment and I start by cutting each design elements and putting it on a different layer, after that I tried to arrange it with my preferences.
Fig 1.3 First collage
It was ok for me, I feel like its not the best arrangement since the sky felt so empty and there's just too much gap in between of each design elements. It was fun to imagine and imaging the fencer riding a shark and a car flying on a plane, but I feel like the composition is just off so I tried to re arrange it into the second collage.
Fig 1.4 Second collage
I feel like this one is a bit better, it's somehow neatly placed even if there's still some empty gaps in between of each design elements, but the composition definitely improve. I feel like i could add more of the design elements to make it less empty but I'm not sure where to put it to make it work and also decrease the amount of awkward gaps. After updating this blog in real time I finally came up with an idea to both put more design elements that works and also decrease the awkward gaps.
Fig 1.5 Third collage
I feel like this composition gives the viewer a focus point that somehow make them ignore the gaps in each of the design elements. I also use more of the design elements that I feel like it works well. I decided to use this arrangement for the motion graphic video. I saved the file and later imported it into after effects to animate. I overall like the idea of the fencer trying to fight a flying shark.
Fig 1.6 Motion Graphic
I added Jurrasic Park soundtrack since I think it's funny and it suits it well. This was a fun assignment to do and so far I enjoy it.
