Motion Graphics 1

582-304-VA

handy links

projects ( 50% of final mark )

These projects should be edited into a demo reel showcasing your best work & your brand.

ideally your demo reel will be accompanied by a written reflection on your creative process and the choices you made in your work.

week 7: infographic tips & techniques

see motion graphics repository: week 7

project 4: infographic ( /50 )

Add motion to an infographic created by your assigned partner.

The motion should enhance the "reader's" understanding of the information being presented.

Use the visual hierarchy of the infographic to animate the 3ish most important points you wish to communicate.

Use a variety of animation techniques which may include

due: end of class October 7 / 9

week 6: 3d renderers

need to understand the 3 different render engines

week 5: trim paths

working with AI files:

project 3: logo animation

Use After Effects to animate a logo, ideally a logo that you create. Use some of the animation techniques we have learned including:

( /25)

due: week 6

week 4 topics

project 2: micro interaction

Use After Effects to create an animated micro interaction or element for a website.

  • focus on principles of animation and keyframe animations.
  • be sure to use easing and the graph editor
  • use effects, parenting, null objects, masking and track matte if you want

( /25)

due: week 4

project details for ALL projects

these will apply to all projects which should include:

note that the 2nd unit will focus on real-time interactive motion graphics with Touch Designer

exercises ( 25% of final grade )

project 2: micro interaction

Use After Effects to create an animated micro interaction or element for a website.

  • focus on principles of animation and keyframe animations.
  • be sure to use easing and the graph editor
  • use effects, parenting, null objects, masking and track matte if you want

( /25)

due: week 4

1.3 keyframe exercise

Create a keyframe animation using a variety of animation techniques.

Your animation should:

  • be short and interesting
  • use various techniques
  • apply some of Disney's animation principles
  • have your name in the composition
  • add descriptions / labels, helpful information

Submit your project:

  • as a video on Vimeo or YouTube
  • linked or embedded from your website
  • with a screen grab or still frame from your animation
  • add link / info in your Figma

due: week 3 during class

1.4 masking exercise

Create a mask animation.

Your animation should:

  • animate the content
  • animate the mask
  • apply some of Disney's animation principles
  • have your name in the composition
  • add descriptions / labels, helpful information

Submit your project:

  • as a video on Vimeo or YouTube
  • linked or embedded from your website
  • with a screen grab or still frame from your animation
  • add link / info in your Figma

due: week 4 during class

1.5 track matte

create a track matte animation

Your animation should:

  • show off your track matte skills
  • animate the mask
  • apply some of Disney's animation principles
  • name, title, info etc... as usual

Submit your project as usual

due: week 4 during class

1.6 tracking

This one will require ideation & planning

Using Figma, Premiere, After Effects and possibly Audition:

  • find inspo
  • come up with a creative idea
  • add a description & info
  • sketch out your idea / storyboard
  • film & edit your video in Premiere
  • add tracking vfx in After Effects
  • name, title, info etc... as usual

Submit your project as usual

due: week 4?

more topics / techniques

  • colouring layers
  • math in properties i.e. 540 + 270
  • parenting & pick whip
  • null object
  • pre-comp
  • edit > purge
  • preview settings
  • masking
  • trim layers (alt / option + square bracket )

week 2

keyframe animations/p>

see repository for AE file with principles of animation

Figma setup 1.2

set up a Figma team with the following:

  • your name i.e. Motion Graphics: Mickey
  • organized to easily locate your exercises & projects
  • organized to easily locate your Capyskills stuff
  • invite me to join your team: nortonb@vaniercollege.qc.ca, ideally with edit or admin privileges

due: week 2 (September 2-4)

animation exercises

complete a series of animations using various tools

  • keyframe animation
  • demo a Disney principle for each one
  • use shapes, text and images
  • explore some built-in effects
  • try some expressions i.e. loopOut or time

welcome

plan is to learn more about animation & motion graphics. We'll work with:

  • After Effects
  • Touch Designer
  • and maybe some Blender
  • plus, web animation, as always
  • Figma for ideation and sharing
  • Capyskills for improving our academic and personal skills

Start by going through this Adobe site from the UK.

Be ready to share some ideas of what you would like to learn.

motion graphics Github repository

After Effects ideas

  • Basic Motion Graphics:
    • Creating simple text animations (e.g., text appearing, fading, or bouncing).
    • Experimenting with shape layers to create basic animated graphics.
  • Intro to Keyframes:
    • Understanding keyframes and the timeline.
    • Animating position, scale, rotation, and opacity of objects.
  • Logo Animation:
    • Importing a logo and creating a short animation for it (e.g., rotating, scaling, or revealing effects).
    • Adding motion blur for a more polished look.
  • Basic Effects and Presets:
    • Applying built-in effects and presets to layers.
    • Experimenting with color correction, blur, and glow effects.
    • text effects: https://blog.motionisland.com/after-effects-presets-text-animation/
  • Title and Lower Thirds:
    • Designing and animating a simple title or lower third for videos.
    • Using shape layers and text tools to create dynamic and professional-looking titles.
  • Masking and Rotoscoping:
    • Learning to use masks for revealing or hiding parts of layers.
    • Basic rotoscoping techniques to isolate subjects in a video.
  • Simple Transitions:
    • Creating smooth transitions between clips using effects like wipes, fades, and zooms.
    • Experimenting with custom transitions using shape layers and keyframes.
  • 2D Character Animation:
    • Importing character illustrations and animating them using puppet tools.
    • Basic lip-sync animation for character dialogues.
  • Motion Tracking:
    • Using the motion tracking feature to track an object in a video.
    • Applying effects or text that follows the tracked object.
  • Visual Effects Compositing:
    • Combining multiple video layers to create a simple visual effect (e.g., adding fire or rain to a scene).
    • Basic green screen keying to composite subjects onto different backgrounds.
  • Intro to Expressions:
    • Using simple expressions to automate animations (e.g., looping animations, linking properties).
    • Understanding basic scripting to enhance motion graphics.
  • Creating Animated Infographics:
    • Designing and animating charts, graphs, and data visualizations.
    • Using shape layers and text to present data in an engaging way.
  • Intro to 3D Layers:
    • Exploring 3D layers and the camera tool.
    • Creating a simple 3D scene with animated camera movement.
  • Kinetic Typography:
    • Creating dynamic text animations synced with audio.
    • Experimenting with different text effects and animations.
  • Simple Particle Effects:
    • Using particle systems to create effects like snow, rain, or sparks.
    • Adjusting particle properties for different visual outcomes.