Information Design / PROJECT 2: Motion Graphics
Daphne Lai Yu Cheng / 0366380
DST60504 / Information Design / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylors' University
LECTURES
Week 2
What is Motion Graphics?
- Graphics and movement, composition + animation.
- No natural reference to movement by humanising and connecting with viewers.
Week 3
Week 4
-
Week 5
-
INSTRUCTIONS
FLIP Classrooms
Week 2 (10/2/2026)
For FLIP 2, we were assigned to create and present slides about L.A.T.C.H Principles as a group.
Next, we were to also create slides about good vs bad infographic and present as a group.
Figure 1.2 Good vs Bad Infographic
Week 3 (17/2/2026)
Week 4 (24/2/2026)
Our first class activity for this week was a tutorial on how to animate vector illustrations, Mr. Kannan guided us throughout the whole activity to make sure we had and learnt the basics of animating in Adobe After Effects.
I started with catergorising the illustrations into different layers in Illustrator then import them into After Effects. I used settings like scale, position, easy ease, puppet tool and bounce effect in this activity.
Below is the process of the activity:
Figure 1.3 Vector Animation (Process)
Figure 1.4 Vector Animation Activity
Figure 1.5 Vector Animation Activity (GIF)
During lecture, we were assigned to create slides for our FLIP Classroom 3: Miller's Law: Chunking
Week 5 (3/3/2026)
Exercise 3: Kinetic Typography
As for the progress of our group work, all of us did a draft of our ideas for the lyrics. My parts are both the same lyrics so I decided to come up with different idea for each of them.
Figure 2.2 My Parts (Week 2, 11/2/2026)
To ensure everyone's final outcome is consistent, a moodboard was created for colour palette and typography of the kinetic typography video.
We decided to focus on 4 colours that is suitable and matches The Weeknd's aesthetics as he is associated with the colour palette we selected. We have chosen sans serif fonts for typography wise for readability and it aligns well with the aesthetics. Our inspirations are from fanmade posters of The Weeknd's MVs and album covers so that we get a better idea on how to convey the kinetic typography video.
Before starting on the animation, all of us created a draft storyboard for our own parts. This is the 1st part of the lyrics:
Figure 2.4 Part 1 (Week 3, 19/2/2026)
Figure 2.5 Part 2 (Week 4, 24/2/2026)
After the approval from Mr. Kannan, we started on animating the final outcome in Adobe After Effects but I started illustrating the graphics needed for my parts in Adobe Illustrator.
Next, I moved on to import them into After Effects and start working on them. Our group decided to use same text effects so the outcome is more consistent.
Refrain 1:
Figure 2.7 Process (Week 4-5, 27/2/2026 - 2/3/2026)
For this part, I wanted to convey "I make you" into an eye opening and the word "cry" act as the eyeball while a tear falls down and transitions to a red background to continue the next lyric.
Figure 2.8 Process (Week 4-5, 27/2/2026 - 2/3/2026)
For this part, I placed "I" on the illustrated stickman, parent and link them then make it slide out to convey "I" run away. Next, I enlarged the "ooooo" and make it slide out after the stickman moves out of the composition instead of keeping it static on the screen.
Figure 2.9 Process (Week 4-5, 27/2/2026 - 2/3/2026)
Refrain 2:
The starting of refrain 2 was challenging for me because there is an instrumental interlude before the lyric starts. My idea was to make a tear drop down slowly then continue to the lyrics.
Figure 2.10 Process (Week 4-5, 27/2/2026 - 2/3/2026)
Similar to the previous part, I wanted to convey "I make you" into an eye opening and I added the illustrated eyeball and the word "cry" to act as the eyeball while a tear falls down and transitions to a red background to continue the next lyric.
Figure 2.11 Process (Week 4-5, 27/2/2026 - 2/3/2026)
Instead of using "I" like the previous part, I used "run away" to move out of the composition to convey running away while the "I" stays in the middle then zoomed in to transition into another frame.
Figure 2.12 Process (Week 4-5, 27/2/2026 - 2/3/2026)
Additionally, I recorded a time lapse video of a more detailed process:
Figure 2.13 Work Process (Week 4-5, 27/2/2026 - 2/3/2026)
SUBMISSION
Final Outcome
Figure 2.14 Final Outcome of Project 2, Exercise 3: Kinetic Typography (Week 5, 2/3/2026)
Youtube Video (Unlisted): Click here!
Figure 2.15 Youtube Unlisted Video (Week 5, 3/3/2026)
Personal Google Drive Link: Click here!
Group Google Drive Link: Click here!
Exercise 4: Chart Animation
For this exercise, we were randomly assigned in the name list to create a chart animation. I was assigned to create a donut chart.
Each chart has their own data so I referred to the week 3 slides provided by Mr. Kannan to make sure the data are correct.
Figure 2.16 Donut Chart Data
After that, I started by choosing a colour palette because I want it to look more consistent and easily differentiated.
Figure 2.17 Colour Palette
Next, I referred to the tutorial by Mr. Martin on how to create a donut chart. I started by adding the title and set the opacity from 0 to 100, then adjusted the title to move upwards so the donut chart will appear.
Figure 2.18 Title (Week 5, 2/3/2026)
Figure 2.19 Donut Chart (Week 5, 2/3/2026)
Once all the data is shown on the donut chart, everything slowly fade out at the end of the video. I applied opacity for everything from 100 to 0.
Figure 2.20 Fade Out Effect (Week 5, 2/3/2026)
Below is the time lapse of my work progress:
Figure 2.21 Donut Chart Work Process (Week 5, 2/3/2026)
SUBMISSION
Final Outcome
Figure 2.22 Final Outcome of Project 2, Exercise 4: Donut Chart (Week 5, 2/3/2026)
Youtube Video (Unlisted): Click here!
Figure 2.23 Youtube Unlisted Video (Week 5, 3/3/2026)
Google Drive Link: Click here!
Exercise 5: Vector Animation
For this exercise, we were randomly assigned in the name list to create a vector animation.
I started by setting the artboard size to 1920 x 1080 then separating the vectors I want to animate into different layers in Adobe Illustrator.
Figure 2.24 Setting up in Adobe Illustrator (Week 5, 5/3/2026)
Next, I imported them into After Effects and start applying effects like scale, bounce and motion blur, etc. I used the anchor point tool to adjust the anchor point to the bottom of the composition so the vectors enlarge from the bottom instead of the center.
Figure 2.25 Applying Scale, Bounce & Motion Blur (Week 5, 5/3/2026)
Figure 2.26 Adjusting Position of Elements (Week 5, 5/3/2026)
For the clock animation, I separated the line that I want to animate then adjusted the position and rotation. For the thumbs up text bubble, I made them wiggle because animating it bouncing felt a little boring because it goes static immediately. I also adjusted the stars to make them rotate throughout the animation.
Figure 2.27 Animating Elements (Week 5, 5/3/2026)
Lastly, I used the puppet position pin tool for the plants, human hand and head to move subtly. This part took some time as it was challenging to not distort them.
Figure 2.28 Puppet Position Pin Tool (Week 5, 5/3/2026)
SUBMISSION
Final Outcome
Figure 2.29 Final Outcome of Project 2, Exercise 5: Vector Animation (Week 5, 2/3/2026)
Youtube Video (Unlisted): Click here!
Figure 2.30 Youtube Unlisted Video (Week 5, 3/3/2026)
Google Drive Link: Click here!
FEEDBACK
REFLECTION
Throughout the three exercises in Project 2, I learned many new skills in Adobe After Effects because I was not very familiar with the software before this project. I was able to explore different tools, effects and animation techniques by completing all the 3 exercises.
There were also several challenges while completing the exercises. Some of the effects and settings in After Effects were quite complicated at first and it took time to experiment and figure out how they worked. I also struggled with time management as the deadlines given was quite short to complete. Despite the difficulties, I feel satisfied with the work I produced because it shows the effort and time I put into learning Adobe After Effects.
For the kinetic typography task, I am grateful to have group mates who were creative. Everyone contributed their ideas and worked efficiently together to complete the project. I really appreciated the teamwork as it made the process smoother and more enjoyable.
Overall, I had a fun and valuable learning experience while working on Project 2. Editing and experimenting with different effects in Adobe After Effects allowed me to be more creative and improve my motion graphic design skills, and I will apply these skills in future projects.
Comments
Post a Comment