MOTION GRAPHICS
The Project
Role: Designer
Project Type: Motion Graphics
Tools: Photoshop & AfterEffects
Year: 2024
Embarking on a journey into motion design, I delved into various animation techniques using Adobe Photoshop and After Effects. This self-initiated exploration aimed to understand the fundamentals of motion graphics, experiment with different animation styles, and develop a cohesive workflow between design and animation tools.
Having been introduced to the topic within the past few months, I have been learning the ins and outs of frame by frame animation in photoshop, developing gifs, cinema graphs, rotoscoping, stop-motion and more.
Photoshop
Pendulum
As my first official attempt into the motion graphics world, I began with this pendulum. I got this idea as I've always been fascinated with pendulums and the physics behind it, so in true graphic design fashion, I translated it into a GIF. I really loved how the stark colors blend, while also not taking away from the animation itself. As much as I love the GIF, I hope to improve on the "choppiness" of the balls on either side, allowing them to fall softer. But overall I'm proud of my work and this helped me ease into the timeline program in Photoshop.
Logo Animation
Still interested in the timeline program, I wanted to make a piece that I could add to my regular portfolio. Here, I incorporated my old personal logo, making the different pieces come together. Again, this is definitely something I would piece into my beginning work, but the idea is there. I hope to refine the pieces and make it cleaner with the information that I know now to improve on the piece and eventually use it in my personal portfolio.
Light House
Inspired by my trip to Maine this past summer, I wanted to incorporate a lighthouse. This one I had trouble on for sure. Between making the light span covered the screen, figuring out how I wanted the light pattern to go and if the light should go all around or one sided. In my process of making this GIF, I definitely became frustrated with the tween animation feature and making sure each layer of my image was correctly shown. I want to improve the fluidity of the light pattern and maybe have the light circle all around the lighthouse itself.
After Effects
I created this project in my second to last semester of undergrad at Quinnipiac, I wanted to give my thanks to the people that were there through it all; my family. For years by parents would take videos of my siblings and I on a cam recorder that was then transferred to a bulky hard drive. I wanted to make a short motion graphics video that relays those videos all in one place.
Within After Effects, I worked with making compositions and piecing them together in the end. It was nice to have a seperate workspace as compared to Photoshop in which your work is all in one area. I could easily see what I was working on within the timeline.
The Impact
This exploration into motion graphics allowed me to develop a foundational understanding of animation principles, gain proficiency in industry-standard tools, and express creativity through dynamic visuals. The progression from simple GIFs to more intricate After Effects compositions reflects a commitment to growth and a passion for bringing designs to life through motion.
Learnings
Tool Transition: Moving from Photoshop to After Effects expanded my capabilities, offering more advanced features and a streamlined workflow for complex animations.
Iterative Growth: Each project built upon the previous, highlighting the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in motion design.
Creative Challenges: Facing and overcoming obstacles, such as managing multiple layers and achieving desired motion effects, enhanced my problem-solving skills and technical proficiency.