1.3.2022 - 02.17.2022 (Week 1 - Week 7)
Audrey Gracia Djohari / 0348120
Information Design
Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor’s University
Information Design
Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor’s University
Final Project: Sex Education 101
INSTRUCTION
LECTURES
Group 4:
After getting the audio and script, we were allowed to choose between 2 chapters. My team chose Chapter 1: My Body (5 minutes 40 seconds). The target audience of the motion graphic is the general public.
Script Link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CtctwiAjPL5kMK9-hJmjupjL7ePHrHi8vGdEs8xXkrU/edit#gid=457904272
We immediately formed a WhatsApp Chat Group and did the job division. I chose to do topics 1 and 2 out of 17. We agreed to start sketching and hopefully could finish the rough sketches this week. This final project is expected to be submitted in week 7.
Figure 1,0: Task Division
PRACTICAL
WEEK 1:
Instruction
Individual:
- Recommend 3 Professional Motion Graphics on the blog with Rationals & Inspirations.
- Install After Effects & Illustration.
Group:
- Create Mood board.
- Style Frames for 3 most “challenging” scenes.
3 Professional Motion Graphics Recommendation
#1 How to take the perfect nap -TED-Ed
From all of the 3 motion graphics, this one is my favorite as it is the most suitable inspiration for my final project. I love how the creators selected unique color palettes that are so aesthetically pleasing, they really bring up the mood and I can feel the relaxation when I watch this video. I also like how they use different simple elements to symbolize things that are said by the narrator. The animation is smooth and they have a smooth transition from frame to frame. Most of the shapes are fluid, and it makes the whole design looks so gentle.
Figure 2.0: How to take the perfect nap -TED-Ed
I found this motion graphic interesting because it only relies on pencil sketch elements. They look more like a motion comic. I also like how they use typography to emphasize things that are being said by the narrator. The whole animation is as fun as the script.
Figure 2.1: All About Boys puberty -Watchwellcast
#3 What is depression? -TED-Ed
The design style of this animation is simple yet it really represents the meaning of depression. The animation is smooth yet really caught my eyes the whole time. The whole elements are made out of outlines and solid colors without any gradients and textures. And The color palette only consists of 3 main colors: beige, white, black. I like how the artist uses many types of human figures from young to older people to indicate that depression can really be suffered by everybody.
Figure 2.3: What is depression? -TED-Ed
Figure 2.4: Mood Board, 01.08.2022
3 Most Challenging Frame Sketch
Figure 2.5: #1 Challenging Frame Sketch, 01.08.2022
Figure 2.6: #2 Challenging Frame Sketch, 01.08.2022
Figure 2.7: #3 Challenging Frame Sketch, 01.08.2022
Process
WEEK 2:
On week 2, Mr Martin gave us a storyboard breakdown template. We started noting down the scenes starting from the running time, duration, topic, script breakdown, and notes on what graphical objects we would create in each scene. Every member of our group did this according to their own part.
Figure 2.8: My Part
WEEK 3:
Figure 2.9: Sketches #1
Figure 2.10: Sketches #2
Figure 2.11: Sketches #3
WEEK 4:
On week 4, I started digitizing my sketches in Procreate. I also added some new sketches to make it more detailed so that I could use it for the animatics.
Figure 2.12 & 2.13: Digital Sketches, 01.25.2022
Figure 2.14 & 2.15: Group's Sketches, 01.25.2022
After the practical session, we were briefed about what Animatics mean. Animatic would be our week 4 task and from what Mr. Martin explained, I learned that animatics are basically a sequence of sketches that we have to place according to the script's timing. So we didn't need to animate anything but we just need to place our sketches frame-to-frame. The main goal is to see if our storyboard is good enough and suits the voiceover. It helps us to get the sense of a finished piece of our motion graphic.
Figure 2.17: Week 4 Task
After I finished Frame 1 digital sketch, I tried making my animatics for the first time, and here is the result:
Figure 2.18: Animatics for Frame 1 (My Part), 01.27.2022
Figure 2.19: Final Animatics (Group Task), 02.03.2022
Figure 2.20: Sketched Assets
WEEK 5:
In week 5, I had the honor tp design the character design that would be used throughout the video by all group members. I created it with a simplistic style and I used the colors from our moodboard. I also separated the hands, heads, feet, and facial features into different layers so it makes the animation process easier.
These are the characters that I created:
- 2 kids (male & female)
- 2 teens (male & female)
- 2 adults (male & female)
Our team agreed to make the little female kid the narrator of the video.
Figure 2.21 - 2.23: Character Design in AI, 02.05.2022
Figure 2.24: Character Design Sketches, 01.27.2022
Figure 2.25: Final Character Design, 02.05.2022
WEEK 6:
In week 6, I made sure I finished all of my illustrations for my part (frame 1-2). It took me about 2 days to complete these. But, overall I like how they turn out to be.
Figure 2.26: Final Illustration of the Frames,
I also compiled the vector elements I used and share them with my teammates so they can use them.
Figure 2.27: Elements that I used
AI Design link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15Ev-knVjer-3ZeCFlCFDBBT4ddxTI0_7?usp=sharing
WEEK 7:
And in the last week, I proceed to make my animation. I imported my files from AI to AE. I used many effects and tools in AE and I feel like this time I am more comfortable using the software because I've used it before in Semester 1. I also like the puppet tool & null object very much, it helps a lot and it's a game-changer for my animation.
Tools & Effects I used:
- Position
- Scale
- Rotation
- Opacity
- Null Object
- Puppet Tool
- Trim Paths
- Create < Create shapes from vector layers
- Distortion - Tide Effect (Waving)
- Bounce (using the tricks Mr. Martin taught)
Figure 2.28: Process
When I showed my animation to Mr. Martin in week 7, he asked me to fix the scene from frame 2 where it zooms in to the boy with a mustache. He wanted me to readjust the little girl's position so it wouldn't appear on the lower corner of the frame. I already fixed that and here's my final outcome for my part (frame 1 & 2):
Figure 2.29: My Part, Frame 1-2 Final Animation (Revised)
Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/eiwFDTZKJCU
After I finished my part, I also helped Zenab & some of Cathy's part... and here are the outcomes:
- Zenab's: I helped coloring some of her sketches and I animated all of her part.
- Cathy's: I helped illustrating scene 17A and I animated them.
Figure 2.30: Illustrating & Animating Zenab's Part (Frame 3)
Figure 2.31: Illustrating & Animating Cathy's Part (Frame 17A)
Final Outcome
FINAL JOB DISTRIBUTION: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JitcwDu_scAdF9zVzVTzc0yP4K395VQTido5SfkPBiU/edit
YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/Fa0GyqIowQQ
Figure 2.32: Final Outcome (in MP4), 02.24.2022
FEEDBACK
WEEK 4:Personal Feedback
(Storyboard Breakdown) Mr. Martin said that SCENE 2G (glass of milk) can be eliminated because the duration is too short. And he suggested adding a girl figure in SCENE 2J, so the scene will be more physical rather than only full of objects.
Group Feedback
(Storyboard Breakdown) Mr. Martin said we need to think about plan B if one of our groupmate is not contributing. Because we have to finish the animatics the next week so we have to cover all the sketches.
WEEK 6:
Group Feedback
(AI Design) Mr. Martin said everything was nice, however, our team needs to rush a bit in making the scene design. Because it was week 6 already and we really need to be done with our AI. Also, he mentioned that the overall art direction of each team member is still different. He suggested the others to follow my art direction and stick to the moodboard.
WEEK 7:
Personal Feedback
(Storyboard Breakdown) Mr. Martin said my animation (frame 1-2) are very good. But he asked me to fix the scene where it zooms in to the boy with a mustache popping. The girl's hair is still showing on the right lower corner of the frame. He said that it will make the audience focus on the hair. After that, I immediately fixed it.
Group Feedback
(Animation) They are good but there are some scenes that needed to be fixed (Arwinda's & Nitish's part)
REFLECTION
ExperienceOverall, I feel that this semester is more tiring than semester 1. Even though I only have 2 modules but the tasks and exercises keep coming. I don't mind that, actually, I like the tasks that I do in this module, they teach me so many new things, and I can finish them on time. I also had working on AI and AE. However, it becomes a bit difficult when some of the teammates did not follow the deadlines. I think that's the most challenging part. Not to mention how we design totally differently. To bring 7 people with different styles together and produce an artwork that harmonizes is not easy at all, especially during online learning. And unfortunately, I also felt that some of the teammates aren't very responsive. But thank goodness we could get it done by helping each other. I really put in extra work and tried my best to be helpful to others.
Observations
I observed that designing a motion graphic is actually very interesting. And to design in a group was a new thing to me. Mr. Martin really explained things clearly and he started by baby steps. Such as making the moodboard, then sketching the frames, etc. To be honest I wasn't very sure how to make a video with 7 people designing. But by following Mr. Martin's guidance, it all became simpler and doable. I also realized that when working in a team, all things must be very clear. Moodboard was like the bible that we really need to follow. And extra patience was needed because every person works differently. Besides teamwork, I also learned how we need to pay extra attention to the information we are giving. Sometimes I'm too focused on the aesthetic that I forgot about effective communication. This module teaches me how to balance both of them.
Findings
I found that this final project really taught me how to work in a team. Patience, tolerance, planning, and time management are needed. It wasn't easy for me, but I'm happy that we've finished it well. And despite all the problems, I'm quite happy with our final video, I think everyone did their best according to their abilities. This project gave me experience in designing as a group, and it's a new thing for me.
FURTHER READING
Figure 3.0: Timing For Animation, 2009
Whitaker, H. Sito, T. & Halas, J., “Timing For Animation”. Focal Press, 2009.
Introduction: General Principles of Timing
The readability of ideas depends on two factors:
- Good staging & layout: scenes & actions are presented in the most effective way
- Good timing: enough time is spent preparing the audience for something to happen, then the action itself, and the reaction to the action.
To judge these factors correctly requires a good knowledge of how the human mind reacts when being told a story. Different audiences react in different ways (for example, children & adults react in different timing).
Timing for Full Animation
Animation is expensive and time-consuming. It is not economically possible to animate more than is needed and edit the scenes later as in live-action films. In cartoons, the director carefully pre-times every action so that the animator works within prescribed limits. and this way does not waste time doing unnecessary drawings.
The director should be able to view the rough tests of the film as it progresses, and so have a chance to make adjustments.
Figure 3.1: Example of Storyboard
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