Year 2 Work

Jobs list:

1 OBSERVER MOTION GRAPHICS
2 TYPOGRAPHY – EXTENDED PRACTICE
3 COPYRIGHT RESEARCH AND DESIGN done
4 CRITICAL STUDIES done
5 NEGOTIATED BRIEF – fully developed copyright advert
6 SUMMER BRIEF – stamp designs
7 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE – done

Observer Motion Graphics

This could have been completed easily by now, but I think the inclusion of 3d / cameras and all that stuff has prevented this. I have got my head around loads of things this year, but the 3d, especially after effects 2.5d is too confusing.

I keep running into problems and still don’t really know how to get around them

I think I am best off concentrating on other elements of motion graphics, then returning to 3d at a later date. The idea of utilising this area before I learn a lot more simpler techniques was probably not wise.

It might also be the case that I ncould complete by ‘cheating’ the 3D – this would most likely see it finished, but I would probably learn more if I did it properly.

Decisions….


Typography – Extended Practice











This was my first major project this year, and my first proper foray into ‘motion graphics’ and After Effects.

I have found upon returning to this at this stage I have 2 reflections
• It isn’t a ‘conceptual’ project. There’s no ‘big’ idea.
• It is however a good place to show some good design, audio/rhythm and animation skills
• I could now explore this further, and get a good angle on it. Make it a better portfolio piece

This means creating more visuals, more boards/frames and thinking hard about some good angles and transitions. It needs to look impressive and be clever in other ways.

I might need to think harder on the type, use fatter and thinner variations of the avant-garde face, upper and lower-case.


Negotiated Brief











This is looking good so far, the characters have been designed, boards have been made and the sound was created and mixed. the animatic can be viewed here

I might need more boards frames for the animatic (http://kupon.co.uk/movies/cprt_board2.mov )

A dopesheet will be needed for the charcter animation – this could be time-intensive!

Method proposed – lots of test movies

The main body of the characters could be illustrator files, with separate layers for eyes, pupils etc. These can be parented

The mouths will need to be animated mask layers with solids, with the teeth then dropped on top. There will be a little bit of tweening, but mostly frame by frame animation.

To cut corners, I make about 15 main characters, then duplicate, repeat and resize comps of characters. Maybe duplicate the mouths a bit?

Reflections - End of Year 2 & FdA Course

This year has been pretty mad.

It seemed to flash by in a seconds, scary really. A year at college is really only 8 months, with at least 6 weeks vacation time.

I entered the second year wishing to explore 'motion graphics', and found this to be true; there's far more to it than it seems

Design
Copywriting
Conceptualising
Directing
Typography
Drawing
Film Language
Animation
3D space
Research
Sound Design
Study of form etc

It's been really difficult, and I have been getting quite annoyed that I don't have so much to show for my troubles. My portfolio seems to be full of holes at the moment, and I know I have worked hard.

I have been keeping my timesheet, and have eliminated (or greatly reduced) time-wasting factors. I know what causes periods of procrastination. These are usually due to getting puzzled, stuck or by indecision. I realise that by complex nature of what I am doing is problematic. I have worked on so many parts of my projects, all of which are necessary before the final production can happen.

I set up my own place to work, which is great in many ways, but is isolated. I have realised that in Year 3, wherever I study I will need more guidance. The motion graphics work, due to it's multiple factors (listed above) throws up endless puzzles. Manoeuvring through these is possible, but slow work.

I am quite happy about my progress through basic 2d static images. I feel that these are pretty good. Here is my latest one, which I did under time-pressures for King Unique (n.b. - click on image for full-size view):











I realise that there are always ways to get better, but i do feel satisfied that I can look back at banners i produced over the past 12 months, and see a definite improvement. It's more the motion work which is hard. I have spent such a huge amount of time getting what I have done so far (learning the techniques, theory and software) and would be happier if there were more to show. I will be continuing this work through the summer and wnat to get all 3 projects completed.

I have broken my year 2 work into 3 Main chunks and I will write my reflections on each in the next post.