Motion Graphics
Quote
below is from the presentation we were given in class.
“The
term “motion graphics” has been used at least since 1960, when the pioneer of
computer filmmaking John Whitney named his new company ‘Motion Graphics’.
However,
until the Velvet Revolution, only a handful of people and companies have
systematically explored the art of animated typography: Norman McLaren, Saul
Bass, Pablo Ferro, R/Greenberg, and a few others.
Today
(2006) the term ‘motion graphics’ is often used to refer to all moving image
sequences which are dominated by typography and/or design and embedded in
larger forms.”
“(Lev Manovich, 2006)”
The quote below is from http://designishistory.com/design/motion-graphics
“The
field of motion graphics encompasses film titles, broadcast packages, music
videos, animation, television commercials, online video and outdoor and indoor
digital displays. A relatively new medium for communication, motion graphics
utilizes the element of time to its fullest potential in order to communicate
its message through visual and audio storytelling through an ever-expanding
variety of digital publication outlets (in 2009 CBS and Pepsi
produced the first widely distributed in-magazine video advertisement).”
The quote below is from http://designishistory.com/design/motion-graphics
“The increasing availability of user-friendly software used
to create motion graphics has provided new tools and mediums for graphic
designers to explore. While motion graphics requires a knowledge and application
of color, typography, imagery and sound to communicate a visual message, it is
not widely recognized as a form of graphic design among many circles. However,
that has started to change in recent years and motion graphics has not only
been included in many annual design reviews but has been the focus
competitions specific to
its application.”
Different examples of
motion graphics:
Screenshots taken from the video:
“Squarespace - Build it Beautiful”
“the project consisted of two main parts: two
static hi-res key art images, one logo-based and one abstract, operating within
the same visual language, and an animation/bumper that featured
the Squarespace logo.”
The video above is called,
“A Flat Animation” which I found on the link above. The video starts with
simple playful music in the background suggesting that the target audience for
this video is going to be for young children. The motion graphics used in this
animation is very simple but effective, the technique it uses is starting from
a circular shape and just transforming in to different cartoon and comic book
characters in a fun and child friendly way. When the characters appear it also
uses a sound effect of the character that the audience will know from that
particular character to make it more engaging and more alive. In my opinion I
feel the effect works really well and will definitely keep young kids engaged.
The
video above is called, “Oil Timeline (WIP)” and the title of the video tells
you all about what is going to happen in the video. The motion graphics used in
this video is very simple and basically moves along to the left of the screen,
as it gets older. Although personally I really like simple motion graphic
effects to be honest I feel this was a bit to simple due to it not even having
music or just any type of sound in the background which didn’t make the video
engaging at all but more boring. Saying that I do like the greyish desert look
like colour in the background as I feel it goes with the scruffy timeline
lines. I also feel that the typography used in the video also goes well with
the rest of the video because it still has that same simple effect. The video
also uses different elements such as a tank and oil well to make it more info
graphic like and to be honest I like it because it makes it more aesthetically
pleasing and appealing to the eye/audience.
The
video above is called, “ “Imagine…” ”.
The
video above uses a cartoon like effect to make its point about having more
health workers more easy to understand. The video uses a voice over and sound
effects and simple quiet music in the background to show this. The reason it
does this is to make the video more appealing and easy to understand by a wide
range of audience’s especially young people. The voice overs on top flow well
with the video as well making us the audience feel like were actually involved
in the situation and that it is a problem that needs to be addressed, which is
a good thing because that is what the video is trying to do and it is
succeeding. The typography used also used is also thin to not overflow the
animation, which is happening, but to be subtle but effective.
The
video above is called, “Inneractive Motion Graphic Video”
Screenshots taken from the video:
Screenshots taken from the video:
As soon
as the motion graphic video starts you are immediately engaged in to it because
of the purple shapes transforming in to the world map with a sound effect
whilst they are changing, which gives it a great aesthetically pleasing feel.
Whilst this is all happening there is also music in the background, which is
being played which flows very well with what is going on in the video at the
time and is also not to upbeat and not to slow but the music itself is engaging
as well. The motion graphics in this video are definitely very professional
because everything flows very smoothly and everything connects in to each other
smoothly as well.
The
typography is also very eye catching due to its colour matching the colours of
the things in the video, in this case the colour is mostly purple. The text
also has a horizontal line on its left side giving it more of a professional
and prestige look to it which keeps the video engaging and appealing. The positioning
of where the text is at all times is also something which stood out to me
because it never seems to be somewhere it shouldn’t be and feels very
comfortable where it is which makes the video flow smoother whilst maintaining
its excitement and professional feel. In my opinion the target audience for
this video is definitely young working class adults, this is due to the
professional feel and the chosen music.
The
video above is called, “Motion Graphics showreel”
Screenshots taken from the video:
Screenshots taken from the video:
The
video basically shows a variety of different motion graphic work so it all
looks a bit jumbled up but from the name you can see since it is called show
reel it is basically showing of all the work that the particular company M2 has
done. The music in the background for this video is very upbeat and immediately
grabs your attention as soon as the video starts which makes the video more
interesting and engaging. The typography used to show case this work is also
very large and bulky and comes right in to your face to create more of an
impact to the viewer/ audience.
The
video above is called Maroon 5-Maps [Kinetic Typography]
Screenshots taken from the video:
Screenshots taken from the video:
The
video is basically a lyric version of the song. Although it sounds simple for
text to be coming up on the screen, the typography uses great effects such as
rotations, text suddenly appearing one word bigger than the other. All these
effects keep the video engaging and keeps the audience interested in the video
which is why I really like the motion graphics in this video. In some parts of
the video we can also see a symbolic verison of what the person is talking
about in the text or outside the text.
For
example as you can see in the word map it has a picture of the world map.
Or when
it says, “WHEN ALL THE ROADS YOU TOOK CAME BACK TO ME” we can see lines which
illustrate a road which also come round it to the other side of the lyrics to
illustrate the part where it says, “CAME BACK TO ME”.
In my
opinion all these little techniques make the video so much more enjoyable to
watch and keep the video very aesthetically pleasing.
The
video above is from Film4
Screenshots taken from the video:
Screenshots taken from the video:
The
quote below is from: http://manvsmachine.co.uk/projects/project/film4_on_air_rebrand
“The idents see the technique applied
to cinematic live action compositions, presenting the Film4 logo in various
locations. Each location/scene carefully crafted to elicit a variety of
different moods. Idents begin ambiguously before seamlessly branching off into
one of three possible endings, making minimal adjustments to shift the mood
dramatically. Each of the idents is constructed from a vast array of film
references and homages; from the iconic to the obscure.”
The way
the logo is placed in different environments and different visual effects
happen in the surrounding making the logo look one with the environment, which
is something I really like about this video because it makes me focus on the
illusion which is happening and keeps me engaged. You can see this from the screenshots above.
The
video above is the SEAT- Logo Animation
Screenshots taken from the animation:
Screenshots taken from the animation:
The
animation introduces the “SEAT” logo in only 4 seconds. Although it has shown
it in such as short time I got a great feeling from the logo as the laser on
the logo at the beginning gave me a feeling that the company has a high level
of craft and precision due to the lasers flawless movement around the logo. The
music in the background is also very calming and simple giving the video a more
professional feel which I really like.
The
animation above is called, “FROM PAPER TO SCREEN”
The
quote below is from: https://vimeo.com/69375692
“Animation which shows typography evolution from paper to
screen.
The animation is divided in two parts.
The first deals with the basic rules of typesetting.
The second, is about the evolution of typography in cinema.
Used mainly for Opening and Closing title.”
The animation is divided in two parts.
The first deals with the basic rules of typesetting.
The second, is about the evolution of typography in cinema.
Used mainly for Opening and Closing title.”
Screenshots taken from the animation:
This
animation in my opinion flows really well and the narrative is also very easily
understandable. The way the type moves from place to place and fades out keeps
the video attractive and engaging. The music also starts with a very high
pitched noise when the screen is black but when it turns to a creamy colour the
music gives u a sense your in a library because of how calming it is and it
works very well with the speed of the letters/ words fading in and out. The
music also works very well because it is in sync with the movement of the
letters. By this I mean when one key is pressed on the piano something moves. I
really like this because it makes the animation flow through really well.
The
second part of this animation shows the evolution of typography in cinema. When
looking at all the different title sequence openings the one, which stood out
to me the most was the one at the bottom which says, "To the more substantial".
Screenshots taken from the animation:
Screenshots taken from the animation:
This
was because of how the white word moved with the white plane and the also the effect of the black letters which was it basically stretching out.
The
animation above is called, “Elbow Grease – Habitat Promo
Screenshots taken from the animation:
Screenshots taken from the animation:
The
soon as the video starts we get a countryside feel due to the music and the
voice over. Also the animation is basically a info graphic version of what the
voice over is saying making it more simple to understand and attracting a wider
audience.
We also
see motion graphics in music videos such as the one above, which is called
“Kanye West – Good life ft. T-pain”. The video uses typography and different
images to give the music video a cool and fresh appeal, which hasn’t, be done
that much before. What I really like about the effects is that it follows on
with what the artist Kanye west is saying in his song for example, when he says
put your hand up in the sky we see this:
The
animation above is called, “Sneakerpedia”.
Screenshots from the animation:
Screenshots from the animation:
This
animation has a very fun and playful feeling to it, which keeps the audience
engaged. It keeps our attention due its fast flowing pase and the sound effects
and music it uses which keeps you alert. The voice over on top of the video is
also good because the person is talking to you about something you can relate
to which will always keep the you the audience interested. The motion graphics
in this video are very professional and tell the story visually as well. Which
flows through well with the voice over. I really like this video and to be
honest it is probably one of my favroute info graphic videos so far due to its
aesthetically pleasing feel and its effects it uses such as using shoe boxes to
stand for 13 billion and then making the show boxes move away from each other
whilst zooming in to them makes everything more attractive and eye catching as you can see from the screenshots below taken from the video.
Sound
(I have
also talked about sound when analysing each video)
What I
realised about all these motion graphic videos is that sound plays a huge role
in the video, it can either make your video feel way more alive than it is or
make it a lot more boring than it is. After looking at all the videos so far I
realised the pace of your music has to flow very well with the pace of your
video because it will make it more engaging and attractive which is what I felt
by some of the videos above.
Case
study
(This case study is also the case study we used for our
presentations)
CASE STUDY NOT DONE
CASE STUDY NOT DONE
“Build
A City Motion Graphic”
Screenshots from the video in no particular order:
Screenshots from the video in no particular order:
As soon
as the video starts you are immediately grabbed by it because a voice over
starts talking to you with loud calming music in the background. What I really like about this video is that whilst the video is playing and the person on the voice over is talking we see symbolic images and signs which mean things that relate to what the man on the voice over is saying. For example, "What does opportunity mean for people in extreme poverty" and then we see a handshake, "How would you describe it" and we see a question mark and "If only people had clean water" we see a tap with water dripping out and so on. What attracts me to do this is that it engages me and the viewer to actually listen and watch the video at the same time without either the voice over or the video over taking one another.
On the other hand it is not just this that engages me but also the transitions that happen from one element on the screen to another element on the screen changing which has been done with a great appealing and eye catching effect which is very simple but yet so effective. Whilst this is all happening the music in the background which is being played is also very calming and subtle and has a very good flow with the rest of the video. The motion graphic video also tells us the narrative within the video which means if the voice over wasn't even there we would still understand the video due to the visuals such as the graphs, charts and symbols on the screen, which is the most attractive element about this video to me because it means that a wider audience can watch it and be attracted to it such as children and teenagers because it will be eye catching and appealing to them and easy to understand. Although is has a lot of visuals going on, the profession feel is still maintained throughout the video due to the colours being used and the spacing within the video.
As soon as we realise that there is a change being made from when the voice over tells us, "thats why we are building an entire city", when the video reaches to 1 minute and 4 seconds the music in the background also changes to a more upbeat and playful feel and the typography is also used in a very smart way because on the screen we see, "BUILDING AN ENTIRE CITY" in large capital bold letters to engage the audience even more and to keep them aware of whats happening in the video.
Overall what I really like about this motion graphic video is the fact that it keeps you engaged due to its overall eye catching visuals which tell us the narrative whilst the man on the voice over is telling us the the story also whilst keeping everything at a good pace. The music in the background is also really good because it changes with the narrative as I spoke about above. But most importantly I like how it is very easy understandable due to the visuals/info graphics which means that a vast majority of people can understand and be engaged in the video to help create awareness of what is happening in the world.
__________________
During
my research we were also asked to go to the Maritime Museum and to pick an
object from the Nelson, Navy, Nation exhibition.
Image below is from the exhibition that I took which gives an insight on the routes to the Royal Navy during the 18th century:
Image below is from the exhibition that I took which gives an insight on the routes to the Royal Navy during the 18th century:
I
decided to pick 3 objects, which attracted me, the most and then pick one, the
objects I picked were:
Lion
figurehead
Images below taken by myself:
Images below taken by myself:
“Lion figureheads
The figureheads of first-rate vessels were large, finely
carved affairs, often depicting a lion. These lions were surrounded by
extensive bow decoration. Stern galleries too became much more ornate and
reflected the exuberance of the Baroque style. Indeed, as the stern grew in
width and height there was a corresponding increase in the wealth of
decoration. The stern simply offered greater scope for the carver.
A lion was the most common subject for naval and commercial
figureheads across much of Europe from the 17th until the mid-18th century
when individual designs became more prevalent. The lion had obvious traits that
made it especially suitable for Royal Navy warships: not only was it a fierce
predator, but it was also a national symbol and formed part of the monarch's
coat of arms. There are a number of lion figureheads in the Museum's
collection, but because of their widespread use it has not always been possible
to identify the ships they adorned.
By around 1700 the decoration of naval vessels reached its
peak and the Royal Navy began a long, slow process of restricting, and eventually
eliminating, carving around the bow and stern. The carving on lower-ranking
warships was curtailed, but dispensations were sought for first- and
second-rate vessels and even lesser ships could still be fitted with fine
figureheads. The design of the stern was simplified and became more
functional.”
Violin
Images below taken by myself:
Images below taken by myself:
Model
of a frigate
Images below taken by myself:
Images below taken by myself:
I
decided to pick the violin and basically show the narrative of the text which is with the violin on a
video with images and effect on the text to make it more visual for people to understand easier and just to make
it more interactive. I also picked the violin because I felt like everything in that particular exhibition was all really depressing and nothing was as random as picking the violin and I wanted to do something, which was more on the brighter side of things.
If I was really good at after effects I would of had wanted to create a ship sailing in a sea, with then the camera zooming in to the ship showing what people did when they had free time. But due to the amount of time I had and my after effect capabilities I decided to do something very simple which bring across my narrative. To do this I decided to use imagery and text.
The photos I picked to tell my narrative were:
This image was taken from:
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/11430/lot/162/
This image was taken from:
http://onestoparts.com/review-broadsides-caricature-and-the-navy-nmm
This image was taken by me:
This image was taken from:
http://www.forest-tracks.co.uk/folk_music_media/FromSpitheadRoads20ppPDF.pdf
This image was taken from:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/452330356295048008/
I then started adding text to make the narrative more understandable. I wanted the target audience for this video to be mostly for kids/young children all the way up to teenagers which is why I wanted the typography to be easily understandable but still have a aesthetic feel to it. I wanted the video to be placed on a screen in the table next to the guitar so that it could be easily watchable and at a good level for kids and children to watch also. The reason people would want to watch this video is because it would be more visual and more eye catching to a younger audience to watch. Experimenting with type:
After creating my short 41 second video I decided to add music. After researching in to different motion graphic videos and seeing the different types of music they had, I realised that the pace of the music was very important to my video and also having music with someone singing would be not a good idea because it would be to distracting. Since I wanted my video to be placed in the exhibition right next to the guitar on a screen which could be built in to the table it was on I wanted to the music to also be subtle and not to distracting to the other items in the exhibition. This is why I chose this song which is called the, "The XX-Intro HQ" which can be found on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ1pHmWhIuY
My final:
(The final is also in a different attachment which will be emailed to you and will be submitted on moodle for you with the blog link)
Evaluation:
When starting this project I immediately had a interest in to it from looking at different examples of motion graphics. From looking at different motion graphic videos I learnt a lot in terms of how different videos use motion graphics to attract their viewer and many other different things such as how important the music/sound in the background of your video. After researching in to many different videos I decided to pick the violin in the exhibition at the Maritime museum because it looked to me like it was something which was misplaced in the exhibition and when I went closer to it and read about it, it was an interesting topic to me which looked on the brighter side of things.
When coming up with my final I had a lot of ideas but due to my after effect skills and time I decided to create something simple which would be aimed at young children and teenagers. I did this by creating something short which was about 40 seconds long that was easy for children and teenagers to be engaged in by just using images and text but on a screen which was embedded in the table text to the violin. After creating my final motion graphic video I felt like its simplicity was easy to understand and it did the job and told the narrative, but if I could improve my final piece I would do so because I would have made it more complex in terms of its actual motion graphics by giving it more effects and so on. On the other hand I am very happy with my blog.
Mohammad Reza Jafari-Fini
