4350 TOPICS: DYNAMIC MEDIA: MOTION GRAPHICS

After Effects 7.0.1 Update

2006-12-11T12:02:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to Steve Kilisky's After Effects blog entry at Adobe (he is AE's product manager; I think I've mentioned him before) detailing the 7.0.1 update to After Effects. He includes links to both the Mac and Windows downloads, and those individual links explain in great detail what's been changed/update/fixed in this version. Enjoy.

Stranger Than Fiction

2006-12-02T10:10:00.000-07:00

So I saw Stranger Than Fiction the other night and recommend that everyone go and see it. It is very funny, but to my surprise, had great motion in it too. MK12 Studios created the motion for the movie. The motion enhanced the movie, created great visuals for the audience and was great support for Ferrell's character. He plays a man that is obsessed with numbers, pretty much OCD. In the image, he is counting his steps to the bus stop. A grid pops out of his body to visually explain his habits, and depending upon the activity, it could be a small or large grid. In short, it's a great piece and the motion is awesome...so go see it.

Imagination with nothing more than your own tools

2006-11-21T00:07:00.000-07:00

AtomFilms - Animator vs. Animation II

Remember the first one, where the animated stick figure opens up a can of WhoopAss™ on the Flash UI? Absolute genius, and done with literally nothing more than the tools on the desktop.

[via John Nack]

4350 FINAL PROJECT

2006-11-09T10:59:00.000-07:00

Here we are nearing the end of the semester...Its time to really show me what you are capable of with this last project. This project is the culmination of the semester, and will be worth over 15% of your final grade. I am also going to setup a timeline for you guys similar to a real world project timeline that a producer, graphics coordinator or traffic manager would work with you on. Any phase deadline of the project not completed or missed will count against your final grade and could possibly lead to failure of the project and or class. This is your time to shine. Any of you serious about film/video/motion/broadcast TV and that works hard on this will DEFINITELY WALK AWAY FROM THIS CLASS WITH SOMETHING REEL WORTHY!!!!

Some of you in class on Monday the 8th and ALL of you that missed class are required to do a 20-30 second bump/commercial spot for the 29th Denver Filmfest. Using the copy I've emailed you. You can also get the copy and logo HERE. You must use AT LEAST the copy provided, but I would suggest that you may want to come up with more.

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS:

Must be 20-30 seconds in length

Must be exported in the H.264 codec at Full NTSC D1 Quality

Must use at least one aspect of a tutorial we've done in class or outside (i.e. Camera shake, fractal, displacement map, etc)

Must be heavily rich (i.e. depth, space, etc) and VERY well animated.

Must use cohesive color or thread throughout(i.e., consistent color, color correction, aesthetic,image treatmant, etc)

If footage is used, it must be treated accordingly (see above).

COMPLETE, meaning a beginning and end.

You must tailor your project to your strengths

Your Project will be split up into the following parts:

Phase 1 : Proposal, Initial Story Boarding/Style Frame 1-3, timeline
DUE 11/13

Phase 2a : Final Story Boarding/Style Frame + test Anim.
DUE 11/15

Phase 2b : Final Story Boarding/Style Frame + test Anim. REV.2
DUE 11/17 (via email)

Phase 3a : Round 1 finished version (edit, FPO art)
DUE 11/27

Phase 3b : Round 2 Finished version
DUE 11/29

Phase 4a : Final version
DUE 12/4

Phase 4b : Final Version rev. 2
DUE 12/6

PHASE 5: Submit to client (final due, critique)
DUE 12/11

FINAL NOTES:
As I've said before, you should absolutely EXPLOIT YOUR RESOURCES! If you are good at shooting or editing or have access to cameras, use them. If you are good with photoshop or illustrator bring that into your piece. This is not a project to experiment with something new on. Again, this is the culmination of this class. This project will show me what you have learned and what you are capable of. If you are unsure about any phase of the project or have questions on technical issues, then ASK.

Also, check back here frequently for updates.

GOOD LUCk!

Expressions and scripting to the max

2006-11-04T21:15:00.000-07:00

Company's name is Imago, based in Istanbul. Found this through an Adobe blog written by After Effect's senior product manager, Steve Kilisky. Might be nice to bookmark or add to your RSS reader. The video, Demographix, was apparently entirely generated with mathematics in AE, using nothing but expressions and scripting. To view it, click the small screenshot thumbnail at the end of their short article, then click the far-too-tiny 'play' button in the upper left of the popup window.

An Inspiration

2006-11-04T12:55:00.000-07:00

Okay...I don't know how to do this whole blog thing so bear with me. This is an awesome intro done for the show Huff. This is what inspired me to do the Itch intro. I love the treatment of the film, the desaturation of almost everything except for the vibrant green. The running barbed wire is a nice transition and the ae camera work is amazing. I was very impressed with the concept and it heavily influenced my Itch piece.

(Here is the link to Shilo's website...the show is one of their first links.)

www.shilodesign.com
Showtime's Huff

Beck and Michel Gondry at it again

2006-10-21T14:58:00.000-06:00

Michel Gondry has done a new video for Beck, "Cellphone's Dead." I'm not sure if this is on that new album he just released, but people see to be digging both the song and the vid. If someone finds a better quality version than YouTube (here's a link), post in the comments and I'll be happy to update.

Thinking outside the box: Audi - "Emotions"

2006-10-14T23:53:00.000-06:00

I hate to keep pulling from Motionographer, but it's one of the few killer resources for keeping a thumb on what's going on in motion across the industry. I was drawn to this latest Audi: "Emotions" piece for the same reasons Justin (he runs Motionographer) was: it's a unique take on thinking outside the box about the product. It's a car commercial, but you never see a car throughout the entire piece. Beautiful.

Let's play 'Find the Grid' in Rick's latest lecture promo

2006-10-08T17:29:00.000-06:00

So who can find the grid in this promo for a new lecture: "Rick Gets it Wrong"?

Also: Is anyone planning on going? Here's the details in case you didn't get the email:

SELF MADE: Tuesday October 10, 2006
6pm Double Daughters Salotto, 1632 Market St.

Rick Griffith Gets it Completely Wrong. A Lecture.

I'm hoping to make it. Anyone else? I'm also planning on attending the AIGA: Design Icon event Wed night too. Hit me up if you need an elbow schmoozing buddy.

Profile of a pro photographer: Joe McNally

2006-10-02T21:58:00.000-06:00

Joe McNally - High Flying Images

Apple just added a new profile to their Pro site, this time of photographer Joe McNally. Since photography is so key to any kind of design we do, this is another good peek into the mind, passions and techniques of a professional. Part of these articles' purpose, of course, is to pimp Apple's own products, but even so, hearing about how these guys work and the snippets of their experience with clients should add some insight and entries in our playbooks for when we hit the real world.

More good examples of the grid on the web

2006-10-02T12:53:00.000-06:00

The New York Times and the Morning News both redesigned recently, and they've been praised pretty widely for their new layouts and typography. I'm no grid guru yet, but these feel like strong, fundamental (as opposed to experimental or ground-breaking) uses of the grid on the web.

MOTION BRANDING ASSIGNMENT (BUMPER,STATION ID)

2006-09-27T17:51:00.001-06:00

Your OTHER assignment for Monday (10/2/06) is to do a 7-15 second Motion Branding project. You must make a 7-15 second animation of a company/station/program interstitial or bump. You can make it up or do a real one. Your animation must be well thought out, tight, and well designed. You MUST also use one method that I taught in class. I know that this is your first assignment with motion, but it MUST BE WELL DONE. You must show your upper division proficiency with AFTER EFFECTS. This means that you all knew the level of knowledge of which you were required to have upon entering this class, so lets see it. If you your animation/motion is simple then you color/depth/richness/design must be ROCK SOLID!

Here is an example of a few bumps/station id's I put together:

Here are some examples of good motion branding that are simple, yet designed well:

Telewest (Read the side for some good branding discussion)

VISION & MOTION (these guys aren't the best motion designers, but there's some pretty good branding in there)

And of course you can always check out the CLASS LIST OF MOTION HOUSES!

If you want to use the BIAS logo and logo animation, get it here. But remember, If you use this, you MUST CHANGE IT DRAMATICALLY! ALL ASSIGNMENTS USING THIS WITH OUT A SUBSTANTIAL TREATMENT WILL GET NO CREDIT!!!!!

REQUIREMENTS:

Must be 7-15 seconds in length

Must be exported in the H.264 codec at Full NTSC D1 Quality

Must use at least one aspect of a tutorial we did in class (i.e. Camera shake, fractal, displacement map, etc)

Must be heavily rich (i.e. depth, space, etc) or VERY well animated.

Must use cohesive color or thread throughout(i.e., consistent color, color correction, aesthetic,image treatmant, etc)

Must be NEW PROJECT. No old redos or add ons

If footage is used, it must be treated accordingly (see above)

Also, check out the resources page for links to tutorials and scripts pertaining to things we've done in class.

BOARDS DUE 10/2/06

FINAL ANIMATION DUE 10/4/06

GRID ASSIGNMENT

2006-09-27T17:16:00.000-06:00

Hey All,

Here is the breakdown for your grid assignment that is due on Monday (10/2/06):

READ THESE ARTICLES/TUTORIALS:

Five simple steps to designing grid systems - Part 1 (SUBDIVISIONS)

Five simple steps to designing grid systems - Part 2 (RATIOS AND COMPLEX GRID SYSTEMS)

Design and the Divine Proportion

Using these fundamentals and what you've read in your book to date, create a two page spread (2 8.5 X 11) with typography and imagery. You can use only typography or a mix of type and image. However, keep imagery to a minimum (1 or 2 images). The point of this assignment is to explore the grid and apply it. Your assignment must be WELL designed, using a well thought out grid and it MUST display your sense and proficiency of high-end design, scale, hierarchy, use of color (if any), thought, and layout. LOOK AT WHAT GOOD DESIGNERS ARE DOING, AND YOU WILL UNDERSTAND BETTER! OBSERVE, OBSERVE, AND OBSERVE!

Here are some quick examples of good grid in a simple design:

If you need more examples, check out the AIGA site.

THIS IS DUE 10/2/06

AND REMEMBER, ASK QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE!

IN DESIGN TUTORIALS

2006-09-19T14:45:00.000-06:00

Here is a link to some free indesign tutorials

"HOW'D THEY DO THAT" ASSIGNMENT

2006-09-19T11:14:00.000-06:00

Hey all-

Here is the assignment description:

-Research Assignment: “How’d they do that”- 1500 words on a motion
piece and how the achieved the aesthetic, and did it work. You must also research the company that the chosen piece is for and describe whether or not you felt the output/finished product was appropriate.

Due 9/27

REQUIREMENTS:

Must be a minimum of 1500 words. (feel free to write more)

You must have a good balance of technical, theory, and design based content in your paper.

You must cite all resources using turabian or chicago style footnote citations. Must have a bibliography also.

Must have a minimum of 3 sources

Research Topic must be BROADCAST or FILM. If you have an experimental or other piece, it must be cleared through me.

The FINAL paper must be laid out using a desktop publishing tool, and done in a manner in which you would hand to a client. Plain word documents with 12pt. Times will not be accepted. You must also use a grid. It can be simple, but it must be present. You are designers, show it. Make it a part of your life.

And example of a research topic:

1)

Go to Helios Design Laboratories and in the upper right, click on video and select the Nokia project. There you will find pics from the shoot w/ brief descriptions and anecdotes of the shoot. This is a good starting point for researching. However, you must research how they achieved the result (i.e. why that camera was chosen, why/how they shot it). Then you need to explain why it worked/didn't work in so far as branding, identity, aesthetic quality, tempo/pace, output, relationship to medium, etc.

2)

Another example would be some of the music videos or films I've discussed in class. The DVD extras usually have great info, and you can further research from there.

RESOURCES:

Boards Mag Screening room & Spotopsy

There are also hundreds of forums where designers and filmmakers discuss film & video daily. Research these as well, and you are guaranteed to find pertinent info.

REMEMBER: IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT ANY PORTION, ASK.

COLOR CORRECTION HOMEWORK

2006-09-13T11:11:00.000-06:00

Here is the link for the three clips needed for the color correction assignment:

Color Assignment Zip

The first clip needs to be fixed-the color is way off. Pull the green back and fix the skin tone. The second 2 clips need to be cohesive. Make sure the tonal range and color/saturation is the same on both clips.

If you have questions-ASK. And if you do the assignment in AE make sure to turn in your project file. All outputed files should be in H.264 codec.

Music video created from 16,000 still images

2006-08-31T13:48:00.000-06:00

Errie song and creepy effect created from using this technique. I'm not sure if a better copy is lying around than at YouTube, but here's a direct link to the YouTube page if you want more info.

BASIC AFTER EFFECTS TUTORIAL

2006-08-28T16:38:00.000-06:00

Hey All,
I just wanted to get everybody on the same page technically. Please watch this tutorial and try a few of them so that we can skip the basics, and go straight into some AE animation. I want everybody to be proficient in the basics so that no one is left behind. I know that it may be redundant for some of you, but I'd like you to watch it anyway-its only about 10 minutes of your time.

PLEASE WATCH THIS:

Basic AE Tutorial

A couple of motion blogs

2006-08-28T00:44:00.000-06:00

In addition to the motion houses Jeff's been linking, I figured a couple of motion blogs might also be of interest, as they both keep an eye on what's going on in the world of motion as it's going on. I check in on both of these from time to time and am always absolutely floored at the caliber of work they find, both from individuals like you and me and from motion houses/projects/collaborations around the world. Enjoy:

Motionographer

FEED

noticing griding

2006-08-26T19:37:00.000-06:00

Hi Jeff,
As for grids honestly I never really thought much about them. James mentioned grids briefly in design class, but it wasn't related to 'how to' use it or where to see them outside of line. Now that I have read just a small amount about grids I see them everywhere. I do understand now how grids could make or break design and I catch myself noticing them more often.

GRID SYSTEMS

2006-08-26T09:16:00.000-06:00

Some of you may be having issues with the idea of a grid system. That is the point. It is vague in its way of explanation, but specific in its use.

A STUDENT ASKED:

can you give me an example of a design that didn't use the grid system or attempted and failed.

Everything more or less has a grid...Even at a microscopic level, proportion and scale relative to a given space.

The idea is that while everything is in some sort of grid space, you must ask yourself does it work and was it actually implemented.

For example, this website is poorly designed and has many color and typographical issues. But many of the visual issues relating to its failure have to do with the fact that there is no organizational element or grid. You will see these same failures in print, motion, video, signage, and information design.

In particular, the biggest problem with the layout of this example (the above site), is that there is no hierarchy in reference to scale. If you click on services, you will see that the scale and area represented by the navigation type and the content type occupy the same space. There is no hierarchy or visual cue as to what is more important or above the other.

Another example is the proportion of the grids: You should be able to visually separate the vertical and horizontal sections in your head, and tell that they are not proportionate to one another.

Excerpt from Massimo Vignelli's Grids: Their Meanings and Use for Federal Designers:

All the work I do is based on grids. I can't design anything with out a grid. I am so accustomed to using a grid that I use it for everything, even stationary. The grid provides a tool for quick solutions...With a grid I can do a 150 page book in one day-layout sketching, every picture in it...

The grid design must be related to the size of the material. If the material is mostly photographic, and the photographs are mostly rectangular, obviously the grid design will not be based on squares, because then every page will become a problem.

Here is an appropriate example:

As you can see, the given space is broken up in to a vertical grid (or columns). The content, imagery or copy take up 1, 2, and maybe 3 of the columns. But they are all proportionate to each other.

Links and research:

Five simple steps to designing grid systems - Part 1

Massimo Vignelli

Allen Hurlburt

Edward R. Tufte

Grid Systems

Well will talk more in class about this issue. I know it is vague.

WELCOME TO FA 4350 TOPICS: MOTION GRAPHICS

2006-08-14T14:55:00.000-06:00

4350 TOPICS: DYNAMIC MEDIA: MOTION GRAPHICS is designed to guide, help, and provide the best possible means of achieving your goals as motion designers, animators, editors, and the like. This class will be heavy on design aesthetic, typography, and many technical issues. We will spend time exploring professional and experimental work, as well as studying the fundamentals of motion theory, design for broadcast, and an in-depth look into the most powerful motion tools.

This is an Upper-Level Topics class specifically about motion graphics and video, meaning students will be expected to have a certain familiarity with both Adobe After Effects and or Adobe/Macromedia Flash, as well as a good understanding of Non-Linear editing tools such as Final Cut Pro or Avid.

Students will also be expected to spend time in AND out of class working to develop their design, application, observational skills, and completing class projects. Moreover, due to the amount of material and scale of motion theory and design, we will need to make the most out of each class period.

There will be 3 texts required for this class. You must get them ASAP as we will be going right into them the second week. Click on the link to find them at amazon.com.

REQUIRED TEXT:

1) Motion Design: Moving Graphics for Television, Music Video, and Digital Interfaces by Matt Woolman

2) The Designer and the Grid by Lucienne Roberts, Julia Thrift

3) Creating Motion Graphics: Volume 2: Advanced Techniques by Trish Meyers (you may already have this one from FA 3445)

RECOMMENDED TEXT:

1) Motion Graphic Design and Fine Art Animation: Principles and Practice (Paperback)
by Jon Krasner

2) Creative After Effects 7: Workflow Techniques for Animation, Visual Effects and Motion Graphics (Paperback)
by Angie Taylor

3)If you can find it: Moving Type (Paperback)
by Matt Woolman, Jeff Bellantoni

4350 TOPICS: DYNAMIC MEDIA: MOTION GRAPHICS

After Effects 7.0.1 Update

Stranger Than Fiction

Imagination with nothing more than your own tools

4350 FINAL PROJECT

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS:

Your Project will be split up into the following parts:

Expressions and scripting to the max

An Inspiration

Beck and Michel Gondry at it again

Thinking outside the box: Audi - "Emotions"

Let's play 'Find the Grid' in Rick's latest lecture promo

Profile of a pro photographer: Joe McNally

More good examples of the grid on the web

MOTION BRANDING ASSIGNMENT (BUMPER,STATION ID)

REQUIREMENTS:

BOARDS DUE 10/2/06FINAL ANIMATION DUE 10/4/06

GRID ASSIGNMENT

THIS IS DUE 10/2/06

IN DESIGN TUTORIALS

"HOW'D THEY DO THAT" ASSIGNMENT

Due 9/27

REQUIREMENTS:

And example of a research topic:

1)

2)

RESOURCES:

REMEMBER: IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT ANY PORTION, ASK.

COLOR CORRECTION HOMEWORK

Music video created from 16,000 still images

BASIC AFTER EFFECTS TUTORIAL

A couple of motion blogs

noticing griding

GRID SYSTEMS

can you give me an example of a design that didn't use the grid system or attempted and failed.

Well will talk more in class about this issue. I know it is vague.

WELCOME TO FA 4350 TOPICS: MOTION GRAPHICS

There will be 3 texts required for this class. You must get them ASAP as we will be going right into them the second week. Click on the link to find them at amazon.com.

REQUIRED TEXT:

RECOMMENDED TEXT:

BOARDS DUE 10/2/06

FINAL ANIMATION DUE 10/4/06