Information Design: Final Project
12/1/2023 - 5/3/2023
Edwin Choo Quan Rong / 0348305 / Bachelor of Design
(Hons) In Creative Media
GCD 60504 / Information Design
Final
Project
INSTRUCTIONS
FINAL PROJECT
FINAL PROJECT
Burnout Animated Motion Graphics
In this group project, we are tasked with creating a video animation using After Effects following a script about burnout. The script has already been provided so we decided to breakdown the script into chunks of information.
Fig 1.1 - Script breakdown
Fig 1.2 - Storyboard for Part 1
Fig 1.3 - Storyboard for Part 12
In this group project, we are tasked with creating a video animation using After Effects following a script about burnout. The script has already been provided so we decided to breakdown the script into chunks of information.
Fig 1.1 - Script breakdown
We used google sheets to breakdown chunks of text and note down their
estimated duration, as well as indicating which part is assigned to
each of us to animate via our names, along with visual suggestions and
graphic ideas for inspiration.
To proceed, we have to create a storyboard draft animation to depict how we want the final animation to look like. Using the parts divided for each of us in the google sheets, we decide to draw rough sketches of visual ideas for sections we are in charged with. My sections were number 1 and 12 on the google sheet, here are the sketches I did.
To proceed, we have to create a storyboard draft animation to depict how we want the final animation to look like. Using the parts divided for each of us in the google sheets, we decide to draw rough sketches of visual ideas for sections we are in charged with. My sections were number 1 and 12 on the google sheet, here are the sketches I did.
Fig 1.2 - Storyboard for Part 1
Fig 1.3 - Storyboard for Part 12
These images were then redone with each frame for each paper. Photos
of each frame were taken and resized to 1920x1080p as that is the
size we are using for both storyboard animation and final motion
graphics animation. This makes it easier to create the storyboard
animatics as frame by frame animation is an efficient method to
showcase our ideas in a short amount of time. This saves more time
to focus on the main animation process later on in After Effects.
Fig 1.4, 1.5 and 1.6 - Example for 1 frame of animation per image
Fig 1.8 - Project planning
During a group meeting, we discussed thoroughly what needs to be done, the
steps we have to take to achieve that, and splitting the work to us based on
our strengths and weaknesses. Each of us are assigned to create vector
illustrations using Adobe Illustrator for our divided sections (Part 1 and
Part 12 for my case) along with a special individual task. My special task
was to animate most of the text related parts for the animation. I chose
this as I have an abundance of experience working with text related
animation from Project 2's Kinetic Typography. The reason why we gave each
of us additional special tasks to work on was to make up for lost time
because there was a 1 week "break" as all of us also have Intercultural
Design as a module, where students that applied for a trip to Japan flew
there for that week. Among my 7 group members, 5 of them went to Japan with
only 2 (including me) of us left, so I used this time to catchup on
individual projects instead.
We also discussed the color palette, font and character design style we will go for. Here is a brief conclusion we came to.
Fig 1.9 - Moodboard for reference
Fig 1.10 - Character designs by my groupmates
After this, I start working on the vector illustrations for Part 1 and Part
12 in Adobe Illustrator.
Fig 1.10 - Part 1 (Panel 4) Vector Illustration
Fig 1.11 - Part 12 (Panel 3) Vector Illustration
Here are all the final illustrations we worked on as a group compiled into one PDF folder.
Fig 1.12 - All Illustrations Final PDF
The next thing I worked on is creating the general text related animations. The parts I had to animate were the rows highlighted in the google sheets for script breakdown (Fig 1.1).
Fig 1.13 - Animating highlighted text
Using the tools in After Effects such as Opacity, Position, Rotation along
with some effect presets, I created the text animation using the decided
font ideas we have discussed earlier. I specifically timed the duration of
each text to appear according to the audio on the infographic, this ensures
that my teammates can easily input this file in for animation later without
needing to adjust its timing manually.
Fig 1.14 - All text layers
Afterwards, it is up to my groupmates working on the animation to compile
all the parts and animate them in After Effects. In the meantime, this is
around the time people tasked with sketch refining showed progress on their
part.
Fig 1.14 - All text layers
Fig 1.15 and 1.16 - Refinement examples
These are some examples of sketch refinements my groupmates did. Some key
components of sketch refining were to make sure the color palette across all
illustrations were consistent, small things like whether if the background
colors are similar, font used is suitable, fixing character outlines and
making the sketch less messy to suit final animation standards.
After a week of hard work, my teammates managed to finish the animation in After Effects for our final project. Multiple drafts were made and then improved upon after receiving feedback from Mr. Martin. Certain parts of the illustrations were amended to be less messy. Here is the final animation for burnout motion graphics uploaded by my groupmate Sheryl.
REFLECTION
Looking back, for a project about burnout, it is probably what caused me to burnout the most on this semester. This project didn't have a set time limit like most other projects, instead the time limit is actually the whole duration of this semester. From the first day of class during week 1 till the final submission day on week 8 was the duration of this project. Due to this, we had to focus on other projects as a priority as they have closer deadlines, while continuing with progress on this project bit by bit throughout the semester. As we don't have much time to discuss, I try my best to make every discussion a physical group meeting as information is easier conveyed through face to face, and clarity can be sought right after. This also ensures those who show up are willing to participate. Unfortunately, there were some difficulties with troublesome groupmates as they rarely communicate and show up to group meetings. Their workload is usually delayed, I learned that the hard way when I had to redo certain parts of theirs completely when it was supposed to be their delegated tasks to work on. Learning from past events, alternate plans were placed just in case we couldn't afford to await their submissions as frankly, it slows down the progress of the whole group. I'm glad that we managed to pull through with this final project. I would like to thank two of my groupmates (you know who you are) for working extra time and effort with me in order to keep this project afloat. This experience has taught me what to look for in teammates and how to recognize if they are lacking behind, asking why and finding a way to help them if possible, but always having a backup plan for the worst case scenarios. I would like to give my appreciation to Mr. Martin for helping our group out by contacting our troublesome groupmates, encouraging them to do their part for the team. The way he motivates and push them to work on the project is both encouraging and does not put them down into a bad or shameful mood, in fact the tone he uses helps to keep things light and motivates you to push forward. The way he dealt with them has been a learning experience I will cherish , remember and use in the future (hopefully not) when I want groupmates to communicate or catchup on delayed work. Normally, I couldn't continue being encouraging towards them after they showed multiple attempts of low effort works, sometimes not following instructions we discussed as a group at all. If I were to lead a group again, I'll do what it takes to ensure everyone contributes equally and achieve the goals of the project but applying the lessons I picked up this semester to improve future experiences.
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