Information Design / Project 2: Animated Infographic

on

28/02/24 - 06/03/24 / Week 4 - Week 5

Sheren Princessa Davon / 0362134

Information Design / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University

Project 2

INSTRUCTIONS



EXERCISES

For Project 2, we are supposed to use the assets from Project 1 into a 60-second motion graphic. Once again, capture the aesthetics and narrative of the poster with movements, SFX, and music.

Requirements:
- Max 60 seconds infographic video 
- 720p
- 1280x720 pixels (H26/mp4) 
- published on YouTube (set to Unlisted)

Storyboard
First, I created a storyboard of a rough sketch of how the scenes would be like. This way, I'd have a clear idea of the process and won't get stuck.
Fig 1.1 Storyboard Sketch


Music & SFX
First, I searched for a background music I can use and I decided on this one:
Video 1.1 BGM chosen

I also compiled some sound effects to be used in the video.
Fig 1.2 MP3 files


After Effects
After planning out and downloading the individual assets from Illustrator, I started the project in After Effects. I created a new composition and started to import all the files. I created folders for each element so that the workspace wouldn't be messy.

Fig 1.3 Folders

I started with the intro and ingredients. For the title card, I incorporated the same background I used in my Project 1 Infographic. I also used the same font Century Gothic to maintain the same aesthetics. 

Fig 1.4 Progress #1

Then, for the main background I used the same grid texture I used for my Project 1 Infographic. I divided my video into 3 steps, and I created a Mask Path for the title cards of the 3 different parts.

Fig 1.5 Progress #2

Part 1: Dough
I started to animate the steps. I decided to use a mix of motion graphics and also stop motion. For the first few steps, I used stop motion to create the act of cracking eggs.

I used an slow fade in transition between the steps for a smoother transition. I did this by adding keyframes when opacity is 100% to 0%.

Fig 1.6 Part 1 Progress #1

Then, I created a simple animation of a clock by making a circle shape layer, and adding two lines on top of it to act as the hour and minute hands. Then I added Rotation keyframes to the minute hands to give it motion, like a sped up clock ticking. After the clock stops, I added a "ding!" sound effect.

For the knife, I adjusted its Position and Rotation to make it look like it was cutting the dough. I also included some chopping sound effects.
Fig 1.7 Part 1 Progress #2

Part 2: Sauce
I used the same title card for this, but I changed the background color to a pink color to match the sauce.
Fig 1.8 Part 2 Progress #1

I created similar knife movements, however one is simply an up and down motion while the other is a back and forth one. 
Fig 1.9 Part 2 Progress #2

Then, I incorporated stop motion again to illustrate frying the onion, prosciutto in olive oil, and also pouring the passata in the pot. I also added individual sound effects for a bit more flare.

Fig 1.10 Part 2 Progress #3

Then, I created a stirring motion for the spoon using a Mask Path, adjusting it over time and also adding Position keyframes.
Fig 1.11 Part 2 Progress #4

Final Part
The final part title card is the same as the Part 1 one.

I used stop motion once again to indicate the pasta being boiled in the pot. I also added boiling sound effects.

Then, I used the same opacity transition for the final product, however this time I placed the keyframes more far apart to indicate some hierarchy and difference in pace.

Fig 1.12 Final Part Progress

Finally, I added the text and subtitles. I also added a shape layer behind the text to act as a background for the text.
Fig 1.13 Final Progress

Project 2 First Draft

Fig 1.14 First Draft

I decided to change the Ingredients scene as I thought it looked a bit too messy and crowded. I also added a border to the sides. I also redid the "knife chopping" motion as I didn't think it looked too good.

Project 2: Animated Infographic

Fig 1.15 Project 2 - MP4. Week 5 (06/03/24)


REFLECTION

This project was quite challenging yet fun. I liked the fact that I could just reuse the assets I made for Project 1 instead of creating a whole new set of illustrations for this project. I'm grateful for the chance of using After Effects once again, it was a great way to refresh my skills and also experiment with different moving layouts. Though the process of animating the motions one by one was quite tiresome, it was a good practice to express my communication skills through my design, especially since there are moving images to clearly demonstrate the steps to create this pasta.

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