VCD302 BLOG TOPIC #2

Throughout the creation of my task 1 motion design sequence I enhanced my Adobe After Effects knowledge further by exploring the various fundamentals of motion design. Through aspects of scale deviation of objects in a sequence, time and spacing, easing, colour variations, the uses of layering such as ‘Shape Layers’ and Solids. These fundamental elements of motion design are the building blocks in which I further developed throughout these few weeks to further my skill and ability in creating an engaging and seamless design sequence. 

Through the trailing phase of the project I created two draft pieces of work that entailed these various motion design fundamentals and techniques and narrowed down aspects that I prefer out of both into a final design. I brainstormed some designs through sketches that I wanted to test in the drafts such as transitions or motion of these shapes in the frame. Taking these designs into after effects and trailing them with time and spacing of circular elements, scaling of squares as they appeared in the frame (0-100%), whilst also further developing my skills with trim paths to create an added element to the scale sequence depicting this idea of it being drawn in. I too trailed various colour fading and colour spacing on circles to create a hybrid feel to the frame. Although these were basic incorporative features of the fundamental motion design elements I was able to further my skill and too entail more features to the sequence. 

The fundamentals that I chose to use throughout my piece were primary fundamentals such as scale, positioning and rotation. I too incorporated a new skill obtained through tutorial workshops in trim pathing which I decided to include in my piece as I not only wanted to further my ability at learning further tools in Adobe After Effects but also put it into formative display in the piece. Throughout the piece, whenever I was using these motion design fundamentals I insured to use both keyframe easement and graph editor to snapping which allows these keyframes to become a seamless flowing movement for the viewer.  

Inspiration from the ‘Innovation of Loneliness” was gathered through the sequences use of continual motion, the piece flowed seamlessly and smoothly throughout. I highlighted aspects of scaling techniques used when transitioning a frame such as at 30seconds when the narrator is following onto a new fact that transitions, the circle shape layer is enlarged to fill the entire screen. I too found the motion pieces techniques of formation from one shape moulded into another quite interesting and engaging so therefore entailed this feature into my own piece throughout. These example of motion design became an inspiration of mine in its way of using scaling and positioning to transition shape layers into the scene and/or out of a scene. I enjoyed how smooth it was that you almost didn’t even notice it and was something that remand engaging at all times to me as a viewer. In comparison to my first draft created I found that my piece did not quite fall under this idea of aesthetically continuous for example, I used a variety of different colours as well as random shapes that felt as though didn’t match up with the theme of the project. I also found that my piece was not as engaging in comparison to the “Innovation of Loneliness” as it felt very stiff in my personal use of the fundamental After Effects design tools. I ultimately scrapped the draft as my final piece and decided to try recreate the project in a way that these boxes were ticked for my own personal satisfaction.