Information Design / Exercises
4.1.2022 - 21.1.2022 (Week 1 - Week 3)
Moey Jo Min (0350567)
Information
Design / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Exercises
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LECTURES
WEEK 1 (4.1.2022)
Exercises & Project Briefing
Individual (60%)
Exercises (20%)
Exercise 1: Quantify Data (10%)
Exercise 2: L.A.T.C.H (10%)
Project 1: Instructable Poster (20%)
Project 2: (20%)
Exercise 3: Kinetic Typography (5%)
Exercise 4: Weather Forecast (5%)
Project 2: Motion Graphic
Group (40%)
Final Project - group (30%)
E-portfolio Blog - individual (10%)
WEEK 1 (6.1.2022)
What is Motion Graphics?
Motion Graphics
- Graphics in movement
- Composition + Animation
Composition = Graphics + Typography
Animation = Movement + Rhythm
Motion Graphics Design Process
Step 1: Write a script that tell a story
Step 2: Storyboard while you brainstorm the visual treatment
Step 3: Take your storyboards into design
Step 4: Animate the final designs
Storyboard for motion graphics: Sequence of sketches provide visual reference
for key scenes.
Previsualization: Visual script → Breakdown (scenes + running times)
Moodboard → Organize inspiration & references
Motion Graphic Recommendation
Fig 1.1 Motion Graphic #1Brief History of Coffee by swell.tv
Although this video is quite short, which is only about half a minute, it really impressed me. The transitions of each frame is very smooth and creative, which makes me repeat watching the video with slower playback speed. You can tell that the creator definitely put a lot of effort in this 36 second motion graphic video. The assets are also well-crafted, though they are quite simplified. I especially like the textures that the creator added on the surfaces, it makes the visual even interesting and appealing.
I am inspired to explore more about After Effects to learn to create amazing things. While watching this video and scrolling through the comments, I discovered a useful tutorial which is to create a 3D effect motion in After Effects. I wish that I could fully understand how is this video make by watching tutorials from YouTube.
Fig 1.2 Motion Graphic #2Apple WWDC 2013 Keynote Intro by buck.co
This is a motion graphic for Apple WWDC 2013. What I like about this video is that it is minimalistic (which matches Apple's concept), and yet it still successfully convey the message. My favorite moment of this video is from 0:40. I am amazed by how the creators uses circles to express each word, it is fascinating. The whole video is very satisfying to look at that I literally looped it. This motion graphic may look "simple", but it is definitely not.
From this motion graphic, I am inspired to create something less realistic. Take the video above as an example, the creator uses circles to express words instead the original form of them. I should be more explorative instead of setting boundaries to myself, especially in my design career.
Fig 1.3 Motion Graphic #3Make it better uploaded by MotionDesignCommun
This motion graphic video is a little different from the ones we usually see. It focuses on the typography, at the same time creating graphics with the text. The sound effect of this video plays an important role, even though there is no human voice over. I like how each movement matches the beat, and it is a really clean work. I got goosebumps starting from the 56th second, when "I'm" turns into "you're", and then becomes "we're". I think this is the main message of this video, which is to encourage us to do better and don't give up.
This video inspires me to pay attention to the sound design. It is a very important part of a motion graphic which could directly affect viewers' impression and should never be neglected. Typography is also a visual element which could be played around creatively, it doesn't necessarily to be the "supporting role" of a motion graphic.
WEEK 2 (11.1.2022)
L.A.T.C.H.
L: location
A: Alphabetical
T: Timeline
C: Categories
H: Hierarchy
INSTRUCTIONS
Exercise 1: Quantify Data
Fig 2.1 Data - Yellow Buttons (4.1.2022)
These are the buttons borrowed from Ms Anis. I started by sorting them
according to number of holes, sizes and textures.
Fig 2.2 Data Sorting and Arrangement (4.1.2022)
Fig 2.3 Data Sorting and Arrangement (4.1.2022)
Fig 2.4 Sketches (5.1.2022)
We have to return the buttons to Ms Anis before leaving. I sketched out some
designs before class, so that I can save some time in class. I think the
radial design looks interesting, I want to try it out.
Fig 2.5 Present Visually - First draft (6.1.2022)
I drew roughly according to my sketch. However, I found it a little bit
complicated to understand. So, I tried flipping the design vertically, and I
achieve the outcome shown in Fig 2.6.
Fig 2.6 Presented Visually - Second draft (13.1.2022)
I think this is easier to understand compared to Fig 2.5, as the reading flow
is from the top left corner to the bottom right corner, which is closer to the
way we usually read.
Final Exercise 1: Quantify Data
Fig 2.7 Final Exercise 1: Quantify Data - JPEG (14.1.2022)
Exercise 2: L.A.T.C.H.
For exercise 2, we were tasked combine and utilize the L.A.T.C.H. principles
into an infographic poster using the chosen data.
I decided to use Pokémon as my data, because it reminds me the sweet memories
of mine as a child. At the very beginning I did thought of using other data,
but I didn't manage to find the desired images. So I just go with Pokémon, it
works perfectly as well.
1. Visual Research
Fig 3.1 Artwork by @leaphere
on Instagram
I like the artist using Nintendo Switch and Gameboy Color as part of the
visual.
Fig 3.2 Pokéball series artwork by @shattered.earth
on Instagram
The artist made many versions of Pokéball, and they all look so good!
2. Sketch
Fig 3.3 Rough Sketch (14.1.2022)
I drew a few sketches. I decided to go with the Pokéball idea, as the Pokéball
is really iconic and I think the sketch looks interesting. This idea was
inspired by Polly Pocket compact (Fig 2.4).
Fig 3.4 Polly Pocket compact - inspiration
3. Digitizing
Fig 3.5 Digitizing in Illustrator (15.1.2022)
I started by drawing the visuals in Illustrator. Then, import the vectors as
smart object in Photoshop to compile the information.
Fig 3.6 Pokéball Reference
I got reference of Pokéball online, so that my drawing will be more accurate.
Fig 3.7 Chosen Pokémons (16.1.2022)
Fig 3.8 Process 1 (16.1.2022)
When I have the basic shape of the Pokéball, I tried arranging the visuals
into the poster in Photoshop. This is my first attempt. I found the four
circles around look too "neat", it makes the poster look less interesting. So,
I adjusted the sizes and and the placement a little.
Fig 3.9 Process 2 (17.1.2022)
I reduced the size of the Pokéball and arranged the four circles to look more
randomly placed. I also changed the border color of the circles, matching the
respective Pokémons. I drew the lines connecting the circles and the location,
to show that the Pokémons can be found at that place. Icons indicating the
types of Pokémon are also added.
Fig 3.10 Process 3 (18.1.2022)
Fig 3.11 Process 4 (20.1.2022)
Fig 3.12 Process 5 (21.1.2022)
I reduced the size a little to give the poster some space to breathe. I wanted
to add some descriptions, but it will look crowded. So, I added "Akala Island"
to the poster, which is the island that the Pokémons are.
Fig 3.13 Process 6 (21.1.2022)
I asked for my friends' opinion. They suggested me to add gradients to the
Pokéball to make it more 3D. I also added a Hue/ Saturation adjustment layer
to bump up the saturation.
Final Exercise 2: L.A.T.C.H.
Fig 3.14 Final Exercise 2: L.A.T.C.H. - JPG (21.1.2022)
REFLECTION
I was not familiar with infographics before the semester. Through exercise 1
and the lectures in class, I have gained some basic understandings of this
topic. Exercise 1 was quite fun to do, because we are doing everything
manually, which is less common after experiencing last semester. For
exercise 2, I also enjoyed the process, though working on Illustrator and
Photoshop at the same time was somehow annoying, but I had a lot of fun.
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