READING & WRITING:
Animated Storytelling: Chapter 9 – Technique., revisits the idea of how do you want your audience to describe your project? Some techniques do a better job of telling different stories. For example, hand-drawn works well for, expressive, emotionally driven stories. While, stop motion is known for everything from quirky, magical, and emotionally expressive, to comedic, lush moody, and atmospheric.
2D CGI- can offer an emotionally relatable feel, and Blazer points out that is why it is often used for children’s programming. Where 3D CGI is almost limitless on its ability to offer life-like worlds.
The warning is to remain flexible and find workarounds if you are unfamiliar with a technique. In some cases, that means source images, shoot video, or even hire something to be done. However, the assignment for the technique recap offered some practical advice and reminders before creating the logo stinger. Don’t forget to write a creative brief, include target audience and genre. List 6 words you would like your piece to have. What is the best way to send that message through movement? Select sound and storyboard the sequence…are you using techniques that captured the feeling you were going for?
RESEARCH TO INFORM:
Example 1:
This brings way to much joy to my heart!! The question here is what principle is NOT used? Squash & stretch, lots of overlapping action, arcs, timing, exaggeration and more! Aaron Blaise is a master animator. Warning: You will most likely smile, if not outright belly laugh if you watch this!
Example 2:
This mixed media piece uses motion graphics with animation. The motion graphics are absolutely inspiring. You will notice plenty of anticipation (as there is always a movement before the movement). Great staging, at every frame.
CREATE:
Another couple of first for me, making a logo stinger and using the 3d feature with 2d in AE. It was also interesting working exclusively in Illustrator and After Effects, when I typically do at least some work in Procreate. I chose to work on something practical, the asset management arm of my hubby’s work. I was very inspired by the Real Scout’s logo animation https://dribbble.com/shots/9709251-RealScout-Logo-Animation . I loved the idea of using two colors and playing with smooth movement. I also felt the genre matched closely to my own creative brief, which had words like upbeat, helpful, modern, while also relaying colors that relayed balance, calm, solid.
I used anticipation when increasing and decreasing the letter size and also tried to use follow through with the animations rotations with my 2d letters in 3d, although I am not sure that it was completely successful. I tried to focus on timing with the sound effects and movement, and keep a steady pace of secondary action, while still being mindful of staging…the focus remaining on the name- BEKK.
You can only grow if you’re willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new
—Brian Tracy
by nikolai 
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