Design 261 - Motion Graphics I

Instructor: Matthew Satchwill - satchwillm@macewan.ca

Class Documents and files

Weekly Summaries

Week 1

We started by talking about AI in general, and this monstronsity from Coca-Cola in specific. We took a look at an example piece by Saul Bass and a contemporary piece of Motion Graphics from Apple.
I presented this slideshow on Keyframes, and discussed much of the content of this one about easing.
In After Effects, the expectation for today is that you understand how to set up a Composition, understand that every object has its own unique layer, and that there are 5 properties for each layer that can be animate (Anchor Point, Position, Rotation, Scale, and Opacity). You should also know how to add Easy Ease to keyframes, and adjust the motion path to be a curve. We also adjusted a setting in the General Settings of After Effects to make sure the anchor point always appears in the middle of a drawn object.

Week 2

This class was all about the graph editor, which can be summarized with this presentation. We also covered Track Mattes, path editing, and importing Illustrator files. (IMPORTANT NOTE: If your file isn't in RGB mode it may have errors)
Finally, Project 1 is assigned, and I asked you to consider the literal and conceptual interpretations of a logo.
*note: if you research Track Mattes, look at videos made in the past 2 years as the process has been updated.

Week 2 Illustrator import example file

Week 2 Logo example File

Week 3

While most of the class was dedicated to advancing on Project 1, we took the chance to break down this cub studios animation to learn about trim path, adjustment layers, and effects.

Week 4

Critique of Project 1, hand out exercise 2. Review the videos in the exercise 2 link.

Week 5

Watched this video on the 12 principles of animation, and this simplified version called the 10 principles of motion design. When you go against expectations of these principles, strange things happen.

Week 6

Class canceled. Please try to find time to review this video.
Waiter Photoshop File

Week 7

Motion Tracking, 3D, and VFX!
3D airplane file for in-class 3D tutorial
Footage File for in-class motion tracking tutorial

Week 8

Project 3 Assigned, project 2 critique, and demo from guest Nick Zylstra.
3D airplane file for in-class 3D tutorial
Footage File for in-class motion tracking tutorial

Week 9

Cavalry Demo with Nick Zylstra
Scenery.io for examples

Week 10

Nested Precomps (placing one composition inside another)
Exercise 4 assigned (Reading: Material Design 3 Motion Standards)
Field Trip to Virtual Studio

Week 11

Exercise 4 (In Class, or spend 1.5 hours at home)

Week 12

3D (Blender) + Character Rigs
Test file: After Effects Rig

Exercise 5 assigned (In class, or spend 2 hours at home)

Projects

Project 1 - Logo Animation

Project 1 Submission Folder: Google Drive
Project Brief (updated with correct dates)
Select a logo from Canada Modern
Get inspired by some vintage logo animations.

Project 2 - Narratives of Interaction & Reaction

Make 3 short animations (each with one theme from the list) to show off the principles of motion design.
Project Brief
Motion Design Principles Reference

Submit: Google Drive Folder

Project 3 - Short Title Sequence

Project Brief
Art Of The Title

Submit as Medium.com (or other blog format) to satchwillm@macewan.ca
You will need to host your video files (Vimeo, Youtube...) Be sure to make your links public so I can view them.