Design Production/Digital//Workshop I.

This afternoon, after our initial Adobe After Effects software workshop, we had an afternoon induction/studio workshop with tutors and module leaders Fred and Lorraine- discussing the briefs within the project, and, in particular, looking at the first brief, 'Silent Movie' (brief information featured above), in which we will create (a minimum of) five five second animation pieces for each of the two words selected from the (almighty) randomizer- editing and manipulating these typographic letterforms and words to be as expressive and visually communicative as possible (a limitation being black, white + one colour)- along with creating five x fifteen (one for each motion graphics piece) screengrab storyboards, along with supporting research and development on our blogs, as ever.

In the brief presentation talk delivered by Fred, I took the following notes (below) about, and in regards to motion graphics-

- Understand appropriate solutions to a design problem- not just Graphic Design as a subject matter itself.

- SOFTWARE INCLUDES: Adobe After Effects//iDVD//Toast//Support.

- WORKSHOPS INCLUDE: Storyboards, Timelines, Schematics, Animatics, Sequential thinking.

- INTERACTIVE MEDIA INCLUDES: Web/Internet//DVD Interface//Games Design//Interactive TV//Mobile Technology.

- STATIC/PASSIVE MEDIA INCLUDES: Motion GD//Flash Animation//Animated Stings//Film/TV Titles//Screen-based promo.

- For this module we will be focusing on static/passive media.
- DESIGN FOR WEB: Web page layout//CSS//Asset Design & Production//Corporate Site Design//Creative Online Content//Interface Design//Flash Assets.
- MOBILE TECHNOLOGY: Mobile Phones//iphone, ipad, ipod//PDA//Wi-Fi Devices//Games & Entertainment.
- Learn software as opposed to tech- it changes to rapidly to be an appropriate use of our time.
- Look at BBC 2 idents, Channel 4 idents.
- Target audience, visual communication, story and identity.
- Look at title sequences (film).
- CONSIDER: Simple colour palette//Layering//Storyboards//Flow charts- systematic, organised//Screen grabs.
- You WILL have to make compromises. It's normal.


IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS:


- File size & format
- End user capabilities
- End user technologies
- Fixed/specified aspect ratios (16:9 wide screen, fixed ratio)
- Colour modes- RGB, Web safe, Colour gate

From the randomizer, I picked out the two words 'float', and 'stretch'- although it didn't matter either way (as it's my job to make it exciting!) I was happy with what I had picked and already was thinking of some great imagery to communicate and design with.

FOR THURSDAY//RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT

Source and research to inspire innovative and inventive ideas for the development of the 'Silent Movie' brief (for each of the words):

- 20 other relating words (synonms, relating, family of words, vocabulary)

- 20 meanings (definitions, interpretations, explore the multiple meanings)

- 20 related objects (write down and include images)

- 20 situations related to the word (eg 'flash'= the flash of a camera)

- 20 appropriate/relative typefaces to represent your word (print multiple sizes- small, medium and large for each- consider Bold, Roman, Italic, etc- variations)

MINIMUM of 20 for each category- the more you source, the more research available to us.

BECOME AN EXPERT ON OUR WORDS

PRINT RESEARCH FOR THURSDAY

Also for Thursday: Bring in 3 pens (thin, medium, thick and one coloured pen- 

any drawing equipment, rulers, etc).