week 13 | online | 11.17–11.23

Read First:

📌 Weekly Structure (applies every week)

Week 13 Links & Notes
(specific to this week)

Live Sessions This Week:

👉 Join Live: Mon 11.17 @ noon – Weekly Review → [Join Here]

📺 Watch: Mon 11.17 Weekly Review Recording → [Watch Here]

Looking Ahead (Week 14)

Next live (recorded) session: Mon Nov 24th @ noon (only live session in Week 14)
*There is no university class Wednesday–Friday next week

This week’s deadlines:
Monday, Nov 24th @ noon

  • 5.–11. P3 Final Submission – D2L Assignments Folder
  • 12.–14. P4 Process Brainstorm 2 events, 10 sketches -20 total (2 ideas) to Medium (note: 2 mood boards are also due today, but as it wasn’t listed here, I will extend this deadline through next Monday)

Next week 14: For P4, we will submit our 2 rough poster designs for critique. If you are using an analog process, you must attempt it. If you are using a digital, we should be able to clearly perceive the intended motion for critique feedback.

Weekly Content

Week 13 (though not required, it is recommended you move through in sequence. To stay on schedule, all items need to be completed by end of week):

  1. Attend live or watch a recording of Monday’s Zoom. We will review this week’s content and go over our final Project 4 (including a Keynote – 26–29 below).

    SECTION I – In the Field + Motion Unconstrained
  2. Review list of motion designers and studios.
  3. Watch Lecture Video – Lecture: Motion Unconstrained
  4. Read and Review Motion Resources

    SECTION II – P3 Development + P4 Development
  5. Finalize development of P3: Motion Infographic-Explainer
  6. Due Mon. 11.24: P3 Final Presentation Rationale (post to Vimeo, or Medium)
  7. Due Mon. 11.24: P3 Design Boards (file for download) turn in with P3 on D2L
  8. Due Mon. 11.24: P3 Finalize and turn in P3: Motion Infographic-Explainer
  9. Review P3 Submission Guidelines and Rubric before submitting.
  10. Review P3 Considerations and Rubric (week 12 post)
  11. Due Mon. 11.24: Final P3 Submission (@ noon on Vimeo and D2L Assignments)
  12. Begin P4: Motion Poster
  13. Due Mon. 11.24: P4 Process – Brainstorm 5 events, keyword lists, 2 moodboards
  14. Due Mon. 11.24: P4 Process – 20 sketches (10 per idea)

    SECTION III – AE
  15. Review Stop Motion Demo

SECTION I – MOTION IN THE FIELD

This week’s lecture and resources focus on motion in the world around us.

3. Motion Unconstrained

9-experiential-motion-23

(slides 26+ will be reviewed together during our Monday ZOOM)

4. Resources:

Motion Design Professionals

This week, we explore the work of creative professionals and studios shaping the motion design industry. These artists and organizations demonstrate diverse styles, techniques, and applications of motion design worldwide:

Stephen Ong (UK) – Playful and inventive animations
Devon Moodley (Amsterdam) – Cutting-edge motion graphics
Marta Anzana (UK) – Dynamic and visually stunning motion designs
Nuria Boj | podcast episode (Scotland)

Studios:

Tendril (Toronto, Canada) – Animation and design studio blending art and technology – created dynamic brand films for ESPN College Football Playoffs
Addict (Amsterdam & Mumbai)
Abstract Groove (Milan, Italy) – Known for storytelling through striking visuals and sound.
Imaginary Forces (Los Angeles, CA) – Iconic studio shaping the motion design landscape – produced iconic title sequences for films and television such as “Mad Men” and “Stranger Things“
Psyop (Los Angeles, CA) – Cutting-edge animation with a focus on narrative depth. – campaigns for brands including Coca-Cola, Nike, and Apple
Big Film Design (New York, NY) – Known for cinematic motion design solutions.
Brand New Schools (NYC & LA) – Multi-disciplinary studio fusing animation and live-action. Specializes in commercials, interactive media, branding consultation, and design. – projects include Google, Nike, and Starbucks
Territory Studios (London) – known for its visual effects, motion graphics, and design work. – on-screen graphics and user interfaces for sci-fi films like “Guardians of the Galaxy”
Digital Kitchen (Seattle, WA; Chicago, IL; New York, NY; Los Angeles, CA) – marketing company focusing on design, motion graphics, and film within the commercial, network, and entertainment industries. –recognized for title works such as “True Blood,” “Dexter,” and “Six Feet Under,” and have worked with clients like HBO, AT&T, and Microsoft.
Universal Everything (Sheffield, England) – studio utilizes modern technologies to create large-scale experiential works– collaborating with brands like Chanel, Nike, and Apple, and contributing to the moving image identity for the London Olympic Games 2012.

Detroit Studios:

Yeah Haus – animation meets motion design with an illustrative 2D style
Lunar North – graphic design meets 3D animation
Gunner – team-based approach // variety of animation and motion design // example work)

SECTION II – P3

5. Project 3: Motion Infographic/Explainer –
due: Monday 11.24

Continue development of P3: Motion Infographic-Explainer.

6. P3 Considerations (ask yourself)

  • Hook: Is there a strong hook (emotional, surprising statistic, relevant question or quote, metaphor, story, provocative statement, incite curiosity, intriguing visual, “imagine” statement)? Ways to improve.
  • Timing: Does the movement synchronize with music or voice overs? Identity moments out of sync or timed incorrectly.
  • Transitions: Do any scenes enter/exit at the wrong time? Are there any transitions that seem out of place or lacking?
  • Formal Considerations: Do the design choices connect with big idea? Does anything break the unity throughout?
  • Concept in Motion: Do the objects move in a way that connects with the concept? Identify how their motion moves. Choose a descriptive word and discuss whether it aligns.
P3_Infographic_Rubric (1)

7. Submit P3 by Monday @ noon (.aep, .mp4, .pdf of design board, .pdf of rationale)

SECTION II – P4

5. Project 4: Motion Poster –
due: Wednesday 12.10 @noon
50pts (half project)

Begin development of P4: Motion Poster. This week, we will begin our motion posters and start brainstorming ideas, creating mood boards, and sketching.

Next week, we will move into creating our 2 static poster designs, storyboard, and 2s initial motion test. We will have our static poster critique (1000 x 1440px) with 1 of 2 designs using an analog approach.

6. P4 Process Work

Post/Post to a story called “Motion Poster” or “Moster” on Medium. How to post on Medium.

  • Brainstorm 5 events. Narrow to your TOP two events and create a keyword list (how do you want it to feel?)
  • 2 mood boards – 1 for each event (2 total)
  • 10 sketches for each 2 events (20 total)
    Keep in mind we will need one of our 2 static poster designs (next week) to be created through an analog process. Include event name, location, dates, time, and any other pertinent information such as website, contact info, or event description. Consider the type of motion you will integrate into the final moving poster. 

P4 Analog Inspiration

Deadlines

  • week 13
    • w 11.19 due: 30s (crit end – comments due)
    • m 11.24 due: Final P3 deadline (100pts); p4 brainstorming / mood boards / 20 sketches
  • week 14 (Thanksgiving)
    • No deadlines until Monday, December 1st @noon.
  • week 15
    • m 12.1 11.21@noon  2 static designs (one should use an analog concept) + storyboards crit (3–9 frames depending on length) + initial motion test (test how your motion will play out)
    • w 12.3 due: Motion Poster (critique begin) – our critique will run wed-mon this week due to the holiday schedule and finals.
    • m 12.8 due: Motion poster (critique end comments due)
  • week 16
    • m 12.8 Final review live crit / one-on-one w/Cass
    • w 12.10@noon – Final P4 deadline

SECTION III – AE

12. Stop Motion

stop-motion-demoDownload

http://motion.cassreese.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/stop-motion-demo.zip

Demo Video

Steps for Stop Motion:

  1. Photograph stills in landscape. For a 6s stop motion, you will need to take 72–144 images. The more photos, the smoother the animation. Resize in Photoshop and lower resolution to 150 (review resizing notes below).
  2. In AE: Import all images simultaneously.
  3. Create a composition. Select (click + hold shift) all images. Drag onto composition and shorten the layers to desired length.
  4. Sequence Layers. Select all + right click > Keyframe Assistant >
    Sequence Layers
  5. Overlap settings. You can choose to overlap or not here. This is your choice.
  6. Adjust images independently (delete, adjust).
  7. Add time to composition if necessary.
  8. Pre-compose images.
  9. Layer > Time > Enable Time Remapping. Remap to adjust the timing.
  10. Add music.
  11. Render.

Bulk Resizing JPEG files: 1. In Photoshop, Select File > Scripts > Image Processor 2. In the Image Processor dialog box select the source and destination folders 3. Choose JPEG file type, quality:12 and resize to fit W:640 and/or H:640 4. Select Run

Stop Motion Examples + Resources: