Exercise 4: Kinetic Type

In this exercise, you are going to animate 10-15 seconds of a Ted Talk. Type and supporting graphics only, but the focus should be on type.

Typography is the visualization of a spoken language, an inherently time-based process. However, since the invention of movable type, typography has been a relatively static visual language of glyphs embedded in passive two-dimensional surfaces. Digital technology has enabled designers to create kinetic typography, letterforms moving fluidly within four dimensions. How does motion affect the readability and meaning of a typographic message in dynamic screen-based contexts?

INSPIRATION:

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Last Year’s Short Student Examples

Longer Past Student Examples

DOWNLOAD TED TALK

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At the end or beginning of the sequence, you need to indicate whom the Ted Talk is by. You can go to ted.com/talks and download the video which will include the audio track. You can bring this into AE and just turn off the video (eyeball icon on the layer in timeline) or if you know how to edit audio in another software, you should do so. You can also get the transcript from the Ted Talk page if you need it.

Steps for downloading:

  1. Filter the talks by topic and interest
  2. click on a talk
  3. click on Share to see if it is has a download button.
  4. click on the download button
  5. then download the video.
  6. If it has a “download audio” option, then download the audio instead.

SPECIFICS:

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  • Length: 10-15 seconds
  • Size: 1920×1080
  • Frame Rate: 24fps
  • Content: Primarily Type. Supporting graphics allowed. Give credit to the Ted Talk Speaker.
  • Tools: After Effects

OBJECTIVES:

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  • Considering typography and composition layout
  • Considering other design aspects such as color and supporting graphics
  • Creating clear communication and readability
  • Conveying the message behind the spoken word
  • Good use of motion
  • Good use of space
  • Consideration of sequence (duration, rhythm, transition)
  • Practicing audio/video synchronization

RUBRIC:

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6pts

  •  inspiration examples
  • storyboard & style frame

25pts

  • typography and composition layout
  • other design aspects (color, any supporting graphic elements)
  • communication of message 
  • natural motion
  • sequence (pacing, transitioning, consistency/variety, audio/video sync)

SCHEDULE:

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10.12: assign Exercise 4: Kinetic Type

10.14:  All Posted to Exercise4 Slack Channel:

  1. Research/Inspo – look at other examples of kinetic type
  2. Choose audio recording
  3. Storyboard – demonstrates compositions, transitions, and pacing
  4. Style Frame – demonstrates typeface choice, color, and any supporting graphic elements

10.17: Sunday by 5pm:

  • At least half of your animation uploaded to Vimeo or YouTube and linked to Exercise4 Slack Channel
  • Comment on at least 3 other classmates posts. Prioritize commenting on ones that don’t yet have comments.

10.19: Exercise 4 due

FINAL DELIVERABLES:

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Project:

Exercise 4: Kinetic Type video uploaded to Vimeo or YouTube and linked to Exercise4 Slack Channel

Preproduction work during project:

research/inspo, storyboard, style frame