2_3: Exploration

Due Dates

Upload your own static (JPGs) and/or animated studies (VIMEO) to the "W2 Exploration" section (inside the "251-s17-Students-A/B2" entry page) by Wednesday, March 7 (beginning of class).

Exploration, Experimentation, Formulation, Selection

This is the phase where you decide on a certain idea or direction. Set yourself certain limitations or conditions in regards to the visual material you're going to play with. Formulate a unique visual language, style or method by varying, combining/layering, manipulating, transferring etc. Always include typography here. Use of Images or motion footage is optional. You could just focus on typography only.

It helps to define certain restrictions/limitations for yourself and explore design + motion possibilities within those boundaries, make variations, switch out elements, manipulate or combine things. Limit the amount of visual materials and motion principles you're experimenting with (for example, type + size contrast + focus/blur + motion). This phase is also about composition, tension, contrasts, image and type manipulation, speed, direction, rhythm, lighting of and object, color, continuity and discontinuity, frame mobility etc.

Experimentation: Goal is to discover something new, a style or idea/direction you couldn't imagine before in detail. You can experiment digital, physical or combine the two. An example for such a combination: print a name on paper, manipulate it (cut it, crumble it..., then re-digitalize (scan or photograph) the results, layer them, animate them, add digital text again etc.

Motion Tests: Don't forget that motion itself carries meaning. There should always be a purpose/reasoning behind each animation. It can help to actually animate an idea to check how it actually looks/feels like (and if the result is still as appropriate as imagined). "Accidents" may happen that could lead to new ideas. Keep an open mind throughout this phase.

Work abstract with simple means. Don't be too literal. Simple example with film "Stranger on a Train": As oppose to working with live footage or photography of a train, rather experiment with type, speed/motion, layering. Overlaying horizontal movement in different speeds can create depth (as you would look outside the window of a train: fast objects are close, slow moving objects are further away). If you decide to use image material, think about how to unify different source materials (mono/duo tone, contrast...) and/or how certain manipulations can enhance their meaning. Explore combinations of type and image. And always think about how motion and transitions/cuts can be used to communicate an idea or even alter the meaning of a subject. There are endless possibilities using just a few elements together.

Focus on typography first and always include type in your explorations! Avoid illustrations.

Organize, sort, discard and/or refine ideas/sketches/materials. Clarify if sketches still "work" after refining them. Ask yourself questions like "is this still appropriate for my goal"? You can continue exploring/testing ideas during the storyboard creation and After Effects production if you feel the need.

Please read this chapter (sequential composition) from Jon Krasner's book. If you have the time read also this chapter (about composition in general).