DES 251 Digital Media Design III / Spring '24
DES 251 Digital Media Design III

5_3: Exploration

Due Dates

Upload your own static (JPGs) and/or animated studies (VIMEO) to the "W2 Exploration" section (inside the "251-s24-Students-A2/B2" entry page) by Thursday, March 14 (end 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 materials you're going to work/play with. Formulate a unique visual language (style, method, compositions, graphic elements...). Techniques, such as cropping, lighting, distortion, manipulation, deconstruction, layering, masking, and effects, can enhance the expressive properties of your content before it is integrated into a storyboard. Work with typography. Optional is the addition simple graphic shapes (line, circle, rectangle...), images, texture and/or motion footage. But always include type.


How can typography and motion express a certain idea that relates to the film?


"Expressive typography merges the use of type with visual communication—and often takes it much further than we would see in everyday typography. The type itself fully embraces itself as a highly visual medium. Think of it as type that not only says words but also communicates concepts too, with highly visual representation."

Have a look again at the Type as Image article

Inspiration

Should come from the film itself, the story, location, time period, clothing, cinematic language, related metaphorical ideas... . Not from other existing title sequences.

Work with metaphorical ideas rather than being too literal/obvious (something used symbolically to represent something else, suggesting a comparison or resemblance). An example is the typographic treatment in the Psycho title sequence where the type is cut horizontally. Which represents the split personality of the main character.

The title sequence is an intro, a prologue setting the tone. It can has its own narrative, or no narrative at all. It doesn't take anything away from the film (such as scenes, characters etc.).

Limitations

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/layer 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, speed, direction, rhythm, color, continuity and discontinuity, frame mobility etc.

Risk Taking

"Taking risks means venturing into new, unfamiliar territory. This may feel uncomfortable because of the potential dismissal of an idea by your client or audience. (Realize that you can always fall back on an alternative, perhaps less radical, approach.) Despite the level of discomfort, applying the same formula time after time can become intellectually dull, and your creative resources can become stale if you remain on a plateau for too long. The consequences of not being accepted by the mainstream are worth your chance of discovery"

Experimentation

"Like science, artistic concepts are based on an evolution of discovery through experimentation. Experimentation contributes to ideation by opening up your thought processes and eliminating contrived or trendy solutions. It relies on the element of play and embraces the un- expected, allowing accidents to become possibilities. New discoveries can lead to sophisticated approaches to problem solving. Further, experimentation gives you the opportunity to attain individuality. Since risk taking is involved, experimental play is not intended to produce mediocrity; rather, its goal is to make life less predictable."

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 appropriate). "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, drawing objects etc.

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

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

Exploration Examples

Type/image explorations
Charcoal marks (Pacific title sequence) Type/image explorations (Pacific title sequence)
Type/image explorations (Great Expectations title sequence)




Motion Tests

Motion Test

train from UIC DESIGN on Vimeo.

Motion Test

glass from UIC DESIGN on Vimeo.

Motion Test

lines from UIC DESIGN on Vimeo.

Motion Test

zombie from UIC DESIGN on Vimeo.

Use of AI

AI image creation can be used as a new typographic expression. There tools like https://ideogram.ai that are free to use and are quite reliable rendering names. Tools like Adobe Firefly's Text Effects are an option (for example to create an AI generated alphabet).