NOTE: I’d like to consider this an open topic. If you have any questions that I didn’t answer here, feel free to ask in the comments and I may add your question to the post!

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Q: Describe a motion graphics piece that you have designed that you are especially happy with.

A: To be honest, I’m always fairly critical of my own work. I find it hard to be 100% satisfied with what I’ve created, especially when I occasionally browse Motionographer for inspiration (talk about spirit crushingly good work sometimes!). That said, for the sake of answering, I was quite happy with the Videmic Ident (shown below) I created for a self produced (with a former production company) web series pilot.

The series was basically a web-based Tosh.0 (reviewing viral videos and web TV in general). In the piece, I attempted to convey a viral video spreading from a single point (the initial laptop that does the “upload”), which then spread out to various locations (cities) that were infected/infested, that in turn continued the spread until all lines eventually converged at the Videmic logo. Naturally the name “Videmic” was also a play on the viral, or “pandemic,” nature of the videos and shows discussed.

Q: What kind of technology did you use in this piece, or do you normally use? What kinds of specific functions and features of software, or tricks, were especially important for you in this task? What did you find particularly tricky, challenging, or interesting, in terms of using this software to create the piece?

A: I used mostly Cinema 4D in this particular piece, but I would say I normally use After Effects (or it very often gets used for the finishing touches to a piece that wasn’t primarily created in it). A common recommendation when working in a 3D program is to keep things simple (for rendering times sake in particular!), and finish it off in compositing software like After Effects (an excellent example of this can be found here on Nick Campbell’s blog, greyscaleguerilla).

The most important feature in this case, though very basic in concept, was the simple fact that it was in 3D. While I’m very comfortable in After Effects alone, it’s no secret that the industry loves it some 3D motion graphics these days, and it is becoming more common for 3D experience (Cinema 4D in particular) to be a requirement for motion design jobs.

As far as tricky/challenging/etc., I was fairly new to Cinema 4D at the time, so this list could be long, but on the whole, while many elements are similar in concept between various compositing and 3D software (i.e. keyframes, 3D cameras, etc.) that doesn’t mean they are handled in the same way. Just learning these differences can be challenging, not to mention having to remember them when going back and forth between different platforms on a regular basis (don’t even get me started on remembering which keyboard shortcuts are for which…).

Q: How do you develop your creative/visual ideas when working with software? How is your creativity influenced by the programs you use? How did the outcome develop in the motion graphic example from Question 1?

A: Though I tend to start ideas out on paper without any particular software in mind, the software I’m using can ultimately dictate the direction things take some times. This can of course come simply from limitations inherent in the software, but I also find that just tweaking and playing with different effects, plugins and parameters can sometimes also greatly influence the direction of an idea. Think of it like sketching in a note book, and just play around until something you hadn’t thought of before presents itself. It’s also a great solution to designers block sometimes. A lot of the outcome in the Videmic piece came from just this, playing with plugins and ideas (based on a general “viral spreading” concept) until I found something I liked.

Q: How did you learn – or are still learning – to use software to create motion graphics? Is it mainly from formal education, self practice, internet tutorials, more experienced colleagues etc? What has worked best for you?

A: I had no formal education when it came to motion design. Way back when (over 10+ years ago), I took some graphic design courses along with some general IT (I thought I wanted to be a web developer/designer). That all took a back seat when I moved to Europe and ended up staying for a lot longer than I originally expected. While abroad I got into video editing, and the opportunity to start animating some basic logos eventually arose.

Naturally as I explored the realm of animation and motion design, my first formal exposure to After Effects and motion design came via internet tutorials. I have since been able to teach myself After Effects and Cinema 4D through self practice and tutorials alone (my google fu is strong!). I’ll even watch tutorials that have nothing to do with what I’m working on, or I’m necessarily interested in, as many times techniques and tips that are discussed can be used in other ways that the tutorial may not have intended.

Always be learning!

Q: Any advice or tips you would like to pass on to visual communication students learning motion graphics (or design in general)?

A: I’ll repeat myself from the last answer, always be learning! This goes for the self-taughts and the college grads. Times change, technologies change, styles change and tastes change. It’s not just a good idea to always be learning, it’s practically a requirement! Subscribe to blogs, join forums, attend conferences and make an active effort to keep ahead of the curve. Your clientele, and pocketbook, will thank you.

(Didn’t find an answer you were looking for? Ask away in the comments below!)

Leonard Knight, the artist/builder has been building his mountain and surrounding area since 1985, with the help of 10′s of thousands of donated gallons of paint and other materials. He’s hoping the site will one day receive congressional protection, and seemed pretty adamant that people take pictures and spread the word on “the facebook.”

Description: A gorgeous girl, an arrogant rich boyfriend, a helicopter chase, and a Wald Lexus IS-F with custom forged 3-piece wheels and custom exhaust. Is the girl really leaving for a guy in the Lexus? And who’s the real love interest here? No doubt, it’s the IS-F!

Sound Design by Daren Keck

- Justin Metz

I’m planning on updating the design of the blog in the new year and maybe even finally starting some tutorials. Hopefully things will continue on the up and up around here! Thanks for stopping by.