Recently I discovered the work of Ceci Elrich a graphic and motion designer. I was drawn to her work because she creates compositions that integrate color, type, and shapes with motion. Her work reminds me of the emotional expression of Rothko’s art through color, or the creation of atmospheres through light, of James Turrell. I am interested in exploring emotions through graphic design.
I chose After Effects as a tool to explore motion graphics and I copied Composición (2020) which is a short sequence that takes you on a journey through high-contrast color circles, pleasantly mesmerizing to watch.
Copying process
Three components of the composition: Color, Sequence/movement & blending effect.
Color:
Sequence:
On illustrator, I organized 16 circles with specific colors.
After preparing the colors, I created the composition on After Effects.
I modified the scale in order to achieve the illusion of disappearing circles. Applied the same transformation to every circle (15) but modified the position of the keyframes,
depending on the time (order). Time and space are key aspects in achieving a specific motion.
Just like in physics speed: time* distance
Blending effect
I applied the gaussian blur and modified the levels to an adjustment layer, so every circle had the same blur and blended effect.
Final outcome
In the end, I managed to get a very close copy of the original animation.
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What I learned:
In graphic design, the main resources to communicate are color, textures, sizes, and typography which are static. But in After Effects, you can add a layer which is movement, and the resource is time and distance.
Through the manipulation of these two aspects, which are not particularly related to graphic design, it is possible to evoke emotions, create atmosphere and add expressiveness and narrative to color, type, and forms.
WEEK 2
This week I started the iteration process with the text, ‘Conditional Design Workbook’ (2013), in mind. I was introduced to the method of “Conditional design” which consists of developing a plan formed by a systematic set of rules and parameters that focuses on engaging with the process rather than the outcome. By applying this method, designers are prompted to avoid making creative decisions based on feelings but on intellectual criteria.
Important aspects to have in mind:
- Logic as a tool.
- Avoid randomness
- Differences should have a reason.
- Rules as constraints. Perspective on the process stimulates creativity to play with the limitations.
- Design with a plan in mind. Would avoid arbitrary, capricious decisions, and subjectivity.
The expression of emotion is an important aspect of this project; however, one can think that it is far from logical, systematic, and objective. But through the lens of “Conditional design” developing rules that control randomness is part of the plan, in fact, “Use rules as constraints. Constraints sharpen the perspective on the process and stimulate play with the limitations” Maurer, L. et al. (2013).
“Conditional design” made me question how can I constrain the use of emotion in this project? Can I translate what I feel to be expressed in a technical way? Is there a relation between how I feel with After effects tools?
I came up with a plan:
- Problem: How can I depict emotions in a cognitive way? How can I express emotions through movements?
- Tool: After effects (motion graphics) (start the composition thinking about motion).
- Days: Time (seconds)
- Intensity: Scale, position.
- Movement: Repetition | sequence
- Idea: Document one (my) emotion through 5 days – Frustration.
- Input: Techniques I learned in the copying exercise. Use graphic design elements: circles, bright colors, type.
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At the same time, I was reading Atlas of the Heart, a book by professor and author Brene Brown where she explores the psychology of human emotions and how they take part in our behaviors and build our experience in the world.
“Having a nuanced vocabulary around labeling our emotions can be transformative. Usually, we look outside ourselves for solid ground, but emotions are internal and always available to anchor us wherever we are”.
https://www.ryandelaney.co/book-notes/atlas-of-the-heart-summary
I have noticed that frustration is a common emotion whenever I undergo a “new season”. Expecting a lot from myself and forgetting that mastery comes with practice, patience and discipline.
Frustration: Thinking about a situation is unresolvable.
By using basic graphic design elements: circle, color, type. Create some animations that depict frustration in a cognitive way.
Iteration
Even though I tried to follow the steps of what I understood was “Conditional design” I noticed that I didn’t engage in an iterative process with the tool as I intended to. It felt like a fixed idea that I was trying to recreate all over again. Falling, in the end, is a way of learning, even though sometimes it is frustrating to feel that you failed and lost time.
Week 3