Objective

To develop conceptual thinking skills. To communicate ideas visually and verbally. To explore illustration and photography styles. To apply design principles to real-world visual communication problems as it relates to motion design.

Secondary objectives

To utilize the Adobe Creative Suite as layout and production tools.

Description

Design an educational teaser animation for TEDEd. These short animations are used to educate and inspire curious learners everywhere.

Your design must communicate a visual narrative and show an understanding of unity, emphasis, balance, rhythm, and color theory.

Specifications:

• 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio HD 720 (1280x720 pixels)
• 60 sec in length (max)
• include the "TEDed logo" and your name at the end of the animation
• must include your original artwork
• Stock footage can be used when appropriate
• must have music/sound (see www.creativecommons.org, free sounds or try this search)

Note: Only legally downloaded videos/music/sound may be used (try YouTube's Audio Library or Parkland's stock library). High resolution stock photos and illustrations are available from Ingimage or Pixabay. Contact your instructor for more information.

Procedure

1. Research for inspiration:  Research educational animations on the Internet. Look specifically for creative concepts, clean typography and interesting animation. Publish links on your personal Process Page for discussion. Be sure to caption each link and cite the source.

Research science, history, or social topics that would be good candidates for an educational animation. Collect your information in a text document.

2. Write the script: Using your research as guide, write a script for your animation. See example.

3. Develop the storyboard:  In your sketchbook begin to conceptualize storyboards for this project (see examples). Make at least 10 sketches of all possible directions you might take. Draw exactly how you intend to layout key frames of your animation. Edit your concepts down to your best three ideas and redraw them using a felt tip pen. Include segments from your script, see example. Scan and publish your storyboards on your personal Process Page for critique. Be prepared to discuss how your design communicates a visual narrative.

4. Keyframe execution: Based on the critique of the above, create prototype "mock-ups" in Photoshop or Illustrator which will show exactly how select key frames in your animation will look. Generate a multi-page PDF of your keyframes and publish them on your personal Process Page for critique (see examples). Download sound and/or music that might enhance your animation. Be prepared to talk about what design principles are utilized in your design. 

5. Final critique: Based on the critique of the above, revise your design (if needed), then animate your art in After Effects using your preferred soundtrack. Render and publish your finished video on YouTube and make a link from your personal Process Page for critique. Prepare a presentation to "sell" your design to the client during final critique. Be prepared to justify your design decisions and talk about how your solution fulfills the marketing objectives outlined in your brief.

6. Grading: Based on the critique of the above, revise your project as needed. (duplicate your files to create new versions, do not delete older versions). Review your personal Process Page and make sure you have an accurate record of your process. You will not receive credit for this project if any of the above elements are missing.

7. Portfolio presentation: If you are happy with the results of this project, consider including it in your portfolio. If necessary, continue to make refinements until you are 100% satisfied with the project. Be sure to save all your files for future editing.

8. Extra credit: Submit your project into the annual student show by printing an art gallery quality proof of your project and mounting it on foam board. Your project may win a cash prize and be published in a showcase of student work on Parkland's website.