Create the word on separate layers in Photoshop: black text on white background or white text on black background. If the word “transitions” from 1 layout to another, please provide different layers for each layout, and save each one (by turning on and off eyeballs in the Layers Panel) using File>Export>Quick Export as PNG.
For full extra-credit points, you’ll need to design 3 different words, and animate one of them.
We will learn some animation methods in After Effects, in-class next week.
decide on your format.Do you want it to be square or horizontal? If you haven’t decided that in the sketching process, now is the time.
If you’re doing this as a Square, resolution for new PSD is 1080×1080 pixels. For Horizontal, 1920×1080 pixels
Choose a word that implies actionVerbs, forms of exercise and metaphors all work well.
The next rule is black and white only. Black and white only is really important because we want the animation and the design of your word, to carry the story.It can be black on white or white on black
Also, No colors.I know I already said black and white only, but people still add color. No colors!
Remember the Gestalt Principles covered in class. How can you arrange the letters/word so that they amplify the meaning of the word without compromising legibility?
Avoid trendy fonts.The design and animation need to be strong enough without using a font that will be outdated a year or two from now.
See these lists of recommended fonts: my list, other guy’s list
Design text in Photoshop ONLY.Don’t use InDesign or Illustrator or any other app.InDesign files do not import into After effects. They’re not compatible.
Illustrator text is harder to use in AE: it acts like a still-image graphic, which means you can’t change the font or any text-specific settings in AE, like kerning, letter-spacing, leading.
Don’t use bad text manners (BTM):No Faux Bold, Faux Italic
No outlined text
No fake handwritten fonts
Do not use drop shadows, bevels, or any other layer styles
No horizontal or vertical scaling (distortion)!
Nothing that looks intentionally scary, cute, funny, goofy, etc
Use proper kerning (space between letters). If you suck at Kerning, check out https://type.method.ac/
Don’t mix and match fonts unless it actually helps “sell” your word!
No “decorations.”This is neither the inside of your high-school locker nor the door of your dorm room.
Don’t use textures or illustrated elements, background video footage or background photos, unless they’re part of the animation and will actually help amplify the meaning of your word during its animation. Your lockup, where the text is the most readable, should be perfect and free of photos/videos of the Wizard of Oz, the Wiz, Mr. Wizard, etc.
“Decorations” that might help: footage of bombs exploding for the word Shatter (which happens during Shatter process only), sparkles on the word “Shiny”, little cloud-puffs on “Boom”
When we animate: try animating without Text PresetsEveryone and their coworker has these pre-built animations that AE provides. Stand out from the crowd. Make your own custom animations.
Consider sound: you can add it in AE or Premiere Pro. Use sound effects, NOT music!https://freesound.org is a great resource for sounds!
You can add effects from the AE Effects menu if you want to, as long as it helps sell your word AND doesn’t compromise legibility/readability (and doesn’t add color).
And most importantly, don’t try to use all the methods I cover. That’s like trying to make soup with all the ingredients in the kitchen. It’ll look bad, taste worse, and stink. Pick the animation technique or techniques that work best for your word!
Deliver to Brightspace your 1-3 words, saved in each layout, as PNG or JPG files– so if you’re designing “broken” show us the word before it breaks up, and after.
Deliver to Google Drive your layered PSD files.
Due on Oct 28, 2024 2:00 PM