Information Design - Project 2

2/2/2025 - 20/3/2025 / (Week 1 - Week 7)

An Hongzheng / 0378415

Information Design / GCD60504

Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media

---

TABLE OF CONTENT

1. Instruction

2. Lectures
3. Exercise 3: Kinetic Typography
4. Exercise 4: Bar Chart

5. Exercise 5: Vector Animation
6. Reflection

---

INSTRUCTIONS

Figure 1.1: Module Information

---

Lectures

Week 3

Kinetic Typography

This week introduces kinetic typography, which focuses on animating text to communicate ideas visually. Different styles include word-by-word animation, paragraph animation, and mixed compositions. It can also be applied in music videos to animate lyrics.

---

After Effects Basics

Text animation is created using:

• Text layer controls (size, kerning, alignment)
• Basic properties: position, scale, opacity
• Keyframing (Range Selector and Easy Ease)
• Graph Editor for refining motion
• Motion blur for smoother animation

---

Composition

Students learned about:

• Paragraph layout and guidelines
• Title safe areas
• Using Null Objects for parenting and controlling multiple layers

---

Week 2 Tasks

• Individual: Practice text animation in After Effects
• Group: Split lyrics and break down the final project script

---

Key Learning

This week focuses on understanding how motion and timing enhance text communication, and building basic skills in After Effects for future motion graphic work.

Week 4

Motion Graphic Chart

This week focuses on motion graphic charts, which are used to visually represent data through animation. Common chart types include:

• Pie Chart / Donut Chart
• Bar Chart
• Line Graph

---

Chart Animation in After Effects

Charts are created and animated using:

• Shape tools (Ellipse Tool, Pen Tool)
• Stroke settings (no fill, solid colour)
• Trim Paths to animate drawing
• Keyframes (0% → 100%) with Easy Ease

---

Animation Techniques

• Duplicate layers to create multiple data segments
• Adjust keyframe values to represent different percentages
• Offset layers to create timing variation
• Use grids for accurate proportion and alignment

---

Types of Charts

Pie / Donut Chart

Created using circle shapes and Trim Paths. Donut charts are made by reducing stroke width.

Bar Chart

Created using vertical lines, duplicated and spaced evenly to represent different values.

Line Graph

Drawn using the Pen Tool and animated with Trim Paths to show data trends.

---

Week 3 Tasks

• Individual: Create a motion graphic chart (5%)
• Group: Finalize kinetic typography music video

---

Key Learning

This week focuses on transforming static data into animated visuals, and learning how motion can improve clarity and presentation of information.

Week 5

- 

---

Exercise 3 - Kinetic Typography

Figure 3.1

- I discussed with the group members in a WhatsApp group and decided on the song lyrics each person would be responsible for.

Figure 3.2

- Together, we decided on the theme colors, fonts, and other elements to be used in the animation.

Figure 3.3

- In addition to what Mr. Kannan demonstrated in class, I did some learning on my own through video websites.

- I created an empty object layer, and later created a camera layer, linking parent and child layers for easier camera movement.

Figure 3.4

- I created a text layer named "Treasure".

Figure 3.5

- I created a shape layer, drew a circle, and trimmed the path to decorate the text (because this is the first line of the chorus and needs to be highlighted).

Figure 3.6

- In addition to the necessary text, a second set of empty objects and cameras were created to produce a second, completely independent camera movement animation.

Figure 3.7

- A shape layer was created to cover the stressed words, then a mask effect was added, and the layer was hidden. This was used to create the animation effect of the words sliding down from top to bottom.

Figure 3.8

- This was used to create the animation effect of the words sliding down from top to bottom.

Figure 3.9

- I only created the third set of empty objects and a camera, still for creating a new, independent camera movement. This time, I decided to add some novelty by changing the transition between the two text segments through rotation.

Figure 3.10

- For the final "ohohoh," I referenced the stage effects in a music video to create a strobe animation of lights. To achieve this, I created many solid color layers and arranged their positions frame by frame.

Figure 3.11

- The last set of empty objects and the camera were used to create the final exit animation, making the text quickly leave the center of the screen.

Figure 3.12

- Finally, I adjusted some of the text animation effects by adding After Effects' built-in animation presets.

Figure 3.13

- The same as above

My Responsible Part

Final Edited Video

- At the end, our group edit all videos together.

---

Exercise 4 - Bar Chart

Figure 4.1

- Initially, I didn't fully grasp the content of this exercise and created an incorrect table.

Figure 4.2

- In creating the bar chart, I first created shape layers, adjusted the fill and borders, and created the horizontal and vertical lines for the chart. (I used wireframes to help determine distances.)

Figure 4.3

- I completed the basic table creation by copying.

Figure 4.4

- I created new shape layers, adjusted the colors and thicknesses, and added clipping paths. These were used to create the main data bars.

Figure 4.5

- I added text layers. I adjusted the overall animation.

Final Video

---

Exercise 5 - Vector Animation

Figure 5.1

- The first step is to group the downloaded AI files in Adobe Illustrator for easier subsequent operations in After Effects.

Figure 5.2

- In After Effects, to better control these groups, graphic groups categorized by shape were created.

Figure 5.3

- These graphic groups were then merged a second time for consistent animation.

Figure 5.4

- The animation effects for each group were adjusted.

Figure 5.5

- Finally, each keyframe was selected, and "F9" was pressed to add an easing effect.

Final Video

---

REFLECTION

In this stage, I completed Exercise 3: Kinetic Typography, Exercise 4: Bar Chart, and Exercise 5: Vector Animation. These exercises introduced me to motion graphics and how animation can enhance the communication of information.

For Exercise 3, I worked on kinetic typography, where I animated text to match meaning and timing. This helped me understand how motion, pacing, and transitions can influence how viewers perceive information. I found it challenging to control timing and make the animation feel smooth, especially when using keyframes and easing.

In Exercise 4, I created a bar chart animation. This task focused on presenting data through motion graphics. I learned how to use tools like Trim Paths and keyframes to animate the chart, and how different values can be represented through length and timing. It required careful attention to proportion and alignment to ensure the data remained accurate and clear.

For Exercise 5, I explored vector animation by animating graphic elements. This exercise helped me understand how to control multiple layers and create more dynamic visuals. Managing different elements and ensuring consistency in motion was a key challenge.

Overall, these exercises helped me develop a better understanding of how animation can support information design. I learned that motion is not only for visual effect, but also plays an important role in improving clarity, engagement, and communication. Moving forward, I aim to improve my control over timing and refine the smoothness of my animations.