My understanding of motion design stems from film title sequences, character animations in movies and music videos. I aim to create a psychedelic inspired motion sequence that animates shapes in an interesting way. This task is primarily inspired by the work of Avant Garde motion design and abstract cinema from John Whitney. Whitney’s abstract sequences in his 1961 video Catalog show shapes being multiplied, growing, and transitioning in colour and rotation. Coupled with a disjointed and haunting soundtrack the sequences draw in the viewer keeping their attention with the ever-changing animations. The task I am working on mirrors the colour selection of Whitney, a black background with bright psychedelic colours. The contrast of these colours creates kaleidoscope patterns with a hypnotic attraction. The constant and multiple changing patterns and shapes are techniques I am experimenting with.
Video stills from John Whitney’s Catalog (1961) [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbV7loKp69s&t=187s> [Accessed 2 April 2020].
I am also inspired by the coloured patterns and endless tunnel vision of Douglass Trumbull’s split scan animation in Stanley Kubrick's 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey. This sequence utilises the techniques used by Whitney create a similar hypnotic sensation and endless travel through colourful space time. In the video below Whitney discusses his analogue computer, which was used to create the sequence in Kubrick’s film. Whitney discusses how he used to draw on film and use traditional ways of animation, but he now works with machines “these devices, gave great possibilities for developing animation machines that would manipulate design in ways that could never be done by hand.” It’s extremely fascinating and informing to understand the evolution of animation using technology, and the ease of access we enjoy when comparing to the programs we use today.
Computers: Challenging Man’s Supremacy 1976, [video] Hobel-Leiterman Productions, New York Document Associates. Colour. Sound 124 min. Available at <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eMSPtm6u5Y> [Accessed 20 April 2020]
Film stills from 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Slit Scan Effect sequence designed by Douglass Trumbull Available at <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaK4z3Fjpkk>
I am also greatly inspired by the opening title sequence of the psychological thriller Vertigo (1958) whose titles were designed by renowned graphic designer Saul Bass who used John Whitney’s spirographic images. The sequence utilises these animations as an extension of the larger film narrative, creating the sense of dizziness and spinning that comes with the feeling of vertigo. The spirographs are alluring and hold your attention, much like drawing machines that create complex guilloché patterns using mathematical equations and rulers to direct a pencil on a page. The images below are taken from a video that demonstrate an analogue and digital version of a drawing machine.
Film stills from Vertigo (1958) opening title sequence designed by Saul Bass, available at <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkLn8mamU78> [Accessed 20 April 2020]
Video still from Drawing Machine II. 2012 [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG9e06IWAxE> Accessed 20 April 2020
For this task my animation is employing simple techniques to create an abstract sequence. I am working primarily with geometric shapes and concrete structures manipulating their appearance and movements. I am utilising flat and bright colour combinations The radial pattern uses repetition and an uneven frequency, gradually downscaling each lower circle to 70% smaller each time. (Leborg, 2006) There is a rhythm and consistency in the repetition of the radial sequence and it slowly rotates clockwise creating an immersive tunnel effect. I am experimenting with opacity in the circle sequence as they decrease in size, they decrease in opacity; this adds to the illusion that they appear to go on endlessly.
Video stills from Merlin Casey’s, Task 1 animation sequence, 2020
Texture is also explored in the radial patterns and the transformative diamond sequence. Creating a system of repeated formal structures, an “ornamental and textured” effect is executed. (Leborg, 2006) Ornamental texture creates an illusion using the forms stroke growth and fill variations to make it seem like inversion and swallowing. These elements are successful in creating illusion by altering the transition and sequencing of an animation. The sequencing is manipulated in after effects using the graph editor and keyframing. (Lupton, 2008)
Upscaling and downscaling is explored in the burst sequences. I am focused on creating symmetrical paths of movements that shift into dominating over the background and upscaling from the centre to consume the scene. Rotation and position alignment are important in maintaining balance in an overwhelming and faced paces sequence. (Lupton, 2008)
I enjoy creating balanced sequences but will continue to try more abstract and course movements that vary weights of shapes, displace direction and rhythms. I am endeavouring to explore animated typography in the coming days, designer who work with type must pay attention to “legibility and reading order” Lupton (2008) quotes in Graphic Design: The New Basics.
Video stills from Merlin Casey’s, Task 1 animation sequence, 2020
Sources:
Leborg, C 2006, Visual Grammar, Princeton Architectural Press, New York. Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central. [Accessed 4 April 2020].
Lupton, E, & Phillips, JC 2008, Graphic Design: The New Basics, Princeton Architectural Press, New York. Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central. [Accessed 4 April 2020].
Radatz, B, 2012. Vertigo 1958 Title Sequencce. [online] Artofthetitle.com. Available at: <https://www.artofthetitle.com/title/vertigo/> [Accessed 29 April 2020].
Motion Graphic Design:
Vertigo 1958, Title design: Saul Bass, available at <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkLn8mamU78> [Accessed 20 April 2020]
2001: A Space Odyssey 1968 Slit Scan Effect, Designer: Douglass Trumbull, Available at <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaK4z3Fjpkk> [Accessed 21 April 2020]
Filmography:
Vertigo 1958. Dir: Alfred Hitchcock. Colour. Mono, 128 min.
2001: A Space Odyssey 1968. Dir: Stanley Kubrick. Colour. Sound, 161 min
Online Videos:
Whitney, J, 1961. Catalog, You Tube, [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbV7loKp69s&t=187s> [Accessed 2 April 2020].
Computers: Challenging Man’s Supremacy 1976, [video] Hobel-Leiterman Productions, New York Document Associates. Colour. Sound 124 min. Available at <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eMSPtm6u5Y> [Accessed 20 April 2020]
You Tube, 2012. Drawing Machine II. [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG9e06IWAxE> Accessed 20 April 2020
Images:
Film still from Vertigo (1958) opening title sequence designed by Saul Bass
Film still from 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Slit Scan Effect sequence designed by Douglass Trumbull
Video still from Drawing Machine II. 2012 [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG9e06IWAxE> Accessed 20 April 2020
Video still from John Whitney’s Catalog (1961) [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbV7loKp69s&t=187s> [Accessed 2 April 2020].
Video still from Merlin Casey’s, Task 1 animation sequence, 2020