For this rotation, we were tasked to create an motion graphic film, produced in After Effects, and based around the theme of connection. Some thought towards the idea later, and I’ve decided to create this film themed around connection with the Solar System as the planets are connected in their own separate orbit.
To follow this idea through, I needed to design the 8 planets of the Solar System including the Sun. I’ve created my own designs using Photoshop and photographic reference from images taken of these planets in space and graphical representation work from other artists. Along with this, I’ve recorded audio in Audition of me saying the names of the planets and the Sun, which would be used for when each planet would appear in my film.
The finalised outcome of this film can be seen below.
Importing these assets into After Effects and having experience in my previous works where I’ve used the software for some effects, the challenge I’ve faced when developing this film was the organisation and timing of each effect from layers being positioned correctly to the opacity of texts appearing and dissolving.
There were times where After Effects would crash, causing my work to have some layers’ timing mixed up. Adding to this, I had an issue when rendering the film from home, however this was solved when I was at uni. This issue turned out to be something to do with my hardware which was later resolved in my own time which helped me fix and improve my motion graphic film into how it is presented today.