More 4 Style Guide

Found the previous branding documents on the 4od website, wasn't particularly relevant and more but a posotive learning curve on how motion graphics are presented to clients. Might be a nice option to create some of my own presentation boards showing all of my choices for colours / imagery etc.

Also has information on the typeface which is very similar to the re-branded type, I can't download the typeface as it is custom but will use Avenir which is the closet I could find. There was some amazing information on the different layouts and spacing between for text etc. The image below is the most recent image I could find of the re-branding layout which I will stick with.

The PDF link

Projected Motion Graphics

These are a few sample videos of how motion graphics can be used to interact with real life environments. This would be a really interesting concept just to mock up on After Effects although its not relevant for the channel branding it could be a way of extending the advertising, projected onto bridges / pieces of architecture, it also seems like the sort of project that Channel 4 would want get involved in. Although it would be complicated to project onto the side of a bridge with their slender forms using London as an example all the bridges along the thames could make interesting canvases for the projections.

Glitchy business

After gaining all this new insight into contemporary architecture and coming to some of my own conclusions I have realised that good architecture blends into the environment in which it exists. However many postmodernist pieces often have a harsh contrast with their environments which is something I wanted to portray in my videos. This strangely harmonious relationship between mother nature and the human race has always interested me and would fit well with my target audience.

These videos all portray the sort of imagery that would contrast but compliment the clean vectors I have been using, and is something I want to recreate with my own approach / content / context. They also have a strong relationship between visuals and audio, another key focus point for my videos.

 

Sound Sync 2

Another example of sound synchronisation but this time using complicated motion graphics. I think its this relationship between sound and audio that inspired me to try motion graphics even before this module and is defiantly something I want to use for my title sequence. Although the relation between audio and visuals is always an important factor in any music orientated video it would be nice to explore it to its full potential like in the last few videos I have posted.

Also this technique seems pretty suited to my current design direction but I need to get a better understanding of using audio in the software before I start editing my videos using this technique.

So my current design focuses for the sequence are - - -
- Architectural content - Relating back to target audience
- Abstract approach - As long as the overall feel is very industrial and mechanic the use of imagery doesn't need to be 100% related to bridges but must have some architectural relevance.
- Sound Synchronisation - Relating back to the idea of form follows function with each element in the video representing a part of the audio but without losing the content of the programme.

Anthony Burrill

Was feeling all round more inspired towards graphics and in particular motion graphics after the print festival talk on Sunday. Enjoyed all of the talks, particularly that of Anthony Burrill. His work is a perfect example of how simplicity can exploited to look extremely professional and unique within motion graphics. His work is slightly away from what I though graphics had to offer, his work spans from opening up gallery spaces to show his work to visuals and identities for the music scene.

Took notes throughout the talks and have a nice selection that I want to do something with through type or using some of the type as image techniques learnt through last weeks brief. Also decided to include some of his printed outcomes, really keen on the colour schemes and need to start thinking about my DVD cover, needs to be appropriate to the target audience / content of the programme.

More 4 Rebrand

I've recreated the logos in vectors but the studio have done a wonderful job on the rebrand so it made sense to explain some of the choices and show how its used in motion. Although it looks a bit complex while static, however in motion it really comes to life and has bought me some new inspiration for my own idents.

"After winning a competitive pitch, Channel 4 commissioned ManvsMachine to create a new brand identity and on-air look for More4. The package aligns with a re-focussed range of content on the channel.
 
The re-brand is centred round a bold, flexible logo that morphs through a series of flips, folds and reveals. The colour palette reflects the vibrant nature of interiors, food culture, fashion and other contemporary lifestyle programming."
Here are a few samples of the re-branding and new idents, although there not all digital all work in harmony to a well communicated overall identity that fits in nicely with its parent company channel 4. Been finding it hard to look at any sort of motion graphic without trying to work out how it was done which makes TV far more interesting.

More 4

After re-thinking my target audience and my approach to the project so far I have decided to re-evaulate my choice of programme. I will put the re-branding of More 4 in a separate post to keep my page organised.

After discovering that More 4 had a re-brand and coming across a page showing their updated content as well as image. The new visual is wonderful and defiantly works with the content of my programme idea, but the content of the programming is also more relevant with the arts and fashion aspects being closely related to architecture.

Quote from More 4
“focusing more fully on popular factual and features — life enhancing content, helping viewers to get the most out of their everyday lives.” In other words, downers like “documentaries, arts and current affairs” are out and “programming which offers insight and inspiration to the way they live, including homes, property, food, health and fashion” is in. The new identity and on-air look has been designed by London-based ManvsMachine."

Also after looking through some of the programmes although there are only a few on architecture, there are considerable more than any other TV channels. The BBC has a few but none from the same angle on architecture that I want to take. Here are some screen shots of the channel's programming and the viewing times through out the week of each programme. There is also one on there of the film that I watched the other week on bridges which was shown on More 4 a few weeks ago.

After looking through the times, I have concluded that it would be most applicable to have my programme on Tuesdays at 10pm, as it is the most fitting to the other programming on at this time.

General TV

Looking at channels and considering what would be the most suited to the context of my programme, been searching through the online channel pages and through the TV guide. Been focusing on architectural content but seen quite a few top ten but they don't seem to cover the same direction within the subject that I wanted to cover.

More 4 Ident

Idents by spin studio for my current chosen channel, after looking at the content of the channel and comparing it to the likes of BBC3 and other channels that show documentaries etc it seemed the most fitting.

Such a simple aesthetic but really interesting to work with for my own idents / title sequence. The interaction between colours and overlapping layers is something that I want to explore through my own work, also planning on experimenting with similar shapes but with crisper edges representing the structural presence of bridges and architecture. It seems that at the moment its the simple motion graphics that are often the most effective - something to think about when starting my idents.

Futura history

Despite this video being in another language Futura is my current choice of typeface for my top 10. However I need to decide if it works with more 4's current branding. A good demonstration of the different possibilities available working with motion graphics, as well as a broadened understanding of the typefaces history and typographic elements.

What is a Key Frame?

Key Frame - Important / definitive frames
(Frames are not points in time they are periods of time)
Inbetween - The remaining frames between the key frames
Tweeners - Inbetween Animators (originated from Disney Animators)
Timeline / Bin - Originated from when film was used

25 FPS - Traditional film
PAL 25 FPS - UK

Rule of thirds - Also applies when working with moving image
Title Safe - Area in which title graphics wont be distorted of off the screen
Action Safe - Important visual elements are usually kept out of this area
but it is still visible on most modern screens

What key frames can be used for outside of After Effects
- Flash / Final Cut / Other computer software
- To animate layer properties in Photoshop
- Show developments in the design process
- To show changes in light, particularly helpful when working in 3D
- To show when audio comes in out / changes through out videos

2 potential problems when encountering sequences how are you going 
to avoid those problems...
- Confusing visualising speed when working using just sequences
---- Use a time-line to overcome issue
- Hard to think about space in between the frames
----- Use arrows and annotations to show movements

How do your sequences relate to this idea of a time-line? 
- They are simplified time-lines, but don't show movement / time as effectively
- Hi-lights what we think are key frames, without consideration of the effect of time

How are you going to map those sequences onto a time-line?
- Could use photos of the key frames and put them down onto appropriate times

30 Experiments

Video by Steffen K
Although this video doesn't directly use type, the quality and simplicity of the brief clips draws you into the screen and creates a 3D environment that seems to keep moving around the screen. I found it interested what Fred had to say about these not being real environments, I think I am finally getting my head around the diverse possibilities just using After Effects let alone any of the other software out there.

This video is however more relevant to the next part of the module, where we were asked to research into a specific subject matter and focus on a 10 top / worst / things to know etc about this subject, we were also asked to think about what channel it would be linked to making sure it stays visually relevant to its content. If this style of video was being used on TV / as an Ident it would fit with MTV / channel 4 running with their playful branding. Going to start researching into different subject areas and thinking about what channels they would be most likely to be on in the commercial world.

George Fasswald

Intricate and flowing motion graphics piece by George Fasswald, particularly fond of the second video when the triangles flicker white over the realistic water splatters being slowed down and sprawled across the screen. I could experiment with similar movements for my own videos, but again these might become more relevant when we move on from the silent movies, thinking about the ever so important relationship between music and video.

Type over Image

Post Production & Editing by ZWUPP
Really like the production of this video, high quality filming and well executed type over the clips. Interesting here to start to think about the lifestyle and image that red-bull promote, they are always involved in these extreme sports. Need to start thinking about branding more in this context, rather than just assessing the value of the physical design I need to think about the associations brands make with celebrities or sports that portray their image.



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This second video again using similar techniques with type over moving image, but the beginning is particularly interesting, the movement within each letter form is intricate and engaging and works as a flowing piece of type.



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This last video is really interesting, very different from the first two, and unfortunately uses very little type but the shadows and textures used are something I want to pick up on when we move past the silent movies (not to be getting ahead of myself).

Matt Rudd

Been perusing vimeo for motion graphics and came across this inspirational presentation from Matt Rudd head of Rudd Studio in London.

Through the talk he discusses the different approaches his company takes and how his personal musical passions influence his studios work. Towards the end he starts to talk through the idents for channel 4, some truly inspirational work. I have already analysed these idents, but what made me blog this talk again is the presentation skills, he is articulate and obviously passionate about his studio and the work they produce which is what keeps the audience and me involved and intrigued in what he is saying. This is something I need to utilise this year, I want to take a more active role in the presentations especially when working in groups.

Grimy Idents

These are the idents for the less commercial forms of tv / video for online etc. The music scene is defiantly something I want to get involved with, I have been exploring this through my PPD blog but haven't really thought about lower budget branding. The idents arn't particularly unique or well made but I think they are a good representation of the underground grime scene and fit with the context. Also the newer ones used for SBTV have been so overworked they have less appeal, but again the interaction between music and video is something I hope to explore through the rest of this module.

Computer Virus

The Anatomy of a computer virus by Patrick Clair
Not to keen on this video on a whole but some of the uses of type are really nice and seem much more professional than many of the other kinetic type videos I have seen.

Storyboard Examples

A few examples to get my ideas flowing and to show me how I should be approaching my own boards. Playing with a simple grid design for the cover just to keep my mind active (I know the inside is horrendous)

Type Animation

Type animation by spin for Wim Crouwel at the design museum in London. Also branding for the exhibition, wonderful range of work from beautiful print and screen to the design for the gallery space. In summary a well communicated and unique identity with consistent colours with custom typefaces and visual coding systems -truly inspiring work all round. Exhibition design is something I want to look into through my PPD and context to get a better understanding of the professional opportunities.



This project shows just how seamlessly the different creative disciplines interlink. I posted a few samples of work from this last year but now feel I can approach my analysis and understanding of the project with a far more informed view and option.

BBC 2 Idents / Identity

Interesting to see how a very similar concept of exploring hundreds of different visual environments for the channel 4 and BBC 2 logos to exist. Also the way BBC have chosen a slightly more formal approach but using more shadows and realistic graphics against the playful clean edged channel 4 identity.




I really like the way both use the logo as a frame revealing images or clips underneath, although the video below isn't motion graphics its still a prominent symbol of the iconic BB2 Idents.



Some of the old BBC 2 idents to get a better idea of how they have progressed, although I do prefer some of these, maybe its something to do with growing up with them.