Project – Space adventures

Rational – This self-directed motion design project undertakes the idea of a fantasy UI design through a sci-fi aesthetic, to explore 2.5D and secondary motion. The animation presents a narrative centered around the star wars universe and analysing new planets. Behind the screen, lies a re-imagined interface which extensively collects private information onto a large database about the planets habitat.

The initial sequence portrays an interface initiating the hyper speed lunch to a planet. This gives a stark contrast when the fantasy UI is introduced, which will appear more high-tech. The predominant use of circles throughout the animation is one motif which will be seen through the planets and the UI interfaces. These are often in the form of spheres enabled by the 3D layer function, to fulfil the 2.5D objective, and assisted with lighting, effects and secondary motion. A prime example of this is the HUD animation. The cool tone palette of aqua and white, and a hint of blue of the UI is another homage to the interfaces, as they are the main colours found in the form. These colours are then applied with a glow effect against dark backgrounds to visually express a sci-fi theme. Acting as a portal to the planets thus cohesively encapsulating the whole narrative of the animation.

Reference Images

Research and design context 

Motion design presents opportunity for designers to see visual elements alive, while still in the prototype stage (Samara 2012, p.102; Ambrose & Harris 2009, p. 28). As Samara (2012, p.102) states;

Once a drawn image is brought into a digital environment- and further, given that drawing may be accomplished digitally and photographically- it affords a designer new opportunities for investigation and refinement, in which digital tools may be used to alter the original work, or the drawing hybridized with photographic elements as totality.

With this principle in concomitant with my concept I am able to explore secondary motion further and extending these techniques to apply a 2 – dimensional design into a 3D place, to achieve 2.5D perspective. This will mainly utilise the camera and 3D function in After Effects to expand from a planar surface, to having the added dimension with the “Z” axis. With this, motion will mostly be composed of superordinate movement involving displacement or angle and or direction. 

There must be a significant attention with format, as this will impact heavily as a point of reference for the viewer to understand the intended portrayal of surface, depth, and space.

Project Development

Current Render

Proposed final project outcomes

After initial experimentation with this project I have found that creating these assets are taking longer than I thought due to in-depth details needed to create these UI interfaces. At the start I wanted to get a two minute animation, however, I am going to aim for a minimum of one minute as I think I should focus on the details and due to playing around with assets like secondary camera and lighting which will take me longer.

For my final project I plan on creating a star wars universe were the viewers are put into a first person experience travelling through hyper space and collecting data on planets which will appear through a user interface.

References

Ambrose, G, & Harris, P 2009, ‘Stages of Thinking’, in Design Thinking, AVA Publishing, Crans-prés-céligny, pp. 28-29.

Samara, T 2012, Drawing for Graphic Design: Understanding Conceptual Principles and Practical Techniques to create Unique, Effective Design Solutions, Quarto Publishing Group, USA.