My experience in NYC

NYC Internship

Hello reader. I've been in New York City working at Nailgun for three weeks now. It's been crazy cool. The work environment is so much different! Manhattan is absolutely gorgeous! Everywhere you visit, any restaurant you go to, pretty much everything is just great up here.

So far, I've learned a lot to listen and work fast. haha I work with amazing people, mostly Koreans. They are super creative and talented. The first pitch I got to work on was for FOX tv in Japan. The process to work was: first research your target audience. Know the culture, the people, what they like, dream, eat; where they work, party; what they watch, read, play...pretty much EVERYTHING you can learn about your target audience. After this you start thinking about your concept. What do you want it to look like, what's the style, the mood, the movement. This mean, you make a Mood Board and show every reference you have so far about your concept. After you get the "approve", then you start working on the storyboards and building assets. In this case, we had to do bumpers, transitions, logo, hero id's, and promo toolkit still frames. It was very stressful cause we had a tight schedule to get this done.

It's been very exciting so far, and Im learning lots and lots of cool things. New York City is definitely the place where you meet people you never thought you would! The other day, I met a director called Robin Winter-Young while I was having a amazing dinner eating lobster with a good friend of mine.

"Robin Winter is a sound engineer/designer and in film, a line producer, production manager, director and assistant director. She is the world's first woman live sound reinforcement engineer, and at ABC, she was the first woman and the youngest writer/producer in network television news. In radio, she was among the first in radio to syndicate programming (she produced, engineered and hosted). Robin’s voice was known to millions via her own “Robin’s Rock Reports,” at its height heard over 197 stations. She won an AES (Audio Engineer Society) Award for the space shuttle tracking system, being the first to utilize digital audio technology (DAT) in production, and for being the first woman sound engineer. She also won a United Nations Ambassador Award for "Please Save Us the World," made for the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

In her second career in film, Robin has worked on “Moonlighting,” Danielle Steele’s “Changes,” Disney TV’s “Hard Time On Planet Earth,” ABC TV’s Plymouth” (where she spearheaded groundbreaking efforts to streamline and connect production and post-production), “Hunter,” “In The Heat Of The Night,” and the Slap Maxwell Story." Her recent work includes 2nd assistant directing on the Jennifer Lopez film "The Back-Up Plan."

[ http://www.ctfilmfest.com/site/node/356 ]

Now you know a little bit about her. And i've learned that you never know who's sitting next to you eating a delicious lobster! haha So pay attention, be friendly, talk to everyone you can and just put yourself out there! Have fun in the "city that never EVER sleeps"! :)

I'll be posting some crazy things up here, so stay tuned!

Bye Amigos!

Final Pass

Network ID

Bug

Violator

Line Up 1

Line Up 2

Line Up 3

I am very happy with my last Pass. I had some issues with MAYA, but I think it was all worth it. I learned a lot more of MAYA than I though I would. And the most important thing is that I had fun working on this project. On my final pass, my classmates and client looked very happy with it. I am looking forward to learning more of MAYA and just enjoy it more than I did on this project, since it was my first time working on MAYA. Now summer time starts here, so I will be posting more projects I'll be working with my internship this summer! 

Good-bye for two weeks! 

Third Pass: Network Package

Network ID









BUG







Violator










Line Up 1






Line Up 2








Line Up 3

Second Pass

On the second pass, I followed exactly what I had on my Animatic. After looking at it, I thought it was great. It still need to be polished. Also during the critique, my classmates and teacher thought I should add more shapes at the end when the ART logo is revealed. The reason is because, it should look like the abstract shapes are the texture of the logo.

Abstract Shapes

These are the shapes that will be pulled to the ART logo. I created them in Maya, and since it's my first experience working with this program, it was very challenging. But I finally got the colors and textures I wanted the shapes to have!

Animatic

Same Concept with a better story!

I had a very interesting brainstorming session with my teacher. He gave me such a great idea! Why not show abstract parts of the logo ART, and then reveal it at the end with all the shapes on it? BRILLIANT idea!

Right now, the animatics won't make sense. But trust me, it's going to look great once I add the abstract/colorful shapes hitting the ART logo! 

First Pass

On this animation, I was trying to follow my storyboards but I figured it was not working. It is boring and not appealing at all.

Trying to figure out how to make it work all together, so I decided to change the camera movement to make it "more interesting". But still, I don't think it's successful. But I'm working on it, and I'm very excited to see with what I come up with!

Storyboard

   On the storyboard, I tried to convey a really great concept but too long to be presented in 3 frames. My concept is: The Power of ART has a magnetic that attracts every artist to be one, one Network; ART Network. Every artist has different styles and way of thinking, but we are all attracted by one power and this is ART. On this animation, there's going to be a magnetic pull to the logo.

  

 

Mood Board

 In the Mood Board I tried to go for more abstract shapes and bright colors. I used images that showed the style I want to give to my Network ID. When I presented it to my client, she was very happy with it. I am excited to start working on the style of the animation, which it's my favorite part of it! 

  

Student Profiles

As part of my research on ART Network, I created a male and a female. This profiles will help me understand what demographic I am designing for. It's a really fun project because I am designing for my friends, teachers, parents, faculty and me. But anyways, here's my profiles:

Female

Alexandra Martínez
22 years old
Originally from Colombia, lives in Miami
Illustration Major 2nd year (Was GIC her freshman year)
Middle Class
Walks everywhere
Religion: Catholic
Student.
Height: 5'5
Language: Spanish as her first language, English
Very healthy person.
Works on campus.
Involved in a lot of volunteering and club events.
Loves to teach kids to paint and follow their dreams.
Prefers Science over Math.
Very creative mind. A bit quiet to express the world in which she lives inside of her mind but expressive enough through her illustrations to reveal the wonders of it.
Love Comic Books.

Male

Joon Song
22 years old
From Maryland
Middle Class
Asian
Car: Honda Corolla
Lives off-campus
Religion: Christian
Language: English and a bit of Korean
Height: 5'7
Student
Major: Computer Animation
Goes to the gym.
Has an asian girlfriend.
Loves to play soccer on tuesday nights on campus.
Healthy
Loves video games
Loves rice.
Likes to watch animated movies.
Likes martial arts.

DISCOVERY CHANNEL: Network Branding Research pt. 2

As I mentioned before, our next project is Network Branding. Now, my goal is to research and see what an actual Network Brand looks like and how I apply this to my concept.

1. The function and purpose of a Network Identity Package is to make the audience be more aware of the channel they are watching, get them excited, and promote different elements. The book Motion Graphic Design refers to a Network Branding as a complete "video information system" that is comprised of promotional elements including station identifiers, bumpers, lower thirds, and mortises.

2. Discovery Channel is an American satellite and cable TV channel. It provides documentary programming focused primarily on popular science, technology, and history. In the U.S., the programming for the main Discovery network is primarily focused on reality-based television themes, such as speculative investigation, automobiles, and occupations; it also features documentaries specifically aimed at faimlies and younger audiences.
The comprehensive redesign of Discovery Channel's (US) on air branding was developed by Los Angeles based motion and production studio Royale.

3. Discovery Channel is try to showcase stunning imagery from across the deep Discovery library. They want to engage the audience to the adventures of Discovery Channel. They wanted to bring to life the awesome, unusual and authentic moments found in their programming by combining a series of stills with dynamic 3D animation.

4.

5. They use the 3D dynamic animation creating a simple interchangeable system generating unlimited combination of visuals.

6. If we compare Eleven Network Brand with Discovery Channel Network Package we see a huge different in the way they accomplish their goals. Discovery Channel Network Package is more in 3D space unlike Eleven which is all in a 2D style. They both have a fun and energetic attitude, but the styles are completely different as well as the colors. Discovery Channel uses whites, grays and blues.

7. The similarities of both Packages are that they have the same energy and fun animation. They both divide the screen in small squares or rectangles to reveal the text.

8. This two examples will help me to design an Identity for All Ringling Television because I want the same energy they have in their shows for the ART channel. We want our graphics to make our audience get excited for the next show they are going to watch. We want them to enjoy the graphics as well as the shows showing in the channel. 

9. What I learned about Station Identity Package design is that we as animators/designers have to keep the viewer's attention by designing our block of texts in a way that capture their attention. Eleven and Discovery Channel accomplish this in a very different way but they both do it in a very successful way. You have to be consistent with the colors because that will get your attention.

I think that this research definitely gave me a new understanding of channel package. We want to be constant with all the assets for the package, but we don't want to be boring. It's a pretty challenging thing, but I can wait to start working on the Network Branding project. 

ELEVEN: Network Branding Research pt. 1

Network Branding Research:

1. The function and purpose of a Network Identity Package is to make the audience be more aware of the channel they are watching, get them excited, and promote different elements. The book Motion Graphic Design refers to a Network Branding as a complete "video information system" that is comprised of promotional elements including station identifiers, bumpers, lower thirds, and mortises.

2. Eleven is a brand new free to air Australian television channel. First on air on January 11th, 2011. Pretty new, huh? Eleven will be the last of free to air multichannels and the first general entertainment offering from Ten, who only offer a sport channel to compliment their main offering. A joint venture between CBS and Channel Ten the new channel is aimed at the 13-29 year old crowd, and will become the new home of The Simpsons and long suffering soap Neighbours. 

3. Eleven uses a 2D graphic style. The attitude Eleven is try to convey is a very fun and energetic one. The colors they use are light blue, white, purple, and yellow/green. The font they use through out the whole branding is san serif regular and italic. Very simple and easy to read. The animated text and boxes they use are very fun to watch.

4.

5. They are very constant with the use of color, placement of the elements, arrows, and violator animation. 

6. If we compare Eleven Network Brand with Discovery Channel Network Package we see a huge different in the way they accomplish their goals. Discovery Channel Network Package is more in 3D space unlike Eleven which is all in a 2D style. They both have a fun and energetic attitude, but the styles are completely different as well as the colors. Discovery Channel uses whites and grays.

7. The similarities of both Packages are that they have the same energy and fun animation. They both divide the screen in small squares or rectangles to reveal the text. 

8. This two examples will help me to design an Identity for All Ringling Television because I want the same energy they have in their shows for the ART channel. We want our graphics to make our audience get excited for the next show they are going to watch. We want them to enjoy the graphics as well as the shows showing in the channel. 

9. What I learned about Station Identity Package design is that we as animators/designers have to keep the viewer's attention by designing our block of texts in a way that capture their attention. Eleven and Discovery Channel accomplish this in a very different way but they both do it in a very successful way. You have to be consistent with the colors because that will get your attention.

Network Package Demographic Notes

One of my goals: Connecting with the aspiration of our demographic.


Audience: Current Student
                 Prospective Students
                 Alumni
                 Visitors: Recruiters, Trustees, Artists
                 Faculty
                 Staff

Demographic:

• 18-24
• 60% female
• Caucasian
• Mixed Ethnicity
• Illustration: Biggest Population
• Known for Computer Animation Major
• Varied Income
• Bikes/Skateboards
• Hipsters
• Disney-Fans

Aspirations:

• Fame
• Originality
• Influence
• Expression of Self created art
• Working in the industry
• Leave behind a legacy
• Help Others

Perceptions: 

• Leaders
• Professional
• Organized
• Prepared
• Well-trained
• Passionate

Here's some discussions that we had in class today. It's always necesary to know and understand your target audience. My question now is: Will it be easy to animate for myself? And what I mean by that is that I am part of the "target audience". I am around this demographic all day, I am the target demographic, and now the way I see the people around me it's going to be different. I want to be able to understand them and know what they like and what they don't, since we have a pretty big variety of majors. 

Network Branding Creative Brief

In this Project as a creative motion designer we have to come up with a design that will be shown in the Ringling Television Network. This design needs to engage our demographic (which is pretty wide), and needs to be fun. I am very excited about this project and looking forward to expand my knowledge about Network Branding, because this is my first project designing for a Network. If you desire, take a look at the Creative Brief to get a better idea of the project goal. 

Project 3 – Network Branding

Creative Brief

Network Identity and Branding

The Client:

All Ringling Television Network  -on campus Comcast cable channel 117

Project Overview:

To design a Network ID and support elements to brand the new ART (All Ringling Television) Network.   The theme for the initial on-air look will be "The Power of ART"   

Objective:

To create visually compelling imagery that establishes ART Network as a channel where one turns to see new and innovative content.  The Idents should illustrate the power of ART Network to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.  The Idents should capture the excitement and energy that ART Network can generate.  The imagery should be unusual and unfamiliar to the viewer to suggest the originality of the network.   It could visually explain the acronym ART as All Ringling Television Network.

Deliverables:

1  ID   7-10 seconds in length - with audio
3  Looping Animated Line Up slates -  with sample layout of informational text
1  Bug  (keyable)
1  Violator Animation (keyable) to reveal logo, and inform what's coming up next.

Distribution:

These animations will be use on the new Ringling TV channel, ART Network.  The looping Line Up slates will be use to present upcoming programs and times.

9- Logos

Here are our logos. We want to enhance it a little bit more and make the colors of the title more vibrant and saturated. But so far this is what we have.

13- Doodles

6- Photoshoot + Still Frame

This was our first photoshoot. We were building our Story Board and we wanted to explain without words what our concept was. It was a bit challenging because we had a a white background in this photoshoot, and in our Mood Board we had a a blue background. But our client think our concept it strong, therefore we are going to keep thinking of more ideas to make this look awesome!

STILL FRAME

15- Show Package Final

The Title Sequence finally is how we picture it from the first time! We finish our Show Package and we are very excited with the last edits we made to it. Enjoy!

Title Sequence

Transition 1

Transition 2

Animated Background

Lower Third: One Line

Lower Third: Two Line

14- At Work...

Work on the Title Sequence / Very excited with what we have so far!

Organizing layers. That way the editor know where to find everything.

Animated Background / Just adding some doodles and minor things since my client likes the colors and look of it so far.

5- Rough Animatic

After making our storyboard we decided to make a really rough animatic to see how long will the animation be. We still a little concerned with the timing on the animatic because it seems to be to short for our concept. Meanwhile, we still building our assets and putting everything together.

7- Sketches

 We started building our assets and a huge part of it are the doodles! We all doodle...and we want to make this part of our explosion coming out of the backpack. So here are some shots of me doodling and putting some stuff together!

Not going to lie...I was tired! Sometimes building assets are a little exhausting but I am doing my best. Just very excited to see the end product.

12- Lower Thirds: Second Pass

Matthew Nitzberg, the animator of the lower thirds, will be refining them after getting some great fitback from our classmates and teachers. We still need more energy! Less distracting things around, but things that we can recognize from the Title Sequence. Just keeping in mind that there has to be a constant style/feeling/energy throught out the Show Package. But we are getting there!

11- Animated Background: Second Pass

I have to add a little bit more of energy so it reflects the same feeling from the title sequence. I knew there was something not right about this animated background. Today I got some great fitback from the group and it definitely took me to the right path again. A little nervous but glad that I can picture it more clear now!

10- Title Sequence: Second Pass

This is the second pass of our Title Sequence for a "A Day in the Life" show.

We got some good fitback from our classmates and teachers. We are going to be working on the readability of the text at the begining  were it says Ringling College of Art + Design. Also we are going to add more doodles and texture to the explotion. We are going to focus more on the energy we want to give to the audience. Also the logo will change just a little, because we need to make it more big and colorful, or maybe just saturate the colors. So far, the critique went great! 

8- Test animation

One of my teammates and I were working on the explosion from the bag. This is a quick test that is looking pretty good so far! Excited to see the final piece! :)

4- Storyboard

 

The idea behind the show open is an output of design and artistic expression from a place most students live, their backpack. The backpack is a central image throughout the title animation. The storyboard illustrates the opening scene with the backpack sitting in a familiar Ringling area. A student walks by in the background, dragging the viewers eye from the right of the screen to the left where they transfer the motion to another student who comes in, leans down, opens the backpack and is startled by the wave of design that splashes from the backpack. The graphics fill the screen and reveal the final logo.

 

I am pretty excited about this! We had a great brainstorming time. We figure that, us students bring our backpacks everywhere we go. In the animation we want to show the magic that we bring within our backpacks and the energy that comes out of it every time we work in our projects.

1- Project Creative Brief

In this project we want to be able to set a vibe instead of saying a story. We want our audience to get excited to watch the show. That been said, in this project we have to make a Show Package. I am excited to start brainstorming with my team, although I am a bit nervous because this is our first project creating a Show Package.  


Here's the Project's Creative Brief...

Client: Ringling College of Art and Design
Project: Show Package
Date: February 27, 2011
Contact: Lisa Moody
Title: A Day in the Life
Medium: Video

Marketing Communications Objective:
Convey brand, attitude and style of the A Day in the Life videos.

Project Description:
Produce a show package that cross and capture the essence of three majors: Business of Art and Design, Advertising Design and Motion Design. Package elements include:

• Show Open (keyable for video insertion) OR
• Show Title: A Day in the Life: Motion Design / Advertising / Business of Art and Design
• Lower Thirds (two samples: 1 line and a 2 line)
• Animated background (10-second loop)
• Transitions (Two samples @ 1-2 seconds each)

Specs: 

16 x 9    Hi Def 1920 x 1080    29.97 fps.   .Mov files     AE File Deliverables

Target Audience: 

Prospective Ringling students, general public, donors, prospective employers. 

Target Insight: 

Audience wants to relate to the students in the video- they want to see themselves as cool, up-and-coming art students who will accomplish their academic goals and be successful, while having fun.

Brand Character:

Fun, exciting, interesting, a little on the edge, in the loop, i.e., industry, campus, etc.

Tone/Style: 

Video will be energetic, fast-paced, 100% in the voice of the student and give a very real look at what each major is like through the eyes of the student. Will follow the student to classes, on-campus, interests, etc. 

3- Inspirational

Saltå Kvarn from Linnea Hedeborg on Vimeo.
Inspirational Colors


Motion Revolver Defocused from Motion Revolver on Vimeo.
Really cool examples of backgrounds

The Black Keys - Sinister Kid - Kinetic Type from chris leiter on Vimeo.
Texture Examples

NikeWomensDIAMONDFLX from Marshall Bex on Vimeo.
Nice combination of Film and Motion


Here's some of my research for the Showpackage project. Pretty excited about it! 

2- Mood Board

Our Mood Board shows the color scheme and energy that we want to give to our final animation. Our presentation on the Concept Class was great! We got great comments about our Mood Board and many many ideas on how to communicate our message in a clear but fun way. 
Next Step: Storyboard

I started playing in After Effects to get a sense of what my team and I are planning to do in our Showpackage animation. Here you will see an awful motion test of how it's looking so far, because it's the very first test I've made. But I am working on it.