Fast vs. Slow Animations

In the world of infographics and animations I've noticed a trend towards 2 specific types of animation, fast and slow. 

A fast animation keeps you going the whole way through. With fast transitions, constantly moving backgrounds and foreground elements. A fast animation gives the viewer theme and visual queues to tell the story. They always use voice overs because there's no time to read, just sit back and take it all in.

With a slow animation the viewer gets time to sit on each composition as it finishes transitioning. It gives the viewer time to think critically and have an "OIC" moment. Also with slow animations there's time for reading and voice overs aren't always needed (but I still recommend them).

There's great examples from both sides. Personally I lean towards the faster styled animation, but the animation by Sebas and Clim at the end is so damn good too. They make everything look very polished.

What do you think?

THE FAST

Is it time to change the Australian flag? from Mike Tosetto on Vimeo.

Workcenter from Rafael Morinaga on Vimeo.


Alitalia - Excellence at the controls from Emanuele Colombo on Vimeo.

THE SLOW

US Energy Projections from Swell on Vimeo.

SK PLANET : Smart touch from Jeremy Lee on Vimeo.


Can't say Title (confidential) from Sebas and Clim on Vimeo.

Morph & Twist

This week I wanted to highlight some videos that are rocking the 2D world of animation. Twisting and turning, warping and flipping. These animations are so butter you'll be brain will cramp if you try to figure it out how they did it.

Enjoy!

HTC "Colors" from Kristian Mercado.

Wide screen can be awesome. This ad is so visually stimulating you almost forget that they're selling a phone, it just looks like art to me.

Google Search App Spot 01 from Nando Costa

This 2 part ad campaign has quite a nice look to it. This spot stands out though with it's smooth flips and twist, morphing the icons right on beat with the message of the commercial.

Variations Graphiques autour du Carré from Julien Martorell

This box animation was a submitted animation for a contest meant to challenge contestants to animate a box in 10 seconds in whatever fashion they could create. Simplicity is awesome.

YouTube // Parter Video Campaign (Compilation) from Giant Ant

Saving the best for last, the man, the mythe, JR.Canest rocked this campaign over at Giant Ant in Vancover Canada. Each little episode has it's own unique niche, so if you like this mash up, check out the rest of the videos here.

Organic 2D goodness!

This is the stuff I love. This animation has so much movement that looks so flowing and organic its hard to think this was all keyframed. I'm very curious as to the process he went about trying to get everything to sync so well. I've found in my experience simple patterns of keyframing can make waves, but there's something entirely different when it comes to inertia. What do you think?

LOCKWOOD OPENING TITLES

by Cyril Izarn

LOCKWOOD OPENING TITLES from Cyril Izarn on Vimeo.

2011 Motion Reels are coming!!

The end of the year is approaching and it's time for me to make a 2011 reel. I've been thinking about this for a while now, primarily the work I've done this year has been 2D animations and I wasn't sure if I could get it to look as exciting as some 3D and live action reels I've seen. 
Sander Van Dijk has just submitted his 2011 reel and it is a great example of how to catch the viewers attention with 2D graphics as well as his other work. The intro alone is amazing, it's like BOOM!! in your face!

Sander van Dijk - Reel Dyad

by Sander van Dijk

Macro Storytelling

I've always found macro cinematography to look amazing when well lit and properly used. Recently I've noticed a trend of storytelling that uses macro throughout the narration. Here are a few fantastic examples

Burger King: California Whopper
by Pysop

Karl X Johan - Flames (dir. cut)

by Gustav Johansson 

Music Video of the Week

Amon Tobin - Calculate
Over the past year I've become more and more a fan of creative 2D animations. This music video is a great example simplistic/complex animation matched with the beat. At first glance it's child like in simplicity but as the song progresses the complexity gets to the point of... "how the heck did he do that!" 

Infographic Animations that you can't help but pay attention to

The world of infographic animations is relatively new. It's the idea of taking something that would normally be seen in as a print diagram and animating it as the narrative explains what you're seeing. This is a animation style I'm very familiar with having done many myself for the company Column Five Media which specializes in infographics.

TakePart: Waiting For 'Superman' - Infographic
This animation is done by the legendary Jr.canest, a lead animator at Buck in LA. The animation techniques he uses keep the eye focus on what is important and never make the eye go board. By sequencing his mask it creates a flowing organic feel that hits right as the brain is ready to transition. This animation set a new standard for what is possible 2D infographic animations.



Gates Foundation – G20 Summit
Another amazing animation by a new studio in the motion world called Gentleman Scholar. This was their first infographic animation and they really nailed it. The action is constant and the transitions are powerful, moving you from one place to another seamlessly without confusing the audience off of the narrative of the piece. There are so many good things to say about this animation but in the words of Jr.canest:

Jr.canest  7 days ago

Well done gentleman, well done. :D