Information Design - Final Project: Animated Infographics Video

Name: Liong Xenyi (0383125)
Module: Information Design (GCD60504)
Date: 2/2/2026 - 22/3/2026 (Week 1 - Week 7)
Degree: Bachelor of Design (Honors) in Creative Media 
University: Taylor's University



Instructions
  • Work in a Pair.
  • Use the assets from Project 1 Instructable Infographic poster and make it into a 60 secs motion graphic.
  • The motion graphic must demonstrate that you can translate a static design into time-based communication and improve clarity, hierarchy, and aesthetics.
  • Capture the aesthetics and narrative of the poster with movements, SFX and music.
  • Requirements:
    • Max 60 seconds infographic video 720p: 1280x720 pixels (H26/mp4) published on YouTube (set to Unlisted).


Progress
We decided to use my other pair's recipe, Canederli Soup, for this final project, since it has lesser ingredients and steps compared to mine. We compiled the steps into different steps, so we could visualise a flow for the animation.



Fig 1.1 Steps for the recipe

We split the work into two parts: the first half and second half. We first worked on the timeline, and drew out the storyboard for our sections so we can get a clearer picture. I did my part below. My partner did the other half. 
Fig 1.2 First half storyboard


After that, I created the animation time frame, dividing the time for each scene, along with the sound effects for each scene.
Fig 1.3 Animation timeframe

Everything else, including the second half of the storyboard, can be found in the Document link below, which includes our beginning process of planning out this animation. 


We had to make an animatic, with our storyboards and sound effects, to see how it goes before fully animating it. I realised some timeframes doesn't fit exactly, so I changed accordingly. I did my part, and my partner did hers, and later, I combined both videos together on Premiere Pro.
Fig 1.4 Animatic

After some feedback, we have to change some timing of certain scenes because it was too fast to read. We should decrease the amount of text so it is readable, with most of the animation explaining the process. But for the rest of it, we could follow the pacing for the animation. We started working on the animation. 

My partner drew the necessary assets, while for some other scenes with a different shot or ingredient, I drew it instead. I imported the Illustrator files, named each one differently and brought it into After Effects. I first started with simple animations, to roughly time the scenes. 

Some compositions are more complicated, so once I set them up in Adobe Illustrator to look like how I want it to be composed in, I imported the file into AE. For the shelf, I divided each component into different groups so I could animate each individually. I animated that composition first before opening it in the main recipe animation composition. I followed the timing in the time frame, and gave enough time to read. 

I wanted the shelf to zoom out fully, then in to each compartment, showing each ingredient clearly. It will move swiftly, and in a horizontal, and zig-zag motion. I just moved the shelf's position while making it the parent for all the other elements.
Fig 1.5 Making the shelf

Fig 1.6 Animating the shelf

Next, I included the instructions, animating some of the ingredients with position, rotation, and scale. I use easy ease and motion blur to make all the animations smooth. The original Adobe Illustrator file is small and I had to expand the scale above 100% for some illustrations - so, I continuously rasterise the items so that it retains the smoothness and vector look.
Fig 1.7 Effects in AE

I divided the bread pieces into groups, and duplicated them in AE, making them appear after the knife cuts the bread. I didn't have the time to make different bread pieces, so I just used the scale animation to make it smaller when the knife cuts.
Fig 1.8 Animating the bread

As for the jug of water, I just added a bit of a wave motion for the liquid. I had to import a separate Illustrator file for this as it is easier to animate something more complex. I followed the liquid in a glass tutorial, and added the small wavy animation in the jug. I also used a stroke with the more complicated animation, so it looks like it is moving inside the bowl.
Fig 1.9 Animating the water in the jug

Fig 1.10 Animating the water coming out

As for the butter, I just made increase the scale and position, as if it is melting, while decreasing the opacity. The onions and proscuitto were moved then stirred with simple position movements. The salt and parsley were just simple movements as well.
Fig 1.11 Animating the frying scene

After that, I wasn't satisfied with just the words appearing from the bottom towards up, so I added the bouncy effect I did from the previous tutorial class. I put the preset for the words, and make them have the text animation effect. I didn't add too much animation and movement, as it is already very fast and have lots of information, hence, I do not want to overwhelm the viewer.
Fig 1.12 Animating the text

Once all of these were completed, I exported my first half of the part. I opened up the previous animatic that I did, with all the sound effects and timing placed already, and replaced the storyboarded video with this animation instead. I just had to tweak some changes to fit the exact timing, while adding extra sounds to make certain scenes more interesting. After adjusting the sounds, I was finished with my part, and waited for my partner to finish hers.
Fig 1.13 Animating the sound effects

My partner combined our video and we have the final results.


Final Submission
Fig 2.1 Canederli Soup Recipe Animation


This is my part of the video that I did.
Fig 2.2 First half of the Animation


YouTube Link:
https://youtu.be/5_j2zpxUBn0





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