Information Design - Project 2

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Name: Liong Xenyi (0383125)
Module: Video and Sound Production (GCD60504)
Date: 2/2/2026 -  (Week 1 - Week )
Degree: Bachelor of Design (Honors) in Creative Media 
University: Taylor's University

Table of Contents
  • Project 2
    • Exercise 3: Kinetic Typography
    • Exercise 4: Pie Chart
    • Exercise 5: Vector Animation

Project 2
Exercise 3: Kinetic Typography
Fig 1.1 Kinetic Typography Motion Graphics

For this exercise, we had to make a kinetic typography lyrical video for one song in our groups. My group, blue team, chose the song 'Birds of a Feather' by Billie Eilish. I wasn't a big fan of making a music group project for a slow song, but I don't mind the song that much, as it has some good lyrics. 

Moving on, we separated our parts with the different verses. I choose the bridge because I had some ideas for the music video. I also didn't like how the roles were separated since it was a little unfair at some parts. I should've spoken up earlier in the group instead of just letting the leader to do the decisions, as I noticed the group wasn't even discussing. 
Fig 1.2 Separated roles

Since no one was discussing anything, and the leader wasn't even there, I decided to step up and discuss about a plan. I know that we have to align our vision by using the same moodboard, colours, typography, graphic elements and overall vibe. If we have different thoughts about the outcome, the video will be out of sync and will be very disharmonised. However, since no one was talking, I was only able to discuss with Wing, who also aligned with what I want for the video. We found references and discussed what direction we were going for. I tried telling the others to research and find references too, but they didn't really do anything. I even made a Canva presentation, with all the necessary elements, as mentioned above, provided so we could have the same typography video.

Fig 1.3 Kinetic Typography Research/References

We were inspired by those lyrical videos with brush aesthetics and simple graphical elements, as it represents the mood of the song, which is more melancholic and sad, yet still full of emotion with the love she feels. So it will be a softer blue, with graphics that feel more personal at heart. Wing and I looked for the references, fonts, and colours. So, okay, we did all these, and I told the group to follow these elements. I even texted in the group chat for those who weren't there. I suggested we should also make a storyboard so that we can have similar elements and direction. But in the end, only I did the storyboard for my part.

I continued on with my part. After learning new skills for animating typography in After Effects, I used it for this exercise. I followed the compositions I made in the storyboard, without having too much movement, as this song is more heartfelt, and the way she sings the song is soft, while she drags the words out. It is a little fast, as she sings each word with on a beat, so I tried to adjust the timing and fit each part of the words in the song.
Fig 1.4 My KT progress

Fig 1.5 My KT progress 2.0

Because I wanted to use simple graphics, I made some on Adobe Illustrator, using the same colour scheme. I made the elements needed and imported it in After Effects.
Fig 1.6 Simple Graphical Elements

This is my part (Bridge):
Fig 1.7 My Part (Bridge)

The leader has not said anything yet, and so no one was going to compile the whole thing. I was kind of forced into compiling, as no one else was willing to help and stay up, as some others have no finished their parts. However, once I checked everyone's parts, I was quite upset that most of them did not follow the same vision for this music video. Some typography, colours, and even graphical elements are different and so out of sync, that even I didn't like it. I tried to ask some of them to change it, or just let me change it, but they didn't send the whole file with used elements from another file, so in the end I couldn't even edit their file. With the lack of time, I decided to not care and just combine everyone's video to the best I can. Some compositions are not nice, some are too fast, some is too simple and lacking any skills we learned in class, and some is a totally different vibe altogether. I really wanted to cry. But chin up, I continued on and tried my best.

Another thing was that the person who was supposed to do the 2nd chorus + bridge didn't do that part, and by the time I realised it, it was quite late at night, so I couldn't ask him. I still had to wait for two other group members to submit their part, so might as I well I just do it. So I did two extra parts, one is the 2nd bridge with a new line, and the other is the chorus + bridge. 
Fig 1.8 Chorus + Bridge Progress

I mostly used the same elements and compositions from my bridge part, with a newly added line. And as for the chorus, since the person who did the main chorus made the words into a graphical element that they didn't include the file for, I couldn't use theirs. So, I made an entire new one. I tried to follow the style of the chorus, to keep the similarity, and also include some parts of my bridge. Somehow, I managed to finish in time (a bit over the deadline, but still the same night), and finally got the parts from the other members. 
Fig 1.9 2nd Bridge Progress

This is the 2nd Bridge:
Fig 1.10 2nd Bridge

This is the Chorus + Bridge:
Fig 1.11 Chorus + Bridge

Anyhow, I combined everyone's videos together. I listened to the song and synced up the video to the beat and timing. I also added the 'film dissolve' video transition for each part so that it flows seamlessly, while blending the colours. I also added the group information at the end of the song, as it has a long ending, with enough time to flash out the details.
Fig 1.12 Combination of the Final Video

Fig 1.13 Final Video Progress



Final Submission:
Fig 1.14 Birds of a Feather Kinetic Typography

YouTube Link:
https://youtu.be/3DvlGAtoZtY


Well, despite the outcome, I did learn a lot on how to create animations for typography on After Effects. And to also handle a team better, while speaking my thoughts out more often, and clarifying them so the whole team gets the idea. But also, for this kind of project, I rather much prefer working solo. Or at least a pair. Moving on.




Exercise 4: Pie Chart
Fig 2.1 Motion Graphics for Charts

This one is much simpler, compared to the above exercise. We learned how to create animations for pie charts, bar charts and line graphs. We were each given one type of chart to work on for this exercise. I got the Donut Chart. Below is a picture of the learning process.
Fig 2.2 Chart tutorials

This exercise is simple, yet have a lot of useful animation skills I can use in the future. I didn't want to stick to a normal donut chart, so I followed this Tutorial, provided by the Lecturers. I had to make the donut chart animation, using the reference below. 
Fig 2.3 Donut chart reference

Okay, I lied. It's not so simple, as the tutorial I followed had a lot of different elements and compositions. Like below. I made a different composition for the dots and boxes so it is easier to compile and edit. However, I think I only finally got the hang of using different compositions much later. I chose red, orange, yellow and green as the colour scheme, because it is universal to know red is bad and green is good, which represents the stress levels quite clearly.
Fig 2.4 Donut chart progress

Fig 2.5 Making different compositions


Final Submission:
Fig 2.6 Donut Chart Exercise



Exercise 5: Vector Animation
Fig 3.1 Vector Animation Tutorial

Similarly, like the previous exercise, we learned how to make simple vector animations using Adobe Illustrator and After Effects. We learned movement, while adding motion blur and easy ease to make the animation smooth. I was assigned the windmill picture for this exercise. Although, I did prefer another picture, as I sometimes feel windmill pictures are too typical and common.

I first separated the elements into different layers, so I can animate on After Effects.
Fig 3.2 Separating into layers

I did simple animations, such as making the elements bounce and move, depending on the element. I made the sun rise and set, while the windmill blades moved in a circular motion. I separated the blades from the main windmill before importing them here. I attached the blades to the parent (windmill), so that it follows the animation, while adding the rotating motion later. 
Fig 3.3 Vector animation progress

For this kinds of vector pictures, I like to make them bounce to make it seem lively, so I added a position pin to make it slightly go up and down, while adding motion blur.

At first, I tried separating the trees into different layers, but it sometimes messes up the shadow as well. So to save time, I used the puppet tool to toggle some of the trees to sway. It is not the best, but at least it has some animation. In addition, I added for the river as well, so it seems like it's flowing a little. 
Fig 3.4 Puppet tool progress


Final Submission:
Fig 3.5 Vector Animation Exercise



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