INFORMATION DESIGN / PROJECT 2 / GCD60504

on

9/2/2026 - 8/3/2026 / (Week 2 - Week 5)

Aricia Man Yi Xuan / 0375026

Information Design / Project 2 / GCD60504

Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media

Google Drive Link

JUMP LINKS

1. Flip Classrooms

2. Exercises

3. Project 1

TABLE OF CONTENT

1. Lectures

2. Instructions

3. Project 2: Motion Graphic

     3.1 Exercise 1: Kinetic Typography

     3.2 Exercise 2: Pie Chart

     3.3 Exercise 3: Vector Animation

4. Reflection

LECTURES

INSTRUCTION

Fig.2.1.1 Module Information Booklet

PROJECT 2: MOTION GRAPHIC

3.1 Exercise 1: Kinetic Typography

Week 2 (9/2/2026)
Today, we discussed which song to chose for this project, planning the overall visual style and colour direction.

Final decisions:
  • Song: Bad Guy — Billie Eilish (Lyrics Reference Link)
  • Colour Palatte: Green [#04FC04], Black, White
  • Font Type:

Work distribution in our group:

  • [Verse 1] - Rachel
  • [Pre-Chorus] - Teng Yu Meng
  • [Verse 2] - Jing En
  • [Pre - Chorus] - Pan Ruining
  • [Bridge + Outro] - Alexis
  • [Combining all parts + Chorus + Instrumental part] - Aricia

Fig.3.1.1 Progression in After Effects / (Week 3, 20-22/2/2026)

This is my progression while waiting for my teammates to complete their individual lyric sections, I started working on designing the chorus & instrumental sections of the song.

Fig.3.1.2 Pinterest references / (Week 3, 20-22/2/2026)

Since the instrumental part of “Bad Guy” is relatively long, I didn’t want it to feel empty or boring. I began by exploring visual references, something that were seductive and has a confident vibe, I screen recorded a few GIF references from Pinterest. 

Pinterest Board Link: click [here]

Using After Effects, I work with different typography motions such as scaling, positioning, rotation, and effects that respond to the beat. I also applied visual effects like glow to enhance the impact of stronger bass moments in the timeline. To organize well, I pre-composed different sections of the song so it won't be too messy.

Fig.3.1.3 Group members parts uploaded

After I completed my section, my teammates continued working on their respective parts. Each member applied their own animation ideas and uploaded them into Google Drive.

Once everyone finished, I took responsibility for combining all the compositions into one final AE file. However, there was a technical problem where one of my member’s AE files kept crashing and I couldn’t open it. To solve this, I asked her to export her part as an MP4 file. Then, I imported the MP4 into my After Effects project and placed it in the correct timeline position. 

Fig.3..1.4 Combining

After combining all parts, I refined the overall design by:

  • Adjusting font choices to maintain consistency.

  • Making sure animation effects (scale, opacity, transitions) felt cohesive.

  • Balancing rhythm so the transitions between sections were smooth.

I ensured the entire video felt unified instead of looking like separate individual parts. Before exporting the final video, I shared the combined version with all group members for feedback and approval. After confirming that everyone was satisfied with the final result, I exported the final outcome.

FINAL OUTCOME


Fig.3.1.5 Project 2 - Bad Guy (MP4) / (Week 5, 2/3/2026)

The colour palette were changed to red and black as we discussed that we think red is more suitable for the overall style. Hence, I changed all of the colour to red and made them consistent.

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/4zBm3cwJejc
Google Drive (Group): click [here]

3.2 Exercise 2: Pie Chart

Description:
Create a motion graphic chart using After Effects.

Fig.3.2.1 Donut Chart Provided / (Week 3, 16/2/2026)

Progression

Fig.3.2.2 Progression in After Effects / (Week 3, 16/2/2026)

To begin, I followed the tutorial provided by creating a new composition and choosing background. 

Steps:
  1. Used Ellipse Tool to draw a circle ( removed fill, added stroke)
  2. Add "Trim Paths" under the layer, adjust the percentage
  3. Duplicate the layer, create additional segments with different colours, adjust percentage
  4. Added text, animated the text (adjust opacity & position)
  5. Add additional Glow effect behind the chart
  6. Export it
Final Outcome
Fig.3.2.3 Final Outcome - Donut Chart / (Week 3, 16/2/2026)

YouTube Link: [click here]

3.3 Exercise 3: Vector/Character Animation

Description:
Create a vector animation provided using Adobe Illustration & After Effects.
Fig.3.3.1 Source provided / (Week 4, 23/2/2026)

Progression

Fig.3.3.2 Separate layers in Illustration / (Week 4, 23/2/2026)

I started by separating all elements into different layers in Adobe Illustrator. Each object that needed movement like background, characters, trees, clouds, car, road, and others, was placed on its own layer. Then, I imported them into After Effects.

Fig.3.3.3 Timeline / (Week 4, 23/2/2026)

Once inside After Effects, I started to animated each object following the tutorials provided, using transformations such as position, scale, and opacity. I also applied motion blur and Easy Ease to the keyframes. Thus, Puppet position pin tool were used to adjust some movement of the object.

Fig.3.3.4 Car Light

I added an additional car light shape layer, I think it's more engaging for the animation.
Fig.3.3.5 Timeline Keyframes #1 / (Week 4, 23/2/2026)

Fig.3.3.6 Timeline Keyframes #2 / (Week 4, 23/2/2026)

Final Outcome
Fig.3.3.6 Final Outcome (A) / (Week 4, 23/2/2026)

YouTube Link: [click here]

REFLECTION

Experiences:

In exercise 1 (Kinetic Typography), it was an interesting experience for me as we need to work together to complete this work. This was my first time being the group leader, so at the beginning I felt a bit nervous. I was worried whether I could manage the workflow properly and make sure everyone stayed on track. As a leader, I divide the tasks and make sure each member understood their part. I also had to combine all the files together and ensure the final outcome looked consistent. The biggest challenge happened during the combining stage. One of my member’s After Effects file kept crashing and I couldn’t open it. For some other members, their files could open, but there were missing file errors like missing assets or linked media. I felt quite helpless but eventually I solved the problem.

In exercise 2 (Pie chart),  I initially felt slightly confused about how to animate the circle properly. I thought it would require complicated masking or manual shape adjustments. However, after learning how to use the Trim Paths function, the process became much easier. Once I understood that I only needed to animate the “End” value to control the percentage of the donut chart, everything become much easier. It was interesting.

For Exercise 3 (Vector Animation), we had to download the provided Adobe Illustrator (AI) file, separate all the layers properly, and then import it into After Effects to animate it on the timeline. I think the progress it's quite smooth, from separating layers in Illustration, just need to be precise of placing them in its own layer. The animation part was interesting and satisfying to do so.

Observations:

From exercise 1, I observed that consistency is very important in kinetic typography. Even though each member worked on different parts, we need to make sure the font choice, color tone, or animation style look consistence. I also realized that timing is everything in kinetic typography. Syncing animation with music needs careful adjustment.

In exercise 2, I observed that Trim Paths is actually a very powerful and efficient tool for motion graphics, especially for charts and infographic animations. Instead of creating multiple shapes or manually adjusting the arc, the animation can be done cleanly within one shape layer. I also noticed that adding Easy Ease made the animation feel smoother and more professional. 

From exercise 3, I observed that preparation in Illustrator is very important. If the layers are not separated properly from the start, the animation process in After Effects becomes very messy and confusing. Another thing I observed is that clean layer naming and organization saves a lot of time. When everything is labeled properly, it’s much easier to animate without getting lost in the timeline.

Findings:

Through Exercise 1, I realized that being a group leader needs responsibility, patience,  clear communication. I also learn to use a lot of advanced effect in AE for the project.

From exercise 2, learning how to use Trim Paths is the key to creating animated charts efficiently. I also found that mastering basic tools in After Effects is more important than using complex effects. Overall, I learned a lot of technique from this exercise.

From exercise 3, this exercise helped me understand the full workflow between Illustrator and After Effects. Before this, I was a bit blur about how important the preparation stage is. Now I know that if the base file is done properly, the animation process becomes much smoother.

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