INFORMATION DESIGN | FINAL PROJECT

07/01/19 - 22/02/19 | Week 1 - Week 7
Yeoh Xiao Shi (0331577)
Information Design
Final Project

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INSTRUCTIONS

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FINAL PROJECT
Animated Infographics (Week 1 - Week7)

Week 1 (07/01/19)
In the first class, Ms Shamsul briefed us about the assignments that need to be complete in this semester and we were told to start thinking on the topic for our final project. For the final project, we are required to create an animated infographic using the theme of comparing and contrasting works between two objects or topics and highlighting important similarities and differences.

This project needs to be done in group and I have grouped with CK, Sam, Jessy, Farzana and Jun Won.


Week 1 (09/01/19)
In today's class, we were given some time to discuss on the topic for our final project. For my group, we decided to do research on the topic individually and share it among the group members later. While discussing, Mr Shamsul mentioned that we should think of the contents based on 5W+1H which is who, what, why, where, when and how. He also showed us the works done by our seniors so we could have a better idea for this project.

After discussion, we all agreed to go with the topic of "Dumbledore vs Gandalf". Then, we started to create a slide and listing out all the possible contents.

Here is the slide including the contents of the topic chosen below :

Embedded PDF of the slides.

Week 2 (16/01/19)
This week, we decided to change our topic to school bullies vs cruel dictators as it would be hard for us to continue with the previous one. Hence, we created a new slide and started to work on it. In the class, we were also required to present on the contents that we have done so far to the lecturers.

Here is my group presentation slides below :

Embedded PDF of presentation slides.

Once the contents were completed, we continue to include the narrative in our slide. Also, we started to draw out the storyboard to have a better idea of how the story goes. Before the class end, we also got to split the tasks among us. CK, Jessy and myself will be in charged for the illustration part while Sam and Jun Won will take the animation part.

Below is our updated slides with narrative and mood board:

Embedded PDF of the updated slides with narrative and mood board.

Fig.1.1: Mood board.

Fig.1.2: Selection of colours & typefaces.

Fig.1.3: Storyboard.

Week 4 (30/01/19)
In the previous class, we were instructed to create an animatic with the storyboard done and show to the lecturers for feedback in this class. Therefore, Sam and Jun Won who in charged in animation part start to work on it.

Here is the video of our group animatics below :

Animatics Test Out.

While in today's class, we got to show our animatics test out to Mr Shamsul and Mr Jeffrey and we got the feedback that we would need to make some changes for the narration part as it sounds like storytelling.


Week 5 (06/02/19)
There was no class this week due to Chinese New Year holiday. However, I still have to work on the illustrations for this project. To start off, I decided to look for some references through online as to get some inspirations for the character design. Then, I proceed to illustrate the character in Adobe Illustrator. Once the design of the character completed, I try to illustrate the assets for each scene as well.

Here are some images showing this week progression below :

Fig.2.1: Process of illustrating the character in Adobe Illustrator.

Fig.2.1: Process of illustrating the bus stop scene.

Fig.2.2: Process of illustrating the room scene.

Week 6 (11/02/19 - 15/02/19)
This week, I got to show the illustrations that I have done to my group members and ask some feedbacks from them. Once they approved the design, I continue to illustrate different expressions of the character as well as the rest of the assets. After that, I sent the file to the other group members so that they can compile all the assets together.

Below are some images showing this week progression :

Fig.3.1: Process of illustrating the character with different expressions.

Embedded PDF of the character illustrations.

Fig.3.2: Process of illustrating the assets.

Fig.3.3: Process of illustrating the assets.

Fig.3.4: Process of illustrating the assets.

Embedded PDF of the illustrations of the assets. (my part)

Embedded PDF of the compilation of the assets.

Week 7 (18/02/19 - 22/02/19)
This week, all the assets have been uploaded to Google Drive and it was then sent to Sam and Jun Won for the animation. At the same time, Farzana will be recording the narration for the video.

Here are some images showing this week progression below :

Fig.4.1 : Assets in Google Drive.

Fig.4.2: Assets in Google Drive.

Fig.4.3: Process of animating in Adobe After Effects.

Fig.4.4: Process of animating in Adobe After Effects.

Fig.4.5: Process of animating in Adobe After Effects.

Fig.4.6: Process of animating in Adobe After Effects.

Final Outcome.

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FEEDBACK

Week 1 : Mr Shamsul asked us to choose something interesting as our topic as to avoid repeating the same topic that has been done by others.

Week 4 : After looking at the animatics, Mr Jeffrey asked us to make some changes for the narrative as it sounds like a storytelling.

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REFLECTION

Experiences :

Week 1 : In the first week, we were introduced to all of the projects which including the final project. We were told to form a group and start thinking of the topic for the final outcome. In this case, I have grouped with CK, Sam, Jessy, Farzana and Jun Won. After discussing, all of us agreed to use "Dumbledore vs Gandalf" as our topic and we move on to list out the contents.
Week 2 : This week, we decided to change our topic to school bullies vs cruel dictators. Therefore, we have to create a new slide and work on it again. In the class, we were also required to present on the contents that we have done so far.
Week 4 : In this week class, we were told to create an animatic as to see the timeline of the video. Hence, we will have a better idea of how long each scene will take in the video. As for me, I would need to start thinking of the character design.

Week 5 : It is Chinese New Year Holiday this week so there was no class. However, I still have to proceed on illustrating the character as well as some of the assets. 

Week 6 : This week, I showed some of the illustrations that I have done to my group members. Once they approved, I continue to illustrate different expressions of the character and the rest of the asstes. At this time, I almost done illustrating and colouring the assets for my part. 

Week 7 : It's the final week for this semester. Two of my group members who in charged for the animation part start to animate the assets in Adobe After Effects. 

Observations :

Week 1 : Throughout the research, I found there are lots of topic that we can use to compare and contrast. Also, I realised we got to think of the contents more easily by following 5W+1H.
Week 2 : As a group, we realised it would be hard for us to continue the initial idea. Therefore, we decided to change the topic before it is too late.
Week 4 : I'm not good in illustrating the character so that I need to find the style of illustration that would be easy for me to work on.
Week 5 : While working on the illustration, I noticed mood board is really helpful for me to colour all the assets. Also, it helps to make sure the colour that me and my group members use looks good together.
Week 6 : I observed we got to complete our tasks more effectively with a good teamwork among us.
Week 7 : In this seven weeks, I think I manage to gain some knowledges in desiging a good infographic by completing all the assesments set. Other than that, I was able to learn in group as well with the group assignments.

Findings :

Week 1 : I found that it will be easier for us to think of the contents by following 5W+1H.
Week 2 : After reading the contents of our topic, I realised there are lots of similarities and differences between school bullies and cruel dictators. At the same time, I also manage to understand both of these subjects better.
Week 4 : I found there are lots of style when it comes to character design. Some they looks easy but they are actually not easy to draw. From there, I hope to see some improvements when illustrating the character in the future.
Week 5 : Throughout the process of illustrating the character, I faced a lot of challenges as I'm not satisfied with what I have drawn. But, I still try my best to illustrate it.
Week 6 : Good teamwork among the group members is definetly important as it will influence the progress of a project. For my group, we start the illustration part a bit late but we still manage to complete of them in time with a good job split so that the other members could take their time for the animation part.
Week 7 : Before this, I don't have the idea what is information design about and what it can be used for. As for now, I found it was really useful to convey the message to the audience in a simple and organise way. Also, it was really fun when I got to express the contents visually through illustrations and graphics.