The Roots Of Motion Graphic Design

What comes into your mind when you hear or talk about motion graphics or motion graphic designs? Layers of abstract animation? Illusions? Uses of typography? Playful and vivid colors? I know I am not that old but when I think about it, instead of picturing the coolest Coca Cola commercials, Coldplay’s Trouble music video or any film using computer animation, my mind instinctively tracks back to its roots.

Motion design being defined as the art of presenting visual effects using text and images to effectively communicate with the audience within the context of motion graphics – these are graphics that use video, animation technology and its combination to create an illusion of motion – continues to exist through inexorable passage of time. Unlike other vintage stuff which come and go – motion design is always in fashion and never goes of style, at least in terms of video/film production. Leading design and 3d software such as Adobe After Effects (which is installed in my computer gathering dust while trying to manipulate videos with it), Apple Motion, 3d studio max and the likes simply augment the traditional concept of motion design. And when it comes to demo reels or showreels, these are some of my top picks:

Now let’s go back to the past, when things are still not as complicated as it is today but needs concentrated effort to accomplish. I’m not that familiar with a lot of world-acclaimed and earliest motion graphic designers, but this name might ring a bell if you are one of those kids who used to watch classic films over and over again because your parents just can’t get enough of it.

The name is Saul Bass – the man behind most of Alfred Hitchcock’s best stints. His career as a filmmaker and graphic designer started in the year 1954 and had been designing title sequences for a long-running 40 years before his death. Well, as for me, I wouldn’t have remembered him if I had not been stuck in the house during lazy afternoons watching Vertigo and Rod Serling’s Twilight Zone. Aside from the fact that they both have creepy starting theme songs, these 1950s TV series were famous for the theatrical, artsy and creative way those design elements were put together and implemented in these title sequences.

Even if I am not born anywhere between 1950s and 1960s, the creepy sounds and the names flashing on the screen hit me with nostalgia. Purely classic. I’m sure my folks miss this too.

A typical motion designer is a person trained in traditional graphic design who has learned to integrate the elements of time, sound and space into his/her existing skillset of design knowledge.

You see, as some may occasionally think that motion graphic design is just as fad or a fashion comeback like my skinny jeans which became popular during the birth of rock n roll in the 50s,well, it’s here to stay – more possible than not – forever.

By Sarah Malanyaon