Critical Debates in Design - Task 3

 Motion Graphics, as said in the name, are graphics that use video and/or animation techonology to create the illusion of motion.

Motion graphics are usually displayed via electronic media but they could also be displayed via manual techonogy, like flip books.

Saul Bass is probably the most significant pioneer in animated graphic Design and his work marks the beginning of what is now motion graphics. His designs were simple but they communicate the mood of the film.

here are some exemplesof his work:

The Man With The Golden Arm, from 1955:

Vertigo, from 1958:

Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

and some more, like: North by Northwest (1959), Psyco (1960) and Advice & Consent (1962)

Some more motion graphics artists:

• Kyle Cooper
• Len Lye
• Maurice Binder
• Norman McLaren
• Oskar Fischinger
• Pablo Ferro
• Stan Brakhage
• Roberto Underbob Marsella

Kyle Cooper interview (part 1):

Kyle Cooper interview (part 2):

What are the current trends?

As I was watching different motion graphics videos, I found a similar theme in all of them, a good portion are using effects to make the overall look feel more organic, handmade and just a natural part of the piece. Which in the end is part of what motion graphics tries to accomplish, making it look real when its not. We all pretty much have the same tools in our days, and you don't need to have a master to make motion graphics. It's something that it's available to everybody. There are programs to use, websites with tutorials to help you through the programs and how to make the effects you want. 

Another type of motion graphics tha I seemed to find very often is stop motion.

Stop Motion is something very simple to make that only takes time, pacience and creativity! 

 

This is a Stop Motion video made with 222 t-shirts designs. As I said... just need to be creative!

This animated video was adapted from a talk given at the RSA by Sir Ken Robinson, world-renowned education and creativity expert and recipient of the RSA's Benjamin Franklin award.

What does the future holds? Well... it's hard to predict, but certainly more softwares will come, more effects will appear and it will never stop. Some people will prefer something more futuristic but, in my opinion, more people will appreciate and prefer real artists. People who can make more with less, less technology, less electronic effects and more hand craft, more creativity, with real materials and less costs.