2A :: KINETIC TYPE :: action/object concepting

while the first project looked at image, duration, and editing to create a narrative, project two will focus on the text communication channel and the temporal elements of motion and transition. you will name objects from your activity and use that typographic name to communicate an action through motion over time on the screen. that typography in motion will be edited together with project one to develop a more complex narrative. 

project objectives

• interpret principles of 2-d design within temporal media 
• learn the basics of story boarding to convey movement, direction, the passage of time and mood 
• explain how messages are constructed over time 
• develop a range of form generation methods from analog to digital 
• explain the differences and qualities of digital and analog motion 
• apply the communicative potential of the various temporal elements (duration, motion, and transition) and communication channels (image, text, voice, music, sound effects) to classroom projects 
• apply knowledge of proper planning and creative processes (ideation, story boarding, writing, file management, editing, and presenting) to classroom projects 

as the foundation of your typographic narrative, you will identify by name a couple of objects (nouns) that can engage in three actions (verbs) that are related to your activity in some way. 

examples for my activity “playing guitar” 

object (noun) = “strings”; actions (verbs) = “bend”, “vibrate” and “break” 

object = “guitar pick”; actions = “flex”, “slap” and “scrape” 

carefully consider the relationship of your nouns to your existing “motion capture” project. should the relationship be explicit or implicit? should your words seek to specify or expand meanings? 

color and typeface/lettering choice is open on this project. while choosing typefaces or lettering style, look closely at the form and detail of the letters and think about their formal relationship to your words before choosing. attempt to visualize a formal connection between the chosen type and the object words which function conceptually as a unit. read and think about what your three event/movement words mean. begin sketching ways to animate the letters of your object word to reflect the event/movement ideas. DO NOT consider how this might be done within the software. that is a dangerous limiter of creativity. 

homework: 

1. noun + 3 verbs 
2. noun + 3 verbs 
3. a range of appropriate typefaces or lettering styles for each noun 
4. five thumbnails (min) for each verb, visualizing a frame or two of how the animation might develop; 30 sketches (min) total. sketches do not have to be done within frames of a storyboard, they should be much looser than storyboards and explore as many visual ideas as possible. 

during next class session, you will be choosing one of those object words to create your narrative, consisting of three actions.