Case Study: Building a Biosensor
Intro
In this project, I created a minute-long motion graphics explainer video with the intended use of replacing an existing, outdated video for a Baltimore-based biotech company. This animation filled the need for a modern approach that could display and promote the full scope of the technology in an understandable and pleasing format.
Tools
Adobe After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere, and Audition
2019
Concept, Inspiration, Backwards can be Forwards
The concept for the animation was based off the versatility of the biotechnology, to demonstrate how the product could be useful in situations that ultimately all affect the population. The company’s webpage included the uses for the product, but had yet to unify the graphic elements and cohesively walk the reader through the process.
I was inspired by the simple colors, minimal texture, and sleek designs of contemporary advertisements commonly used in medical and pharmaceutical ads. The animation had to be informative yet easy enough for anyone to understand, as it would serve as a landing point for those seeking more information on the technology.
The pipeline for this project was not formulaic, but more so followed a rough path. While I did start with a script, storyboards, and animatic, recording the script was one of the last steps in the project to be completed. This became an experiment for me because I worked from a robotic reading of the script as opposed to working directly from the finished audio. While this allowed me to work on the most intensive portion of the video, it required adjustments to fit the finalized audio and revised script.
*Audio presented in video has been re-recorded/reuploaded to new channel due to company ownership changes
A few panels of the original storyboard. Naturally, there were a few adjustments for continuity and information’s sake.
Designing for Animation
Throughout the entire process, I was given complete creative reign over all facets of production from storyboarding, to design choices, to color. This presented its challenges as I had to consistently make sure I accurately portrayed the technology and uses, while loosely sticking to brand guidelines.
This project was my foray into motion design, so I pushed myself to learn more about designing assets for animation through Illustrator versus creating assets within After Effects. Finding that Illustrator was perfect for more static images or complex images, while After Effects was more suited for changing or morphing elements. After each day, I would review what I had created or added to make sure that it unified each moment through visual connections while conveying the information.
The biggest challenge from this project was creating realistic and simplified assets, with the visual language of icons. Too much detail and it would start to look too realistic, but too simple could become unrecognizable. Looking back on this project, I only have qualms with the variation of colors from monitor to monitor. I used a Windows computer for the project and the colors take on a less subtle appearance as I had intended.