Animation History: Motion Graphics

The origin of motion graphics is ambiguous due to the expansive interpretation of what it actually is. This is mainly due to the fact that the terms “motion graphics” and “animation” are usually confused and overlapped with each other. The earliest examples of motion graphics can be traced back to cave paintings done by cavemen thousands of years ago, with the paintings depicting animals with multiple legs overlying each other, no doubt to show the movement of the animal. As motion graphics is about capturing movement and the definition of the term is so broad, this could be where it all began. Pre 1983, nearly all forms of animation was done by hand – frame by frame – with animators working tirelessly to produce their work, however, with the rise of computer technology seen in the 1980s, many animators began animating digitally. As the we got further and further into the digital age, digital animation became more and more common and easily accessible through the use of programs like adobe after effects. At the rate technology is moving forward, motion graphics are only going to become more and more elaborate, with extra effects becoming available to the public on a day to day basis. Many digital animators tend to incorporate  3D elements into their work as well as using virtual cameras to create an illusion of movement.

A preserved cave painting showing the motion of the legs of this animal.

An example of incorporating 3D elements into a 2D scene.

2D motion graphics.

An example of compositing motion graphics with real footage.

Matt Jylkka is an motion graphics artist on youtube who works for the studio “Pixel Perfectionist” and is dedicated to helping others learn the ins and outs of various pieces of software used for motion graphics development. I am a fan of his work because of the simplistic style that he tends to use. The style focuses less on technicality but more on creativity, often being really simplistic, flat, vibrant and abstract animations, tho they do tend to get whatever message he is trying to send across. Most of the animations he creates have a tutorial attached to them in order to help viewers better their understanding of the software he uses. The reason I have chosen Matt Jylkka to focus on is because I believe his motion graphics work is on a professional level and the fact that his tutorials are helping a lot of people to get into motion graphics work.

A still from one of Mt. Mograph’s videos.

In summary, the motion graphics we see today used in television and internet adverts are becoming more and more common as  professional level software becomes more accessible by the public, and more and more people have access to websites and videos that will help teach them the software. However, motion graphics as we know them today are still a fairly new style of animation in terms of how it is created, but I believe that it will almost definitely become common practice in the near future.

References:

Matt Jylkka (Mt. Mograph): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSUSgx9qc_NydrOL59xbJIA

Cave Paintings: http://www.themovingarts.com/filmmuseet-norways-film-history/

Dada art movement: Impact

Dada art movement synopsis

The dada art movement began in 1916 in Zurich, Switzerland. It arose as a reaction to World War 1 and the nationalism and rationalism, which many thought, had brought the war about. The output of Dada ranged from performance art to poetry, photography and sculpture. The aesthetic look of Dada proved a powerful influence on artists in many cities, including berlin, Hanover, Paris, New York and Cologne, all of which gathered their own groups. Many believe hat the movement dissipated with the arrival of the surrealist in France.

Dada key ideas

Dada was born out of a pool of avant-garde painters, poets and filmmakers who flocked to neutral Switzerland before and during WWI.

The movement came into being at the cabaret Voltaire in Zurich in February 1916. The cabaret was named after the eighteenth century French satirist, Voltaire.

Members of the Dada art movement were usually on the opposing side of bourgeois culture.

The art style of dada varies so widely that it is often hard to speak of a coherent style.