Elements include but are not limited to: Narrative illustrations, Icons, Text, Formulas, Tables, Graphs, Still Images, arrows, etc. These elements often start as singular pieces that become more complex and supportive of the message over time.
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General Guidelines
Motion Blur: To maintain a consistent and fluid look, all elements must have Motion Blur turned on.
Continuously Rasterize: To maintain a crisp appearance, any elements which grow over 100% in scale should have Continuously Rasterize on. An exception is allowed when this conflicts with other effects and settings, such as 3D.
Icons
For the purposes of this guide, icons consist of a representative element backed by a white circle with a gray border.
Layout: Illustrators dictate layout with the placement of icons in Artboards. This placement generally represents the final or "landing" position of the icons. Scale and Position will evolve over the course of the animation while maintaining best layout practices described in the Layout section of this guide.
Timing: This is described to the extent possible in the Illustrators' notes in the Artboard Collab Doc. but must be adjusted based on inflection, pauses, and several other subtle cues as discussed in the Timing section of this guide.
Icons_1.mp4Icons_2.mp4Text
Text motion is added in three primary methods, depending on format. One quarter screen text position slide from right to overlap video, Bullet points position slide from right, and text boxes scale in.
Layout: Illustrators dictate layout with the placement of text in Artboards. This placement generally represents the final or "landing" position of the text. Scale and Position may evolve over the course of the animation while maintaining best layout practices described in the Layout section of this guide.
Timing: This is described to the extent possible in the Illustrators' notes in the Artboard Collab Doc. but must be adjusted based on inflection, pauses, and several other subtle cues as discussed in the Timing section of this guide.
Text Quarter Screen.mp4Bullet Points.mp4Text Boxes.mp4Characters
Character motion should typically be limited to when attention needs to be drawn to the action to support the learning point. Their purpose is to inform without being a distraction. Walk cycles almost never meet any reasonable educational value vs. time/effort criteria and are strongly discouraged.
Layout: Can be head to toe but more often are limited to torso/head with a white circle/gray border backer.
Timing: Characters usually react with subtle gestures so timing is often behind some other motion or verbal cue.
Characters - Full Body.mp4Character Icons.mp4Visual Cues and emphasis
Visual cues are important to help guide the learner’s focus on the screen. Using visual cues like scale, position, movement, a slight glow on the object, etc can help the learners to focus on the important learning elements. Visual cues will help to direct the learner’s attention on the important text or object on screen that corresponds to the learning content being focused on.
Layout: Since elements are represented on artboards in their final "landing" position and scale, it is up to the Motion Designer to develop these cues.
Timing: Possibly the most crucial factor in adding emphasis is timing. Best practice is to view the motion several times and adjust for maximum impact.
Arrows.mp4Arrows
Emphasis.mp4Emphasis
Callouts.mp4Callouts
Scale.mp4Scale
Charts & Graphs and highlighting
Charts & Graphs provide the most flexibility for the Motion Designer to support the message. They can appear on screen as a completed element if the faculty introduces them quickly. The various parts can build-on if the faculty introduces them in a more deliberate fashion. Highlighting specific elements at appropriate moments provides visual cues and emphasis as mentioned above.
Layout: Charts & Graphs provide data so the layout is determined by the Illustrator via the artboards. Individual elements may change over time however.
Timing: Other than the pace at which Charts & Graphs are introduced (see above), timing is quite standard - see the Timing section of this guide.
Charts_Graph_Build_Example.mp4Charts_Graph_Highlighting_Example.mp4