ComDes - Type II

Monday, February 4, 2013

sleepyhead / sylvia dang

Best viewed in full screen with the lights off.

For an example of kinetic typography, I wanted to use Rob Ouellette's video for the song "Sleepyhead" by Passion Pit. I loved watching this video, there's a lot of visual movement that's reminiscent of being at a concert. He uses a condensed sans-serif typeface throughout the video to illustrate the lyrics. The words pop up in sync with the song, so the hierarchy is established by the order in which the words appear. The type is set in a lot of different ways from linear to left align, and he even layers type on top of another. He uses a lot of different elements to reinforce the words, for example, layering words that are repeated in the song (and everything's going to the beat), literally animating the meaning of the words (fire, flickering) and visual shapes (holes right through the dark). I really like how he created depth in this video by blurring objects in the background, it really gave the sense that the words were floating in 3D space. Overall, the video has a very 'dazed' feel, which I feel is completely appropriate for this song.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Solis: North by Northwest

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jIlqatMQSgI

The title sequence for Alfred Hitchcock's, North by Northwest, designed by Saul Bass, is a great example of kinetic typography. The sequence begins with a series of lines that form an angled type of grid on which the type, that is slanted to fit the grid, falls on to. The white sans serif type, which is possibly Grotesque MT Std., either moves from the bottom up or the top down, stopping about half away down the screen, before continuing on its way to make room for more type. By incorporating a thick white bar that moves either proceeding the type or following it, Mr. Bass suggests an elevator system, and this becomes more clear as the grid fades away to reveal a real shot of a skyscraper, of which the grid made up the windows of the structure. The hierarchy of the type is clear as the sequence goes on as well, beginning with larger type for the starring roles and becoming gradually smaller for the smaller roles and assisting parts. This treatment of the type and the clean type face work together with the music to emphasize the movie that is to come, about a New York business man, hence the skyscraper, who is moving about to get away from a bad group of people who mistake him for someone else, which I personally find explains the sudden up and down elevator type movement. Its clear why Mr. Bass' clean type treatment is the inspiration for many other kinetic type treatments, like Catch Me If You Can. I really enjoy this title sequence for its simple but hugely effective treatment of type to portrait a larger message that still engages but doesn't lose the viewer with a lot of movement. I'm constantly looking for examples to of type that is minimal...but not... boring, I find myself often more drawn to tight typefaces and type treatments that stay simple and true to itself without a lot of gimmicks. I feel like this is a sequence that I will frequently return to when trying to put together a lot of type in a clean and simple way, maybe for future book covers as well, I could have used this for the last book cover in Type I.

Bruce Lee-Be water (Daniel Paniagua)

This video was made in Adobe After Effects by Markus Gustafsson and the audio was taken form "Bruce Lee lost interview" This is a very short video and it might not have a lot of kinetic typography as the ones that I saw on Vimeo channel, but I really enjoy how simple it is, but at the same time it clearly gives you all the visual information that you need to understand the message. The illustrations, type, transitions and effects were put together very clean to transform all this into only one nice piece. The first time I saw the typeface used on this video I thought it was Rockwell Std, but when I was looking at the details I notice that the "A" from Rockwell didn't look as the one from the video which has a serif on the top of the "A" that looks like its only half of a serif in a left direction, and the Rockwell "A" has a "complete" serif on the top of the "A" I was searching for similar typefaces and I think I found the typeface that he used and I believe is Fakt Slab, designed by Thomas Thiemich, it looks identical as the one from the video.

300 Kinetic Typography - Mariajose Mendiola

"300" Movie Kinetic Typography

I found the type in this video done in a different way. I went through many videos all over and many did have their own kind of style and wonderfull type but the way the type was distributed in this video was very unique. When words were repeated through out the video it shows the words being flipped over and moved, it was just very intresting. This video was based on the motion picture 300 directed by Zack Snyder. I have been trying to figure out what typeface it is but i cannot figure it out.. it somwhat looks like baskerville but ther seriffs are lightly different. but the video shows kindoff and old fashion feel due to the setting of the movie "300". The video uses calm colors like red, orange, maroon, and other shades of thos colors. The way the type shows motion and the size change you can see that the person who did the video did try to convey the feeling of the actual movie without seeing the actors act and talk.

Ira Glass on Storytelling - Pedro Villegas

This animation was made by David Shiyang Liu, a filmmaker and designer, who used the voice of Ira Glass - a host and producer of the radio and television show This American Life - to transmit the message of this kinetic type. This video will inspire all creative people who feel they are trapped. The typeface used in this motion graphic video looks like an old style serif typeface. Shiyang chose a serif typeface that resembles Garamond. The use of one typeface was enough to convey the inspirational and motivational message. Italic and bold words reflect and capture Ira Glass' voice. The different styles of this typeface not only emphasize the emotion of the message but also create a visual unity. This harmony can be seen in the subtle contrast such as space, weight, and style. I think the animation is an essential part of the message because it helps to communicate better the tone of Glass' voice by changing the size of some words. With this video I learned there is no need to use different typefaces in order to express a message and it is better to use simplicity instead of a complex typographic layout.

Kinetic Typography - E.Ramirez

Kinetic Typography

Wedding Crashers: The Perfect Girl

After searching through many kinetic type videos, I found this example based on the movie Wedding Crashers. Its use of type placement reflected the ideas and actions of the narrative, spoken by Vince Vaughn.

The bold sans-serif typeface used to represent him was in all capital letters and would vary in weight and style, adjusting itself to the tone of the voice. Several subtle animations give meaning to the text and work together to convey certain moods. The light font used for the female's voice created a great contrast, representing the difference in gender and psyche of these characters.

This was a clever animation and stood out among the sea of bad kinetic type videos, whose text placement was based solely on seemingly random shapes and patterns rather than recreating the idea of the writing.

Sarah Brink// Conan O' Brien

http://vimeo.com/jacobgilbreath/conan

** I tried to embed the video but it wouldn't work**

Is kinetic typography up and coming or are we just noticing it? Title sequences have been around since we can remember at the start of the movies. Some are getting quite clever. Kinetic typography can be done a few different ways but the core consists of motion and text.
The video I chose is one done by a student at Oklahoma State named Jacob Gilbreath. His interests lie in motion graphics and typography. Looking at his behance profile it reflects this with a lot of typographic work. I chose his video because it intrigued me -- not just because it was a Vimeo staff pick.
The video consists of many different typefaces and is based on the dialogue of Conan O' Brien's dialogue on his parting at The Late Show. There are over 60 typefaces used included modern sans serifs, vintage serifs, and display fonts. A large variety is used but it's cohesive with the same colour and 3d form of it that is used. Each frame of the video is consistent with the next. In my opinion, not one of the frames stands out much more from the next unless you have a preferences to the type of typeface used compared to the previous frame. I also am really happy that he chose a spot colour of orange to highlight few key elements of the dialogue. I can't pick a favourite typeface that was used after watching the video a couple times over.
The whole time I watched the video I was curious if he would zoom out and show the little sections laid out. As a viewer, you feel as though your zooming out and in into different sections of a whole so I was very happy that there was a whole to view.
From this blog post, I will definitely pay more attention to the new vimeo channel on kinetic typography and as always keep a keen eye out for fantastic title sequences in movies!

Jay Jones - Attila Lyric Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNafaIjBy5Q

This is a lyric video made for a metal band named "Attila". This is one of least favorite songs by this artist but they're a good band and this one randomly has one of these made for it. As far as who created the lyric video I cannot seem to find, only that the band released it back in October. I begins with a very unique logo design of the band's name. Metal bands always seem to use very obscured lettering in their name designs, dripping or twiggy, and difficult to read often. Then the words begin along with the song, and the text used for the lyrics is an all caps sans serif that has smoke and flames layered into it. The background is very violent and intense as expected. The choice of a condensed blocky sans serif font such as this one is good for quick readability, which is at a premium with the lyrics are moving that quickly. It is a good thing to remember that big bold fonts are much more suitable than a more intricate font with more dynamic aspects like contrast between thick and thin. The orientation of words changes as the verse turns to chorus, turns to bridge and so on. When Fronz (vocalist) screams very quickly the words seem to fall down into place in a long column quite tetris-like. Certain words of emphasis are made larger than others. This would be a very enjoyable job to have for me because music, especially music I enjoy, is what I've always wanted to be involved with.

Citizen Cope- Trey Beahm

This video showcasing kinetic type comes from Citizen Cope, and is designed by AFX for their track, "Let the Drummer Kick." The font shown throughout the entire video is a sans serif font, known as Impact, and in most cases is shown in an all upper case style. Given the repetitive single word statements, I believe this is an excellent choice in typeface for this song and video. This video contains very limited colors and visuals, leaving all the video's entertainment value up to the typography, most likely viewed by a younger generation of Adults and teens who would stongly appreciate this sans serif typeface as it occurs. This kinetic type video was meant to portray the lyrics from this song is a very blunt manor, thus forcing people to see the word written out and leave it up to each viewer to personally think to themselves about the true definition of each word and how they all relate to one another. Using a typeface such as Impact, which bears no stylistic serifs or calligraphic touch, was effective given that people instantly recognize each words giving them the most time possible to focus more so on the meaning behind each word. Whenever I choose typefaces I try to follow the same principles: Identify your concept first and then that that choose the typeface for you, so this example will definitly help influence my future typeface choices.

Paige Leopold - Kroll Show

This is a new show called the Kroll Show. It comes on after Workaholics (which I'm a fan of) on Comedy Central and I thought the intro was pretty sweet. It's a short clip but it's just enough to draw you in and it really attracts our generation's age group. There are tons of different type settings applied in this intro and I think it covers just about everything going back to vintage videos games, to street signs, to twisting around the Gatorade logo to say Kroll Show. I love the variety and how it all flows with the dub step music. The music helps give it a cool vibe and really sets the tone for the show. In the show you almost never know what you are going to watch or see next (some funny stuff and others stupid in my opinion if you haven't seen the show). The intro matches the show because it's just a bunch of random old names from different popular brands and shows compiled together in 15 seconds. I can incorporate this into my work especially if I ever have to design something for a show like that or even just anything really. The big blocks of letters at the end are perfect for the "finale" because they are big and bold and they make a statement. It's like they are saying "BAM, Kroll Show." This also gives me a lot of examples that have been used for previous tv shows and products that are well-known.

Bohemian Rhapsody - Rachel Waddill

This is a short video of kinetic type illustrating the song Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. The designer, Alan Ayers, chose 30 seconds of the song with the most variety in how it is sung. The font Ayers chose is Helvetica, which works well for this piece because he is able to add a lot of variety into how he illustrates what is being sung. The way that he shows the differences in how "galileo" is sung is clever in that the louder, deeper voice is large and in all caps, while the slightly lighter and higher part is smaller and all lowercase. This is a common theme throughout the video that he follows with the quieter/higher pitched sung parts are smaller in size, and the louder parts get increasingly larger in size.Adding to this with the smaller text being in the corner while the larger text is in the center, taking up the whole screen. This combination leads to a strong design. Ayers also frequently uses the words dropping into the screen to the beat of the music which, while not being completely original, works extremely well. His overall product is very simple, but very effective and fits well with the song without being overwhelming. Ways I could use this in the future is to remember that to make a good design doesn't necessarily mean try to throw everything into it that I can think of, but that sometimes simpler is better.

Waiting for Superman PSA - Austin Stewart

This PSA was made to bring awareness to the education issues facing the United State prior to the documentary's release. The United States has been slowly slipping down the list of countries providing good public education. The people who have created this documentary believe that in order to solve many of the United States' problems, we need to improve our education.

This PSA hit me pretty hard because my mother is a teacher, and growing up I saw all of the problems she faced. Anyone who has children or has a connection with the public school system, will be affected by this. Hopefully it will be a call to action for them, and they'll help the cause as this issues hits people of all social status.

The Trade Gothic Bold Condensed No. 20 used within the PSA is very clear throughout, letting the viewer read, but keeping up a quick tempo. The text rotates, pans, and slides to emphasize the meaning of the PSA's message.

Overall I feel the type was a vital aspect of the video and the message. The type was used to its fullest extent and did its part to properly communicate.

Neff: Typography About Language

The video I've chosen is Typography About Language spoken by Taylor Mali. The kinetic type was done by Ronnie Bruce. The whole point of the speech by Mali is that people today have become to indecisive and unsure of what they're saying that our entire way of speaking has changed. We've added "like" and "ya know" to our slang vocabulary and it has become cool to use these, even when we think we are stating an opinion. I think the audience for this video is both adults who commiserate with the speech, as well as younger audiences who should probably be enlightened on the subject. The most prevalent type that Bruce has chosen to use in this video is a strong serif. It's sleek and modern looking, so that it isn't only simple to understand but also works well with his message. He does use italics to emphasize some of the words, "like" especially, to show the uncertainty of the word. Towards the end of the video, when Mali begins to speak with true conviction, the type changes to an older serif style. I think Bruce uses this as a way to go back to a time in the past when people spoke with conviction and surety.

Not only is this kinetic type done well, it's done in a way that all elements are working together, especially the type and the message itself. The typefaces chosen were not chosen just to look pretty, they have a purpose and only help to emphasize what the speaker is telling us. I can definitely take a lesson from this in my future designs. It isn't enough just to create a pretty product. I need to be able to create a product that is specific to my message, and make sure that all elements, including type, work together towards that goal.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Catch Me If You Can Title Sequence - Amy Millett

You can also find a better, although not embedded video and designer interview at:
http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/catch-me-if-you-can/

This is one of my favorite title sequences from a film released in 2002 called Catch Me if You Can. It stars Leonardi di Caprio as a 19-year-old conman who tricks people into believing he is a doctor, a Pan Am pilot, and a prosecutor even though he has no credentials. He is pursued by an FBI agent played by Tom Hanks.

The title sequence was created by Paris-based designers Florence Deygas and Olivier Kuntzel. It primarily employs a geometric typeface called 'Coolvetica' that is very similar to Helvetica. A secondary slab-serif typeface also appears occasionally.

During the video, type is constantly snaking and flowing across the screen through the extension of ascenders and descenders of letters. The type also is constantly incorporating itself into whatever the imagery is on the screen, whether that means becoming a straw in a glass or a light hanging from the ceiling. Both of these elements are a clever reference to the actual content of the movie and the themes of deceit and slipping away from detection. Just as the main character in the movie effortlessly switches from identity to identity, the type incorporates itself from scene to scene.

I love everything that brings this title sequence together—the music, the type, the imagery, the flow. Nothing seems out of place, and it all moves together flawlessly. It's certainly something I would like to emulate.

30 Rock Kinetic Type // Taylor Deppisch

This video is kinetic type that illustrates some lines from the TV show 30 Rock. It’s a short clip but I thought it was funny and the type was illustrated very well! There were multiple typefaces used, one for the man’s voice and one for the woman’s. The man’s was a sans-serif, which looked like Frutiger, and the woman’s was a serif typeface which I believe to be Didot. I liked that each voice had their own type to match with their voice/personality. The man’s was more straightforward and simple, and the woman’s was a bit more feminine. The type went perfectly with the words that were being said, and it was easy to read/understand simultaneously. In some other kinetic type videos I looked up, the type moved way too fast to read, but I thought this video had a nice balance and was not too fast. I liked the little details that were thrown in as well- like the “40” with birthday candles and the picture of the sandwich at the end. The audience of this video could really be anyone- I don’t watch the show, but I enjoyed the short clip and thought it was funny and interesting to watch. I thought it was a good example of kinetic typography. Short but sweet!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4sOfO8Ei1g

Shop Vac Kinetic Typography-Steph Dorazio

Shop Vac is the name and theme for this video. Kinetic typography is predominant throughout the 3:26 video. Here is the information about the project on youtube.com, "Uploaded on Nov 23, 2010-A kinetic typography music video for Jonathan Coulton's Shop Vac. This was created using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, Premiere and Toon Boom Animate. Design and Animation by Jarrett Heather, Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Coulton."

Multiple typefaces are used throughout the animation. Sans-serif typefaces are utilized a majority of the time to express the lyrics and message. The type comprises the majority of the imagery found in the video. The size of the type establish hierarchy and dominance. The motion of every word, letter, image, icon, and placement (of the type) establishes visual interest.

An example of type used as an object is on frame 0:13. The shoulder of the g (in dog), appears as if it is an animate K-9, wagging its tail. Seconds later, the word "workshop" has its bottom portion (of the entire word) jagged and in the shape of a wood saw. This develops the word to look like a saw in use.

The mobile application typography brings the use of a phone into the design. When showcasing Starbucks coffee spots, the typography is similar to response postings for locations such as restaurants and clothing stores. The typeface (here) appears to be gill-sans because of the t.

The use of the animated type is a dynamic interpretation of the song and the message. It is a way to capture viewer interest, convey a story, display the lyrics, and make a connection to the audience. I appreciate the typographical movement and development of the story.

Friday, February 1, 2013

Make it Better--Judith Villarreal

Here is a video that uses typography to express an idea about making it better. In the intro the viewer sees the same phrase "I'm gonna make it better" in varies type families, expressing that the implied writer is every kind of person. The various type families help communicate the idea that this phrase belongs to everyone. The video uses mostly sans-serif fonts--I think I saw futura and helvetica. This idea of a simple animation with only five words is brilliant, I also liked that their was no speech, only music. It was light and thought-provoking. My favorite part is when the vertical lines break up the words and make these 3-d geometric letters, very creative.

The Social Network: Kinetic Type - Joe Ramirez

http://vimeo.com/24533473

The video I chose for this blog is an excerpt taken from the film, "The Social Network". The scene that is shown is the scene where Mark Zuckerberg is in court for having "stolen" the idea of Facebook and not paying any royalties to his "partner". The typefaces used in this video are the custom fonts of Facebook but the most similar font to it is Klakiva. It also makes good usage of the colors used in the Facebook theme as well as many of the recognizable features and icons of Facebook. All of these elements really bring the piece together and make it cohesive and recognizable. The audience for this piece would mainly be design students or those looking up videos of "The Social Network". The pace the type goes at is fairly quick, yet easily readable. The video is very engaging as it uses large, blue type when a word is emphasized. I believe that this can be effective in helping me remember to incorporate brand identity in type as it can have a great effect on the viewers/onlookers.

-Joe

Kinetic Typography - Lauren McMillan

http://vimeo.com/14530206

<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/14530206" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/14530206">Motion Typography: Rocky Balboa Inspirational Speech</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/kargov">Kyle Kargov</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

This video is a snippet of an inspirational speech from Rocky Balboa. It uses kinetic typography very effectively, by using a very bold typeface and slamming it across the screen. This type of kinetic typography captures the voice that Rocky actually used while giving the speech, while still being decently legible. The only fall back about this video is the pace at which it changes. It goes a little bit too fast for your eyes to keep up, especially for a person that has never heard this speech before. Besides that, though, it is a great example of kinetic typography and a great way of advertising.
I found this video on Vimeo.com, there are tons of examples, check them out!

Lauren McMillan

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Kinetic type meets God // Stevie Sharp

Video Link: