End of Module Self-Evaluation: Design for Digital Media

1. What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?

I have learned how to use Adobe After Effects, previously I had no experience with the software but now I feel not only that I can use it but also use it successfully. As with every module I am becoming more efficient with pieces of software but it was my ability to really focus on one idea throughout the whole project and communicate that one message successfully. This is a skill I am beginning to hit the nail on the head with. I have started to be less scared of colour and have begun to embrace it. I have noticed this has made my work a lot more visually exciting and engaging.

2. What approaches to generating work and solutions to problems have you developed and how have they helped?

Throughout this module I found that it was ideas that where the driving force of the project. I resisted the temptation to run straight onto the computer and instead developed my ideas on paper. This method helped me to focus in on the message I was trying to achieve and not get bogged down with After Effects. Working on paper and scribbling ideas down in a strange way made me realise what I can and can’t do without going anywhere near a keyboard and mouse.

3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?

I have become much more organized with my work, I don’t know whether that was because of the nature of this module or because of feed back from the last module but I intend to carry on in my orderly way. I am not thinking as much and more doing, I like getting my ideas down on paper and working through them until they work.

4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how could you exploit these more fully?

The biggest weakness I have at the moment is not being fully ready for crits. I need to start being more organized when it comes to presenting my work during a brief rather than just at the end.

5.How would you grade yourself on the following areas: (please indicate using an ‘x’) 5= excellent, 4 = very good, 3 = good, 2 = average, 1 = poor

Attendance = 4
Punctuality = 4
Motivation = 4
Commitment = 4
Quantity of work produced = 4
Quality of work produced = 4
Contribution to the group = 3

Superhero Title Sequence VS Hulk Title Sequence 1982

I sampled the music track from a Hulk title sequence from 1982. I felt it would fit perfect in my animation because it had no mention of the Hulk in the sequence and the background noise contained lots of bangs and cracks which worked in my animation because there are animations going on simultaneously and can be easily re issued as bang noises coming from Batman or Spiderman rather than the Hulk in his 1982 sequence.

Superhero Title Sequence VS Grange Hill Title Sequence

I took inspiration from the old Grange Hill Intro so I thought it would be interesting to see what they both looked like side by side. I modelled the camera movements on the Grange hill intro as well so it would be interesting to see if I have a future court case on my hands...

Camera Movments / Timing

I worked out how to mimic camera movements by mapping the whole animation out on paper before I went to the computer. I guessed roughly how long it would take to move from frame to frame and estimated how long each animation would be. I was 6 seconds short of the minimum guide of 30 seconds.

Original Image to Cropped Image to Animation (Title)

The following clips so how I developed the title from photographs to Illustrator to animation.

Original Image to Cropped Image to Animation (Wolverine)

The following images show how I cropped a part of each comic strip, digitally removing the section I want in Photoshop.
The images that made it into my title sequence where of Wolverine's red eyes and mean looking stance. I couldn't work out how to make these images move other than changing the colour over a period of time from one colour to another. Instead I put them in as stills to break up the animation.

Original Image to Cropped Image to Animation (Wonder Woman)

The following image and video clip shows how I cropped a part of a Wonder Woman comic strip, digitally removing her in Photoshop, and using my paper based drawings to make her move in After Effects.
I chose the image of Wonder Woman falling through the sky.

Original Image to Cropped Image to Animation (Superman)

The following images, video clips show how I cropped a part of each comic strip, digitally removing the section I want in Photoshop, and using my paper based drawings to make that section animate/move in After Effects.
The images that made it into my title sequence was the word 'BOOM' that crashes into Superman, Superman flying away from a bomb and directing his laser eyes.

Original Image to Cropped Image to Animation (Silver Surfer)

The following images, video clips show how I croped a part of each comic strip, digitally removing the section I want in Photoshop, and using my paper based drawings to make that section animate/move in After Effects.
The images that made it into my title sequence where of the Silver Surfer hitting the wall with his fist, flying down into view to save a citizen from falling and him flying through space.

Original Image to Cropped Image to Animation (Spiderman)

The following images, video clips show how I croped a part of each comic strip, digitally removing the section I want in Photoshop, and using my paper based drawings to make that section animate/move in After Effects.
The image that I used in my title sequence was of Spiderman sliding down his web into frame.

Original Image to Cropped Image to Animation (Batman)

The following images, video clips show how I croped a part of each comic strip, digitally removing the section I want in Photoshop, and using my paper based drawings to make that section animate/move in After Effects.
The images from the Batman comics that made it into my title sequence are; Batman leaping over a car and Batman leaping over a truck.

Wolverine Comic Strip

Wonder Woman Comic Book & Intro / The Flash 1967 Intro