Epipheo Quick Hack

I recently completed an animation test for Epipheo. It's called Quick Hack. They provided me the script, and I went to town with the motion, editing, and voice over. Yup, that's me voicing this video! :D

Take a look, and enjoy! :)

Motion Reel_Tres Swygert

I created a motion reel for the animation/motion design projects I've been involved with. Whether it was client based, learning, or even having fun, I want to showcase to clients, collaborators, and colleagues of what I've done so far. And yes, where it will lead into as I work towards being an animator/motion designer.

Enjoy, and let me know what you think! :)

I Skimmed It - Scott Pilgrim

Did this kinetic typography video last semester as a demo for After Effects. I plan to do another one for soon, maybe do one kinetic typography piece each week. More for my portfolio, as well as to push myself. Like drawing in a sketchbook. :) Gotta have a million sketches before you really nail one...and for the fun of course!

Enjoy!

Recent After Effects Projects

In the past few months, I was able to work on some After Effects projects for clients and for a competition. Each were unique in problem solving and meeting the needs of the project. I enjoyed working on each of them. :)

Created a demo reel for voiceover talent Doug Turkel, using kinetic type to showcase his work. It was a great challenge to keep each video unique, but keep it in a consistent flow from one clip to the next. I also wanted it to represent the projects he was voicing over (wanted it to feel like it was Discovery Channel for example). Doug has worked on projects that not only shocked me, but also inspired me. He's great at what he does!

I was asked to be a compositor for Kathy Lea's demo reel, determining how to structure the demo to be at least 3 minutes. Some of the problems were to keep it within the 3 minute mark, as well as transitioning from one video to the next. Working on this project, I learned more about frames, and how they make up the seconds for a video clip. She's a wonderful animator, as she worked on projects for Disney and DreamWorks. She's also a great friend too! :)

This was created for the "48 Hour Repack" Competition. I was invited to join with fellow designers Charles Gary and Michael Manisa to enter as a group. We wanted to show why our package is perfect to for use in this green environment campaign. We wanted to explain our reasons for using this kind of package in comparison of the light bulb packages of right now. I really had a great time collaborating on this video with them, and hopefully we'll do some more collaboration in the future.

Hope you enjoy!

Innovation For People Logo Animation

Innovation For People Logo Animation from Tres Swygert on Vimeo.

Here's my logo animation for Innovation for People. I wanted to test and make sure the link works, as well as on vimeo. Looks very clean and nice. :)

Social Network and Adobe

It was two months ago when the film The Social Network came out in theaters, and it was an amazing film to watch. Regardless on your thoughts about Facebook, it really does not focus on Facebook by itself - it rather focuses on the greed for power, broken relationships, and the desire to create something fantastic.

What I did not know is that director David Fincher and his team used Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro to edit and construct the film:

I was so amazed to see the use of both After Effects and Premiere Pro to work together in building film. Especially since Final Cut Pro is way expensive (I don't have money like that - laughs). It is also very inspiring for me, as I desire to use After Effects to tell stories and be able to share my vision to audiences.

Again, if you have not seen The Social Network, you really need to. The drama and comedy (yes, it is a very funny movie as well) really brings an edge to storytelling that is continued to be overlooked. And yes, the storytelling was way better in this film than Avatar. I kid you not.

Project - the First iPad Magazine App

I know that it was a possibility to have magazines appear through the iPad...but I would not imagine the possibility of taking motion graphics and make it the cover image! Or even animation for the imagery in the contents page!

There is so much possibilities with this, along with it being affordable for the app. I really have to tip my hat to Mr. Branson, he really came up with a great idea, and it is looking gorgeous! If nothing else, this really inspired me to want an iPad. Yes, the iPad finally has a purpose now.

Just imagine all those Computer Arts magazines with video tutorials inside the app! Or video interviews and some extras....So inspiring. :)

To My Friend Charles

I Have PSD from Hyperakt on Vimeo.

To my friend Charles, who cannot go a day without using Photoshop in his projects and in life. :) Keep on using your mad skills to inspire us bro! :)

So What If (as Stan Would Say)

This typography animation was first shown to me during my introductory year for graphic design (givin' a shoutout to Paige for the hookup!), and it was always fascinating to me how wonderful this story was through typography. Not kinetic type, but using the characters of a typeface to construct a story along with the music, and having a well conceptual direction for what the story detailed. After having experience with After Effects, I start to see how it was constructed, and grabbing an idea how it conveyed the message through editing and camera use.

So what if there was a story told through type with no dialogue, but just made up of characters of that typeface? Where would the story go? How would you keep people interested? Is there a message to the story? I see a lot of kinetic typography pieces, but barely any projects that showcase a typeface as the main star of its' own production. Something to think about, not just for myself, but for others who are interested. :)

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World on DVD!!!

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is out on DVD! Today! :D So happy, I'm gettin' my copy for sure!

Also, if you weren't able to see it on Facebook, there will be a showing of Scott Pilgrim at Cinefest this Thursday at 7PM. Some of the juniors are planning on going, so it would be awesome to go as a group and hang out. Hope to see you there this Thursday! :D

5000 - Mission Accomplished

Today, marks my 5,000th view on YouTube. It was a goal of mine to reach 5,000 views within a year for this video, and I'm pleased to see that the goal was met. :)

Thanks to everyone who viewed the video and let others know about it, I appreciate the support!

SXSW Title Design Competition

I'm very interested in participating with this competition. Though I would like to create another title sequence compared to my first one.

If anyone else is interested, you can go to here. It's only $10 and the deadline is December 9. Plenty of time, affordable, and tons of fun! :)

100 Yard Dash

Recently saw this music video, it's been a while since the last time I saw it.

I really like this project, the cinematography is superb with the different shots and editing. Also the typography and other motion graphic elements fit in nicely (smoke, light shining).

Toy Story Kinetic Typography

Saw this a few months ago, and to this day, I'm truly amazed by the work and craftsmanship for this composition! I wanted to do this scene myself...but after I saw it the first time, I said screw it. LOL :D It was too darn awesome to try and out do. It is an awesome project, taking on a classic animation scene.

Enjoy!

Motion Inspiration

The seniors of the graphic design program really inspired me in motion design, with the thought process and experimentation. With the works they have done, I know it'll be a great challenge to match their projects...and it's a challenge I'm willing to take on in the following months.

Thanks guys for inspiring my motion interests! :)

Jason Dooley:



Nathan Linkous:



James Linehan:



John Milam:



Jason D. + John Milam Collabo:

Barbershop - Kinetic Typography

My kinetic typography project in film/tv. Done in After Effects, and I had an awesome time working on this! :)

I Really Need Some Starbucks

I have not had Starbucks in the past few days, and I am in dire need to get some soon! LOL But seriously I need some Starbucks. The lack of it is starting to come up in my work and YouTube watching:



I know that Election Day has passed, but I did not have the chance to view this commercial from Starbucks when it first came out. The font used for the animation was interesting, especially when "inconvenient" was having a struggle with "When it was". You can feel the pushing and the weight between both forces. I also liked how the words would come on beat with the melody of the music. That is always a treat for me (played drums for years). Another thing that is interesting are the words that are being bigger than others, as a way to put more emphasis on them. Like "VOTE", "COMMUNITY", "WORLD", and "CARE", just to name a few examples.

The other reason why I like the type is it's green. Green is my favorite color, and sadly, not many designers know how to do green justice. Seriously, not many green t-shirts are tasteful. Anyways, thought I shared what I found interesting as I continue to learn and analyze graphic design.

Oh, and here's a type sketch I did for my typography class:



Again, I really need some Starbucks. And I am going to push this image further a bit. Or at least try again with more direction and exploring.