Wednesday, 15 February 2017

maps, graphs and charts

In this process and production class we were using after effects, combined with illustrator graphics to form our own personalised versions of infographics. 

As this incorporated learning new skills, the illustration and output is very simplistic. The examples I created therefore were in order to follow the ones demonstrated for everyone to follow. 

First a map containing a frequent journey was used, mine of a train route to get to University and back. This was mapped out on a new dartboard in illustrator using the pen tool. I also added the town names it passed through as text layers. Each component of the illustration had to be on a separate layer so that these could be imported in to after effects and each layer was still able to be manipulated individually. 


Below shows this file. The colour theme for the animation was also chosen here, by chosing the fill colours that would work best.


Using a similar technique to the boiling effect we had already used, the line of the journey was mapped on to the background. This was done by masking the path, and exposing the original image (line and colour) gradually as the animation moves down the masked path. 


We then worked with cameras on the z.y and x axis to move the focus and angle of the animation to move up the line that was being drawn. 



 Secondly we created an animated version of a bar chart. The axis was created the same as previously, on illustrator and imported in to after effects. Then to create the fill and unfilling of the chart information, the transform panel tools were used. Shapes were created using the pen tool, and these formed the squares of the bar chart. Each of these was then editable to be moving up/ down from the base of the chart to its assigned position. 



To transition between these effects, a wipe was then added. The wipe must contain a shape which would fill the screen with solid colour, as well as shapes that will work well when transitioned across the page. (such as stripes)


Below shows the transition being created. The wipe was fully moved out of the scene, and set and then a second later moved to the other side of the frame and set there too.