Information Design — Exercise 2: Kinetic Typography

10.02.2025 - 03.03.2025 / Week 2 — Week 5

Chan Zhi-Ren Zenndan / 0369069

Information Design / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylor's University

Project 2 — Exercise 3: Kinetic Typography

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Table of Contents

    1. Instructions

    2. Process

    3. Reflection

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1. Instructions

Fig 1.0 Module Information Booklet

Project 2 — Exercise 3: Kinetic Typography (10%)

Exercise 3 is a group assignment with our assigned FLIP members. We are required to create an animated lyric video for our chosen song. All animation must be done in After Effects, and each member must animate at least four lines for their part.

The example provided by Mr. Kannan is as follows:

Fig 1.1 Past Students' Work on Kinetic Typography

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2. Process

Most of the examples were presented in class, and our group had a clear understanding of the task. Our group leader, Emily, asked us to suggest a song so we could decide via poll.

Fig 2.0 Song Poll

Our chosen song was PARANOIA by HEARTSTEEL - a music video related to the video game League of Legends.

With the song selected, Emily had prepared a Google Document that allowed us to select what lines we want to animate. 

Fig 2.1 Detailed breakdown

With our parts selected, we were to provide a storyboard within the next week. Below is what I envisioned my animation to look like.

Fig 2.2 Verse 2 Storyboard

After our online meeting on Week 3, we were all given the green light to start animating our parts. I referred to the guides given by Emily and started working on AE.

Fig 2.3 Guides

I spent quite a bit of time on this task since I had to watch a lot of tutorials on how to animate things. Below is a brief look at my timeline and layers.

Fig 2.4 Layers & Timeline

Working with the "Animator" can be confusing at times since there are so many settings, and I sometimes overlap them, which causes it not to work properly.

But when it works the way I want it to, it feels great.

Fig 2.5 Animator Settings

After animating all of my 8 lines, I was ready to show my group what outcome I was able to provide. Fig 2.6 shows my part of the animation.

Fig 2.6 Verse 2 (First Half) Animation

Once we all have drafted our animation, we consulted with Mr. Kannan on Week 4 for his opinion. 

Overall, we received good feedback and advised some of us to adjust and tune certain parts.

Once I cleaned up my part, I sent my AE file to the group so that those in charge of compiling the files can start syncing things up.

Fig 2.7 shows our final submission for this task.

Fig 2.7 Final Submission

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3. Reflection

This was a fun group assignment, especially since I had a very active and focused leader. The early distribution of tasks and the weekly meetings they organized kept me on track. I especially appreciated their clear vision and well-planned timeline.

The task itself involved a lot of trial and error for me. I had to watch many tutorials to learn how to create certain animations. At times, it felt overwhelming, so I took short breaks to manage my pace and avoid burnout.

What made everything worthwhile was seeing the final product. Compiling all our parts together and witnessing each member’s creative vision come to life made the outcome even better than I expected.

Overall, it was a fun task completed with a competent and supportive group.

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