Information Design | Project 2

  

Information Design

03/02/2026 - | Week 01 - Week 08

Jesslyn Octavia Tjong / 0374562 / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media

Information Design / Exercises / Taylor's University

Table of Contents

I. INSTRUCTION

II.  EXERCISE 1 

III. EXERCISE 2

IV. REFLECTION

III. QUICK LINKS

I. INSTRUCTION

Kinetic Typography

This exercise explored how text can be animated to communicate information more effectively. By adjusting timing and motion, the typography helped guide the viewer and emphasize key messages.

INFORMATION RESEARCH

For this exercise, we first had to choose a song from several options provided, such as Dangerous, Epic, Cold as Ice, Blacklit District, and Color Your Night from the game Persona 3. However, after discussing how the lyrics could help tell a stronger story through animation, we decided to use Last Surprise by Lyn Inaizumi from the game Persona 5 instead.

We chose this song because of its jazzy style and sudden instrumental intro, which felt energetic and engaging. The fast tempo also matched what we were looking for, as it allowed us to experiment with quicker animations and transitions for the kinetic typography exercise. After selecting the song, we then analyzed the lyrics to decide how the text could be animated to match the rhythm and mood of the music.

“Last Surprise” by Lyn on Genius

After reviewing the lyrics together, we divided the song into different parts. I was assigned the first chorus and two intermissions. Since each intermission is about 10 seconds long, it required more planning to fill the space with animation. Altogether, my section was around 40 seconds, and I was excited to start developing ideas for it.

DESIGN RESEARCH

For the color palette, we referenced the visual style of Persona 5, which mainly uses red, black, white, and hints of blue. These strong, contrasting colors help create a bold and energetic look that fits the theme of the song.

For our design direction, we gathered inspiration from platforms like TikTok and Pinterest. Since the song has a jazzy and fast-paced feel, we decided to explore a funkier and more experimental style. This approach allows us to better match the music's rhythm while emphasizing the lyrics.

Video Inspirations

@iluvaubey from Tiktok

Storyboard

Here's the collection of our inspirations and the design direction we chose to guide how we envisioned the kinetic typography in the storyboard.

storyboard 

Process Work in After Effects 

First Chorus

For the first chorus, I followed the storyboard by keeping the animation simple and cohesive so the audience could understand the lyrics clearly. The line “You’ll never see me coming” appears with a ribbon-like motion that enters the screen, matching the rhythm of the music. I focused mainly on syncing the typography with the beat to make the lyrics feel more memorable.

I also added a small reference to the Persona theme. When the lyrics mention “four eyes,” the visual briefly switches into a mask, referencing the game’s identity. Toward the end, I realized the last two lines were still part of my chorus, so I designed a quick text animation that moves around the frame to transition smoothly into the next intermission. While experimenting with this movement, I also learned how to use a null layer to control multiple elements together and make the animation easier to manage

Intermission #2

This intermission was one of the more challenging parts. Initially, I planned to create a spiral effect based on the storyboard, but it required a paid plugin, and I could not find a reliable free tutorial. Because of this, I discussed the problem with my teammates, and we decided to explore another approach.

Instead, I created rotating circles that appear one by one while the “ooh” sounds play in the music. The circles grow from small to large and rotate both clockwise and counterclockwise using different color combinations. This was meant to create a hypnotic visual effect that draws the viewer into the rhythm of the song. Since the elements were already pre-composed, I had to manually align them one by one, and in this case a null layer was not suitable for controlling them.

Intermission #3

For the final intermission, I experimented with a more playful and abstract visual style inspired by references we found on Pinterest. Compared to the earlier parts, this section focuses more on experimental motion and perspective.

To create the repeating “ooh” visuals, I used motion tile and a corner pin effect to give the typography a sense of depth and perspective. I adjusted the layout so the elements aligned properly and followed the color palette used by our team. I also incorporated feedback and advice from my group leader, Huixuan, to keep the overall design cohesive.

My Parts ( Final Versions )

Full Video : Kinetic Typography

 

  Animation Chart

Chosen Chart: Donut Chart

For this exercise, we were each assigned a different type of chart to animate individually. My task was to create a donut chart animation. The process was relatively smooth because our lecturer provided tutorials, which made it easier to understand the steps and techniques needed.

I followed the same visual style and references used in the previous exercises to keep the design consistent. This is the layout of the chart I created, and the final result shows the animated donut chart with clear motion and structure.

Final Animation Chart

  Vector Animation Chart

In this exercise, we were required to create a vector animation that demonstrates movement using the After Effects program. Before starting the individual task, we first did a short test run in class to understand the basic tools and workflow. After that practice session, each of us was assigned a specific numbered label to animate on our own. This allowed everyone to focus on a different part of the scene while applying the techniques we learned during the tutorial.

In this exercise, we were required to create a vector animation that demonstrates movement using the After Effects program. Before starting the individual task, we first did a short test run in class to understand the basic tools and workflow. After that practice session, each of us was assigned a specific numbered label to animate on our own. This allowed everyone to focus on a different part of the scene while applying the techniques we learned during the tutorial.

After setting up the layers, I applied the techniques we learned in class, mainly using position and a little rotation, along with the Puppet Pin Tool to create small character movements. My idea for the scene was that the car passes by the group, then slightly reverses because one of the characters appears to be waving for help. Since the clip is only about two to three seconds long, the movement had to be simple and smooth. It’s still a short animation, but it was interesting to see how even small movements can bring the scene to life.

. REFLECTION

Observations

In this Project 2, we focused more on using the After Effects program. At first, I realized that I was a bit rusty with the software, so I had to revisit the tutorials and review the tools again. One of the first tasks we worked on was kinetic typography, which I found very interesting. Through this exercise, I was able to understand more about how typography can be animated to create engaging motion graphics. Although learning the steps initially took some time, I realized that once the process is understood, the workflow becomes quite straightforward. The main challenge was sometimes the computer processing speed, but overall, it turned out alright in the end.

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Findings

From this project, I found that motion graphics can be very effective in capturing the audience’s attention. Small elements such as movement, color, and design adjustments can make a big difference in how the information is presented. Throughout the exercises, I learned how to animate vectors, create a lyric-style animation, and produce chart animations. These different techniques showed me that motion graphics can be used to communicate with different audiences in creative ways. Adding motion to visuals helps make the content feel more dynamic and engaging compared to static designs.

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Experiences

Overall, this experience helped me improve my familiarity with the After Effects program and strengthened my interest in motion graphics. Working on these projects allowed me to explore my creativity while also applying technical skills that we learned during the module. Even though there were some stressful moments due to deadlines, the process was still enjoyable. By the end of the project, I felt more confident using motion graphics tools and appreciated how animation can enhance visual communication.