"But I'm still looking to do something fun and cool"


This is where you start . . . .

Good . . . strike that . . excellent graphics are around us all day long:-

* TV Adverts

* Magazines

* FILMS!

* Billboards

* Book jackets

* Sweet Wrappers

* Canned vegtables!

* The Guinness Adverts!


Start saving those "items" that get you going - that get you excited! Make a scrap book. Start writing and analysing what and how YOU think they work.

This WILL be your source material . . . .

Now start scribbling and scribbling and getting ANY ideas DOWN on paper. Use any materials that get you there! Crayons; chalks; inks; washes; use your finger/s . . anything! BUT experiment . . and explore . . keep on exploring .. . .

If you haven't attended an arts course I would truly advise you to do so . .. OR read up about the appilcation of graphics . .I think you are know in a position where you want to SERIOUSLY absorb the process by which you can achieve synthesise of experimentation and actual producion . . thew path is very very long . . and it will drive you bonkers! Getting to the graphic is a terrible rpocess BUT once won it will spur you on to others revelations . . .. This I am most sure about.

Truth? This week I spent maybe 4 hours designing a CD label for a client. I tried =ambye 10 or 12 images. Multiples and singles I ended up with just 1 image. A strong image. I used a very simple font .. Veredana I think? It consisted of 3 lines of text 5 words .. then 3 words . .then the logo pf the organisation . .and that was it!

Ok . .. once you can percieve your "still" graphics and you KNOW what the video you are or have in front of you , the narrative of the video will then "dictate" what you do to animate those same graphics.

At the end of the day, the coolest animated graphics are ALWAYS the simplest. Make one intial statement in form and movement .. follow that through . .but end up with a punch line!


Did any of this help? Maybe not . .

Grazie

Right there with you Grazie - I have a whole notebook full of the very materials you speak of :)

Here is a link that provides free magazine subscriptions - look under Multimedia Digital Media Net and yes Grazie, they even have a section for International subscribers (though haven't checked it out)

Graphic Design USA Free Subscription. The annual issue in December is chock full of ideas - the years best in brochure, letterhead, web, media, etc

Check out this guys reel for some ideas - some pretty cool stuff (and no, unfortunately it's not me)

http://www.jepsity.com/

jmeredith - EXCELLENT!

Graphics: Fonts - Stills - Freehands - Animations - Backdrops . .. . these are all essential elements to getting our story across. Mj is at the point where he/she is wanting more. Now THAT'S the big breakthrough .. THAT'S where the majority of video makers don't even get to OR even through!

I regularly get Digit Magazine, and I'm continually astounded at the creativity and explosive ideas that are being put into film and print .. EVERYDAY!

Bottom here is that these pros have spent maybe years in the trade; worked their way up being "steeped" in an atmosphere of creativity and experimentation AND this was/would have been grounded in a formal arts training too. It is no wonder then, when a colleague - not saying mj here - who may not have had such an opportunity, wants more from their graphics and such.

And again, I've said it before and I'll say it again: If you aint happy with what you got, then this is a good place to be! The worst thing is complacency and "well that's good enough!" . .. and yes there IS a place for leaving a project alone . . You read my post on "When do you finish a project?" ?. . Yes?

JM? I'm gonna check out those links .. right away . . . .

YoYo thanks and I'll do the same. Thank you.

Anybody else check out Digit magazine . . . and NO I don't work for them or have any connection - save my monthly sub!

Keep It real! Keep it relevant! . .. and . . . . . "Less Is More!"



Grazie

oops, I checked the link to the free magazine subscriptions and didn't see some that used to be there so here is a more direct route

Computer Graphics World
Studio Monthly also mentioned in another post
Presentations

DV Magazine also used to offer a free subscription - not sure if they still do

Dynamic Graphics magazine doesn't offer free subscription but good idea source none the less

Digit magazine (geez, international subscriptions are expensive - now I know how you must feel trying to get US magazines Grazie) - it appears they have an online subscription so I think I'll check that out

Another good site for ideas is Before and After magazine - they also have one book out and another due soon - highly recommended

I realize I'm now straying somewhat from video and into my main field of graphic design/web design but ideas come from all around so take a peek anyway :)

For what it's worth Matt, I disagree with the "no creativity" part. You've got lot's. If I see anything cool in the next while, I'll be sure to pass it along.

Stan