Media & Methods Lab Post
Year
2024
Workspace
ETH
Type of Tools
Figma
Illustrator
After Effects
Briefing
During my studies at ETH, I completed, among other things, a rotation at the Media & Methods Lab (MML). There, I had the opportunity to work on various projects. One of them was designing an animated social media post for the MML’s official account.
Search for Inspirations
1/6
I had found a lot of pictures online, especially on Pinterest.
I had a great deal of creative freedom on this project. The only requirement was that the text “Media & Methods Lab” had to be included. So I started by doing some research and gathering various sources of inspiration to familiarize myself with different styles.
First Design Ideas
2/6
My early ideas for the designs.
I then developed my first design concepts and experimented with many different approaches. In the process, I tried out various shapes, movements, and compositions to determine which design would work best for MML.
More Design Ideas
3/6
My further ideas for the posts.
For this design, I adopted a more illustrative style and drew many of the elements myself. Although I liked this approach, it didn't quite achieve the desired effect, so I didn't pursue it further.
Storyboard Post 1
4/6
This is the storyboard for the first animation.
In the end, I decided to develop two specific concepts. This design is based on interlocking gears and is intended to symbolize collaboration and the creative process. In Adobe Illustrator, I planned the entire animation step by step, similar to a frame-by-frame storyboard.
Storyboard Post 2
5/6
This is the storyboard for the second animation.
For the second draft as well, I first developed a detailed storyboard. This allowed me to visualize the flow of the animation and plan the individual movements precisely before beginning production.
Color Change
6/6
Here you can see the final result with the new colors.
Shortly before the project was completed, the MML decided on a new color palette. So I adjusted the colors in the animation accordingly. The concept and the animation itself remained unchanged and blended very well with the new colors.
This project gave me the opportunity to try out many different design ideas and experiment creatively. It was especially exciting to develop several concepts and compare them with one another before deciding on the final solution. I also realized how important a good storyboard is for animations. Even for short animations, it helps to plan the sequence, maintain an overview, and test ideas early on. Since this project, I’ve made a storyboard an integral part of every animation process.