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I’m always curious about Japanese motion graphics studios. I know so little about how Asian studios in general are set up, and yet I know there must be loads of amazing work being made. Books like Japanese Motion Graphics Creators are great introductory texts, but due to the seemingly insurmountable language barrier, it’s hard to “discover” work from Asian mograph artists on the net.

Recently I saw “Ukiyo-e,” a short film from Anny Suzuka, a Japanese motion director and founder of ANNY studio. While some of the camera work and transitions were a little jumpy, I thought it was a beautiful short film brimming with wonderful ideas. I wanted to know more about it. Thankfully, a mutual friend connected me with Pasha Alpeyev, who agreed to translate my questions for Anny and the team that worked on the film. Here’s our email conversation:

Read on…

My advice for the future: Play more video games. Reader Joe Walker recently pointed out the slick in-game menus and motion graphics in Codemasters GRID, and I realized how woefully behind the times I am regarding the practical application of real-time motion graphics as it relates to video games. Motion design is increasingly becoming a key element in video games, blending into UI design and information design.

I couldn’t find good videos of GRID online, but there is a nice review from Gametrailers that includes some decent shots. If you don’t have time for a full seven-minute video, I’ve also made a cut-down version here.

In terms of motion design, GRID isn’t really doing anything new, but it is taking advantage of the amazing real-time graphics processing power packed into today’s gaming consoles. In the comments, I’d love to hear about other games you’ve played that feature motion design. I need to kick-start my collection and do some… uh… research.

NOTE: I contacted Codemasters about their use of in-game motion graphics, but I haven’t heard back from them yet. If anyone has an inside connection there, drop me a line.

Motion Theory’s Jesus de Francisco and Mark Kudsi directed this new advert for Guinness centering on the ancient sport of hurling.

Having seen hurling on the telly in Ireland a couple times, I’d expect a spot full of “high-impact” cliches: metal textures, futuristic CG elements, shaky camera work, heavy metal soundtrack, etc. But instead, MTh’s approach is decidedly understated. Liquid trails and an omnipresent “action dust” give the spot a painterly feel, while the conspicuous absence of music creates a strange vacuum effect: The sound design leaps to the foreground, and time becomes an elastic ether in which the players drift like pissed-off ballerinas.

If you’re wondering why the walls appear near the end of the spot, it’s because the spot is promoting Guinness’ Hurling Cubed events, which invite teams to face off in walled-in hurling courts.

Credits can be found on Motion Theory’s project page

Motionographer’s Jon Saunders decided it was high time we learn more about one of our favorite studios, Hamburg-based Sehsucht, so he contacted them for an interview. Their answers can be a bit mysterious at times, but perhaps that only amplifies curiosity about their work.

Read the interview here.

This new advert for HP’s TouchSmart PC from Psyop is full of verve and sophistication. Instead of aiming for photo-realistic CG, agency Goodby, Silverstein & Partners and Psyop opted for a more gestural approach that uses abstract imagery and computer interface elements, creating a look that values magical playfulness over hi-tech seriousness.

Big thanks to Byron Slaybaugh for the tip!

Credits

For those of you who attended my Promax|BDA State of Design presentation last week, I hope it was worth your time and that you had as much fun as I did celebrating inspiring work from around the world. As promised, I made a page (finally) for all the work I showed during the show. Enjoy!

Back in April, when Adobe and Cut&Paste announced the winners of the See What’s Possible Challenge, one entry really stood out to me. "The Experiment" was created by a mysterious group called The Action Cats, who I later learned were actually an in-house group of designers and animators at ad agency Goodby, Silverstein & Partners.

That piqued my curiosity. An agency made this?! So I called them up and we chatted for almost an hour.

Read the interview here

In partnership with the Executive Producer of OFFF NY, I’m pleased to announce F5, a two-day festival of creativity taking place in New York City. Although the event won’t be until the spring of 2009, I want to put it on your radars now and encourage you to subscribe for updates on the F5 site. In addition to getting F5 news before everyone else, subscribers will get advanced access to ticket sales, which will be limited.

I’m not going to say anything more about the event right now, except that it’s going to be amazing. F5 goes beyond just motion graphics into the fields of filmmaking, photography, graphic design, art, music, interactive design, advertising and experience design. The goal of F5 is to change the way you look at creativity, and in so doing, change the way you look at your work and your life.