Motion Graphics and Compositing - Project 2: Channel Bumper

21/04/2025 - 18/05/2024 (Week 01 – Week 04)

Wang Yifan / 0368363

Montion Graphics & Compositing / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylors University

Task 2 : Individual Task - Channel bumper

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INTRODUCTION

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Project 2: Channel Bumper

In project 2, we are to demonstrate ability to explore and generate an abstract channel bumper in any creative approach with consideration of good audio tempo and visually compelling video. We are to use information for any proposed channel to create moodboard that reflects their concept/idea, style-guide that conveys final look and feel, storyboard, animatics and explore appropriate audio to uplift the motion tempo. The final outcome should be a motion graphics animation for the brand.

Requirements:

• Compiled technical doc .pdf (*moodboard, style guides, sketches, storyboard)
• 10 - 15 sec video (*.mp4, h2.64, 16:9 - 1440 X 1080, 25 fps, ACC, 48kHz

Mood board

For this project, Final moodboard used in the project, featuring Jellycat’s plush characters, pastel tones, and whimsical props.

For this project, I intended to adopt a minimalist yet elegant visual approach, reflecting the emotional depth and soft personality of the Jellycat brand. My primary focus was on clarity of theme and expressive movement, aiming to grab viewers’ attention within a short timeframe using simple yet vivid animation techniques.
I used Procreate to collage suitable pictures into a mood board.

Procreate screenshots

• Rounded character shapes that evoke warmth and softness
• Pastel and neutral color palettes to create a soothing emotional tone
• Playful props and objects, such as clouds, cakes, and guitars, to enhance storytelling
• A sense of organized chaos, mimicking the joyful randomness often found in childhood collections

Mood board

Sketches

Before starting the animation, I created a set of hand-drawn sketches to visualize the flow and tone of each scene. These drawings helped me plan out character placement, transitions, and emotional pacing. The scenes include ocean waves, playful logo reveals, floating plush toys, and a soft ending with rain—all reflecting the gentle, emotional identity of the Jellycat brand.

Sketches 1

Sketches 2

Storyboard

To plan the 15-second motion graphics sequence, my groupmate You Siyuan and I collaborated closely in brainstorming the narrative flow and animation transitions. We started by discussing the emotional tone we wanted to convey through the Jellycat brand—something soft, soothing, and playful, while also leaving a memorable impression in a short time.
We visualized the animation through a storyboard, which was hand-drawn by 

You Siyuan based on our shared ideas. The storyboard breaks the animation into different key scenes.
Scene 1–3: Waves splashing, the Jellycat logo appearing, and characters entering with the text “WORRY ABSORBER”

Storyboard 1

Scene 4–5: Characters bouncing, floating, and transforming in a “MOOD BUDDY” setting.

Storyboard 2

Scene 6: A final splash transition leading to the full Jellycat logo and product name reveal.

Storyboard 3

AE Production Process

This Illustrator sketch represents my early-stage brainstorming for the Jellycat logo treatment. I experimented with soft, fuzzy textures and playful letterforms to reflect the brand’s emotional softness and childlike creativity. 

Ai concept

This project was completed using Adobe After Effects, and it consists of two main animated scenes: “WORRY ABSORBER” and “MOODY BUDDY.” Each scene was carefully built using layered compositions, keyframe animation, and masking techniques.

This scene uses a soft green background with looping “WORRY ABSORBER” text. A puppy and a rabbit enter from the sides with bouncing motion created using position and scale keyframes. A triangle symbol appears with a wiggle and fade-in, reinforcing the theme of emotional absorption. The timing is carefully synced with the background music to create a soft, rhythmic feel.

Worry Absorber

In this scene, a lion plush toy drops onto a blue background with repeating “MOODY BUDDY” text. Using masked textures, the lion transforms into a rabbit, then an octopus. Floating dolls, animated shape layers, and playful graphics like dotted lines and a planet icon add energy and a whimsical, dreamy tone.

Moody Buddy

Draft  (with music)

Finalization

In Scene 1 (WORRY ABSORBER), the original version used static toy placement and flat text layout. In the updated version, I added a scrolling background text and adjusted the toy entrances with offset timing and soft bounce animations. A triangle symbol was also introduced with subtle wiggle and opacity changes, making the scene more dynamic and visually cohesive.

Revise

In Scene 2 (MOODY BUDDY), I improved the layout by using a newspaper-textured mask and added dashed lines for motion. The lion plush enters with a splash effect, followed by floating characters that bring more depth. Compared to the static first version, the new version uses color transitions, layered movement, and smoother character swaps to create a more expressive and emotionally rich animation.

Revise

Final Proposal

Final Submission: Channel Bumper

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REFLECTION

Experiences

This project was my first time creating a complete motion graphics piece from start to finish. I explored everything from concept development, moodboard creation, sketches, and storyboarding, all the way to animation and final output. It was both exciting and challenging to turn an abstract idea into a short, visual piece. I had to constantly think about how to visually express a brand’s feeling within just 15 seconds. Even though it was a short video, the process was intense and taught me a lot about planning, pacing, and creative decision-making.

Observations

Throughout the project, I observed how powerful simple visuals can be when they are well-timed and well-composed. I realized that motion, rhythm, and color need to work together to create the right mood. For example, when the transitions were too fast, it felt rushed; when the colors didn’t match, the emotion felt unclear. Small adjustments in timing, layout, or animation style made a big difference in the overall result. I also learned the importance of testing and rendering in parts so I could spot and fix problems early.

 Findings

This project allowed me to explore how motion graphics can be used to convey a brand’s emotional tone within a short, impactful video. From the initial brainstorming and moodboard development to sketching, storyboarding, and final animation, I gained a deeper understanding of how visual rhythm, color, and character motion work together to communicate a feeling.
Working with the Jellycat brand, I focused on expressing softness, warmth, and playfulness through gentle movements, pastel colors, and carefully timed transitions. Throughout the process, I learned how to refine my ideas—such as adjusting timing, improving character interaction, and enhancing visual flow—based on feedback and test renders. This helped me realize the importance of iteration in animation.
Overall, the project not only strengthened my technical skills in After Effects, such as masking, layering, and keyframe control, but also improved my ability to tell a visual story with clarity and emotion. It was a valuable experience in balancing creativity and structure.