Our Let’s Talk Art series has been going on for just over a year now, and with the growing interest & support from so many talented artists we decided to create a short video series. Hosted by PosterSpy founder Jack Woodhams, the Let’s Talk Art video series started by looking at four unique and equally brilliant artists.
No video is complete without engaging content. In order to create the “look” of the series, we reached out to motion designer Ploy Jeana Boal to create our Let’s Talk Art logo and animations seen in the videos. We love what she came up with, a combination of fun, creative and organic animations to set the vibe for the video to come.
Finally, the series has a new logo and we’re delighted to showcase it.
Intro and Animation – Ploy Jeana Boal
How did you develop the logo?
Research is the absolute key to any of my designs. I find it so hard to even start to develop basic concepts without research.
I wish I was one of those amazing artists that has concepts oozing out of every orifice, but lo, I am a mere collector.
The client specified a modern look that feels “alive”. I collected a tonne of research of routes I’d like to explore and started to work on forming a bespoke font and design style that fit the brief and that I was happy with.
As a motion designer, how do you typically work on a project, describe the process?
It’s all about staying up to date with current trends, constantly pushing yourself to create something new, different and challenging with every project.
I always start with research, It’s my favourite part of the design process because you have every option available to you. From there, I narrow my research down into a few different routes/looks and develop a couple of my favourite. I then work on a storyboard.
It can be a very simple one just as long as the basics are mapped out. After that, I begin designing the support elements such as logos, textures, shapes, paths, etc, and then jump into the programmes needed to make the animation. It’s a lot of experimenting and test rendering to see how the animation and style is developing before you finally have something you’re happy with. Finally, I send it off to the client and hope they don’t hate it!
What software did you use to create the animation?
I used Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects and cookies for this animation. Cookies fuel my creativity…… at least, that’s what I tell myself.
Work in progess using After Effects
Where can other people see your work?
I’m currently working on my website so for now, I just have my showreel which you can watch it here.
Sound Design and music – Aurélien Rubod
Motion graphics are not complete without great music. Music is often overlooked but it can really help pull together a project, especially when being used for transitions. We wanted the music to be evocative and to give a sense of the creative content that would be displayed in the video. Something up beat yet professional.
For the music, we approached Aurelien Rubod, who is the brother of Alexia, the artist featured in our first interview. Aurelien is based in Los Angeles and works as a composer day to day, we also asked him a few questions about the music he created for Ploy’s animations.
How did you begin developing the music for the intro?
This job came at an interesting timing because Alexia had just gone back to Berlin after spending 3 months with me in LA. We had lots of fun together, so I had plenty of happy moments to draw inspiration from. In particular, there were a few nights where we would go out with friends and find ourselves silly dancing to LCD Soundsystem. I tried to bring this aesthetic into this intro music, as a little tribute of sorts.
The music fits the movement in the animation, as a composer, what do you consider when creating music to fit visuals?
Ah yes, well that’s one of the best things about being a composer! I would go as far as saying that it is a process that creates meaning. It’s like the images are transparent to the sound. They follow it.
To me, the most successful projects are the ones where music considerations arrive early in the production process. It is a vital dimension of the storytelling, and I always feel very privileged when I get to work on projects where this is acknowledged.
What is your typical workflow and software to use when creating music?
Ableton Live is at the core of my setup. In terms of workflow, I try to keep the first intentions as playful as possible. It is a very exciting process to get into initially. Then, once I have an idea that I like I start refining the song over and over, and that’s usually when the crippling self-doubt kicks in.
I think it’s something that creatives in all fields experience. The initial excitement of finding something new, losing yourself in the details of it, and hopefully finding your vision again. I never take it for granted, but it is a nice feeling when things work out this way.
Where can people find out more about you or listen to your music?
All my projects, including my personal work, can be found on my website.
Speaking to Let’s Talk Art producer and host Jack Woodhams, he had this to say about the development of the project:
“I reached out to these guys after I’d seen and listened to their showreels, I knew just from a snippet of their work that both would be perfect for this project. Ploy, our motion designer was given 3 key words, fun, creative and organic. From that she was able to craft our intro which I think is just right for the series. The energy, the modern style, perfect.
I then gave Aurélien, the music composer the exact key words, and what he produced merged seamlessly with Ploy’s animation. I love the playful sounds, the spontaneous beats they really help the intro fit seamlessly into the content. It was great working with these two brilliant creators and having them put their stamp on the Let’s Talk Art series, which after all, celebrates creators.”
Aurélien Rubod in his studio
We hope you enjoyed the read.
Project Details
Let’s Talk Art animations:
Creative Direction: Jack Woodhams
Animation work and Logo design: Ploy Jeana Boal
Sound design: Aurélien Rubod
