Graphic Design - Television/Video
Static Graphics - Graphics that do not move on the screen
Graphics are everywhere on the television and computer screens today. They have become an important "production element" to enhance a television or video production.
Well designed graphics present information in a visually interesting way without stealing the show! The graphic "look" is an important part of creating an identity or branding a TV show, TV station or TV network. Virtually all Youtube content creator have their own distinctive and identifiable graphic look.
Whether for television, the web or print, learning to create visually engaging graphics can lead to a personally satisfying and lucrative creative career.
Static Graphics - Graphics that do not move on the screen
Graphics are everywhere on the television and computer screens today. They have become an important "production element" to enhance a television or video production.
Well designed graphics present information in a visually interesting way without stealing the show! The graphic "look" is an important part of creating an identity or branding a TV show, TV station or TV network. Virtually all Youtube content creator have their own distinctive and identifiable graphic look.
Whether for television, the web or print, learning to create visually engaging graphics can lead to a personally satisfying and lucrative creative career.
Full Page Exemplars
A few examples of professionally produced "full page" graphics used by television networks.
A few examples of professionally produced "full page" graphics used by television networks.
Introduction to Graphic Design
Examples of 5 commonly used graphics for video production
On-set Graphic Designs
3 Tips to create professional looking graphics
Keep it Simple
(But not too simple!)
In other words, the tendency of beginner graphic designers is to include too many different design elements so that their graphic design to grab attention. Beginner designers will mix in too many colours and too many font choices with the hope it looks good. Resist this urge. Usually 2 or 3 colours and fonts are enough to create an eye catching but professional looking design.
Hierarchy
Create hierarchy of graphic elements. What will standout to the viewer first, second...
Not all graphic elements should have the same visual emphasis as others. For example, on a lower third graphic the written text identifying the speaker and their connection to the topic is probably the most important information. The text must standout to be easily legible. The colours and shapes/logos used add visual interest without being distracting.
Consistency
Be consistent with layout, colours and typography within a single video item
Creating and using graphics that have a common and consistent "look" is critical to successfully create what is referred to as a "graphic" package for a video item or entire show. Consistent graphics become an identifiable branding of the video item. Be consistent in sale, alignment, colours, logos used in a design. A lower third should have exactly the same look as all others in a video. The only information that should change is the written text which provides the viewer with information about the speaker.
Techniques for Creating Hierarchy within a graphic design
4 Design Principles
Use these techniques for best results when beginning graphic design.
You will likely be very successful creating a graphic which is visually pleasing graphics.
1. Scale - we tend to notice largest design elements first
2. Positioning/Alignment - We read left to right. Position graphic elements so they lead our eyes - left to right/top to bottom
3. Font style - select a font style that is easily read (often "Sans Serif").
Remember, a graphic is only on the screen for about 5 seconds. Selecting a font that is difficult to
4. Colour - Choosing colours is the most difficult aspect of designing graphics.
Use a maximum of 2 colours combined with white and/or black. Too many colours confuse the viewer and can make the graphic information difficult to read. Colours can be inspired by the theme of the item or the show. Example: This is close to (not exact) Castlebooke green which is why I use throughout my website
Assignment 1: Inspirational TV Graphic
Part 1 - Photoshop Graphic
In Photoshop, students will create a static graphic for high definition television based on the lessons, tools and techniques taught in class. Students will create a lower thirds television graphic based on an iconic inspirational figure in their life.
Part 2 - After Effects
In After Effects, students will animate the completed Lower Thirds TV graphic from Part 1. Students are required to animate each element of the graphic using the lessons, tools and techniques taught in class.
Photoshop Inspirational Graphic
Objective is to create a custom Lower Third which demonstrate understanding of key design principles, such as; hierarchy, contrast, alignment, proximity. The design will have a harmony of colours (colour scheme) that compliment the chosen background graphic subject.
Make sure the person you choose is school appropriate. Also select an image that will suit a lower third graphic - high quality image and overall theme of the image will lend itself for a lower third name graphic.
Keep in mind that your graphic design will be animated in After Effects - make sure images and shapes are complete on the screen.
Stage 1
Create a Google Slide
Research
Stage 2
Design "board"
Stage 4
Create your graphic in Photoshop
Work Submission to d2l Inspirational Graphic Inbox
1. Submit your Google Slides Design Board
Include an image of your final design on the last page of the board
Part 1 - Photoshop Graphic
In Photoshop, students will create a static graphic for high definition television based on the lessons, tools and techniques taught in class. Students will create a lower thirds television graphic based on an iconic inspirational figure in their life.
Part 2 - After Effects
In After Effects, students will animate the completed Lower Thirds TV graphic from Part 1. Students are required to animate each element of the graphic using the lessons, tools and techniques taught in class.
Photoshop Inspirational Graphic
Objective is to create a custom Lower Third which demonstrate understanding of key design principles, such as; hierarchy, contrast, alignment, proximity. The design will have a harmony of colours (colour scheme) that compliment the chosen background graphic subject.
Make sure the person you choose is school appropriate. Also select an image that will suit a lower third graphic - high quality image and overall theme of the image will lend itself for a lower third name graphic.
Keep in mind that your graphic design will be animated in After Effects - make sure images and shapes are complete on the screen.
Stage 1
Create a Google Slide
- This slide presentation will include the 4 stages of the assignment - at least 1 page per Stage
- Make sure your images are organized and good us of space on the page(s) is used
Research
- Select images 2 images of 2 people that you would like to consider creating a lower third graphic.
- Place the 4 (total images) for the 2 people with titles under each pic as to why you like the person and why you like this image.
- Choose 1 person and 1 images to continue the assignment
Stage 2
Design "board"
- next page of google slides - create a design inspiration board for the person of your choice
- Include "artifacts" that include design inspirations that connect to your person. Include things such as logos, connections to their interests, colours and perhaps textures that are inspired by the image
- 2 layout design sketches developed to show different lower thirds design layouts
Stage 4
Create your graphic in Photoshop
- Includes all four graphic elements as follows:
- 3 shapes minimum (1 shape acts as a text line separator)
- 1 logo/image minimum - The logo must be re-created using shapes and the pen tool (trace original)
- 2 lines of text - Line 1: Name Line 2: important information about your subject/topic
- Hierarchy in the design
- Alignment and position of graphic elements are organized lead the eye
- All graphic elements work well together as complete design
- Typography (font style and size) must complement the graphic elements and the chosen person of inspiration
- Colour scheme must complement the graphic elements and the chosen person of inspiration
- Main image of inspirational person must follow the “Rule of Thirds” and favour the left vertical line or be center aligned
- Downloaded images must be high quality (minimum of 1920 x 1080 pixels)
- No distortion or stretching of downloaded images
- Downloaded images must not include any graphic elements (ie: shapes, text, or logos)
- All layers must be given a name that identifies the layer content appropriately
Work Submission to d2l Inspirational Graphic Inbox
1. Submit your Google Slides Design Board
Include an image of your final design on the last page of the board
- Submit Photoshop file (.psd) and image file .jpg in your folder separately for marking
- Files named as “Student Name_Lower Thirds Inspire TV GFX”
Colour Theory
Choosing a colour scheme is hard to do!
Deciding on which colours to choose for any design is quite difficult. However, as difficult as it is, choosing colours is an extremely important aspect of graphic design. It can take years of experience to "train" our eyes to see colour combinations that work well together. Combining multiple colours in a single design is called a colour scheme.
Science of colour
Using the "Colour Wheel"
One approach that is applied when starting out is using the colour wheel. This document shows how the colour wheel is used to help pick colour combinations that complement each other.
Another Approach is to use a colour picking tool to help decide which colours work well together. Adobe has an excellent tool for creating a colour scheme. The basic concept is to pick your main colour - known as the Base colour and then select a colour rule to determine colours that would compliment the base colour.
https://color.adobe.com/create
Choosing a colour scheme is hard to do!
Deciding on which colours to choose for any design is quite difficult. However, as difficult as it is, choosing colours is an extremely important aspect of graphic design. It can take years of experience to "train" our eyes to see colour combinations that work well together. Combining multiple colours in a single design is called a colour scheme.
Science of colour
Using the "Colour Wheel"
One approach that is applied when starting out is using the colour wheel. This document shows how the colour wheel is used to help pick colour combinations that complement each other.
Another Approach is to use a colour picking tool to help decide which colours work well together. Adobe has an excellent tool for creating a colour scheme. The basic concept is to pick your main colour - known as the Base colour and then select a colour rule to determine colours that would compliment the base colour.
https://color.adobe.com/create
Graphic Creation Exemplar
Re-create this lower third graphic. The image is of Gord Downie of the iconic Canadian music group "The Tragically Hip."
Gord Downie is more than the lead singer of Tragically Hip. He has been a faithful advocate of native Canadian issues. He is battling a terminal form of brain cancer but performed in the group's farewell tour in the summer of 2016.
Re-create this lower third graphic. The image is of Gord Downie of the iconic Canadian music group "The Tragically Hip."
Gord Downie is more than the lead singer of Tragically Hip. He has been a faithful advocate of native Canadian issues. He is battling a terminal form of brain cancer but performed in the group's farewell tour in the summer of 2016.
Graphic Identity Assignment
Duration: 2 Periods
Online, find and download an example of each type of commonly used graphic. Present the 6 exemplars you have chosen in 1 Photoshop document.
1. Full page
2. Lower Third
3. Slab - left or right
4. On-Set
5. Bug
6. Ticker
Duration: 2 Periods
Online, find and download an example of each type of commonly used graphic. Present the 6 exemplars you have chosen in 1 Photoshop document.
- Pay close attention to the alignment of the images on the page - be consistent with tops and edges of each image on the page. Label each graphic identifying each type of graphic. See above.
- Choose black text and be consistent with font style, scale and position/alignment
1. Full page
2. Lower Third
3. Slab - left or right
4. On-Set
5. Bug
6. Ticker
Download the required graphic assets (files) from the links below
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Graphic Package Exemplars - Google Slides
After Effect Tutorials
Importing Photoshop Files into After Effects
Watch this tutorial courtesy of Mahalodotcom
Importing Photoshop Files into After Effects
Watch this tutorial courtesy of Mahalodotcom
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Animating Photoshop Files in After Effects
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EC Abrahams
He is an excellent resource on Youtube to learn a wide variety of visual effects. His tutorials tend to be for people who already have a basic knowledge of After Effects. Check him out online.
He is an excellent resource on Youtube to learn a wide variety of visual effects. His tutorials tend to be for people who already have a basic knowledge of After Effects. Check him out online.