Creating Graphics for the Real World

Over the past few decades, television networks have increased their competitive nature with other studios/brands and changed the way they distribute and display their graphic content to their viewers.

This content includes station logos, show openers, campaigns, announcements, music videos and more. Many television networks have developed their ID or station identification, which allows the audience to quickly identify the brand through promotional advertisements on television and real life. A

show opener promotes an upcoming program while staying true to the network’s established identity. Topical openers are mainly used on news programs to inform their viewers of what’s coming up on their programming, including stories and events that incorporate live-footage and typographic elements to make their broadcasts more appealing and to increase their value.

Show packages are systems containing video information assortments that are used to promote specific television programs and content. Interstitials are miniature-sized programs that air in between television events or programs.

Many of them are created to highlight important issues, people and even events, while a few others are made to promote the brand the network created. The ones intended for news programs are used to inform the audience about the story that’s coming up or as transitions from the studio anchor to live shots/pre-made packages.

Network packages are made up of elements, including eye-catching graphics to promote the television program. Bumpers are quick transitions to segway to commercial breaks from programming. Lower thirds combine moving graphics and text that appear on the bottom half of the screen to identify the station’s logo, presenter’s name and any content being featured.

Mortises are graphics that fill the entire screen and are used to frame the live video footage along with lower thirds. Lineups are there to inform viewers about the television programs that are upcoming along with upfronts that are organized to show fans what’s coming up on the network’s schedule for the next premiere season.

Tags appear at the beginning or end of a program, of any type to inform the audience on where they can find more information. Since the 1970s, broadcast designers have been given artistic opportunities because of promotional campaigns.

Televising campaigns are becoming more desirable every day due to production advertising and product sales, most of which are elaborately produced. PSAs or public service announcements are non-commercial spots to raise the public’s awareness of current issues that are plaguing the world today.

Nowadays, more and more production companies have incorporated motion graphics into their music videos as well as in pop culture. Many rules must be followed to create the perfect motion graphic for your piece, including utilizing different sized shots to bring out the drama and logic.

You must keep the shots interesting by placing your subject off-center. Blocking elements to create visuals while maintaining the conceptual hierarchy is just as important as keeping your frames consistent with the physical world around you and the story that you’ve been trying to tell.

It’s vital to keep the direction that you’re moving from frame to frame consistent as well as fit your segment in the timeframe given. Storyboarding is likely the most vital part of the entire process since it lays our your story and how it will appear on your digital timeline.

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Motion Graphics & The Internet

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Making Moving Pictures