Concepts

#1

Hey everyone, i just finished my diploma in graphics and i was thinking to pursue Motion Graphics as a career choice and i started making my portfolio, i did some little animation clips but when i watched the reel of other designers on this site and some on other sites and compare that to my work, my work started to look like trash to me, its not flashy like some of the reels and don’t look complex enough.

In some of the reels i watched recently, they did some amazing work with expressions in Aftereffects and i know or can figure out the expressions that was use for those shots but problem is i can’t figure out the concepts or what to make cuz if i imitate the same scene that i watched in someone’s reel i’ll be cheating and in some cases i can’t imitate it even though i know how they(original designer) did it.

I don’t know if it is right to ask but can u guys help me with some ideas or show me a point from where i can start to make a reel of my own that can compare or come a little bit close with the reels of some experience designer.

#2

I definitly know how you feel with being a bit overwhelmed by professional reels compared to my own. What’s worst for me is reading the comments of a fantastic peice of work and seeing it get railed against by other professionals that think it’s crap. Makes me always think “Oh gosh, if that’s crap then I hate to think what my work is like…”

That said, I think you are probably close to being on the right track already. For me a good way to learn is to find inspiration, and then think about making something similar as an excercise. Chances are you will learn a few things along the way that you can put towards your own original ideas. Once you’ve got something together, don’t immediatly stop. Keep at it and think of ways you can make it better.

I tend to work on alot of low-budget projects where I can make something shiny in after effects in a few minutes and clients are happy. Often times if you want to make something spectacular, you have to keep revisiting it. You have to keep adding, taking away, piling on and gutting it till you end up with something you really want to throw on your reel. I find my best work is done when I have people giving me lots of feedback and working to refine the small details, so don’t be afraid to step back and take a look at the big picture.

Finnally, don’t give up. Keep learning, lurking on forums and viewing professional work. There’s no real instant solution besides taking the time to practice it.

If you’re building a reel for the first time, maybe think about putting together projects that showcase proficiency in specific concepts, like moving typography, keying and compositing, particles and simulations. If you can, think about mixing 3D and 2D. If you have access to a 3D program, that opens up a whole new world of what you can do, even if you can only do the most basic modelling and texturing.

Sorry about not offering up any specific ideas just yet, I will try and think of some…

#3

thx alot for the useful advice Iaenic, ur post really boost up my confidence, i’ll try my lvl best to make my skills even better.
and any useful tips abt. AE or concept abt. an animation will be appreciated big time.
once again thx alot

#4

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