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Graphics In Motion

By Smashing Editorial, January 28th, 2008 in Graphics, Inspiration | 50 Comments | Forum

Graphics doesn’t need to be static or fixed: it can float, jump, fly, dance around and transform in different forms. Once you set visual elements in motion, you can achieve stunning results which would be far too difficult to achieve otherwise. And in fact, there are a number of stunning examples of how this can be done.

The so-called motion graphics is often used in ad spots, music videos and movies. However, sometimes it can also be used for data visualization or live installations (e.g. on buildings). In all these cases designers have a huge space to explore their creativity.

In this post we present some excellent examples of videos in which graphics are set in motion. In most videos graphics dominates, but it can also support the content.

You might want to take a closer look

at the category Monday Inspiration where we’ve covered some graphic motion works over the last months,
and particularly at the article Typography in Motion which describes what effects can be achieved once the letters are set in motion.

All links lead directly to Quicktime-versions of the videos which is why you might need some traffic to load them. These pieces simply don’t deserve to be watched in low-quality on YouTube.

Graphics In Motion

Feet Want Out
Well, that’s pretty colorful. You don’t have to be shrooming to experience mind bending psychedelicalness. See what the world looks like through the perspective of a day dreaming foot. Interesting concept, excellent execution.

Sonaka Delivery
That’s what can come out of a simple water drop. Stunning.

The War
“Design-infused storytelling. We wanted to portray the struggles between conformity and individuality; the games we play in our own minds; being a pawn in society. The artistry ultimately stems from taking two contrary things and making a third something from their collision.”

The Hours
So freaky, yet convenient and fascinating. Notice how the music perfectly fits into the scene. A music video production by Jonas Odel. [via MotionGraphics]

Lovebirds
Unique, beautiful and yet so simple. A story of two birds in this advertising spot for Motley Bird.

Screenshot

We Work For Them Installation
A graphic motion piece prepared for the We Work For Them promo.

Screenshot

Underground Spot
An advertisement of a metro. Take beneath the surface.

Natl.tv
The “Attractive Prices” spot for British Airways. Very gentle, soft play of colors. Two 30-second spots.

Siemens Blocks
Thousands of smallest blocks come up together to build the entire world. An ad spot for Siemens, by MassMarket studio.

Art Connects spot
4 independently moving screens comprise to make one large canvas in the plaza — a commons that is the gathering place for all ages. Reflecting its context the pieces are about imagination as portrayed by art and music, core experiences that connect us all.

Samaritans: Vectorscope
The transformation effects are quite impressive. Great attention to detail.

LanternFish
A compact graphic motion reference on lantern fishes. Do you know how Ipnops Murrayi in Gulf of Mexico looks like? By Adam Gault.

Zune Arts — Masks
One of the numerous Zune graphic motion movies, directed and produced by Pandapanther.

Guiness Dot
What can come out of a simple dot? A line, a drawing, a masterpiece, a world… a beer! By Psyop. [via MotionoGrapher]

Smirnoff Commercial
Excellent use of 3D in this 60-second advertising spot for Smirnoff.

Screenshot

Rhythm of Lines
A simple and beautiful ad spot for Audi. Simple lines can sometimes suffice. By BBH.

Magnetosphere
Probably one of the most colorful music visualizations ever created.

Sources and Resources

Mograph Wiki

MoGraph Forum

‘boards screening room

Published in Graphics, Inspiration, January 28th, 2008
Tags: Graphics, inspiration, motion, videos

1.

Bughy (January 28th, 2008, 2:18 am)

Really cool post! The War is so cool! and the Smirnoff commercials, too.
2.

Lucian Marin (January 28th, 2008, 2:19 am)

The British Airways spots are really cool and nice.
3.

Shane (January 28th, 2008, 2:23 am)

Magentosphere is stunning! Thanks for another great list.
4.

Christopher Hill (January 28th, 2008, 2:30 am)

Some pretty cool animations there.
5.

Raj from BlogHash.com (January 28th, 2008, 2:48 am)

Very nice post! How do you collect such good things for your post?
6.

K.K.Shankar (January 28th, 2008, 4:00 am)

Nice Collection. Fantastic work. Expecting lot from u
7.

Chris Vincent (January 28th, 2008, 4:28 am)

Looks like we’ve got another kicker of a post… It seems as though these guys have way too much time on their hands to sort through a good collection of info the bring out the best :D
8.

pokedstudio (January 28th, 2008, 4:43 am)

Great stuff as usual.

Love quirky animations, will have to get round to updating my portfolio with some soon.

cheers
9.

dilly keney (January 28th, 2008, 4:54 am)

This is one of the best post of your blog posts, i like it very much. You have nicely designed your website with user friendly nature. Its very nice to read it. Thanx for the post.

Link [www.bessnet.com]
10.

Eoin (January 28th, 2008, 7:40 am)

Once again you’ve come up with high quality goods! Thanks!
11.

5011 (January 28th, 2008, 8:36 am)

I love monday inspirationnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
12.

Andrés Ayala (January 28th, 2008, 8:57 am)

Nice list, gotta see this web too . 2000+ motion graphics videos: reels, commercials….. etc.etc.etc.
you can sort a good Collection from here….
13.

Starfeeder (January 28th, 2008, 9:35 am)

Awesome stuff in deed :D
14.

gr8pixel (January 28th, 2008, 9:45 am)

wow!
15.

imaginepaolo (January 28th, 2008, 10:49 am)

Beatiful list! thanks…
16.

Angela (January 28th, 2008, 12:05 pm)

I love your site, it is one of my top inspirations of all-time, but the English major in me needs very badly to point out that:

In this post we present some excellent examples of videos in which graphics is set in motion.

Should be:

In this post we present some excellent examples of videos in which graphics ARE set in motion.
17.

Vitaly Friedman & Sven Lennartz (January 28th, 2008, 3:11 pm)

@Angela: thank you, we’ve fixed it.
18.

Ken (January 28th, 2008, 4:42 pm)

Thank you very much for this awesome post! You made my monday…I`m looking forward for the next Monday Inspiration!
19.

dharma (January 28th, 2008, 9:58 pm)

Thank you for another inspiration, one way it is good that we have less motion nowadays thou… man there used to be a time when a 1 minute flash intro in full motion used to welcome every major site. Somebody remember the old balthasers.com?
20.

Sarah (January 29th, 2008, 3:17 am)

wow…its a great stuff as usual you did. Amazing monday inspiration!
21.

wouter (January 29th, 2008, 3:52 am)

You got to check Link [www.snyvo.com]
the video is better than the music but it’s nice to watch
22.

Andy Montoya (January 29th, 2008, 8:33 am)

The Sonaka look likes Brazilian Havaianas!!! o_O
23.

carina (February 4th, 2008, 12:44 pm)

cool animation here.the author has great inspiration
24.

Kunal (February 7th, 2008, 10:48 am)

for the first time i found sthg not v interesting on sm !
25.

Acronyms (February 11th, 2008, 3:56 am)

Bookmarked. Thanks.
26.

pwenzel (February 20th, 2008, 9:20 am)

I would speculate that the Siemens video idea was ripped off from the Pleix Films video called “Sometimes”, with the soundtrack by Kid 606.

For comparison, see the video posted here: Link [www.pleix.net]
27.

Miracle studios — web design company (June 12th, 2008, 9:00 pm)

Great motion graphics

i am impressed

Take a glimpse at our award winning web design : Link [www.miraclestudios.in]
28.

Dave Wirken (June 13th, 2008, 9:00 pm)

Greetings,
Any ideas to record these amazing videos for personal purposes ? A software perhaps?
TQ
29.

brian (October 16th, 2008, 3:11 am)

If you want inspiration for video backgrounds and themes, take a look at Anistock, Link [www.anistock.com]
30.

David Henderson (February 24th, 2009, 9:04 am)

LOVE the Guiness Dot! and the smirnoff advert!
31.

mukti (May 12th, 2009, 11:20 am)

hi really i check this 1st time but its very nice and helpfull.
32.

juanzi (May 31st, 2009, 4:29 am)

“feet want out ” is wonderful！