Melissa Morgan & Gabriel Patti
University of Waterloo
University of Waterloo
Category: Animation
Work Title: Elements
Country: Canada
Work Title: Elements
Country: Canada
Description
Elements was created as an entry for the University of Waterloo’s annual Christie Design award in which it took first place. The 30-second looping animation consists of over 600 hand drawn frames and was completed in an intensive two day session. Viewers are taken on a journey in which the four co-existential elements of earth, wind, fire, and water signify the cyclical process of life.
Communication Objective
Elements was created as an entry for the University of Waterloo’s annual Christie Design award in which it took first place. The 30-second looping animation consists of over 600 hand drawn frames and was completed in an intensive two day session. Viewers are taken on a journey in which the four co-existential elements of earth, wind, fire, and water signify the cyclical process of life.
Communication Objective
Our objective was to demonstrate how the synergy of nature’s vital forces results in flourishing life.
There are four movements to the piece, each portraying one of the four elements in action. The video begins and ends with a water droplet, the cyclical giver of life. From the soil grows a tree that breathes life into a tiger. Viewers are then thrust into the tiger’s maw to observe a feather floating in the wind. A metamorphosis occurs between air and fire, as viewers are lead up the fiery belly of a dragon that belches flames onto the screen. These flames coalesce into an eye. A tear falls and is caught, turning into a heart that signifies the co-existentialism of happiness and sadness. Balloons disperse in all directions leaving a water droplet which drips from an infinity symbol to represent the process beginning anew.
Process
The 600 silhouette images were individually drawn in sequence and altered using Illustrator and Photoshop. The team placed each drawing onto a 1920 x 1080 canvas and cut out the centre, leaving behind a transparent silhouette with a black background. The images were sewn together using After Effects while a variety of hand selected videos played on the layer below. The music was edited using Audition. Finally, the visuals and audio were synced together with Premiere Pro.
Adobe Tools
Adobe Premiere Pro
After Effects® CC
Audition®
Photoshop
Illustrator
