The Theory and Practice of Motion Design
Critical Perspectives and Professional Practice

This collection offers an expansive, multiplatform exploration of the rapidly-expanding area of motion design and motion graphics, taking into account both theoretical questions and creative professional practice. Spanning interaction design, product interfaces, kinetic data visualizations, typography, TV and film title design, brand building, narrative storytelling, history, exhibits and environments, editors R. Brian Stone and Leah Wahlin offer an interdisciplinary range of academic essays and professional interviews that together form a dialogue between motion design theory and professional practice.

Written for both those critically engaged with motion design as well as those working or aspiring to work professionally in the field, the book features a range of international contributors and interviews with some of the best-known designers in the field, including Kyle Cooper, Karin Fong, and Daniel Alenquer.

The Theory and Practice of Motion Design seeks to illuminate the diverse, interdisciplinary field of motion design by offering a structured examination of how motion design has evolved, what forces define our current understanding and implementation of motion design, and how we can plan for and imagine the future of motion design as it unfolds.

An accompanying online resource site, www.motionresource.com, contains visual representations of the examples described in the text.

Introduction: A dialogue on the theory and practice of motion design - R. Brian Stone

Part 1: Theoretical Perspectives

Section 1: Interdisciplinary Influences and Origins

Liberating Words from the Printed Page - Dan Boyarski

The Evolution of the Motion Graphic Design Discipline Seen Through Its Definitions Over Time - Clarisa E. Carubin

Motion in Graphic Design: An Interdisciplinary Teaching Approach - Camila Afanador-Llach

Re-framing Design: Form, Meaning and Media - Jennifer Bernstein

Section 2: Communication Theory

Figures of Speech Applied to Motion Design - Bruno Ribeiro

On the Semiotics of Title Sequences: Three Modes of Text-Image Composition - Michael Betancourt

Towards the Cumulative Effect of Expository Motion Graphics: How Visual Explanations Resonate with Audiences - Spencer Barnes

Section 3: Science and Perception

Motion Attracts Attention - Elaine Froehlich

A conversation with Daniel Alenquer, Playerium

Part 2: Practice & Application

Section 1: Brand Building and Identities

A conversation with Guy Wolstenholme and Jon Hewitt, Moving Brands

Identities in Motion: Logo Introductions as Brand-Building Narratives - David Peacock

A conversation with Jakob Trollbäck, Trollbäck+Company

Section 2: Interface and Interaction Design

Navigating VOX/UI: The Integration of Motion in a Voice-Controlled

Information System - Andre Murnieks

A conversation with Jeff Arnold, Microsoft

Energetic Alpha: A Design Continuum Created Through Collaboration - Gretchen C. Rinnert, Aoife Mooney, and Marianne Martens

Section 3: Narrative and Storytelling

A conversation with Kyle Cooper, Prologue Films

The Blurry Intersection of Illustration and Motion Design - Adam Osgood

A conversation with Karin Fong, Imaginary Forces

Section 4: Space and Environment

Motion Design in the Context of Place - Cotter Christian and Catherine Normoyle

Motion Design and its Impact on Audiences – from Theory to Practice - Christina Lyons

Section 5: Experimental Visualizations & New Applications

Fragmented Motion: Split-Screen and Asynchronous Video - Steven Hoskins

A conversation with Isabel Meirelles, author of Design for Information

A conversation with Matt Pasternack, InfoMotion

Section 6: Educating Motion Designers

Notes on Education - R. Brian Stone

Teaching Motion Literacy through Music Visualization - Heather Shaw

Conversations on Educating Motion Designers

Kyle Cooper

Daniel Alenquer

Karin Fong

Guy Wolstenholme and Jon Hewitt

Isabel Meirelles

Jakob Trollbäck

Index

R. Brian Stone works in the area of motion design, interaction design, information visualization, and user experience, and is an Associate Professor of Design at The Ohio State University. His work has garnered numerous awards for design excellence, and he has held visiting appointments at the National University of Singapore, Escola Superior de Desenho Industrial in Brazil, and Universidad Americana Managua in Nicaragua.

Leah Wahlin’s academic background in English literature and composition pedagogy is layered with professional experience in content development and project management. She brings her interest in the intersections of technology, design, and strategic communication to her role teaching technical and professional communications in the Department of Engineering Education at The Ohio State University.