Flash Development

Flash Animation is a growing field in the interactive sector of graphic design. It is being used in anything from animated 2D cartoons and films to highly interactive teaching tools and research. Many web sites and web-related materials are being created using flash.

I have three samples that are created for web purposes and one sample that could be used either for web promotions or television commercials. I have developed an e-greeting card which could is being used for promotional purposes, several elements for a site which are used for both navigational & promotional purposes, and a web banner which is designed to promote a specific company.

The final piece is an example of kinetic typography. This style has been adopted by many companies such as Ford Motor Company and TruTV within television commercials to add visual interest to the script. Kinetic typography is a very effective way of conveying meaning and emotion using the script from a speech or song lyrics with vector art and typography.

Flash Elements for the Web

Various Flash-based elements can be created for web purposes. Many of the elements used within sites are used as navigation to other areas of the site or as interactive elements to entertain the viewer. In the case of the three described elements here, the navigational purposes apply.

For the Indianapolis Chamber Orchesta's website, I have developed two scrollers displaying concert information and an interactive seating chart of the orchestra members. All designs and photographs were done by another individual, my job was to develop the scrollers in flash and embed them into the site.

The scrollers are entirely XML-based, allowing 1 file to be updated for content. The seating chart is directly linked to the page to display the various sections by changing the source of the content box. All elements were developed using ActionScript 3.0 to function.

The working versions of the described elements can be found at www.icomusic.org. The scrollers can be found on the Index and Concerts pages and the seating chart is located on the Musicians page.

eGreeting Card

eCards can be used for a variety of purposes. Most people know them from the email cards sent for special occasions in place of a paper card in the mail. However, many corporations have developed a new use for eCards, promotion.

The short video cards have began to take the place of static flyers and simple memos. They give the viewer more of a dynamic content approach that allows more information to be remembered. Many times the content of the cards will be something like information regarding a meeting or conference.

This card was developed for the American Teleservices Association regarding a conference about the do not call lists. Its a simple animated card with static images, music, and voice over. The text is synced witht the audio to highlight key areas of the speech to stimulate the viewer to retain more content then they would if they just read a memo or flyer.

Web Banner

The purpose of a web banner is to catch the attention of a user browsing one site and attract them to another site or entice them to make a purchase or attend an event. This banner is designed as an ad for the Scion brand of cars.

The banner features the three models of vehicles scion produces. Each model's specs are listed to give the viewer a snipit of information regarding the model. The banner also includes the company logo and two key taglines.

To add even more dynamic content to the banner, an array of commercials have been included at the click of the model buttons. This gives the user more interactivity, keeping their attention on the brand even longer than just a static banner would.

Kinetic Typography

Kinetic Typography is the use of movement in type to tell and convey the meaning of a story. It can creatively be used in conjunction with song lyrics or video dialogue to give the user an intensified sense of emotion without having any performers on screen.

My kinetic type piece takes a couple verses and the chorus from the Limp Bizkit song 'Break Stuff'. The goal was to find a song with a lot of emotion and convey the emotion and theme of the song without ever seeing the band play. The lyrics of the song talk about mainly having a bad day and wanting to be left alone in this dark time.

I used a couple different type faces to convey the emotions and actions described in the lyrics, as well as, a color scheme that fit the band and also conveyed the dark meaning. The dirty brick and dark sky imagery enhance the angery feeling of the song.