Method Financial
The opportunity to give the greatest
message with a single motion graphics piece.
Introduction:
Method Financial underwent a website overhaul to enhance its online presence, aiming to immediately convey their value. Entrusted with this crucial responsibility, I led the creation of the first motion graphics piece to greet users upon website arrival. This case study explores the conception and execution of this attention-grabbing motion graphics element, which plays a pivotal role in defining Method Financials' refreshed digital identity.
Objective:
Communicate to users that Method is a comprehensive solution for managing their credit card debt in one convenient platform. The real challenge lay in presenting this concept clearly and simplifying it for easy comprehension.
1
Ideation & Refinement
2
Execution
3
Integration with Website
4
Results & Impact
Ideation & Refinement
As a team, we convened for numerous meetings during which the concept of the piece underwent at least three significant changes. The most gratifying aspect was distilling these iterations into the simplest yet clearest idea.
Execution: a challenge of simplicity.
We encountered two major challenges throughout the process: simplicity and integration. Initially, integrating a specific effect into the piece posed difficulties. Despite its impressive appearance in the creation software (After Effects), attempting to render it as a .json file for Lottie proved problematic due to the current limitations on supporting such intricate effects. Specifically, we aimed to incorporate a drop shadow with a feather alteration, which ultimately presented technical hurdles. Subsequently, we faced another obstacle when the project encountered rendering issues post-editing. Exporting Lottie animations from After Effects proved to be a complex task, necessitating a specific skill set that I honed during this project. Successful export settings and the utilization of various plugins were essential to generate a Lottie animation from After Effects suitable for integration into web design.
Integration with Website:
Following several iterations and refinements, the programming and development team seamlessly integrated the piece into the website. The process of implementing a Lottie file from After Effects was inherently intricate, demanding meticulous attention to detail to achieve the desired quality and motion. Despite its complexity, the team's dedication ensured its flawless integration, making it a standout representation of our project's essence encapsulated within a vital yet straightforward animation.
Results & Impact:
Upon presentation, stakeholders were notably impressed by the impactful nature of this piece. This outcome brought immense satisfaction to both myself and the entire team, affirming that the extensive iterations and redesigns were indeed worthwhile. Ultimately, the client's satisfaction serves as a powerful motivator for designers like myself, propelling us to continually strive for excellence and explore new design techniques, as exemplified by the valuable insights gained from this project.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, this project presented a unique learning experience for me as a designer. I encountered numerous obstacles throughout its execution, marking the first instance where I created a piece fully compliant with web design standards. A significant takeaway was gaining a deep understanding of Adobe After Effects' functionalities and the existing limitations when creating Lottie animations. This newfound knowledge is invaluable, and I eagerly anticipate implementing it in future projects while continuing to expand my skill set in this area.
Full Animation
Credits:
Before concluding, I extend my gratitude for taking the time to read through my case study. I trust you found it as insightful as I found it enlightening. I would also like to express my heartfelt appreciation to my two superiors on this project, whose unwavering support and guidance were instrumental in its completion. Their belief in my abilities, especially during moments of doubt, played a pivotal role in achieving the quality of work that was ultimately delivered.
Arnold Sandoval
John Intrater
