You will be creating a 5-10 second logo animation from a pre-existing logo. The logo can be your own design, an existing client of yours, or one of the stock examples I will provide.

If you do client work, this will be one of the most frequent things you’ll be asked to animate, so let’s get cracking on that practice now!

You will:

Plan out how to animate for the style
Set up the file within AE and separate each element to its own layer or shape
Build up your fluid animation using basic and simple techniques, and
Export your logo for final use

The tone and style of the animation can be anything, from fast-paced and busy, dynamic and fluid, to slow and elegant. Simplicity is key after all, so don’t worry too much about making the next Universal logo.

I will have you export two versions of your finished animation: one on a simple colour/gradient background, and one on an alpha channel (transparent layer).

If you’re new to After Effects, I recommend checking out this beginner’s course here:

https://creativemarket.com/blog/after-effects-beginners-tutorials - to get to grips with how the basic layout and UI works.

If you’re unfamiliar with the 12 principles of animation, please either read this guide:

https://www.creativebloq.com/advice/understand-the-12-principles-of-animation
Or watch this video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDqjIdI4bF4 - this will help you get a better eye for making quick decisions with these techniques.

*NOTICE ABOUT USING COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL*

If you are going to use a client’s or another existing logo, please make sure you have permission to use it. In general, most images are covered by Fair Use for education purposes, but you usually cannot use it or post it outside class. Copyright law is tricky and differs per country, so I recommend not using them if you can.

Chelsi Balfour

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