Creating a Mesmerizing Number One Animation in After Effects

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Choosing the Number
3. Sketching in Procreate
4. Creating Assets in Illustrator
5. Color Selection
6. Adding Shadows in Photoshop
7. Importing Files to After Effects
8. Working on Camera Flash
9. Creating the Background
10. Looping Camera Movement
11. Applying the Warp Effect
12. Adding Flashes and Textures
13. Final Touches and Effects
14. Conclusion

Creating the Number One Animation in After Effects

Have You ever wondered how to Create a mesmerizing animation using After Effects? In this article, I will guide you through my step-by-step process of creating the number one animation using After Effects.

1. Introduction

The number one animation was part of a larger collaborative project on the theme of numerology, organized by Fede Cook. The challenge was to choose a number and create a short looping animation Based on the number's meaning in numerology.

2. Choosing the Number

After careful consideration, I chose the number one. I wanted to explore the more negative aspects associated with this number, such as self-centeredness and egotism.

3. Sketching in Procreate

To kickstart the creative process, I began sketching my ideas in Procreate. I wanted to visually portray the negative traits associated with the number one, capturing the essence of its meaning.

4. Creating Assets in Illustrator

Once I had a clear vision for the animation, I moved to Illustrator to create the final assets. I focused on the shapes and values, leaving the color selection for later stages.

5. Color Selection

Deciding on the color scheme proved to be a challenge for me. I usually postpone this step until I have a better understanding of the overall composition. Eventually, I settled on an intense Blue color for the number one to create a striking contrast.

6. Adding Shadows in Photoshop

To add depth and dimension to the animation, I used Photoshop to draw shadows for the camera flashes. I prefer drawing natural shapes by HAND with a Wacom pen, as it gives a more organic feel to the animation.

7. Importing Files to After Effects

With the assets ready, it was time to bring everything into After Effects. I imported the files and organized them into separate compositions for easier editing and manipulation.

8. Working on Camera Flash

One of the key elements of the animation was the camera flash effect. I created four flash layers, each representing a different angle of the camera flash. By altering the opacity property, I achieved a flashing effect that added excitement to the animation.

9. Creating the Background

For the background, I used two solid layers - one blue and one yellow - with a mask applied to create a gradient effect. I also utilized the dissolve blending mode to give the background a dreamy and mystical feel.

10. Looping Camera Movement

To create an illusion of the cameras rotating behind the number one, I employed a looping movement. By duplicating and aligning camera comps in a specific pattern, I achieved a seamless rotation effect.

11. Applying the Warp Effect

To enhance the overall composition, I added a Bezier Warp effect to create an arcing effect on the cameras. This gave the impression of the cameras rotating around in a cylinder-like motion.

12. Adding Flashes and Textures

To add visual interest, I incorporated flashes and textured elements to the animation. These elements, combined with the looping texture video, provided a dynamic and hand-drawn look to the animation.

13. Final Touches and Effects

In the final stages, I made some adjustments to optimize the animation. I added flashes, adjusted the frame rate, and applied a turbulent displace layer to enhance the distressed edge effect.

14. Conclusion

In conclusion, creating the number one animation in After Effects was an exhilarating creative Journey. By exploring numerology and utilizing various techniques in After Effects, I was able to bring the animation to life. I hope this article has inspired you to try your hand at animation and explore the endless possibilities of After Effects. Remember, the only limit is your imagination!