Motion Graphics Loops: 3 Analog Techniques, the Phonotrope

Learn how to create a Phonotrope—a looping animation for motion graphics or web design—using a record player, Adobe Photoshop, and After Effects.

Learn how to create looping animations using analog elements that can be filmed with a camera and then refined in programs like After Effects. The "Phonotrope" technique shown in this course uses the rotations of a record player to create the illusion of motion.The Phonotrope was created by Jim Le Fevre in 2006. Owen Lowery provides instructions on creating paper animation loops by hand, then going back and forth from the computer to plan and execute a more advanced animation using After Effects and Photoshop.

You'll get hands on and color, cut, paste, and draw and, along the way, learn about the logistics of player speeds, frames, video capture, and lighting. In the final chapter, you'll get tips and inspiration for taking your Phonotrope to the next level with transparency and mixed media.

Introduction

• Welcome
• What you should know
• Exercise files

1. Frames, Speed & Settings

• Record player speed
• Animation frame settings

2. Lighting & Shooting a Phonotrope

• Lighting a Phonotrope
• Camera settings for shooting a Phonotrope

3. Phonotrope Guides

• Using Phonotrope guides
• Designing a Phonotrope guide in Adobe Illustrator
• Creating a larger circle guide from a printout
• Determining frame size for a Phonotrope guide
• Designing a Phonotrope guide in Photoshop: Frames
• Designing a Phonotrope guide in Photoshop: Cut guides
• Designing a Phonotrope guide in Photoshop: Finishing

4. Preparing After Effects Animation for a Phonotrope

• After Effects animation for a Phonotrope
• Adding animation frames to guide for print

5. Phonotrope Tips & Inspiration

• Working with transparencies
• Animation on the backside of of a Phonotrope
• Tests, tests, tests!

Conclusion

• Next steps