Motion Graphics Case Study: Historical Book Promo

Ahmed Elshwemy

Graphic Designer

Motion Designer

Video Editor

Adobe After Effects

Adobe Photoshop

Instagram

Historical Book Promo: A Study in Motion Design Principles

Project Overview

Created a 10-second promotional video for a historical book about Palestine and the Levant, transforming academic content into an engaging motion graphics piece using digital collage techniques and considered typography.

Technical Specifications

Duration: 27 seconds

Platform: Instagram

Software: Adobe After Effects

Style: Digital Historical Collage

Design Philosophy & Technical Approach

Visual Language

Art Direction: Digital collage aesthetic merging historical elements with smooth motion design

Color Theory Application:

- Implemented strategic use of red color to symbolize the struggle of the Palestinian people

- Created a vintage color palette to reinforce historical context

- Applied vignette effects to enhance period authenticity

Typography & Motion

Font Selection: Selected typefaces with distinct historical characteristics that authentically convey the time period's aesthetic sensibilities and scholarly nature of the content

Animation Principles Applied:

- Timing: Carefully paced reveals to maintain viewer engagement

- Staging: Strategic composition to highlight key messages

- Sequential Movement: Choreographed element transitions

- Custom paper fold transitions to simulate physical media interaction

- Intentional frame drops via posterize time effect for vintage film aesthetic.

Technical Execution

Texture Development

Created layered paper textures for authentic vintage feel

Used SFX to enhance the feel (Paper fold, Highlighter, Pencil, etc)

Applied subtle grain overlays for period authenticity

Add Background Folkloric song about Jerusalem (The Capital of Palestine)

Animation Techniques

Used easing curves that convey an organic movement

Intentional frame drops via posterize time effect for vintage film aesthetic

Simple and Smooth animation that suit the content topic

Composition Strategy

Employed centric alignment framing

Created visual hierarchy through making the important elements in bigger size

Technical Challenges & Solutions

Challenge 1: Historical Authenticity

Solution:

- Using Digital collage art direction

- Created multi-layered texture composites

- Used SFX to enhance the feel (Paper fold, Highlighter, Pencil, etc)

Applying subtle grain overlays for period authenticity

Adding Background Folkloric song about Jerusalem (The Capital of Palestine)

Custom paper fold transitions to simulate physical media interaction

Intentional frame drops via posterize time effect for vintage film aesthetic.

Technical Achievements

Successfully merged historical aesthetics with modern motion design

Developed reusable animation presets

Created scalable design system for future historical content

Technical Toolset Showcase

After Effects Proficiency

Expression-driven animations

Smooth easing curves

Advanced compositing techniques

Designing collage art direction on After Effects

Key Technical Takeaways

1. Animation Principles: Demonstrated mastery of fundamental motion design principles to come up with smooth and engaging animations

2. Visual Storytelling: Successfully translated academic content into engaging visual narrative

3. Technical Innovation: Created custom effects and presents for future collage videos

Future Applications

This project established a robust technical framework for:

Historical content adaptation

Educational motion graphics

Documentary-style promotional content

Cultural storytelling through animation

Full Video

Storyboard & Illustrations: Ahmed Elshwemy

Motion Design: Ahmed Elshwemy

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Posted Feb 24, 2025

A technical showcase of advanced After Effects techniques transforming scholarly content into an engaging visual narrative with collage art direction.

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