Motion Graphics Case Study: Historical Book Promo
Ahmed Elshwemy
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.
