Digital Photography and Imaging - Project 4: Self-Titled
Week 10-14 (23/6/2026-26/7/2026)
Emily Wong Jing Lin | 0394765
Digital Photography and Imaging | Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative
Media | Taylors University
Project 4: Self-Titled
TABLE OF CONTENT
1. LECTURES
Lecture 7: Product & Studio Photoshoot
23/6/2026 (Week 10)
1. Overview of Adobe After Effects
Definition: A 2.5D animation software used for animation, visual effects, and motion picture compositing.
Application: Used in the post‑production phase of film, TV, and web video creation to manipulate imagery and combine layers of video and images into the same scene.
Mechanism: Works by manipulating vector and rasterised art to tell a story, with the ability to integrate photography and videography.
2. Pre‑Compositing Workflow
Adobe Photoshop: Serves as a platform to composite layers, transforming still images into moving images. Layers must be arranged and renamed accordingly to ensure they are organised and easy to animate in After Effects.
Adobe After Effects: Animates layer sequences from various platforms. It imports elements like images, video, and vectors, which need to be synchronised to external software such as Photoshop and Illustrator.
Media Linking: Crucially, After Effects files do not embed their media; they link to it.
2. INSTRUCTIONS
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J4OzNjT7yVjyR0306N4rmBXDz4ny8oaF/view?usp=sharing
3. PROCESS WORK - Project 4: Self-Titled
Figure3.1 Process Work of Project 4: Self-Titled
Technique Applied
1. Adobe Photoshop
Curriculum-based Techniques
- Layer Masks: Utilised extensively for precise image extraction, isolating required visual components from various source images to build the composition.
- Hue/Saturation Adjustments: Applied to fine-tune color balances and harmonies across different elements, ensuring a unified visual tone.
- Clipping Masks: Implemented to seamlessly fuse form and texture. Having initially selected a linear musical staff asset for its beautiful ribbon-like shape, I then utilised a clipping mask to restrict a vibrant yellow starlight texture onto the staff's silhouette, effectively transforming it into a glowing starlight.
Self-taught Techniques
- Adjustment Layers & Layer Blending Modes: Combined Black & White adjustment layers with the Screen blending mode to seamlessly integrate and style the cloud textures.
- Puppet Warp & Liquify Tools: Employed advanced manipulation techniques on the watercolour brush asset; used Puppet Warp to organically bend the brush handle and Liquify to reshape the brush tip, enhancing the dynamic tension of the animation.
2. Adobe After Effects
Curriculum-based Techniques
Basic Transform Properties: Applied foundational animation principles
primarily focusing on Position and Scale attributes:
- Position: Keyframed to animate the upward ascension of the buildings, the horizontal movement of the train, and the path-following motion of the watercolour brush.
- Scale: Keyframed to control the brush's dimensions, allowing it to gradually shrink and taper down during the animation.
Self-taught Techniques
- 3D Camera Animation: Explored and implemented a 3D camera space to add depth, spatial perspective, and immersion to the composition's overall movement.
- Wave Warp Effect: Applied to the yellow starlight staff element to generate a fluid, rhythmic, and undulating motion.
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Stroke Effect: Utilised on the central motto "GALAXY" to reveal the custom typography stroke by stroke, successfully achieving an authentic writing order.
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Puppet Effect: Keyframed on the candlelight asset to create a natural, organic flickering and dancing motion.
Final Outcome
Figure3.2 Final Outcome of
Project 4: Self-Titled (Poster)
Figure3.2 Final Outcome of
Project 4: Self-Titled (Animation)
TITLE: THE PACE OF GROWTH
ARTIST STATEMENT:
Through this artwork, I want to tell myself: on the path of growth,
there are no absolute rights or wrongs. Introversion is never a
stumbling block; instead, your sensitivity allows you to capture
delicate details that others might easily overlook, which is your
unique strength. Trust that every choice you make will shape you into
a better adult. There is no need to rush—you can walk towards your
desired future at your own pace, according to your own thoughts and
rhythm. Even if you walk slowly, it is entirely acceptable. I believe
you will step from being a quiet, introverted girl into a bright,
sunlit future, and I truly look forward to your growth. Never forget
where you started, because everything is, indeed, the best
arrangement.
To visually translate this philosophy, the overall composition is
structured around the organic, precise flow of the Golden Spiral,
deliberately rejecting a rushed pace to echo this internal tempo.
Adobe Photoshop File:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18yxf6tpqkS5NVeBIRgt-sqJP5NV1bvh2?usp=drive_link
4. FEEDBACK
Week 10
General Feedback: This week marked the commencement of the final assignment for the semester. The immediate priority was to complete Part 1: Idea Development, which required the submission of a biography, an initial artist statement, and a mood board. Upon the completion and approval of these foundational elements, the sketching phase could begin.
Specific Feedback: Mr Shamsul reviewed my concept and confirmed that the underlying idea was highly viable and well-conceived, granting me formal approval to proceed to the sketching phase.
Week 11
General Feedback: Due to the physical class being converted to an online session this week, consultations were conducted digitally. Students were required to submit their draft sketches remotely via Microsoft Teams to receive continuous feedback and guidance.
Specific Feedback: On Tuesday, I shared my initial sketches alongside my Digital Poster Progress 1 with Mr. Shamsul via MS Teams chat. He noted that the overall composition was still not strong enough and requested two additional sketch variations. By Friday, I submitted the revised sketches. Mr Shamsul asked which layout I personally preferred and my reasoning behind it; following my explanation, he approved my choice and cleared me to proceed with the next design stage.
Week 12
General Feedback: The objective for this week was to present the completed digital posters in class for peer and tutor review. Students who successfully secured approval for their static designs were permitted to progress into the animation phase using Adobe After Effects.
Specific Feedback: I presented my finalised digital poster to Mr Shamsul. He advised me to adjust the vertical leading and spacing between the motto lines, specifically separating "Don't rush a quiet star" and "she is brewing." Furthermore, he suggested changing the typeface of "GALAXY" to a clean sans-serif and modifying its perspective to enhance the visual structure. Aside from these adjustments, the remaining elements were well-received.
Week 13
General Feedback: This week was dedicated to the execution of the After Effects animation phase. The studio session operated as an open consultation space, allowing students to check in with the tutor to refine their motion graphics.
Specific Feedback: I demonstrated my animated After Effects draft to Mr Shamsul for technical feedback. He suggested that since I had introduced 3D camera movement, it should be heavily emphasised to create genuine visual depth and immersion. Additionally, he noted that having the word "GALAXY" simply wipe in from left to right felt slightly monotonous, and advised me to animate each letter to emerge gradually according to its authentic stroke order. The rest of the animation was praised as well-executed.
5. REFLECTION
What did you like the most in the assignment?
What I enjoyed most about this assignment was the process
of working within After Effects and pushing myself to
explore its various functions. I have a profound love for
creating design pieces with a strong narrative and
storytelling aspect, which made this project highly
aligned with my personal creative interests. Being able to
translate my emotional journey and future aspirations into
dynamic, moving visuals was both challenging and
incredibly fulfilling.
What can be improved based on your submission?
Based on my submission, the areas that could be further
enhanced reside within the motion design itself,
specifically the camera movement. As Mr Shamsul pointed
out in his valuable feedback, the camera work could be
elevated to create more depth and immersion rather than
remaining as superficial movement on the surface. However,
as this semester is my very first time learning and
utilising After Effects, my technical command over the
software is naturally still evolving. I view this
limitation as a pivotal starting point, and I am highly
confident that with continuous practice, my execution of
camera space and dynamic pacing will significantly improve
in future projects.
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