Research into similiar work.

You've decided on your project,now you need to start the research work. to get a distinction you will need to make sure that you get as much information as possible and also explain what you like and dislike about the work that you look at and how it could help you with your ideas.

this is what the exam board are asking for;

2 Research and
investigate a
brief/project and
generate initial ideas
Investigate similar existing projects:
• site visits
• internet
• printed publications
Generate initial ideas, considering:
• mind mapping
• primary sources / direct experience e.g. drawing, visits
• secondary sources e.g. books on artist/designers work, internet
• change of context of work- e.g. scale, style, material, purpose

we are starting this lesson with the part in red text.

• site visits

I would suggest a visit this week to the collection in Lincoln (http://www.thecollection.lincoln.museum/), or the Hub in Sleaford (http://www.thehubcentre.info/). While you are unlikely to find any animation that suits your particular chosen task you will maybe see something that inspires you in some way. Some of the more graphic design style work at the Hub has given me several ideas about composition that ive tried using in my own animated work or illustrations. If your smart about it and can see how you could use something copletely unrelated toyour own work then you can tick the box on site visits. However you might want to go further a field to somewhere like the Bradford moving image museum (Yep thats where we are going in October) and get images there to add to your sketch books.

• internet

this is the part of the research you can start doing now, Ive already found some links that may or may not be useful to you. I want to see information about different animation projects and also who made them, what were they for and what can you learn from them in helping you design your own work.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/video/2009/jan/09/bbc-advertising

An Interesting article that looks at how short animated webisodes could be used to build interest and tell the back story of a soon to be released film, by using the model that musician Trent Reznor used to sell his album online.

http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/studios_trent_reznor_distribution.php

This next link is to an article on animated webisodes being used to sell insurance and other mundane products. I cant find any actual examples of the animations as this story is from several years ago.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techpolicy/business/2005-10-23-webisodes_x.htm


TV show Dexter is using animation to expand the shows back story and interest.

http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/07/dexter-panel-comic-con-.html

Comic book company Marvel have also been working in this area with their iron man animated shorts.

http://www.webtvhub.com/watch-iron-man-web-series-marvel-makes-3d-animated-webisodes/

Here is a good example of animation being used to target a younger age group.

http://www.brandrepublic.com/News/922944/AOL-launches-animated-webisodes-kids/


Comedienne Sarah Silverman is recreated in cartoon form on the comedy central website.

http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=188794&title=animated-webisode-magic-purse



Even McDonalds are using animation as a vehicle for appealing to a different type of audience, who do you think this webtoon will appeal to?


http://cep.mcdonalds.com/dollar/

printed publications

there are plenty of books on animation you could use to find examples of similiar projects, I suggest also looking in more general design books as well when looking for ideas and inspiration.