Author: betheoutlier

How To Create Interesting Photo Animations: Technique #2

This technique features the puppet tool in After Effects. You won’t be able to do crazy or exaggerated movement with the puppet tool, as it distorts the image quickly. But it works great if you want to add just a hint of the slowest-of-the-slow movement. https://vimeo.com/260480970 For this technique you’ll need: 1. A high-res photo with a subject in action and fairly plain background - an out of focus background is the easiest! 2. Some ability with separating photos in photoshop 3. Patience (listening to some good tunes helps) Separating your photo into different layers. If you’ve read “Parallax Tutorial” (link), then you’ve already read this…

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How To Create Interesting Photo Animations: Technique #1

Manipulating photos and turning them into something new is not only fun, it opens up a whole new arsenal of interesting visuals for you to use. A good photo can communicate a lot - adding energy and life to that photo with movement can communicate even more. The three ways I like to add life to a still photo are: creating a parallax effect, creating false slow-motion using the puppet tool, and using double exposure with portraits. It’s handy to have these techniques in your toolbox - I find it easier to be creative when I actually know what I can do. I used pexels.com…

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Animating Photos to Capture your Audience

Capturing and holding your audience’s attention is both crucial and getting more difficult. Visuals make a great hook. They can help you engage your audience, communicate a message, and enforce your brand. Video is especially engaging. As more people and brands use video content to engage their audiences, those who don’t risk falling behind the curve. But there are barriers to video production. It’s costly, time-consuming, and resource heavy. Companies may not have the marketing budget to create a video that fits their vision. If you're a video production house, you may find you need to fit a small budget while still trying to make…

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The DaVinci Resolve 14 Experience

There has been a lot of hype recently with Davinci’s new release of Resolve 14. After seeing it mentioned in blogs and magazine articles and having it come up in a conversation with an acquaintance, I thought it was time to give it a try. I was creating an updated reel for 2017 for Outlier, so I decided this would be the perfect opportunity to try out a new software. As a general disclaimer, I’ve been using Adobe Premiere for over four years and have been with the software through many of its recent changes. DaVinci Resolve 14 is also still in its beta phase,…

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Visual Trends for 2017

Visual Trends for 2017 Crazy as it may seem, we’re already four months deep into 2017. Which means new visual trends are starting to emerge and evolve. It’s important to know how trends are changing so that you can better connect with your audience and provide visuals that are relevant and in demand. Here at Outlier, we’ve done some digging into what these new trends are and have shot our own photos to showcase them. Color Surge This one is a lot of fun. It’s all about big bold colors. Using unnatural and bright tones is not only eye-catching but also adds a tiny splash…

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Introducing Outlier’s Jumpcuts Video Series

Over the past few months, we’ve been busy here at Outlier launching a new creative video series called Outlier Jumpcuts. You may have already seen some of the uploaded episodes--if so, thank you so much for tuning in! If you haven’t got the chance yet, scroll down to check out some of our most recent videos.Everyone at Outlier loves the culture and people of Portland, and our Jumpcuts series was designed to highlight some of the people and groups doing very cool things in our beautiful city. As an entire staff, we’re committed to creativity both inside and outside of our wonderful client projects. The Outlier…

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5 Women Designers You Should Know About – In Honor of International Women’s Month

In honor of March being International Women’s Month, here are 5 influential females working in the design field. These trail blazing ladies deserve some recognition. Marian Bantjes: It would be more accurate to label Marian Bantjes as a graphic artist than a graphic designer. Her work of intricate illustrations and patterns has gained her respect across many industries. Originally a book typesetter, she began gaining recognition as a graphic designer from 1994-2003 when she became a partner and senior designer at Digitopolis. Today, she works in a style combing design, illustration, and typography from her home on Bowen Island off the west coast of Canada,…

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Design History for Breakfast

Today, I'm trying to make the pivotal design movements of western art history a little more, um... digestible.  Glasgow School - Leprechauns? 1890's Scotland? Close enough. The Glasgow School opened the door to modern design in the UK at the end of the 19th century. Art Nouveau - In the 19th century, France adopted the simple, decorative style pioneered by prolific artists such as William Morris of the Arts and Crafts Movement in Great Britain. Art Nouveau was made famous by Alphonse Mucha's designs for Job Cigarettes... and Michael Jordan Wheaties boxes. Oh wait— Bauhaus - Form follows Froot Loops... I mean function. Futurism - Speed! Industry! New World Orders! This also applies chocolate frosted corn puffs, right? Vorticism…

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