Animated illustrations for Beyond

Our animation work for Beyond brings illustrations by Daniel James into motion through short loops. We worked through Beyond, keeping Daniel’s artwork at the centre of the sequences.

Explore the sequences above. The short loops show how movement can give an illustration another rhythm while retaining the character of the drawing.

Movement within an illustration

Animating an existing illustration starts with looking at what is already there. The shapes, composition and character of the drawing suggest where movement may help and where it could become distracting.

A loop also has a particular rhythm. The ending needs to relate to the beginning so the sequence can repeat without an unintended break. The amount of movement should suit both the image and the place it will appear.

Preparing artwork for animation

For a similar brief, share the illustrations and explain which elements you imagine moving. Establish whether layered source files are available and whether the artist has any requirements about how the work is adapted.

The animation plan should respect the illustrator’s work and the permissions for its use. If more artwork is required to support a movement, that needs to be discussed rather than assumed.

Define the output

Tell us where the animation will appear, the dimensions or aspect ratios required and whether it needs to loop. Include the number of illustrations and any deadlines.

Those details help establish the scale of the work. A subtle repeating movement and a longer sequence with scene changes are different production briefs.

Discuss animated illustrations

Send us your brief or email us with the artwork, intended use and movement you are considering.

Illustration: Daniel James. Project credit: Beyond.