WEEK 06

Now that I have completed Assignment A01, I am moving on to Assignment A02, which requires me to create a motion design that is related to the theme I explored in A01. In A01, my book focused on self-reflection and served as a call to pause amidst the overwhelming pace of today’s world. The photo/graphic book invites readers to take a step back, reflect on their lives, and reconsider their journey in a world that is fast-paced. I want the motion design/graphics to stimulate curiosity, offering just enough to intrigue and encourage the audience to explore the full story and message of my book or even after they read my book.

Topic Ideation

After completing Assignment A01, I now have Assignment A02, which focuses on creating a motion design related to A01. My book reflects my personal journey, emphasising feelings of being overwhelmed. It addresses the challenges of living in today’s fast-paced world, highlighting the need for self-reflection to continue my life journey. I aim to create a motion graphic that explores the same theme. My goal is to promote personal growth by tackling life goals, overcoming obstacles, and engaging in meaningful reflection. Through this project, I hope to convey the importance of pausing and reflecting to foster resilience and progress for continuing our journey.

These are my ideas:

Let Go and Grow: A dandelion releases its seeds, facing challenges along the way. Those seeds fall to the ground, symbolising hope and new beginnings.
Life Journey: Flowing water encounters obstacles like stones, transforming heat into clouds that bring rain and create rainbows, illustrating resilience.
Where to Go?: A maze may lead to dead ends, prompting self-reflection. Ultimately, these experiences guide us toward positive outcomes.
Roller Coaster: Life is full of surprises, with its ups and downs and unexpected twists, reminding us to embrace the journey.
Stuck in Circles: Like a hamster in a wheel, we may feel stagnant. It’s essential to dare to step outside our comfort zones.
What’s Wrong with Me?: In this fast-paced world, we must take a moment to breathe and practice self-compassion to navigate challenges.
Go with the Flow: Every challenge shapes us, creating unique versions of ourselves as we adapt and grow.

Sorted Ideas

I’ve sorted my thoughts and decided to focus on two key ideas: let go and grow (embracing growth through challenges and navigating life’s journey with resilience) and what’s wrong with me? (in this fast paced life, we need to pause, accept, and embrace). Then I made rough storylines for these 2 ideas

Let Go and Grow

I was inspired by the sentence on my photo/graphic book which is "Set your purpose, embrace your goals, and prepare for the journey ahead"

Storyline:

Close-up of a dandelion in the middle of a field.
The wind blows hard, making the dandelion sway. The dandelion starts to lose its petals. "However, life is inevitable. Sometimes, we have to let go of what we love."
The petals are flying in all directions. "Letting go doesn't mean disappearing. It's a bold step towards something new."
The dandelion seeds fly in the wind, across various places. Each seed wanders, showing the freedom and potential to grow anywhere.
The seeds eventually fall to the ground.
Roots begin to grow and sink into the soil. A small stem emerges, breaking through the surface of the soil, symbolising the strength that grows from a strong foundation.
The young dandelion tree faces various challenges, such as bad weather or human footsteps. However, it continues to grow despite the obstacles, showing resilience and courage.
The young dandelion stands tall, with petals starting to bloom. “Every journey is an opportunity to grow. In every challenge, new strength emerges.”
The young dandelion then releases its petals back into the wind, continuing the cycle of life, symbolising hope and new possibilities.
“Letting go is part of the journey. In letting go, we open the door to new growth and endless possibilities.”
“Let go and grow.”

What's Wrong with Me?

I was inspired by the sentences on my photo/graphic book "So pause for a moment, Find calmness, clear your mind, and gather your strength" and "With a clean and pure mind, you begin to see yourself differently"

Dark background and faint rumbling sounds. Abstract visual elements, reflecting feelings of confusion and distress.
The silhouette of the main character appears, seemingly trapped in a crowd of abstract shapes.
The character is seen searching for answers, asking himself, "What's wrong with me?”
The visuals become more intense, showing abstract shapes that become sharp, representing anxiety.
The character is seen becoming more and more stressed, trying to fight off the feeling.
The character closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. “Pause to breath”
The character opens his eyes, the visuals begin to slow down, the noise slowly fades, the shapes softening and seeing the anxiety no longer as an enemy, but as a part of himself. The visuals change to softer shapes and brighter colours, creating a more peaceful atmosphere.
The character embraces the anxiety and merging their movements into one.
The character now stands with serenity and giving a positive feel.
He smiles, showing that he has accepted a part of himself.
“Embrace it.”

I wanted to challenge myself and test my skills, so I chose to create something that felt uncomfortable which is “What’s Wrong With Me”. This idea pushed me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to explore deeper themes in my work. By embracing discomfort, I aimed to enhance my creativity and express complex emotions, ultimately leading to a more meaningful and impactful project.

Case Study Article #1

Writer: Danielle Wade, LCSW

Title: Overwhelmed? These 9 Strategies May Help

I came across this finding during my research on my motion graphic topic. I found this article that outlined practical techniques for dealing with feelings of overwhelm.

What I found interesting about this finding was the first step is the same with my photo graphic book and the second until fourth step is the same with my motion graphic. The article states that when feeling overwhelmed, it's important to address those feelings. First, reflect on the causes of your stress to simplify problem-solving and improve your well-being. Acknowledge that you feel overwhelmed and accept any negative thoughts without judgement. Practice mindfulness to reduce anxiety, and try breathing exercises until you feel more at ease. Focus on what you can control and let go of what you can't. Take breaks and prioritise self-care. Engage in activities you enjoy, and seek physical touch from friends, partners, or family members. Speaking with a therapist can help identify the root causes of your overwhelm and offer personalised coping strategies.

This finding is necessary for my work because it informs the content of my motion graphic. By incorporating these strategies, I can effectively communicate the importance of self-acceptance and mindfulness, offering viewers relatable and steps to manage their own feelings of overwhelm. This will enhance the overall impact and relevance of my project.

Case Study Article #2

Writer: Stephanie Lemek, SPHR, MBA, CTSS

Title: Self-Acceptance – The Missing Key to Your personal Health, Growth & Development

Link: https://medium.com/hlwf-healthcare-healthtech-lifesciences-wellness/self-acceptance-the-missing-key-to-your-personal-growth-development-bbbb19122c5b

I came across this finding while researching personal development topics for my motion graphic project. The article provided valuable insights into the role of self-acceptance in fostering personal growth.

What I found particularly interesting about this finding is how self-acceptance is framed as essential for personal growth. The article explains that reducing self-judgement allows for honest self-exploration, enabling individuals to better understand their motivations and embrace their strengths and weaknesses. This article is important because it highlights that personal growth is not just about improvement but also about understanding and accepting oneself. It reduces judgement, encourages honest self-exploration, and helps individuals understand their motivations. By recognising both strengths and weaknesses, individuals can leverage their talents more effectively, capitalise on opportunities, and enhance their self-awareness, leading to greater impact in their lives.

This finding is necessary for my work as it aligns closely with the themes I want to convey in my motion graphic. By emphasising self-acceptance, I can illustrate its importance in the personal growth journey, encouraging viewers to embrace their true selves. This message can resonate deeply, promoting a more compassionate approach to self-development.

Case Study Article #3

Writer: Kristine Klussman, Nicola Curtin, Julia Langer, and Austin Lee Nichols

Title: The Importance of Awareness, Acceptance, and Alignment With the Self: A Framework for Understanding Self-Connection

Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8895697/

I came across an article while researching well-being and personal growth concepts for my motion graphic project. The article discusses the significance of self-connection, which includes self-awareness, self-acceptance, and the alignment of behaviour with that awareness.

This article really stands out because it highlights how self-acceptance is key to our well-being. It explains that self-acceptance means being open to our experiences and emotions without judgment, which closely ties into the idea of mindfulness, accepting our feelings without criticism. This connection reinforces the idea that embracing who we truly are is vital for our mental health. What's important about this is how it underscores the importance of self-connection in living a fulfilling life. When we're able to accept ourselves as we are, it opens the door to a deeper sense of peace and contentment. This message feels especially relevant in today’s world, where many of us struggle with self-criticism and anxiety, making it a helpful reminder for anyone on the path to personal growth.

This finding is necessary for my work as it aligns with the theme of my motion graphic, particularly the motion “What’s Wrong with Me?” This project illustrates a journey of accepting anxiety as part of oneself. By incorporating the concepts of self-awareness, self-acceptance, and mindfulness, I can effectively convey the importance of self-connection in achieving peace and well-being, offering viewers valuable insights into their own journeys.

Case Study Video #1

Artist: Kelsey Ann

Title: Inside Out 2

I discovered this finding while watching the movie "Inside Out 2" which uses powerful visuals to convey the chaotic and unsettling atmosphere of anxiety.

The imagery and storytelling resonated with me as I explored themes for my motion graphic project. This video is how it captures the overwhelming feelings associated with anxiety, portraying it as both confusing and frightening. Riley’s journey through these emotions showcases her process of acceptance, highlighting that anxiety is not an enemy to be fought but a part of who we are.

This finding is significant because it invites viewers to embrace their anxiety rather than fear it. This finding is essential for my work as it aligns perfectly with the atmosphere and themes I want to convey in my motion graphic.

Case Study Video #2

Author: Cory Muscara

Title: Wanna know how to find inner peace?

I came across this idea while watching an Instagram reel that highlights how self-acceptance can lead to inner peace.

I found it interesting how the reel effectively shows the positive change that comes from accepting ourselves. By letting go of judgement, we can make room for compassion and peace to grow, which is an important reminder in our busy world. This idea is significant because it emphasises that inner peace begins with how we view ourselves. Encouraging self-acceptance helps people be kinder and more forgiving toward their own flaws, leading to a healthier mindset.

This finding is essential for my work because it aligns with the main themes I want to express in my motion graphic. By showing how self-acceptance brings inner peace, I can inspire viewers to embrace who they truly are. This message will resonate with those who struggle with self-judgement and foster a sense of connection and understanding in their personal journeys.

A02 Sharing PPT

Topic
1. The importance of self-acceptance, including negative emotions such as anxiety.
2. Accept and embrace it. By being calm, managing our thoughts, and accepting these feelings, one can find peace and growth. The point is that accepting all aspects of oneself, including the negative, can bring strength and inner peace.
Rough Storyline
1. The chaotic atmosphere reflects confusion and anxiety.
2. The main character fights against anxiety but fails.
3. The character pauses to calm down and realises that anxiety won’t disappear.
4. The character learns to accept anxiety instead of fighting it.
5. Learns to live alongside anxiety, self-acceptance, and finds inner peace.
Style and Assets
1. I want a chaotic style featuring bright colours like red, orange, and purple. I want to use scribbles to represent feelings of overwhelm.
2. At first, the scribbles look sharp and chaotic as the character struggles against them.
3. Once the character accepts their anxiety, the scribbles transform into clear shapes that merge with the character, while the background changes colours to symbolise acceptance.

Reflection

I’ve learned that it’s not enough to just take my ideas at face value. I need to look deeper, find connections, and think about how to develop them further. Doing this helps me stay interested and avoid getting bored. It also encourages me to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself by trying things I wouldn’t normally do. By exploring new skills and pushing past my usual boundaries, I will grow a lot. This process has shown me the importance of continuous learning and personal growth, even when it feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar.