Project Info
| Client: | School of Motion (SoM) |
| Project: | Explainer Camp final project: concept-to-completion explainer video |
| Role: | Sole Creator: handled all phases of production, from storyboard to final animation and audio mix |
| Skills: | Illustration, Animation, Storyboarding, Audio editing |
| Software: | AfterEffects, Figma, Illustrator |
| Designed Materials: | Moodboards | Storyboard | Boardomatic | Explainer video (illustration + animation) | Audio mix |
Opportunity
Create a fully-realized explainer video from a real-world client brief. Working from School of Motion’s provided script, voiceover, logo, and brand guidelines, I needed to handle everything from storyboarding through final delivery. The challenge was new for me: translating a narrative into motion and time-based storytelling rather than static design. This capstone project simulated a professional client engagement, requiring me to manage the complete production pipeline and deliver a polished 30-second animation.
Approach
Planning and scoping
Before diving into design, I developed a detailed cost estimate and production timeline to map out the full pipeline. This upfront planning helped me allocate time strategically across storyboarding, illustration, animation, and post-production—ensuring I could deliver a polished final product within the project window.
Visual exploration and moodboarding
Working from the provided brand guidelines and stylesheet, I created moodboards to explore visual directions—testing color palettes, illustration styles, and motion approaches. This exploration phase helped establish a cohesive visual language before committing to final designs.
Storyboarding and timing
To translate the script into compelling visuals, I created comprehensive storyboards and a boardomatic that aligned timing, pacing, and visual beats with the provided voiceover. This phase was critical for testing narrative flow and ensuring each scene served the story before committing to final artwork.
Illustration and animation
I designed all visual assets in Figma and Illustrator, then brought them to life in AfterEffects. The focus was on smooth transitions, purposeful motion, and visual clarity that supported rather than competed with the narration—with each animation choice deliberately guiding viewer attention.
Audio post production
To elevate the final piece, I mixed the professional voiceover with music and sound effects, creating a cohesive audio landscape. Thoughtful sound design enhanced key moments and helped guide viewer attention, transforming a good animation into a fully immersive experience.
Impact
Reflection
This project was my first experience managing the complete motion design pipeline from start to finish. As someone coming from a design background, I was comfortable with illustration and visual development, but animation and audio post-production were new territory. The challenge wasn’t just learning the technical skills in AfterEffects and audio mixing. It was understanding how timing, pacing, and motion fundamentally change how a story is told. Working through every phase myself gave me a deep respect for the craft and showed me that effective motion design requires thinking in time, not just in frames. This project proved I can take on unfamiliar disciplines and deliver polished, professional work.