Motion Design Family

Senior Thesis

"It takes a village to raise a child"

In my thesis at Ringling College of Art and Design, I want to create a thank-you video to the wonderful professors in the Motion Design department. Inspired by the saying, "It takes a village to raise a child," this project will highlight how their support (as a whole department)  has helped us grow as individuals and artists. Through short animations and inside jokes, I want to express my gratitude for being our creative village and guiding us in the world of motion design.

By using unique typography for title cards and personalized music soundtracks for each faculty member, this project will reflect their individual personalities and celebrate the valuable lessons they've taught us.

Meet The Faculty

Introducing Morgan William: Our master of 2D animation. As the professor who brings movement to life, he guides us through the fundamentals of 2D animation, the core principles, essential techniques, and everything that makes the screen come alive.

Fun Fact: He loves acting out his animations and often tells us, "ADD MORE EASES!"

Introducing Nora Gaffney: The Goddess of Design in our department. With her strong passion and expertise, she teaches us everything about design, sharing a love for it that inspires us all. Nora is the reason we fell in love with design. She always emphasizes that design is the cornerstone of all creative fields and reminds us to always pay attention to the details.

Fun Fact: Her love language is critiquing your work. When she passionately points out what's wrong with your design, you know she's showing she cares!

Introducing Jared Greenleaf: Our Concept Ninja Expert. With his sharp insights and fearless approach, he guides us through cinematic language, composition, and everything in between. Jared teaches us how to speak professionally, using industry-specific terms that elevate our communication skills. His tough yet humorous style ensures we're not just creative thinkers, but "smart creative talkers" in our field.

Fun Fact: Jared's go-to fashion choice? Adidas all the way. He says he only wears it on when he's feeling comfy with us. And why'd he call our year "Ninja Star"? Think sharp, quick, and always hitting the mark, just like those little throwing stars you see in ninja movies. So, watch out, world, because with Jared leading the charge, we're about to ninja-kick our way to success!

Introducing Kelly Warner: Our Sound Magician. Kelly is the heartbeat of our projects, giving them soul through his incredible skill with sound. With every project, he adds sound effects, music, and soundtracks, taking them to new levels. Without him, our department would miss the rhythm that makes our motion pieces come alive. Kelly's love for his craft and his great ear make him an essential part of our creative journey.

Fun Fact: Kelly's not just skilled with sound—he's a secret ice-skating lover! You'll catch him practicing his ice-skating poses anywhere and everywhere on our department floor, bringing his own unique rhythm to the ice.

Introducing David Brodeur: our amazing 3D design and animation professor. Even though we're all on Zoom, he brings so much energy and passion to our virtual classes. David teaches us everything we need to know about 3D, from the basics to the coolest tricks. He's not just a teacher—he's the one who helps us start our 3D journey and become pros.

Fun Fact: David's Zoom greetings are epic! When we log on, he's like, "What's up everybody?" and "How y'all doing?" with such huge energy, it's like a bolt of lightning. Even in boring online classes, David's bold vibes wake us up and get us pumped for the 3D learning adventure ahead.

Introducing Jill Taffet: our Surrealism Style Expert. Jill doesn't just teach; she's our guide into the surreal, always pushing us to think beyond the norm and embrace the unexpected. With her visionary approach, she encourages us to let our imaginations run wild, exploring new perspectives and discovering fresh ideas. Thanks to Jill's passion and encouragement, we're not just students—we're adventurers in creativity, ready to explore the surreal and push the boundaries of our imagination.

Fun Fact: Jill's favorite assignment for us is the Surreal Self-Portrait. Why? Because diving into surrealism starts with exploring our own imagination and understanding how it influences our creativity. By mixing the surreal with who we are, we get creative and learn more about ourselves. Jill thinks starting from inside helps us be super creative.

Introducing Josh Fronk: our Possibility Explorer. Josh inspires us to see things from various angles, embracing the idea that there's never just one answer in creativity. He encourages us to explore different possibilities and be open to diverse perspectives. According to Josh, there isn't just one right solution; there are many paths to creative success. He teaches us that in our careers, we must remain open-minded and willing to try new things, recognizing that there are countless design styles (collage, graphic, grunge, 3D, etc.) that can fit into a single project.

Fun Fact: Josh loves hats! He wears a different one every day, showing his love for creativity and open-mindedness. Just like his hats, he believes there are countless ways to approach problem-solving and creativity. He encourages us to try on different "hats" in our own creative journeys, welcoming diversity and experimentation.

Introducing Christian Huthmacher: Our Tech Pro. Christian knows all about the tech side of motion design, from 3D to visual effects, compositing, Houdini, Nuke—you name it. He teaches us how to master these tools by diving in, making mistakes, and figuring it out. Christian shows us that making mistakes is part of learning, and experimenting is how we grow. With his help, we understand tech better and become software masters.

Fun Fact: Whenever students ask Christian technical questions, he always says, "It's really easy, let me show you how to do this." Then, with his magic hands, he clicks a few buttons, and bam!—the whole complicated node trees appear. But let's just say, it's not always as easy as he makes it look! Christian's enthusiasm for tech is like a magician's trick—he keeps us amazed and laughing, even when things get a bit tricky.

Introducing Ed Cheetham: our Motion Design Department Head, the heart of our department. Ed not only teaches us about motion design principles but also energizes us with his love and dedication. His passion and endless energy inspire us to step out of our comfort zones and strive for success in the dynamic world of motion. With Ed's guidance, we learn to welcome challenges, push our limits, and reach new heights. His strong focus on both technical skills and soft skills is why our department shines. Ed's genuine care for our success and his constant support help us navigate through obstacles and achieve our goals. It's Ed's love, passion, and enthusiasm that drive our journey to the top, making every step of the way an exciting adventure.

Fun Fact: Ed is the mastermind behind the "Cheetham principle" that's famous in our department. It's Ed's unique way of reminding us that the creative process is like a journey—start strong, navigate the bumps, and finish with finesse. In other words, Ed's all about kicking off with a bang and ending with a "yayyy!"—and we've all learned to live by it!

After meeting our Motion Design Masters, I hope you’ve seen how their unique personalities guide us to success. We love and appreciate them, and we hope you do too!

Now, let's watch it again and enjoy!