Style Frames

Once in a while, you get to be part of the design and/or conceptualizing process of a 2D animation project. When a client comes to you with an animation job, they often have a reference from something they’ve seen and have a fondness for. They will present their references, whether images or videos and say, “we want ours to look something like that…”. Even with a reference from the client, it is still necessary to create a version that isn’t a direct copy or give them an alternative that has a similar flavor. Other times, clients are open to fresh ideas and rely on your creative talents to explore.

A ‘style frame’ is an image created to show the client what the style of the animation will look like in its final form. It not only suggests the look, but will be helpful to decide the methodology or how the animation will be executed. Motion Graphics artists working in Adobe Aftereffects use style frames to plan and assemble their assets for their comps. The style frame can include aspects visual effects, environment, props and characters.

Here are a few style frames I’ve created over the years for various projects.

American Musical Theatre of San Jose

American Musical Theatre of San Jose

Underwater01_Dreamland

American Musical Theatre of San Jose

 

American Musical Theatre of San Jose

American Musical Theatre of San Jose

American Musical Theatre of San Jose

American Musical Theatre of San Jose

American Musical Theater of San Jose

American Musical Theater of San Jose

Cartoon Network Proposed Series

Cartoon Network Proposed Series

Skater_BW

Samsung TV Ad – 1999 Nagano Olympics

fireworks_design

Disney Films Presents – Intro Fireworks

CASC_Style_frame01

California Common Sense – CACS.ORG

CocaCola_runner

Coca Cola – TV Ad 1995 campaign bid

DiscoveryCH

Discovery Channel – Bumper

That’s it for now. I’ll need to look through more archives – I’m pretty sure there’s more.

 

About Administrator

Tom has worked for over two decades in television, advertising, and feature film animation. Tom was Character Sculptor and Effects Animator on the Warner Bros/Lorimar Gumby Adventures‚ TV series (1987-1988) and Gumby Movie‚ the stop-motion feature film (1991). In 1991 at Colossal Pictures, Tom's Animation Direction debut Coca-Cola Watch‚ won a Clio Award. In 2000 he became Co-Partner at Way Out West Prods in San Francisco. Tom joined Maverix Studios in October of 2002 and was a dedicated principal member of the group until September 2011. Tom is now an artist for hire.
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1 Response to Style Frames

  1. Scarlett says:

    Tom, you had a great experience with 2D Animation, I am pretty impressed by the way you worked for the big brands. Thanks for sharing your stuff.

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