The animated logo, otherwise known as a motion signature, is a standard part of contemporary identity systems. How does a logo appear on the screen in videos, app loading screens and throbbers. Throbbers are an animated graphic that informs the user a requested action is being performed. The primary animated logo sequences used in most applications will present the nature of the company with appropriate style and expressiveness. These animations extend the company brand into movement and reveal qualities of the company that they represent. Active organizations have sometimes dramatic and quick animation, quieter company missions such as a non-profit charity might have gentler effects. Whatever your company, there are cues in their mission which suggest animation directions.

Creative Brief

Animate a logo you have designed. The final animation will be 16:9, HD 1920 x 1080, 24 frames per second.

Assignment 1
- Gather three logos you have designed for past projects. These may be for classes or outside projects.
- The logos must be high-resolution (600 pixels or more) – preferably on a transparent or plain background
- Write a paragraph about the company behind each logo – what the company does and the audience it serves
  - Think about its qualities as an organization – list 5 keywords to describe it
    - These keywords will help you and the class evaluate its movements
      - Look carefully at the forms of the logo to develop motion concepts that are inherent in the logo itself
      - These motion concepts might include jumps, fades, bounces, wipes, scale, wiggles, and more
- Create a post that includes all of the above
  - Category: 02 Three Logos
Assignment 2
- Animation Thumbnails
  - Draw 3 or more different animation ideas for your selected logo using this template or other similar format
  - Create at least 6 thumbnail frames for each idea – being careful to show the details of the movements
  - Scan/export your thumbnails sheets into a PDF document
    - a separate PDF for each concept would be preferred
Assignment 3
- Logo Animation Concept
  - Create a post with the logo you selected to animate for this project
    - Category: 02 Logo Animation Concepts
    - Show Logo:
      - Feature the logo image or logos if there are vertical and horizontal lockups. The logos should be featured large enough on the screen to see its details (approximately 600 pixels). Feel free to make edits to old logos to make them better.
    - Company Name:
      - Put the name of the company and a brief description of what it does underneath.
    - Write a Company Description:
      - Write a paragraph about the company, what it does and the audience it serves.
    - List Keywords:
      - Think about its qualities as an organization. List 5-7 keywords to describe it. These keywords will help you and the class evaluate its movements.
    - Describe the motion gestures you think are appropriate: Look carefully at the forms of the logo to develop motion concepts that are inherent in the logo itself.
      - These motion concepts might include jumps, fades, bounces, wipes, growth, wiggles, and more.
    - Include thumbnails (see assignment 2):
      - Include a PDF or WordPress gallery of the animation thumbnails you created for at least 3 different concepts
  - Rehearse your narrative – be prepared to talk about how each concept meets the keywords and how each concept is appropriate for the company
Assignment 4
- Animation Inspirations
  - Find 3-5 animations that are similar in spirit to how you want your logo to animate.
  - Create a post
    - Category: 02 Logo Animation Inspirations
    - Include links or GIFs to you animation inspirations
    - Write a paragraph discussing these inspirations and why they relate to your logo animation concepts
Assignment 5
- Final Thumbnails
  - Pick one concept with the intention of animating it
  - Draw another page or two of thumbnails based on your in-class critique. If you have not had a critique draw another set based on what you learned in class.
  - There should be 8-12 frames of very specific animation stages.
    - Under each frame:
      - Describe motion gestures in detail
      - Describe sound design ideas (sound effects/music)
      - Include any other details worth mentioning
  - Upload a scan of your new thumbnails to your original concept post.
    - Category: 02 Logo Animation Concepts
Assignment 6
- Final Logo Prep
  - Finalize your logo as an Adobe Illustrator file. All elements to be animated should be on separate labeled layers to make it easy when you bring it into After Effects.
Assignment 7
- Logo Animation – V1 (first draft)
  - Work-in-progress version to be shared in class
  - Make a post titled: Name of Company – Logo Animation – V1
    - Category: 02 Logo Animation V1
    - Add caveats/notes on current status of the animation
    - Brief description of your next steps in the creative process
    - Include YouTube link
  - Upload V1 to Class Dropbox – HERE
    - Filename: ART466_02-LOGO_V1_YourName_YYMMDD
    - Export as mp4
      - 1920 x 1080 HD, 24 frames per second (fps)
Assignment 8
- Logo Animation – V2 (second draft)
  - This draft should include:
    - Completed logo animation – can still be rough draft but near final
    - Addressed notes from your V1 draft – Frame.io – V1 Drafts
    - Sound Design (sound effects or quick music hits)
    - Remember to animate with intention and purpose – think of your company keywords
      - Does your animation reflect the company keywords?
  - Make a post titled: Name of Company – Logo Animation V2
    - Category: 02 Logo Animation V2
    - Add caveats/notes on current status of the animation
    - Brief description of your next steps to finalize your animation
    - Include YouTube link or Dropbox link to your animation
  - Upload V2 to Class Dropbox – HERE
Assignment 9
- Logo Animation – V3 (final cut)
  - This version should include:
    - Completed logo animation – final cut
    - Addressed notes from your V2 draft – Frame.io – V2 Drafts
    - Sound Design
  - Make a post titled: Name of Company – Logo Animation – V3 FINAL
    - Category: 02 Logo Animation V3 – FINAL
    - Include the description of your company in your post
      - List the company keywords (5-7 keywords)
  - Upload V3 FINAL to Class Dropbox – HERE

January 27, 2026 – Tuesday

Due before class on Thursday, January 29

Create a post with the images of three logos you have designed (See Creative Brief – Assignment 1)
Category: 02 – Three Logos
- Upload three logo images. The logos should be featured large enough on the screen to see its details (approximately 600 pixels)
- Put the name of the company and a brief description of what it does underneath – Include 5 keywords that describe the company.

January 29, 2026 – Thursday

Class review of name animations
- Critique using Frame.io
- Leave notes on your peers’ animations
  - Comment with suggestions for changes (what do you think could work better) and/or positive feedback (what do you think works well)
  - Help your peers achieve their best work by leaving constructive notes
Class review of the three logo selection posts

Due before class on Tuesday, February 3

Choose the logo you want to animate for this project
- DRAW THUMBNAILS – 3 or more animation ideas for your selected logo – (See Creative Brief – Assignment 2)
  - Use this template or similar format
- MAKE A POST – Logo Animation Concept Post (See Creative Brief – Assignment 3)
  - Category: 02 Logo Animation Concepts
- MAKE A POST – Logo Animation Inspirations (See Creative Brief – Assignment 4)
  - Category: 02 Logo Animation Inspirations

February 3, 2026 – Tuesday

Present to the class your Logo Animation Concepts/Inspirations
- Class review/critique

Due before class on Thursday, February 5

Final Thumbnails – (See Creative Brief – Assignment 5)
Final Logo Prep – (See Creative Brief – Assignment 6)
Please see 01 Your Name Here project for additional assignment

February 5, 2026 – Thursday

Present/view revised name animations
In-class work on logo animation
One-on-one check ins with professor

Due before class on Tuesday, February 10

First draft of logo animation
- Work in progress is fine – we will review together on Tuesday
MAKE A POST – Logo Animation V1 (See Creative Brief – Assignment 7)
- Category: 02 Logo Animation V1
UPLOAD TO CLASS DROPBOX – HERE
- Filename: ART466_02-LOGO_V1_YourName_YYMMDD

February 10, 2026 – Tuesday

Class review of logo animations – V1 drafts
- Please share your company keywords – I will add them to your animation on Frame.io
- Critique using Frame.io
- Leave notes on your peers’ animations
  - Comment with suggestions for changes (what do you think could work better) and/or positive feedback (what do you think works well)
  - Offer notes/suggestions on speed, fluidity, readability, animation techniques, sound design, etc.
  - Call out any noticeable glitches or errors
  - Look at the company keywords – offer insights/ideas on how to achieve these keywords in the animation
Work on second draft of logo animation
- See Creative Brief (above) – Assignment 8

Due before class on Tuesday, February 17

Second draft of logo animation
- See Creative Brief (above) – Assignment 8
MAKE A POST – Logo Animation V2 (See Creative Brief – Assignment 8)
- Category: 02 Logo Animation V2
UPLOAD TO CLASS DROPBOX – HERE
- Filename: ART466_02-LOGO_V2_YourName_YYMMDD

February 12, 2026 – Thursday

Class review of logo animations – V1 drafts
- If you did not receive a critique on Tuesday, please export/upload a V1 draft of your logo animation.
  - UPLOAD V1 TO CLASS DROPBOX – HERE
  - Critique using Frame.io
    - Today’s critiques in the folder: 260212
    - Critiques from Tuesday are in the folder: 260210
Work on second draft of logo animation
- See Creative Brief (above) – Assignment 8

Due before class on Tuesday, February 17

Second draft of logo animation
- See Creative Brief (above) – Assignment 8
- Remember to address the notes from your first draft critique
MAKE A POST – Logo Animation V2 (See Creative Brief – Assignment 8)
- Category: 02 Logo Animation V2
UPLOAD TO CLASS DROPBOX – HERE
- Filename: ART466_02-LOGO_V2_YourName_YYMMDD
We will have another review in class on Tuesday
- Final will be due on Thursday, February 19th

February 17, 2026 – Tuesday

Class review of logo animations – V2 drafts
- Critique using Frame.io
- Leave notes on your peers’ animations
Continue work on logo animations
- Address notes from the latest review
- Prepare for final delivery on Thursday 2/19
- See Creative Brief – Assignment 9

Due before class on Thursday, February 19

Final cut of logo animation
- See Creative Brief – Assignment 9
- Remember to address the notes from your V2 draft critique
MAKE A POST – Logo Animation V2 (See Creative Brief – Assignment 9)
- Category: 02 Logo Animation V3 – FINAL
UPLOAD TO CLASS DROPBOX – HERE
- Filename: ART466_02-LOGO_V3_YourName_YYMMDD