SYMBIO
Speculative design group project around community gardens
Graphic Designer: Liam Benett
Motion Designer/Illustrator: Michael Dong
Interactive Designer: Elijah Francis
For this group project, we were tasked with envisioning a speculative design solution that focuses on the future of community gardens. Our project resulted in Symbio, a tech-infused garden hub focused on revitalising Aotearoas native endangered plants. Using human-centered design, we conceptualized a unique community gardening experience that combined a tech-focused garden hub with an app, that also incentivised socialisation through unique app features and garden layouts.
DEVELOPMENT
DEVELOPMENT
Storyboard for explainer
My main role throughout this project revolved around conceptualising and developing the explainer video, I also assisted with the development of the narrative-centred video. For our explainer video, I utilised a 2D Vector style that helps convey information in an easily digestible form.
Initial iterations for styleframes
Final Styleframes
Styleframes develepod by team illustrator
Development screenshots
Composited styleframes w/ Zoom
The final video was a stylised vector-based animation utilising a monochromatic look, pulling from our brand's colours, which were based on specific native plants. From here, I moved on to assisting the other motion designer with creating our narrative-driven video, where I focused on compositing.
Utilising the styleframes that our illustrator made, I essentially had to turn a flat image into a 3D scene with 2D planes. After creating an initial camera zoom within each scene, I then had to comp in the bird animations created by our other motion designer and add the text and transitions. The final result created a strong, fluid visual that draws in your attention, creating a great contrast with the content of the second half of the video.