There are some days that you are stuck in a rut trying to find inspiration from almost every digital platform. Vimeo is a good starting point for us to find the most talented animators in the world.
The platform provides quality content in terms of sophisticated animations. There are thousands of excellent graphic animators that collaborate and post everyday on the site. No wonder, it is a primal resource of ideas whenever you are working on a project.
Today, we narrow down our picks on 6 of the most interesting Vimeo videos made in After Affects.
1. Blake Mills – Money is One True God
What we like about this video is that is is aesthetically trippy. The use of textures all throughout the video is impeccable and resembles the genetic make up of notes around the world. The video progress from the delineation of classes that happens throughout history. The scenes portray the symbols and figures you’ll find in money which we often overlook. The enigmatic voice/music of Blake Mills made the video more captivating to watch.
Directed and animated by Lachlan Turczan
Music by Blake Mills
2. Clubcamping | The legend of Pedro Rodríguez | Director’s Cut
This is the story of one of the best race car drivers in the world, Pedro Rodriguez. One of his best feats was driving the iconic Porsche917K. Consequently, this video was made in collaboration with The Community and Porsche. You can see different disciplines in this video with the use of After Effects, Cinema4D and Photoshop. The Retrofuture theme perfectly fits the whole video visual. It made it more interesting to realize that the drag race superstar was a legend 50 years ago. We can definitely see the aesthetic of 70s and 80s animated cartoons like Voltes V, Mazinger Z and Akira which we already dig at the onset of the video.
Creative direction: Mariano Fernández Russo.
Art Direction: Juan Barabani.
EP: Ana Sieglitz & Juliana Millán.
Line Production: Carolina Cantero.
Animation Direction: Mariano Fernández Russo.
Animatic: Mariano Fernández Russo.
Illustration: Juan Barabani & Victoria Farelli.
2D and Motion animation: Mariano Fernández Russo, Maricel Piazza, Emmanuel Zampalo, Franco Pelliciaro, Pablo Rago, Fernando Lamattina, Katherine Pryor, Ana Artaza, Penblade Animation & Alcides Izaguirre.
Clean up: Alan Mohamed, Sofía Díaz, Gabriela Bosco, Daniela Donato, Julieta Culaciati, Clara Riavec & Rafael Pires.
Compositing: Mariano Fernández Russo.
BTS Editor: Juan Raimondi
Render: Yago Lopez.
Sound (CC Director’s Cut Version)
Music: Facundo Capece
Sound Design: Felipe Barandalla
3. PATTI CAKE$ Directed by RUFFMERCY
What we like about this video is its simplicity and rawness. You can definitely see the creativity of the animators involved in making this video. Influences of collage and assembly was put into work throughout the animation. The use of proper typefaces and bright colors was apt to create that “rawness” that the video is looking for. Repetitive elements were used to convey sound vibrations that contributed to a mere acapella from both characters into a great piece of work. Overall, the video looks fresh, modern and definitely vibin’.
Video by: My Accomplice
4. MediData “Solve The Impossible”
Direct. Fascinating. Immersive.
This is a video ad for MediData. The animators perfectly captured the essence of the brand. We were already hooked to watch the whole video the second we heard the voice over “This isn’t an experiment. This is personal”. The animation innately depicts science as a realm with vast research and knowledge by using perfectly cultured celestial elements. The video is both informational and artistic to compel viewers to watch the whole ad.
Video by: Agressive
5. Eye know
What is more beautiful than taking a static element and turn it into a piece of perfection. We like this video because of its chosen focal point which are “lights”. It turned a mundane object into a brilliant visual eye candy. The technical usage of After Effects is minimal yet the impact it gives to the viewers is resounding. This proves that you don’t need to use the maximum functionality of a software but rather use a great concept, stick with it and make it inventive.
Directed by Hiroshi Kondo (stnw.org)
Sound by Ayako Taniguchi (ayakotaniguchi.jp)
5. Coexist
This video is conceptual, quirky and irreverent. It shows the creativity of what seems to be a random shutterstock footage can turn into a piece of inventive visual experience. What we like most about this video is its concept. It’s like a sophisticated meme that is well executed. Brands can take note of this as they can actually use it on their campaigns. The choice of 3d element and color is astounding. This is a by-product when two unlikely platforms collide.
Created, designed and directed by Michael Marczewski
Sound design by Zing Audio
Featuring collaborations with Berd, Skeevaa, Jack Sachs, John Van Unen, Peter Tarka and Zachary Corzine.
Footage sourced from Shutterstock.
6. Overdose
The aesthetic of this is very XS Multimedia 2014 to 2018.
Of course, this might be one of our favorites among the set. The use of monochromatic colors paired with a striking audio bed with disruptive cuts made the video utterly interesting. The attention to details is what made this video ingenious. It depicts the provocativeness of consumerism and how it affects our internal and external behavior.
The video interprets four characters of consumption: relationships (‘Pleasure’), food (‘Eat junk’), money (‘Waste’) and drugs (‘Dope’). And this can be interpreted into the different facets of our lives. The video is profound yet easily digestive and that’s what makes an excellent material.
The creators left an important question in its description and that gave this masterpiece a lasting impact. “Is this a culture of consumerism or a culture of manipulation?”
Direction: Pleid St. & Rebeka Arce
Model: Santa K
Cinematographer: Aitor Uribarri
Music: Father
Art Direction: Rebeka Arce & Pleid St.
CGI: Alberto Carbonell & Juanma Mota
Production: Pleid St. & Rebeka Arce
1st AC / DIT: Javi Castillo
Gaffer: Álvaro Jiménez
Lead Makeup & Hair: Mery Makeup (María Soláns, Carlos Ríos)
Assistant Makeup & Hair: Rocío Ortiz y Cristina Márquez
Postproduction: Pleid St.
Graphic Design: Rebeka Arce
Making of photography: Almudena Cadalso
Making of video record: Pedro Sega
Set: Espacio Nueva Carolina
