Quba HQ

MotionGraphs

I would like to invite you to visit http://motiongraphs.qubahq.com/ – an online version of an exhibition by Quba Michalski, celebrating over a decade of his work in the field of motion design. Throughout this period Quba created several hundred of videos ranging from small independent pieces to massive visual extravaganzas for some of the world’s most well-known brands. MotionGraphs gives you a rare chance to gaze into the inner workings of his projects and examine in detail the way these selected works were constructed.

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Quba Michalski: Creative Free Agent

It is my pleasure to publicly announce that as of today I have changed my official status into Creative Free Agent and I am available for work with all interested parties. For all business inquiries you may contact me directly – the details can be found on the About page of this site.

It took me a while to figure out how to properly title myself and my services. Freelance Director? Motion Design Artist for Hire? Unassociated Writer/Art/Creative/Director? Truth be told, looking back at the past decade, it is much easier to list the things I did not do than all the roles I assumed on all the projects.

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Preset+Tutorial: Stop Motion Kit

This preset and tutorial have been inspired by true events …or to be precise – they are based on a project I did a short while ago.

In this tutorial I will show you how to quickly simulate stop motion aesthetic using my After Effects Stop Motion Kit. This collection of presets will allow you to easily add subtle imperfections to the movement of objects in your scene, emulating animator errors that are a staple of stop motion animation. Using 6 different expression sets, you will be able to apply and control glitches in movement, rotation and timing of your objects as well as simulate changes in camera position and exposure.

Running time: 37min
Difficulty: Easy
Required tools: After Effects

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Reel 2011

Here is my personal reel for June 2011, featuring commercial and independent pieces I have directed, edited, animated and designed in the recent years.

Music composed by Joel Nielsen.

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imago Reel 2010

Hot on the heels of yesterday’s address change, I am happy to present you with the latest reel of imago studios, closing down year 2010. Not much to talk about here – press play, sit back and enjoy.

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Hello imago (dot com)

Although it’s been over half a decade since we last designed a commercial website at imago, the original domain name imagonewmedia hasn’t changed. That is, until today.

Out with the old, in with the new. It is my pleasure to introduce all of you to a new home for our studio: helloimago.com. Pay it a visit if you haven’t yet and enjoy your stay.

New reel coming really soon. It is all cut, ready and even uploaded, but we’re still waiting for one of our new commercials to clear for air before we can put it out. Should be any day now…

Get ready for Stash Online

Starting May 5th 2010, the Stash DVD magazine will be available in a new, online form. The full 120-hour archive of the world’s most exceptional animation, VFX and motion graphics will become accessible in a full resolution streaming video form. All the bonus materials such as behind the scenes, production notes, music, toolkit and more, will also wind place in this new format.

The regular price for a yearly subscription runs at $158, but if you pre-order it before May 1st, there is a whole bunch of discounted options available.

More details at:
http://www.stashmedia.tv/?p=5732

Japan: The Strange Country

Japan: The Strange Country is an infographic animation, created as a final thesis project by a Japanese designer Kenichi Tanaka. This exceptionally executed 11 minute video examines Japan and its culture, taking a step back and observing it from a global perspective.

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Cycles

I have come across this surreal video by Cyriak while still on holiday, but had to wait until coming back in order to share it with you. The piece is a great example how in motion graphics / animation all you need is a simple idea and the will to push it really far.

Cycles reminds me of Zbigniew Rybczyński’s Tango – a 1982 Academy Award (Oscar) winner in Animated Short Film category. Both films begin with very plain setup and by constantly adding new looping elements, build a crazy scene that you can’t look away from for even a moment.

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Tutorial: Text Reveal (Efficient Method)

Revealing handwritten text is one of these unpleasant tasks every motion designer has to deal with at least once. In this tutorial I present possibly the quickest and most efficient way of producing this effect.

Since the reveal effect itself is quite simple to produce and would result in a very short tutorial, I added some bulk to the video by presenting a smart way of guiding a null along the reveal, using it to drive different effects, such as a lens flare or particles.

Running time: 35min
Difficulty: Medium
Required tools: After Effects, Illustrator, Trapcode 3D Stroke and Particular.
Optional tools: Video Copilot Optical Flares

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