Capstone Project: From Brief to Finished 2D Motion Graphic

What You’re Building in This Capstone

This capstone is a complete beginner-friendly project that forces you to connect every stage of a 2D motion workflow into one coherent deliverable. You will produce a short piece (10–15 seconds) with a clear message, consistent pacing, and platform-ready exports. The goal is not to show every technique you know—it’s to demonstrate control: clear communication, intentional motion, and clean finishing.

Capstone Output

• One 10–15 second promo/explainer card animation
• Multiple platform versions (e.g., 16:9, 1:1, 9:16)
• A set of milestone deliverables you can share as proof of process

Project Brief (Simple, Realistic, and Constrained)

Pick one of the following briefs (or write your own using the same structure). Keep it simple so you can finish.

Brief Option A: Event Promo Card (10–12s)

• Client: Local community event
• Goal: Announce event name + date + call-to-action
• Mandatory text: “Design Meetup Night” / “Thu, May 14 • 7 PM” / “Free RSVP”
• Deliverables: 1920×1080, 1080×1080, 1080×1920

Brief Option B: App Feature Explainer (12–15s)

• Client: Habit tracking app
• Goal: Explain one feature in one sentence
• Mandatory text: “Plan your week in 30 seconds” / “Tap. Drag. Done.” / “Try it today”
• Deliverables: 1920×1080, 1080×1920

Brief Template (Copy/Paste)

Project name: 
Audience: 
Primary message (one sentence): 
Call-to-action (CTA): 
Duration: 10–15 seconds
Format(s): 
Brand/style keywords (3–5): 
Must include (text/logo/colors): 
Must avoid (clutter, tiny text, etc.):

Milestone Deliverable #1: Plan Document (1 page). Include the filled brief template plus your beat outline (next section).

Beat Outline: Turn the Brief into Time Blocks

Create a beat outline that assigns a purpose to each segment of time. This is not a script—it’s a timing map that prevents “wandering animation.” Keep beats chunky and readable.

Example Beat Outline (12 seconds)

Lock your duration now. If you later add a new idea, you must remove something else to keep the piece on time.

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Style Frame: One Still That Proves the Look Works

Create a single “hero” still frame that represents the final design quality: layout, color, typography, and icon/shape style. Choose the most information-dense moment (often the details or CTA beat). This prevents redesigning while animating.

Style Frame Checklist

• All mandatory text present and readable at intended viewing size
• Clear hierarchy: headline > supporting line > CTA
• Safe margins for all formats you must deliver
• Background and foreground contrast tested
• One consistent visual motif (e.g., rounded rectangles, line icons, paper cut shapes)

Milestone Deliverable #2: Style Frame (PNG/JPG). Name it clearly (e.g., styleframe_v01.png).

Prepare Assets for Animation (Capstone-Specific Pack)

Instead of building a huge library, create a small, complete asset pack that covers every beat. The capstone is about completeness and organization.

Minimum Asset Pack

• Background(s): 1–2 variants (solid, gradient, or subtle texture)
• Text blocks: headline, subhead, details, CTA
• Logo or placeholder mark
• 2–4 supporting shapes/icons (e.g., calendar, checkmark, spark, arrow)
• Optional: a simple frame device (card, panel, or container)

Asset Pack Folder Structure (Example)

/Capstone_Project
  /01_Plan
  /02_Design
    styleframe_v01.png
  /03_Assets
    /vectors
    /textures
    /logos
  /04_Animation
  /05_Exports

Milestone Deliverable #3: Asset Pack (zipped folder). Include the final style frame and all source assets needed to rebuild the scene.

Animate Scene by Scene (Build a Reliable Assembly Line)

Work in scenes that match your beat outline. Each scene should have a clear start state, readable hold, and end state that sets up the next scene. Avoid animating everything at once across the whole timeline until you have a working rough cut.

Recommended Scene Breakdown

• Scene 01 (Hook): headline keyword + simple accent shape
• Scene 02 (Explain): one-sentence benefit + supporting icon
• Scene 03 (Details): date/time or 2–3 steps
• Scene 04 (CTA): CTA + logo lockup + end hold

Rough Animation Pass (What “Rough” Means)

In the rough pass, you are proving timing and readability, not perfect motion. Use simplified motion choices and placeholders if needed. Your rough should answer: “Does this communicate in 12 seconds?”

• Block in entrances/exits for each scene
• Hold long enough to read (especially details and CTA)
• Keep transitions functional (even if plain)
• Use consistent scale and position rules across scenes

Milestone Deliverable #4: Rough Animation (H.264 review export). Label it capstone_rough_v01.mp4.

Add Transitions That Preserve Continuity

Once the rough cut communicates, improve flow between scenes. Your transitions should support the message, not distract from it. Choose one transition “family” and reuse it so the piece feels designed.

Transition Plan (Simple and Repeatable)

• Match move: carry one shape or panel across scenes to create continuity
• Motif wipe: use your primary shape language (e.g., rounded card) as the wipe
• Cut on emphasis: cut when a word lands or a beat changes

Continuity Checklist

• Background color/texture doesn’t jump unexpectedly
• Typography style stays consistent across scenes
• Elements don’t “teleport” unless it’s clearly intentional
• The viewer always knows what to read next

Refine Animation (From Working to Watchable)

Now convert the rough into a refined animation pass. This is where you make motion feel consistent across the whole piece: similar energy, similar spacing, and predictable emphasis.

Refinement Pass Priorities

• Consistency: similar elements should move similarly (headlines vs details)
• Hierarchy in motion: headline gets the strongest motion, details get calmer motion
• Holds: ensure each key message has a stable reading moment
• End state: CTA and logo settle cleanly and hold long enough

Milestone Deliverable #5: Refined Animation (H.264 review export). Label it capstone_refined_v01.mp4.

Polish Pass (Micro-Fixes That Add Professionalism)

Do a dedicated polish pass with a checklist. The goal is to remove small issues that beginners often leave behind: tiny misalignments, inconsistent spacing, jittery endpoints, and cluttered frames.

Polish Checklist (Frame-by-Frame Where Needed)

• Text baselines align across scenes (especially multi-line blocks)
• Spacing between headline/subhead/details is consistent
• Edges are clean (no unintended 1px gaps or overlaps)
• Any subtle texture/grain doesn’t flicker
• Final frame is stable (no accidental drift)

Integrate Audio (Lock the Rhythm Without Recutting Everything)

Add audio after the refined animation is working visually. Use audio to reinforce beats: hook, reveal, emphasis, CTA. Keep it simple: one music bed plus a few subtle hits is enough.

Audio Integration Steps

• Place music and mark major beat moments (hook, details, CTA)
• Add 2–6 sound accents for key reveals (not for every movement)
• Adjust scene boundaries slightly if needed, but avoid major redesign
• Check that audio does not mask readability (busy moments need calmer sound)

If audio forces you to change timing, update your beat outline so your documentation matches the final.

Export Platform Versions (One Master, Then Adapt)

Export a master version first, then create platform variants by adapting layout and safe areas. Keep the animation behavior consistent; only reposition and rescale elements to preserve readability.

Versioning Plan

• Master: 1920×1080 (or your primary target)
• Square: 1080×1080 (recenter key text, increase line spacing if needed)
• Vertical: 1080×1920 (stack text, enlarge CTA, protect top/bottom UI zones)

Milestone Deliverable #6: Final Exports

• capstone_final_16x9.mp4
• capstone_final_1x1.mp4 (if required)
• capstone_final_9x16.mp4 (if required)

Milestone Deliverables Summary (What to Submit/Archive)

Evaluation Criteria (Use This as Your Rubric)

Assess your capstone using the criteria below. Score each 1–5 and write one fix you would do next.

1) Message Clarity

• Can a first-time viewer understand the main message without pausing?
• Is the CTA obvious and readable?
• Is there any unnecessary element competing with the message?

2) Timing Consistency

• Do similar beats take similar time (e.g., each detail line gets a comparable hold)?
• Does the piece feel rushed anywhere (especially the details)?
• Does the ending hold long enough to act on the CTA?

3) Easing Quality

• Do moves start and stop cleanly (no abrupt snaps)?
• Do elements settle without wobble unless intentionally designed?
• Does motion feel like one “system” rather than random speeds?

4) Typography Readability

• Is text large enough for the smallest target format?
• Are line breaks intentional (no awkward single-word lines)?
• Is contrast sufficient across all scenes?

5) Clean Export Settings

• No unexpected cropping, black bars, or mismatched aspect ratios
• No visible compression artifacts on flat colors or gradients
• Correct frame rate and consistent audio level across versions