Arts + Sciences Logo Animation

Description

This freelance logo animation project was created for the Cleveland State University College of Arts + Sciences. I competed against other student designers using a creative brief that challenged participants to develop a logo animation under 10 seconds long using the university logo, the College of Arts + Sciences logo, and the campaign phrase “Find Yourself in the And.”

The final animation focused on visually connecting the concept of “and” with the plus symbol from “Arts + Sciences.” I used the plus sign as the primary moving element throughout the animation, allowing it to transition and transform into the word “and” at the conclusion. This created a cohesive visual metaphor that tied together the campaign messaging, the college branding, and the motion design itself. The animation emphasized clean movement, modern pacing, and strong typography while maintaining the university’s professional brand identity.

Objectives

The objective of this project was to create a concise and engaging motion graphic that communicated the identity of the College of Arts + Sciences while aligning with the university’s campaign message. The animation needed to remain under 10 seconds, requiring careful consideration of pacing, hierarchy, and visual clarity.

Another major objective was to create a conceptually strong animation that unified multiple branding elements into a single narrative. By transforming the plus sign into “and,” the animation reinforced the idea of interdisciplinary connection and personal discovery central to the campaign slogan.

Throughout the project, I incorporated client feedback and revisions to refine timing, transitions, and readability. Adjustments included shortening sections of the animation to improve speed and audience retention while preserving smooth motion and clarity. I also paid close attention to animation timing graphs and easing curves to ensure polished movement and professional-quality transitions.

Audience

• The target audience for this project included prospective students, current students, faculty, alumni, and visitors engaging with the College of Arts + Sciences brand. The animation was designed to appeal particularly to younger audiences through modern motion design while still maintaining a professional and institutional tone appropriate for university marketing materials. This animation is also intended for social media users on Instagram.

Softwares

• Adobe After Effects