Erin Sarofsky

Motion design isn’t just After Effects animation – and it certainly isn’t just animating supers on commercials anymore. The medium has evolved into what Erin lovingly calls “mixed media” – everything from 2d animation to cel, 3d, VFX, compositing, color correction, design-driven editorial… and yes, even live action production. In her presentation, Erin will share a variety of work, driven by concept and executed with passion. The projects range from big Marvel Studios main-on-end sequences to comedy-driven main titles… and from traditional commercials to short social media pieces. She will even break down a project from pitch to delivery, sharing its key milestones and some of the decision-making process. The common thread to Sarofsky’s work is that it is design-driven; that guiding principle will guide the discussion.

Objectives:

• To give attendees a broad overview of the skills and tools necessary to be a top-notch motion designer, from basic working tips, to how concept plays a role in fuelling design.
• To share fun, inside stories from behind-the-scenes that make or break projects.

Target Audience:

• Motion designers at all levels: People looking to be inspired.
• Designers and creative thinkers who are interested in production, but aren’t sure where to begin.
• Anyone looking to become intimately familiar with the production process.

Key Takeaways:

• How general design principles are the foundation of even the most high-profile projects.
• How concept is also the backbone to a successful job.
• An overview of all the skillsets involved in motion graphics.
• The complexities and “gotchas” of design, live action and motion graphics processes.
• Details of the pitch process all the way through job delivery.

Depending on who you talk to, either God or “the devil” may “in the details.” At Sarofsky, they use animation, visual effects, computer graphics, and live-action to collaborate with clients, from concept to delivery, producing work that aims to be visceral, innovative and diverse. That work crosses all platforms, including commercials, TV, and film main title sequences and web efforts. In each and every studio collaboration, they must be the masters of details – but as they’ve learned (sometimes the hard way), those thoughtful realms that span from the tedious to the sublime are opportunities for awesomeness. In this presentation, this one-of-a-kind professional will highlight some of the more dramatic instances where attention-to-detail made her projects, her company and their collective work absolutely spectacular. Naturally, the keys include creative vision – and highly collaborative work environments.

Target Audience
Graphic design industry professionals, principals of graphic design, animation, VFX and production companies, creative industry professionals.

Six Things Audience Members Will Learn

1. To a creative director and designer, what are the types of project details that really warrant personal attention?
2. How do you optimize project planning to ensure that the important “broad strokes” work gets done and that the details get attention at the right times?
3. What is the difference between A and A+ work, and how do you get clients and collaborators onboard to go the extra mile?
4. What should you look for in key project collaborators (producers, VFX supervisors, editors, interns) to help them embrace detail management?
5. What are some instances where attention-to-detail might very well land you the job (or project) of your dreams?
6. As a company owner or freelancer, how can you leverage an understanding of your simplest goals to make good, effective decisions?

Sarofsky Corp. has a reputation for thoughtful use of animation, visual effects, computer graphics and live-action to produce innovative work across many platforms, including commercials, TV and film main title sequences and branded content. To a creative director and designer, what project details really warrant personal attention? What should you look for in key project collaborators to help them embrace detail management? What are some instances where attention-to-detail can help you land the project of your dreams? As a company owner or freelancer, how can you leverage an understanding of key design philosophies to make effective decisions? What’s the difference between A and A+ work, and how do you get clients and collaborators to go with you the extra mile?

Join Erin Sarofsky as she answers these questions and more and explains the design philosophies that make her company’s work spectacular.

The one thing that connects all designers, no matter what medium or style, is that we all have clients. Clients play a significant role in the creative process and ultimately, have to be happy with the final product. Because of the collaborative nature of the relationship, designers need to manage the experience in ways that allow us to produce artful work and make the client feel heard. In this talk, Erin explores the not so subtle nuances of this vital relationship.

There is a major trend that is massively impacting the brand marketing world. Increasingly, brands are forming their own internal creative agencies. Without proper evaluation and planning, creating an ill-conceived and ill-supported in-house creative agency can create a drain on the company’s resources, time, and energy. Erin will address this trend by providing guidance on pitfalls and best practices before your company takes the leap.