Website Motion Graphics Critique - museion.it

museion.it
While not explicitely heavy in motion graphics, I've chosen this site as an example of how the age-old adage of "yes is more" is especially important to motion graphics. The purpose of a website such as this is to communicate information as quickly an effeciently as possible. What is important about this website is that it communicates two types of information in two different ways, and it does so without either method interfering with the other. The first method is the most obvious - it is the display of factual text and accompanying images to communicate hours of operation, admission prices etc. The second is the communication of style and atmosphere which they want the user to associate with their brand. This is accomplished through art, design and motion graphics. However, the beauty in its simplicity comes from the fact that users who seek factual information can still quickly and effeciently retreive that information without the motion graphics distracting or delaying them in any way.

cafe-museion.com
I've included this as an example of how motion graphics done wrong can truly ruin both the atmosphere and the effeciency of the site. While users are still able to (relatively) quickly access the information they need, the choppy and poorly done animations are distracting and unpleasant. It appears as though no easing has been used, and the animation looks harsh and unnatural. Not only does this detract from the style and atmosphere of the site, but the animation is hard on the eyes, and users are less likely to read any of the accompanying text as a result. It is truly a shame that the website for this cafe could not have been done with the same style and grace as the website for the gallery in which the cafe resides. Of particular note is the scrolling - note the fluidity with which scrolling occurs on the museion mother-site. Now compare it to the harsh, static scrolling used on the cafe site. Terrible.

Portfolio Motion Graphics Critique - deathoffield.com

deathoffield.com
I'll be frank - this website barely makes any use of motion graphics, but that's exactly why I've included it. There is an art to subtlety. Just look at that loading bar! Beautiful. Any more motion than what's been used here would be too much; it would overpower the work. Note that the load time is practically nil.