Design for Digital// Title sequence research..

What is a title sequence?

A Title Sequence is the method by which cinematic films or television programs present their title, key production and cast members, or both, utilizing conceptual visuals and sound.

Source: Wikipedia.com

Here are some example of title sequences//






This sequence is very simple but it works well, it consists of type and simple shapes that move into frame in time with the music. There is really smooth transitions with the use of the rectangular shapes. They only use black and white which also adds simplicity. I think its good that they havent over complicated it and kept it as simple as possible, not only does it communicate well but it probably took them less time to make and still come out with high quality.



I really love the illustrations in this title sequence, its simple and fun. The small character is slightly animated which makes it more engaging. I think the thing that works best is the fact that it has a hand drawn feel to it and the imagery and design approach relates well to the film.



This title sequence for Spiderman is very interesting. They have used simple movements and depth of field to make you feel as though you are part of the web. The text is then placed onto the web as though it were flies, which then adds to the whole effect of spiders. I think that its clever in how they have looked at how spiders engage with their web in order to create a title sequence that not only has full relevance to the context of the film but is so simple and works so well. I think that the title sequences of films are quite important as they give you an initial indication of what the film is about and its sets a scene and an atmosphere which then runs you smoothly into the film itself.



The simplicity and the smooth transitions through frames works really well in this title sequence. The illustrations have been kept minimalistic, along with the colour palette. They use depth of field a lot which I find more engaging. The music also suites the motion but also the design approach. I think the more simple title sequence designs work more successfully than the complex ones, simply due to the fact that they are easy to understand and enagage in and they dont give away too much of the film, they just prepare you for the film/programme.



The Monsters Inc title sequence is brilliant. Its very engaging and fun and the music suites it well. The simple shapes and movements move to the beat of the music. Again it has been kept simple, the one aspect that I most enjoyed was the engagements made between the monsters and the doors and the fact that they have used a different design approach as to what they use in the film. It keeps the title sequence almost seperate from the actual film but they still work as a whole. The design approach has quite an old fashioned feel to it which is aided by the old jazz audio.




Really smooth transitions between frames. I particularly like the way in which the lines turn into type and then turn into something else. The illustrations are very simple and the colour palette aids this design approach by using quite neutral colours. The characters look as though they have been painted with a sponge because of their texture which stops the sequence from looking too dull and flat.




I think that the combination of video and motion graphics works really well in this James Bond title sequence, it makes it different from other sequences which tend to stick to one method of motion. One part which works well is the use of video with the static women. You can tell its video but it has an overlaid effect so it fits in better with the rest of the sequence. The type in this sequence doesnt seem to have much heirarchy, the images tell the story and the type is kept as simple as possible so not too distract from the illustrations. There is also good use of depth used in some frames which make you feel as though the object is coming out of the screen.



I think that the use of the dots and the way in which they change into new frames is very clever. It is such a simple way of approaching the sequence which works really well. Its very engaging and keeps you wanting to watch it. The colour palette is very simple and I also like the fact that they use simple illustrations and movements half way through the sequence which mixes it up a bit.