Post-production Supervisor & Animation
From 2018 - 2020, I worked with the Microsoft Brand team to elevate and experiment with alternative ways of presenting Microsoft branding in videos. Below you will find examples of the explorations that I pioneered with my motion graphics team at Microsoft.
Microsoft
Common Intro
When I started at Microsoft, we used these intros and outros for everything. Over time I was getting requests for variations to these graphics to brand a Microsoft video in different ways. In some cases, we would skip the standard text intro and dive right into a customer story. In this case, utilizing our basic introduction was not appropriate.
Manipulated Logo Animation
One of the first areas where we started thinking outside the box was around different ways of animating the Microsoft logo on and off. When I first started working on these tests, I was explicitly working with the Microsoft 365 team. These are some of the variations that we played around with.
Zoom Transitions & 3D Objects
Another alternative to utilizing our standard three-color wipe was to use a zoom transition and then blur the footage on the zoom's fastest part. The effect gives the sense of racking focus as we transition from the Microsoft logo to the actual video footage. Another element that we began experimenting with was using 3D objects that would be used at the beginning of the video. This was a departure from the standard black and white screen we usually would use at the beginning of our videos.
Updated Color Wipe
As was mentioned earlier, we used the three-color wipe in almost all of our videos. We wanted to try different variations to this transition, so we played around with the idea of utilizing a mock-3D look that we could quickly achieve in After Effects.
Rotoscoping
Another thought outside the box was to utilize the talent we had filmed for various videos to wipe on and off the Microsoft logo. This was an enjoyable concept that we had used for other projects.
Text Animations
While working with my team of motion designers at Microsoft, I would consistently provide them with a direction regarding the best practice for animating videos to fit the Microsoft Brand. This is an example of techniques I would share with my team regarding the best animating text method for sizzle and social videos.
Animation - Thomas Nichols
Post-production Supervisor & Animation - Patrick Flaherty
Selected Works
Alamo DrafthouseGraphic Designor, Animatior, Director & Producer
Introducing Surface Duo 2Motion Graphics Designer
Introducing Surface Pro 9UI Production Director
Introducing the new Bing in WindowsUI Production Director
See what's new in the Windows 11 2022 UpdateUI Production Director
Introducing Surface Laptop 5UI Production Director
Introducing Windows 11Motion Graphics Designer
Make AI simple with AdobeDirector, Producer, Animator & Editor
Introducing Project VolterraMotion Graphics Designer
Surface for Education | The new Surface Laptop SEMotion Graphics Designer
Microsoft | Modern Workplace - Show PackagePost-production Supervisor
Adobe | Welcome to SummitDirector & Producer
Introducing Surface Laptop StudioMotion Graphics Designer
Microsoft ListsPost-production Supervisor
Microsoft FormsPost-production Supervisor
Canon EOS R5 & R6Editor & Animation
Oblivion Interactive DisplaysAnimation, Producer & Director
International Rescue CommitteeGraphic Design, Animation, Director & Producer
ExamityAnimation, Director & Producer
Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro | Microsoft TeamsPost-production Supervisor
United WayEditor & Animation
It’s Not ComplicatedDirector & Producer
Jennie Garth - The Eye SolutionDP, Producer & Editor
Microsoft | Modern WorkplacePost-Production Supervisor & Editor
Four Nights in DecemberProducer, Director, DP & Editor
Video Studio UpgradesDirector
Alcon - Training VideosDP, Director, Producer & Editor
Alcon - Talking Heads & InterviewsDP, Director, Producer & Editor
Voice Over ExamplesVoice Over
Azure VMware SolutionAnimator
2020 Stoke Holiday CardAnimation & Director
Seed & StemAnimation & Director
Blend 3015Animation & Director
Build | Microsoft 365 Intro and OutroPost-production Supervisor
Ignite | Security IntroPost-production Supervisor
Ignite | Teams Intro & OutroPost-production Supervisor
Microsoft Managed Desktop SizzleEditor & Animation
Alcon TVProducer, Director, Editor, & Animation
Alcon Live MeetingsProducer, Director, Editor, & Animation
InvasiveProducer
Microsoft Lists | We got thisPost-production Supervisor
Microsoft PlannerPost-production Supervisor
Microsoft ProjectPost-production Supervisor
Museum MilanoAnimation & Director
Science Addicts, Unite!Animation & Director
Focus.ioAnimation & Director
PixelsAnimation & Director
It's a Trap!Animation & Director
Up In The AirAnimation & Director
Rock Em Sock EmAnimation & Director
Quarantine 2020Graphic Design, Animation & Director
70 Years of AlconAnimation, Director & Producer
Chuck NorrisGraphic Design, Animation, Director
Squish & SquashAnimation & Director
Olly Walk & RunAnimation & Director
Squish & Squash JumpAnimation & Director
Dolly ThrowAnimation & Director
Olly SceneAnimation & Director
Microsoft SocialsAnimation
Introduction to MyAnalytics for AdminsEditor & Animation
EchoNous BiomedGraphic Design, Animation & Director
Live BallotGraphic Design, Animation & Director
Architecture & Nature AcademyGraphic Design & Animation
RotoscopingAnimation
After Effects RigsRigging
Make Great ArtGraphic Design, Animation, Director & Producer
SystaneAnimation, Director & Producer
Azure Active Directory + Dropbox BusinessPost-production Supervisor
Power Virtual Agents | Microsoft TeamsEditor & Animation
Power BI | Microsoft TeamsEditor & Animation
Cinema 4D BasecampGraphic Design
The Angelus | Crimson ShadowCG Artist
Premium Beat "The Perfect Song"Graphic Design
IBM SmartCityGraphic Design
Sprint Mood BoardsGraphic Design
Everlearn.io | :15 CommercialGraphic Design
Fox | Tokyo Throwdown TitlesGraphic Design
Converse Logo RevealGraphic Design
Diesel | Dance PlanetGraphic Design
12 KilometersGraphic Design
Expedition 100: Mission to MarsGraphic Design
35 DentonCamera Operator, Producer & Editor
David Crosby & Snarky PuppyCamera Operator, Producer & Editor
DCTA Ribbon CuttingDirector, Producer & Editor
H2 Accelleration EventEditor
Windows Virtual DesktopEditor
Driscoll's JoymakersEditor
Department of Energy | SWAP 4Editor & Animation
Live From DansDirector, Producer, DP & Editor
#LiveInColor 5KDP, Producer & Editor
Leukemia TexasDP, Director, Producer & Editor