404 PAGE
When you're browsing the internet and you come across a 404 page, it means the webpage you were looking for couldn't be found. It's like reaching a dead end in the online world. Now, typically, these pages are pretty boring and just say "Page Not Found," but some websites like to get creative with them. That's where this project comes in.
GOALS
The goal here is to come up with at least one, but preferably more, fun and unique designs for these 404 pages. Think of it as adding a little bit of personality to an otherwise dull moment online. And I used Adobe Fresco to do it, which helps me bring my ideas to life visually.
DESIGN PROCESS
My ideation method was to sketch on sticky notes and write down anything in my head in a very short time. Most of my ideas are about the words "lost," “black hole," “bad luck moments,” or any kind of accident. I tried to find some funny ideas that I experienced previously to keep the page visitors’ engagement.
Some of the ideas were interactive 404 pages, but my skills was limited so I had not have a chance to make them come true. Therefore, I chose to do the automatic animation. I chose the idea of a boy who is lost in a tunnel and uses the LED light to look for something. Then he finds the message from the wall showing him the 404 error and the exit (home page). The whole page will be dark and only the light from the flashlight guides the viewers’ light. Viewers’ will keep looking until they get the message.
I used Adobe Fresco to draw frame-by-frame animation. It took me a very long time to figure out how motion works and make a smooth transition between each frame. Adobe Fresco has a motion option, so I can look at the previous artwork and make the next movements. For typography, I used grunge or handwriting fonts to represent the texture of writing on the wall. After everything, I exported the file as MP4 and placed it in an Adobe Express file so I could share it online.
FINAL
KNOWLEDGE GAINED
Through using Adobe Express, it has equipped me with the ability to create professional-looking designs for various platforms, from social media posts to marketing materials, allowing me to express my creativity with ease. On the other hand, Adobe Fresco has been a useful tool in my journey into animation, enabling me to bring static images to life through motion and movement. I've explored the fundamentals of animation, such as frame-by-frame drawing, timing, and sequencing, to craft engaging animated visuals. Through experimentation and practice in Adobe Fresco, I've gained a deeper understanding of the principles of animation and expanded my creative repertoire, opening up new possibilities for storytelling and expression.
