While my interests have constantly shifted throughout my career, there are a few contemporary independent designers and animators that I continuously seek out for inspiration. One in particular is Impactist, a directing duo based out of Portland, Oregon. 

Dan Savage is a very talented man. I’ve seen him grow into a monster when it comes to motion graphics, and for the past year or so, watched his journey into hand-done animation. He’s always been an illustrator, but I more recently found out about his love of drums. Combine all of the above and you get his outlet, Doodle Drums.

With the elections still fresh in our minds, I am reminded of a clever infographic animation by Fraser Davidson, which is based on an excerpt from Bill Maher’s book The New New Rules: A Funny Look at How Everybody but Me Has Their Head Up Their Ass. Davidson, an accomplished UK motion designer, selected a particular Maher rant about football, socialism and politics as the foundation for his animation. Though he posted it earlier this year, it remains remarkably resonant and relevant.

Though it only uses two colors (black and white) and ends seconds after the two-minute mark, this video is incredibly entertaining. The authentic voice-over, rapid animation and retro hand-drawn style all combine to walk the viewer through Carlos Alberto Torres’s story of the famous 1977 NYC blackout succinctly but without giving the feeling that any details were left out. The color reversal at the end when Carlos remembers his first game with the Cosmos fondly makes a great impact.