Motion & Video Works: Story, Education, and Rhythm

Project Introduction

• Project Title: Climatic Action – Smart Ways to Protect Communities in Ethiopia

• Timeline: November 2022

• Project Type: 1-minute Motion Graphic Video

• Purpose: Shared on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Microsoft Viva Engage, and DAI newsletters

• Format & Size: MP4, 1:1 Square

• Tools Used: Adobe Illustrator, After Effects

Team & Role

• Designer: Gawon Lee

• Project Lead: Elizabeth Drachman (Principal Specialist, Global Communications)

Project Overview

This motion graphic was created in support of UN Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action, aiming to present DAI’s climate resilience efforts in a simple and engaging way. Ethiopia faces severe flooding due to its geography and the growing impact of climate change. During the rainy season, heavy rainfall causes river levels to rise, leading to large-scale floods that result in loss of lives and serious economic damage every year. The video highlights smart, sustainable solutions that help communities better prepare for and respond to these challenges.

Many viewers have never experienced a major flood firsthand, which can make it hard to connect with the issue. That’s why I focused on making the message clear, relatable, and under one minute—because in video, every second counts.

The Creative Approach

The given on-screen text was longer than expected, and there was not much to be removed. But with a strict 1-minute limit, I had to figure out how to present the information effectively. I decided to maximize engagement in the first few seconds.

For us, this is an important topic, but how would a general audience react when they see it outside of the organization? So, instead of overwhelming viewers with text from the start, I decided to open with engaging animation and gradually introduce more information. This way, we capture attention first and deliver key messages in a way that keeps the audience watching.

2. Educational Reel & Shorts

Project Introduction

• Project Title: Apple Watercolor

• Timeline: April 2024

• Project Type: Short Educational Video (Instagram Reel & YouTube Shorts)

• Purpose: Created to be shared with middle and high school students one week prior to class as a preview assignment, demonstrating how to paint an apple still life in watercolor.

• Format & Size: MP4, 9:16 Vertical (1080 × 1920 px)

• Tools Used: Smartphone Camera, CapCut

Team & Role

• Designer: Gawon Lee (Solo Project)

3. A Visual Rhythm Study

Project Introduction

• Timeline: January 2025 (footage captured in Febrary 2023)

• Project Type: Cinematic Short Video, 30 seconds

• Purpose: Created as a personal visual experiment to explore rhythm, timing, and atmosphere using live footage captured during Disney World’s fireworks show.

• Format & Size: MP4, 9:16 Vertical (1080 × 1920 px)

• Tools Used: Smartphone Camera, Premiere Pro, CapCut

Project Overview

This video was designed to capture the excitement and emotion of Disney World’s fireworks through rhythm-based editing. Each transition, light flare, and visual effect was synced to the beats of the background track to create a dynamic and immersive flow. The goal was to evoke a sense of wonder and magic through timing, color, and movement—turning a casual travel moment into a cinematic experience.