Animated Poster Illustration: Deerfield Beach Festival of the Arts
Illustration, Design and Animation by John Potter - Escape Key Graphics
This animated poster began as an entry for a local arts festival contest. While the design was not selected, the project evolved into a comprehensive portfolio piece that showcases my process from concept through illustration and into animation.
The concept centers on the iconic Deerfield Beach Fishing Pier. To create a distinctive perspective, I envisioned the scene from the viewpoint of a swimmer at the end of the pier, looking back toward the shore. This angle provides a dynamic, engaging composition dominated by the diagonal line of the pier pilings leading the eye to the beach and a dramatic sky. A touch of whimsy was added with a cartoon crab holding a painter's palette and brush, and a subtle self referential detail: a tiny easel on the pier holds a painting of this very scene.
The illustration was built digitally from initial sketches using Adobe Illustrator. I constructed the image with many layers, applying custom textures from my personal library to create depth in the water, wood, and clouds. The final static composition balances strong graphic shapes with detailed texture.
Following the illustration, I used this project as a technical exercise to refresh my motion graphics skills in Adobe After Effects prior to a separate client project. The layered Illustrator file allowed me to isolate and animate key elements. I focused on creating gentle, looping motions: the clouds drift, the water ripples and the crab's claw moves. This subtle animation brings the illustrated world to life, transforming the poster into a short, engaging sequence suitable for digital displays or online promotion.
This project exemplifies how a single illustrative idea can be developed across multiple formats, from a detailed vector illustration to a polished motion graphic.
AFTER EFFECTS ANIMATIONS / MOTION DESIGN / ANIMATED ILLUSTRATIONS:
PORTFOLIOS
- Illustration Portfolio: Start here for custom illustration and book covers. You can also browse illustrated maps and architectural rendering.
- Fine Art: I offer original paintings and drawings, including my Custom Halftone Series. You will also find mural work here.
- Graphic Design & Motion: View my graphic design portfolio. After that, explore motion design and animated illustrations.
- Maps by application: I create illustrated maps for boat shows, resorts, marinas, real estate, transportation, transit and parking, towns and cities, parks, and wayfinding.
- Additional project types: I also produce cover illustration, vehicle and vinyl wraps, proposal renderings, and street art.
- Illustration methods: My techniques include vector, isometric and axonometric, painting, black and white, GeoData maps, overhead maps, and custom halftones.
- Software portfolios: I work primarily in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, SketchUp Pro, and Adobe InDesign. For motion projects, I use Premiere Pro and After Effects. You can watch my demo reel here.