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The Art of Fluidity in Creativity
Today marks the fourth day of my 30-minute creative challenge, and the theme is all about fluidity and softness. Creativity, much like a flowing stream, doesn’t have boundaries. It can shift forms, adapt to different industries, and explore new mediums. As designers, we hold the power to let our ideas ebb and flow, evolving with time, trends, and technology.
The Essence of Being Fluid in Design
If there’s one vital lesson I’ve learnt in my career, it’s the importance of being fluid. Fluidity in design means:
Adapting to new technologies and methods.
Embracing change as an opportunity for growth.
Allowing creativity to cross-pollinate between industries and mediums.
Being fluid has helped me navigate challenges, step into unfamiliar territories, and thrive in this ever-changing creative world. Design is limitless, and the more flexible we are, the more we can unlock its infinite possibilities.
This philosophy of fluidity was my inspiration as I worked on today’s creative task: creating a liquid bubble animation in After Effects. Each step of the process reflects the flow and adaptability needed in both design and personal growth.
Create a Liquid Bubble in After Effects
1. Draw the Shape
Use the Ellipse Tool (Q) to create a circular shape.
2. Add Slider Controls
Apply two Slider Controls to the shape layer:
One for Speed
Another for Distance
3. Add Wiggle Expression
Select the shape's Position property, then hold Alt (or Option) and click the stopwatch to add an expression.
Use the wiggle expression: wiggle(effect("Speed")("Slider"), effect("Distance")("Slider"))
Link the Speed and Distance sliders to the respective controls. Set the Speed to 3 and Distance to 200 as a starting point.
4. Apply Effects
Add Gaussian Blur (Effect > Blur & Sharpen > Gaussian Blur):
Set Blurriness to 50.
Untick Repeat Edge Pixels.
Add Matte Choker (Effect > Matte > Matte Choker):
Set Geometric Softness to 50.
Set all other values to 0.
5. Duplicate and Customise
Duplicate the ellipse layer as many times as you like.
Change the colours of the duplicates for variation.
Set their blending mode to Multiply for a layered, liquid-like effect.
6. Add Bevel and Emboss
Apply a Layer Style > Bevel and Emboss:
Set Size and Softness to 15.
7. Customise the Animation
Adjust the Speed and Distance sliders to create your desired animation style.
8. Add Text Layers
Create a Text Layer:
Add a Fill effect behind the animation for the background.
Add a Stroke text layer in front of the animation.
9. Final Touches
Refine the settings to your liking. Your liquid bubble animation is complete! 🎉
Fluidity in Action
This tutorial reinforced my belief that design is a boundless field. Whether you’re animating a liquid bubble or working on a complex brand strategy, the essence remains the same—be adaptable, be fluid, and allow your ideas to flourish in any form.
Taking time each day to explore, experiment, and reflect has been a transformative experience. It’s a reminder that creativity is not confined to a single box but is an ever-flowing stream that touches every aspect of life and work.
As I continue this challenge, I’m excited to see where my creative flow takes me next. For today, though, I leave you with this thought: embrace the softness of fluidity, and let your designs ripple through the world, leaving an impact that knows no bounds.
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