Pro-Tips: Animation in Adobe Express with Andrew Hochradel

Andrew Hawk, the host, introduces the video by welcoming viewers to a session on animation using Adobe Express. He mentions that they will be creating social graphics with audio, which is why he is wearing headphones. Andrew invites viewers to join him in working with Adobe Express beta, accessible at new.dot.express.adobe.com, and teases an exciting project involving a merch line with Southwest. The host demonstrates the power of Adobe Express by showing a promo he made, which combines the capabilities of Photoshop, Illustrator, and Adobe Express. He then guides viewers through the process of creating an Instagram story, starting with a scratch document and using drag-and-drop features to import and edit a photo. Andrew also explains how to separate the subject from the background and refine the edges using various tools within Adobe Express.

The video continues with Andrew adding a textured background to the project by using elements and shapes to create a rectangle filled with gray. He then applies a crumpled paper effect to add noise and texture. Andrew proceeds to animate the project, turning it into a video, and adjusts the blending mode and contrast to achieve a gritty look. Next, he animates text by adding the phrase 'landing gear' and selecting a font that complements the design. Andrew also demonstrates how to adjust the text's color to match elements in the image and create a dimensional effect. He shares a trick for adding a shadow effect to objects by duplicating a layer, applying a duotone effect, adjusting the blur, and reducing the opacity to create a subtle shadow that moves with the object during animation.

Andrew demonstrates how to animate an object by duplicating a layer and applying effects to create a shadow. He then animates the shadow to move away from the background, adding a sense of depth. The host animates text to tumble in and out of the frame, adjusting the speed and intensity of the animation for a more dynamic effect. He also shows how to use the object selection tool in Photoshop to select and cut out an image of a cooler, which he then imports into Adobe Express. Andrew refines the animation by adjusting the timing of each layer, ensuring that the cooler floats into the scene after the text and leaves before it. He emphasizes the ease of moving between Adobe programs like Photoshop and Illustrator with Adobe Express.

Andrew records a voiceover for the animation, emphasizing the ease of adding audio tracks in Adobe Express. He then adds music to the project, searching for a 'happy fun' track that complements the animation's mood. After selecting the desired track, Andrew adjusts the volume levels of the music and voiceover to ensure they blend well with the animation. He also addresses a viewer's question about resizing the project for different social media formats, demonstrating how to duplicate and resize the animation for an Instagram square post. Andrew makes final adjustments to the text and cooler's position to fit the new format and ensures that the animation plays smoothly across different sizes.

In the final paragraph, Andrew addresses a question about adding curves to text in Adobe Express, noting that the feature might be available in the full version of the software, as the beta version they are using still has some limitations. He thanks viewers for joining the tutorial, encourages them to stay tuned for more content on Adobe Live, and reminds them to subscribe before signing off.