MTV
TV Bumper Animation
After Effects • Procreate • 2025
This bumper is a hand-drawn animation built around graffiti energy and quick motion. The idea was to recreate the feeling of tagging a brick wall in real time using bold color, rough texture, and exaggerated movement. The entire sequence was designed to feel fast, loud, and expressive while staying true to MTV’s rebellious identity.
Set the Mood
The mood pulls from street art, neon aerosol bursts, and the graphic style of early MTV. The references mix bright color with heavy outlines and brick textures to build a raw visual tone. The goal was to make something playful, chaotic, and instantly recognizable.
Sketch Phase
The early sketches explored how the hand and spray cloud would move across the wall. These frames mapped out the timing of each burst and how the MTV letterforms would appear through layers of paint. The sketches helped set the rhythm of the piece and kept the animation focused on simple, bold motion.
Creation Process
All visual elements were hand-drawn, including the spray textures, the painted strokes, the brick wall, and the stylized character hand. Each asset was built separately so the motion could push and pull the paint in different ways. The animation focused on quick hits, smooth arcs, and layered spray to make the reveal feel natural and energetic.
Sound Design
The audio was created alongside the visuals to strengthen the rhythm of the bumper. The beat, the spray bursts, and the ball rattle inside the can were recorded and mixed to match the timing of each movement. The sound helps the animation feel physical and gives the reveal more impact.
Final Animation
The final bumper brings all the elements together into a quick, expressive reveal. The hand moves with confident motion, the spray clouds expand across the wall, and the logo snaps into place with a bold outline and light glow. The textures and grain give the piece a gritty finish that keeps it grounded in real aerosol style while still feeling clean enough for broadcast.