Week 14 • December 9, 2026

Final Polish + Portfolio Case Study

Refine the motion, finish the supporting assets, and package the project so it is ready to present as a graduating portfolio piece.

Discord Google Drive Signature Brief

The Goal

This is the finishing pass. The project should already exist. Your job now is to clean up animation, tighten sound, finish supporting assets, and build a case study that explains the thinking behind the work.

Lane-Specific Polish Priorities

Lane 1: Brand Motion System

  • Polish logo/type motion until it feels intentional and premium.
  • Remove any asset that breaks the brand system.
  • Make the case study show the visual system clearly.

Lane 2: Story / Explainer Film

  • Simplify any unclear section before adding more design.
  • Polish captions, VO timing, diagrams, and transitions.
  • Make the case study show how the idea became visual.

Lane 3: Culture / Entertainment Package

  • Polish the hook, title reveal, beat moments, and final payoff.
  • Make the campaign assets feel energetic and unified.
  • Make the case study sell the visual world and audience vibe.

Final Polish Pass

  • Fix weak timing, awkward transitions, and rough keyframes.
  • Add final sound, music, SFX, captions, or mix improvements.
  • Apply final color, texture, grain, motion blur, and render settings.
  • Export and watch the piece full-screen outside After Effects.

Portfolio Case Study

  • Explain the project goal, audience, and creative direction.
  • Show research, moodboards, boards, styleframes, and motion tests.
  • Show the final deliverables together as one complete package.
  • Write a short reflection on what changed during production.
💡 Presentation Matters

Good work can look weaker if it is packaged badly. Your case study should make the project feel intentional, professional, and easy to understand.

⚠️ Finals Next Week

Do not leave project collection, naming, exports, or case study layout for the night before finals. Boring logistics can wreck a strong project if they are ignored.

Week 14 Checklist

  • Main render polished: Timing, design, and sound are tightened.
  • Supporting assets finished: 3-5 extras are ready.
  • Case study built: Process and final work are clearly presented.
  • Files organized: Source files and assets are collected.
  • Exports tested: Renders play correctly outside AE.
  • Final questions asked: No silent confusion going into finals.

← Week 13  •  Capstone 2  •  Week 15 →

NCAD Motion Design • Capstone 2 Week 14 • Fall 2026