Animation and Video | Art 4 Life

Legends That Echo Forever (Nov-Dec 2024)

This project is a visual and auditory journey inspired by the orchestral composition “The Call” by 2WEI and the film “Troy”. As a devoted admirer of this movie, I set out to retell the story of Achilles—a timeless narrative of glory, passion, and the tragic cost of greatness.Through this piece, I aim to encapsulate the emotional weight of stepping into battle—whether literally or metaphorically—facing fears, and fighting for a cause, be it personal or collective.

Here is a link to full project description: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16oV9sNzsgIxpfXrmpWnCkvaSVyM7yuH-?usp=share_link

My Role: Motion Graphics Designer, Editor, and Rotoscope Artist

Softwares: Adobe After Effects, Adobe Photoshop

Battle Bard

Battle Bards is VR experience that blends high-energy rhythm-based combat with a rich sci-fi/fantasy universe. In this immersive world, you'll wield elemental powers, clash swords, engage in shooter-style battles, or use your virtual hands to deliver precise, rhythm-driven strikes. Master the three key metrics—power, accuracy, and combo—to outscore your opponents and climb the rankings, whether you're battling solo, joining a party with friends, or competing in head-to-head matches with live players. And if no live opponents are available, smart AI will step in to keep the action flowing.

I’m deeply passionate about making this game a reality and plan to start working on it this summer after I finish my VR, Design & Composition, and UI/UX class this Spring. For more details on the design and development process, please see the attachment link to the files which includes the style guide and UI wireframes.

My Role: Designer, Art Director

Gladiator Poster (March 2025)

My Role: Graphic Designer

Software: Adobe Indesign, Photoshop

The background was created in Photoshop, where I blended the Colosseum with a rusty texture using the gradient tool to create depth and atmosphere. I then isolated Paul Mescal's character from the original image and positioned him as the central figure in the composition. To achieve the bold purple and orange color scheme, I applied a gradient map, which unified the tones and gave the poster a cinematic aesthetic. Next, I imported the design into InDesign and utilized the modular grid tool to structure the layout. This helped in aligning and positioning the text in a balanced and visually clean way. This poster was created as part of a class assignment, focusing on effective composition, typography, and visual storytelling.

National Barbie Day Poster (March 2025)

My Role: Graphic Designer

Software: Adobe Illustrator

I designed this National Barbie Day poster using Illustrator with a combination of shapes, effects, and generated elements. I began by using the Rectangle Tool to create the pink background and then added a star shape using the Star Tool. To achieve the layered starburst effect, I duplicated and resized the star, adjusting its properties for depth. Next, I created a white rectangle in the center as a focal area for the character. The Barbie character was generated in Adobe Firefly, and I then removed the background before positioning it within the white rectangle. For the text elements, I typed "National Barbie" and applied the 3D tool to create a bold, bubbly text effect with a drop shadow for depth. To maintain consistency, I duplicated this text, changed it to "Day," and increased the size for emphasis. Below this, I added a black rectangle containing the date (March 09) in white text. Finally, I incorporated the tagline ("Dream Big, Sparkle More, Shine Bright!") along with star graphics, applying a drop shadow effect to create an outer glow around the stars for a magical touch. This poster was created as part of a class assignment, focusing on typography, layout, and visual hierarchy.

RHYTHM and BEATZ (2025)

My Role: Designer

This is a loading screen for my soon to be developed VR rhythmic game

I was inspired by the immersive vibe of Beat Saber, its ambient music, dynamic colors, and overall energy really caught my attention. That same energy reminded me of a dance production I put together back in my undergrad, where I used a similar color palette and even the same title. It felt natural to bring that memory to life in a new way by transforming it into a game concept.
I sourced images from Adobe Firefly and cut out the characters of the different images and arranged them against different backgrounds till I got one that they all blended with. I experimented with color adjustments to ensure everything blended nicely. One of my favorite parts of the process was using a Gaussian blur on the background. I wanted the loading text to really stand out, so I thought blurring the busy background would help keep the focus on the progress indicator and make the wait feel a little less tedious.
Speaking of the progress indicator, I decided to include a loading percentage alongside the text. I've been frustrated when apps didn’t let me know how much longer I’d have to wait, especially on slower devices. That little bit of feedback really enhances the user experience, and I wanted to make sure it was part of my design. Another element that’s close to my heart is the graffiti-style font I chose. As a hip-hop dancer and a Black artist, graffiti represents a huge part of my culture. Integrating it felt like the perfect way to infuse my personality into the game’s interface, giving it an authentic urban edge.
While I’m really proud of how I pulled together the concept and created the overall design in Photoshop, I do see areas where I can improve. The background, despite my best efforts with the blur effect, sometimes still competes too much with the foreground text.
In the end, this project was more than just a design exercise. It was a way for me to mix my love for dance, my cultural roots, and my new found passion for game design into one creative endeavor. I’m excited about the possibility of refining this idea further, especially as I look forward to exploring it in my upcoming VR project.

MoJUICE!!!! (Jan 2024)

A social media video crafted for the fictional food and beverage brand, MoJuice. In this animation venture, I explored the art of utilizing paths to fashion a captivating typographic stretch animation. The journey involved refining animation techniques through the graph editor, and adding an extra layer of enjoyment with dynamic liquid motion graphic transitions. Drawing inspiration from a Skillshare class—an online haven for creatives—I infused creativity and skill into this project. Join me in experiencing the fusion of innovation and visual appeal within this portfolio-worthy video.

My Role: Animator/Motion Graphics Designer

Software: Adobe After Effects

Inspiration: Beginner's Guide to Animate Fun Social Media Reels in Adobe After Effects by Honshu Guo on Skillshare

#AfterEffects #MotionGraphicsAnimation #SocialMediaContentCreation

NAME ANIMATION (Dec 2023)

I crafted a dynamic name animation through motion graphics in After Effects. Drawing inspiration from a Skillshare class, an online learning platform for creatives, I delved into the intricacies of the graph editor, applied various effects, and infused energy into the project with lively and entertaining animations.

My Role: Animator/Motion graphics Designer

Software: Adobe After Effects

Inspired by: Hongshu Guo

#AfterEffects #Animation #MotionGraphicsAnimation #AdobeCreativeSuite

Are You There - Dance (Dec 2022)

Song: Are You There? - Mura Masa
Choreography by: Kylee Miller
Filmed and Edited by: Deborah Ampong
Lighting Design: Deborah Ampong
Location: Hampshire College Main Dance Studio

Shot on Canon AX11
Edited in Adobe Premiere Pro

Follow Deborah:
Instagram: @dynaya9

Follow Kylee:
Instagram: @kyky_treeguy

Prepare to be blown away as Kylee graces the stage with jaw-dropping choreography and breathtaking moves, seamlessly blending contemporary and hip-hop styles. 🔥

As the mastermind behind the camera and editing, I capture the raw energy and emotion of this thrilling performance. 🎥 The result? An immersive and dynamic video that showcases the true essence of contemporary-hip hop dance.

🎬 Don't miss out on this incredible duo, delivering a powerful and emotive performance that'll leave you inspired! Hit that like button, subscribe, and let's celebrate the art of dance together! 🎉📹 Watch now and be part of the magic! 🔥💃
https://youtu.be/ufidG_sH1Kg

Rhythm & Beats Section 02 (Samara's Documentary)

This is a dance documentary/production piece that I made for my senior piece with my friend Samara being the focus.

Proud to present the second part of my senior dance production, an electrifying showcase of hip-hop dance! As the artistic director, I've had the privilege of curating a high-energy performance that celebrates hip-hop culture's infectious rhythms and vibrant moves.
My talented dancers have poured their hearts and soul into this dynamic piece, capturing the essence of urban dance and storytelling.
Get ready to groove, as we break it down with a mix of passion, creativity, and the power of unity through dance.

My Role: Director, Video Editor, Sound Editor, Cinematographer, Lighting Designer, Choreographer

Dancers: Kylee Miller, Samara Wilson

Edited By: Tyler Solis, Debbie Ampong

Cinematographer: Tyler Solis, Debbie Ampong

Lighting Design: Ezekiel Baskin, Debbie Ampong, Anya Krouse

Producer: Hampshire College Dance

Technical Director: Hayden Gadd

Senior Piano Recital (Nov 2024)

This is in partial fulfillment of the graduation requirements for the degree, Bachelor of Music Education

PART 01
Nocturne in F-Sharp Major, Op. 15, No.2
Fryderyk Chopin
(1810-1849)

PART 02
French Suite No.6 in E Major, BWV 817
I. Allemande
II. Courante
III. Sarabande
IV. Gavotte
V. Polonaise
VI. Menuet
VII. Bourrée
VIII. Gigue
Johann Sebastian Bach
(1685-1750)

PART 03
Piano Sonata in E minor
II. Andante
Florence Price
(1887-1953)

CREDITS
Performed by:
Ethan Uyeda

Sponsored by:
Illinois State University
Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts
School of Music

Cinematography
Debbie Ampong

Editor
Debbie Ampong
https://youtu.be/lBYaKNL0kxI

This is Los Angeles (Jul 2023)

Step into the enchanting world of Los Angeles through this mesmerizing video, skillfully crafted using Premiere Pro and After Effects! 🎥📈 Join me as we embark on an unforgettable visual adventure, exploring the vibrant streets, iconic landmarks, and breathtaking landscapes that define this captivating city. From the glitz of Hollywood to the tranquility of the beaches, every frame is infused with cinematic magic to showcase LA's true essence. As the editor and visual storyteller, I aimed to capture the heart and soul of this bustling metropolis, creating a seamless and immersive experience for every viewer. Get ready to immerse yourself in the LA experience like never before! 🌴🌃 #LosAngeles #CinematicJourney #PremierePro #AfterEffects #VisualStorytelling #CityOfAngels"

CLICK TO GO TO THE VIDEO

My role: Director, Motion Graphics Designer, Video Editor, Writer

Producer: Debbie Ampong

Sound By: Adobe Stock

Softwares: Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects
https://youtu.be/FKdhPHSg54w

DEBORAH AMPONG