Articles - Rob Diaz

July 4, 2024 — No Comments

Figma Config 2024: My Highlights

Going to San Francisco for a conference about software didn’t sound all that exciting at first. But Config turned out to be an unforgettable experience: full of inspiration, new ideas, and the chance to meet so many incredible people in real life. The sessions and keynotes were packed with insights into what’s next in design, but reconnecting with designers I’d only known online reminded me of the importance of community. Especially after years of remote work, being around such creative minds inspired me to get better at what I do

A lot of sessions left a lasting impression. Maybe I can’t remember every detail (still jet-lagged), but these are the ones that stuck with me:

Blending Innovation with Familiarity

The Collins team’s talk on designing “irresistible futures” and the balance between innovation and familiarity gave me a fresh perspective on how to approach projects. Their approach wasn’t just about making something that looks good but about creating designs that truly resonate by grounding them in what’s familiar. They mentioned Steve Jobs' iconic choice to make personal computers feel like kitchen appliances—something everyone could connect with. It was a great reminder of how meaningful design can bridge new ideas and everyday life.

Art and Community as Fuel for Design

The Browser Company showed another side of creativity, highlighting the role of community and art in their design process. Their inspiration comes from unexpected sources: jazz, murals in Harlem, artists from past eras, and an entire city that leaves its "fingerprints" on its spaces. Karla and Nash shared how these influences shape their vision, encouraging us to look outside the tech world for inspiration. For them, it’s about making a product feel “lived-in” and human. It was such a refreshing take and one I’ll definitely carry into my work.

Teenage Engineering’s Approach to Work

Jasper Kouthoofd’s talk was easily one of my favorites. His no-bs approach to Teenage Engineering’s creative process was raw and unapologetic. Some people found the talk controversial, but I found it relatable and more human. He talked about the impact of imperfections and reallife messiness on creative work, something I think we’re all familiar with. As a big fan of TE, it was great to hear about their process and get a glimpse into their work.

Side note: SF MOMA had an exhibition called "The Art of Noise" that displayed some of their devices. I couldn’t miss that.

Spike Jonze in the House

Spike Jonze’s session was another highlight, even though it was more low-key. Seeing him and listening to his thoughts was unique, bringing a different perspective that wasn’t focused on rectangles and design systems. His laid-back take on creativity added a different flavor to the conference:

Interviewer: Name your top 3 products?

Spike Jonze: Comfortable shoes, pens, and a banana—because it has its own wrapper.

Legend.

AI, Figma’s New Functionalities, and More

AI was everywhere at the conference, and Figma’s new AI functionalities were definitely a big deal, from smarter workflows to enhancing design. Figma is clearly embracing AI to make work easier, stay organized, and improve collaboration (sort of speak). Let’s see how that goes.

Connections Beyond the Sessions

Some of my favorite moments happened outside the sessions. I got to hang out with the Perplexity team, killing it in the AI space.

Meeting the Jitter team was also a big moment. They’re creating the “Figma for motion design,” and I’ve been following them for a while. Hearing about their product directly from the founders made me even more excited about what they’re bringing to the motion design space.

I also joined a picnic with the Lummi crew at Alamo Square, organized by Pablo Stanley. It was just a good time to meet others, play some games, and have fun.

Motion Design at Config

Right off the bat, the visuals on display were amazing. I could tell immediately the animations were by Jordan Scott, go check out his work. Emonee LaRussa’s session on her Super Bowl project was also incredible; she shared how it started, evolved, and the process behind it. Hats off to her for pulling it off.

Although motion design wasn’t a major theme at Config, there were relevant insights. The main takeaway for me was intentional storytelling and finding inspiration beyond the computer screen are more important than ever, especially as AI evolves in our field.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Config 2024 was a reminder of how essential collaboration is in our field. It’s easy to overlook that when working remotely or in silo mode, but being in the same space with others was invaluable. I came back with fresh motivation, new insights, and a renewed excitement for what I can bring to my work. Config was more than worth it, and I’d go again in a heartbeat.

July 19, 2023 — No Comments

How to Vertically Align Text in After Effects using Expressions

If you've been making subtitles in After Effects like me, you probably found out that sometimes you need the text layer to be aligned vertically. This is not an issue if you only have one line of text. But as soon as you have two lines or more, you have to adjust the position to align it again.

I've had my fair share of manually fixing this until I discovered a simple expression that works like magic. Whatever you type, the text will always be vertically aligned.

To get the best results, you should create a text box instead of just a text. You do this by selecting the text tool and instead of just clicking on the composition, you're gonna click and drag to create a box. When you give the text box a specific width, your text will have line breaks automatically once it reaches the edge. This makes the work easier.

Type whatever you want inside your textbox, and open the layer properties until you see the Anchor Point. You can also select the layer and just press "A" to see it.

We need to add an expression in the Anchor Point property by pressing ALT and clicking on the stopwatch icon, this will open a small code editor where we need to type the following:

a=sourceRectAtTime(); [0,a.top+a.height/2]+value

The anchor point of the layer will adjust itself depending on the height of the text, not the textbox, with the ability to change it manually if needed thanks to the "value" parameter.

And that should do it!

March 7, 2023 — No Comments

Calculate Render Times with this Render Time Calculator

As a motion designer, you know that rendering is the necessary beast in every project. It’s the final step where all your hard work is transformed into tangible results—but it’s also where time can easily slip away. That’s why I built the Render Time Calculator, a straightforward tool to help you get a realistic estimate of how long your next render will take, so you can manage your time and expectations without surprises.

Why a Render Time Calculator?

We’ve all been there: you set up a beautiful scene, hit render, and suddenly realize it’s going to take hours… or days. With this calculator, you can get an accurate estimate of your render time based on your project’s frames, render speed, and the number of workstations you’re using. Just enter your details, and let the calculator do the rest. It’s perfect for anyone working in 3D software like Cinema 4D, Blender, or Maya, whether you’re a freelance motion designer or working with a larger team.

How It Works

The Render Time Calculator couldn’t be easier to use. Just plug in:

Seconds per Frame - How long each frame takes to render on your setup.
Total Frames - The number of frames in your project.
Workstations - The number of machines rendering simultaneously.

Hit calculate, and you’ll see the estimated render time in hours and minutes. It’s a simple setup, but it can save you a lot of headache, especially when deadlines are tight, and you’re managing multiple projects.

Why It’s Handy for Motion Designers

Render times can be unpredictable, and managing them can make or break your workflow. With this calculator, you can get a better handle on your schedule, letting you focus on what you do best: creating stunning visuals. You’ll know exactly when to grab that coffee (or three) and when to prep for the next step in the pipeline.

Give it a try and see how much smoother your project planning can be with a quick render time estimate:

Render Time Calculator