Join the Journey
RILEY PERRY
March 27th, 2026
Major: Communication Design & Environmental Biology
Genre/Medium: Kinetic Typographic Animation
About the Work:
Join the Journey, Follow the Flyby is a kinetic typographic animation centered on NASA’s Psyche mission and its upcoming Mars flyby, planned for May 2026. The project aims to build excitement and public awareness around this milestone in Psyche’s journey, using motion design as a tool for science communication and engagement.
The 40-second animation follows a short-form media structure, delivering fast, digestible facts through typography and rhythm-driven transitions. Designed in a 1080 × 1920 vertical format, the piece is built for social platforms such as Instagram Stories, Reels, TikTok, and other trending digital spaces. By meeting audiences where they already consume content, this animation aims to spark curiosity both in viewers who are already following the Psyche mission and in those encountering it for the first time.
Sound plays a critical role in shaping the pacing and story of the piece. The background audio was sourced from a previous Psyche-inspired project, Journey to the Metal World by Rebecca Farmer. Sections of the original score were carefully recompiled and spliced to create a shorter, faster-paced track, allowing for a strong build and an energetic ending that mirrors the momentum of the flyby itself.
While typography remains the primary visual language, the animation also incorporates simplified shapes and vector-based imagery to support clarity and reinforce ideas. These elements work together to communicate information in a visually accessible, kinetic way. Through its combination of motion, sound, and concise copy, the piece provides quick context for the Psyche mission while placing special emphasis on the significance of the Mars flyby.
All information and images sourced from https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/press-kits/psyche/mission/
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