Summary
A 404 page is not just an error message; it is a dynamic canvas with the capacity to captivate and delight users. Encountering the reality of a nonexistent page can be disheartening for any visitor. Yet, within this disappointment lies the opportunity to produce smiles and chuckles, maintaining their interest in your platform.
Goals
The project goals were to learn Adobe Express and to put it into use by making a simple and easily sharable 404 page for an imaginary website. Despite not being a part of the original goals, I used this as an opportunity to expand my knowledge in Adobe Animate (formerly known as Adobe Flash).
Process
Ideation
The bulk of my ideation process stemmed from the usage of sticky notes. Giving a few seconds per note, I intensely recorded a lot of ideas. This method enabled me to filter through mundane and bizarre concepts, ensuring no stone was left unturned.
However, sticky notes were just the beginning of my ideation journey. Dividing a piece of paper into 16 boxes (8 on each side) by folding it, I dedicated a minute to each, sketching the ideas that resonated most with me. This technique provided a solid foundation from which to develop the design further.
Final
The final design came about during both ideation sessions. The idea of a witch's brew came from the Sticky Notes and informed my 8-fold session. My session with the 8-fold gave me the layout I would eventually iterate on and finish.
Adobe Express
My familiarity with Adobe Express's predecessor, Adobe Spark, granted me a smoother transition to the program than it might have for others. Nevertheless, I encountered challenges with specific functionalities. Before delving into Adobe Animate, I explored the in-program animation tool. When my attempts with it proved futile, I considered hand-animating each element in Photoshop. However, after careful consideration, I figured Animate would offer greater ease of use and superior results.
Final Design
To enhance the cohesion of the piece, I introduced additional animated elements, particularly the bubbles surrounding the fours. The central cauldron implies the "0" and shoots a towering pillar of water. Each of the number fours contains a liquid that sloshes within.
Given the complexity of my recent projects, I wanted to create something uncomplicated. This endeavor primarily served as a personal challenge, a testament to my ability to execute simplicity amidst complexity.
Credit to Adobe for access to the Century Gothic Pro font used
Knowledge Gained
Stating the obvious, I learned how to use Adobe Express and just a few of its tools. However, I already had prior knowledge of using Express, so I didn't pick up quite as much as others may have. My main claim of knowledge gained was in Adobe Animate. I had never touched Animate before this project, and there's a good chance I may try to play with it more in my free time.
