Whether you’re an animator or an artist of any other kind, managing your work can be challenging—especially when it comes to task reviews, seeing as art is an abstract topic that is tough to measure. However, the more optimised your workflow is, the better you can understand where you are, in terms of progress.
When it comes to project management, there are some core skills that contribute to a concrete base in managing projects. There are two of them that are strongly required across different environments, which are Organisation and Collaboration. It doesn’t matter if you are an animator at an animation studio, or you are an individual working on different creative projects, practising the principles of project management can only change your work process for the better.
So, how can you consistently implement these two skills into your workflow with TESSR?
In order to help all artists organise and optimise their daily tasks, TESSR Review was developed. It allows you and your team (including your supervisor, and/or teammates) to annotate, discuss, and provide feedback about uploaded scenes—but this is just a mere overview. Together, let’s take a look at how TESSR Review works and how this feature can potentially benefit you.
How the TESSR Review Feature Works
There are multiple elements that can contribute to efficient daily working processes. However, TESSR Review focuses on helping artists organise, evaluate and collaborate through effective communication.
*Our UI/UX might look slightly different due to constant app updates
A. To Organise and Track Work Process
To start with, once users sign up for TESSR, the Directory Structure below will be applied to their workflow.
1. Scenes
On TESSR Review, “Scenes” can be viewed, evaluated and managed with “Scene list” and “Scene details”.
1.1. Scene List
A pre-loaded list of scenes, which are shown on top of the app and can be chosen by clicks for review.
1.2. Scene Details
Below the Scene list, users will be able to find the Scene details which displays information about the current active scene. This includes the scene’s name, and other action icons such as: “Download”, “Set as thumbnail”, Rendition version and Assignee(s).
2. Renditions
A Rendition is every upload to TESSR Review. This serves as a version of your review file. Rendition exists under two (2) types – Single and Multiple. With Single rendition, you can have more than one review files in it while Multiple renditions keep all files separately as they are. Users can choose which way is best to organise these review files and customise their names accordingly.
“Renditions” is a tool that helps artists:
- Fast track changes made across multiple renditions: This is important for animators and managerial staff alike. For animators, they could go back to previous versions to check if anything is amiss based on the given feedback and annotations.
- Visualise Learning Curves: Due to the ability to see past feedback, artists can assess their own skill profile by understanding the most commented areas and taking the initiative to improve and enrich their skills.
B. To Communicate and Collaborate
1. Annotations
In TESSR Review, users can use multiple approaches to execute an effective feedback process by utilising three (3) features. With a combination of these tools, the reviewer is able to limit miscommunication, increase precision in review process and better show appreciation towards artists’ work.
TESSR Review provides a comprehensive set of tools for annotations, which includes: a ballpen, a brush, an eraser, and shapes to specifically point out which detail(s) of the scene the reviewer wants to comment on. The reviewer can also adjust colours to differentiate their comments on the same frame.
TESSR also encourages our users to enrich their review process by showing more appreciation towards artists’ work. Reviewers can draw or write directly on frames. Let artists know which area they are doing well in; a small act could make their day!
2. Comments
Besides annotations, communication can be done with “Comments” feature where more details can be elaborated.
2.1. Comment Tab
By clicking on this tab, users can check comments from different Renditions without changing the current one displayed on the review screen. This would help both reviewer and reviewee keep track of changes and assure nothing is missed during the process.
2.2. Comment Box
Users aren’t limited to the bare minimum when leaving constructive and candid feedback—they have various options for formatting text, from font styles to structure (bulleted, numbered). Users can also note the exact moment of a scene that needs to be tended to, with a single click of “Mention current file in comment”.
If commenting does not help deliver all details, or if users are on the move and want a fast but clear-cut solution, using the “Microphone” feature to leave voice a message saves time while maintaining efficacy.
Other Features
There are other, smaller features that support artists' workflow, such as: Files to track all shared materials during the reviewing process and a media player that can show specifically at which moment of the scene a comment has been left.
For details on how to use TESSR Review, check out our comprehensive Notion page!
The Benefits TESSR Review Wants to Bring to Users
1. Auditory and Visual Tools: Optimise Communication
Online environments can make it challenging to maintain effective communication—it’s easy to fall behind on comprehension. Therefore, visual cues or tonal indicators are the two promising “ingredients” to reduce unwanted tension within the team.
In TESSR Review, users are able to annotate using a solid array of the colours and the shapes provided—and the comment section that supports voice messages. TESSR encourages artists to use their art and voice to ensure messages are relayed the way they should be. This could play as a considerable role in maintaining the team spirit.
2. Clear-Cut Review Process: Better Productivity
Besides limiting unwanted conflict, the commenting tools encourage clear and concise reviews. There’s much less back and forth between two or more members of a team if communication is effective—thus, the review and overall project’s processes become more productive. When time and effort is saved, there will be more energy available to ensure the quality and requirements are met. This will cultivate growth for both individuals and business.
3. Renditions: Enhance Team Decision Making
In summary, renditions are more like an evolution of the scene. Rendition two would be the amended version of Rendition one—and so on. Leaders could decide which rendition of a scene is best, and when they have all their renditions at their disposal, it’s easy to switch between each to compare—and finalise. All they’d have to do is select any rendition from the respective list and download it!
4. Optimal Interface: Fast Onboarding
It is heavily suggested that artists are experts in visual cognition. Through our tile-based interface, fun colours, and user-friendly design, users can navigate our app efficiently—cutting down the learning period of where certain options or tools can be found.
Conclusion
TESSR’s always open to feedback. If you believe that our app could help you with a feature we currently don’t have, let us know. But until then, we hope you find this blog insightful. We’ll see you again on our app!
Author Bio
From Malaysia, Leia Emeera is a writer at TESSR, and a published author. She has been putting pen to paper ever since she learned how to, and has an anthology to her name, titled 'Ten'. Leia loves music, games and her beloved labrador retriever, George. She aims to further her studies in English Literature and Creative Writing the moment her gap year ends. 'Till then, you will find her sitting behind a desk, writing with TESSR.
Connect with her on LinkedIn: Leia Emeera
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