Ugly Manifesto
IED Barcelona - Student: Maria Therekova
Academic year
2024/2025
‘Ugly Manifesto’ is a motion graphics piece that investigates a provocative question: Why do designers like ugly graphics? Through a series of visual statements, the project examines the reasons behind this attraction to aesthetics considered “anti-cute”, challenging the conventions of traditional design.
Each section introduces a key idea — from an act of rebellion against the mainstream to the search for authenticity, to the aesthetics of error — accompanied by a visual narrative constructed with mixed-media animation.
Combining 3D scenes made with Cinema 4D and 2D animation in After Effects, the work creates a dynamic and expressive visual language that reflects the complexity of the subject matter. More than a critique, ‘Ugly Manifesto’ is an invitation to reflect on contemporary visual tastes and the cultural, historical and emotional factors that shape our aesthetic preferences.
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