Explode is one of our signature event pieces — really a series rather than a single video. It began at Sales Kickoff 2023, when I was handed just a few static designs of stacking “YES” strokes (by graphic designer Annie Wei-Hsin Lo), with no motion direction at all. Over a weekend, I built the very first version from scratch, working out how the separate designs could connect and what logic the motion should follow.
The result caught on companywide and quickly became a signature piece — adapted into countless sizes and used across nearly every event since. We’ve continued to refine it over the years for a fresher look, and it now lives in many variations. The video here shows the K25, SKO25, and the original SKO23 (“YES”) versions.
I created the Sales Kickoff 2023–2025, World Forum 2024, and Knowledge 2023–2024 versions, along with smaller adaptations for third-party expos, including AWS re:Invent 2024. SKO25 is my most recent: Joey Bianco animated its new opening while I completed the rest, and Joey later adapted the SKO25 animation into the K25 version with a fresher look and feel.
My Role
Originated the motion concept and logic from static designs; design and animation across the Sales Kickoff, World Forum, and Knowledge versions (2023–2025).
Tools
After Effects
Credits
Creative Director: Jonathan Pharr
Graphic Designer: Annie Wei-Hsin Lo
Motion Design: Sonny Song, Joey Bianco
Sonny Song — Motion Design 
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