Strike a Chord: Modal Kinetic Typography

Abstract

We introduce modal kinetic typography, which animates a vector glyph to express a semantic concept while keeping it legible. Our key idea is to build motion from the glyph’s natural vibration modes. Specifically, a finite-element eigenproblem assembled from the vector outline yields the glyph’s softest modes, for the whole letter and for each of its parts, allowing it to bend. The problem’s zero-energy solutions, i.e., rigid translations and rotations, are applied in closed form to each part, allowing parts to also move as blocks. To animate the glyph, a frozen video diffusion model supervises only the modes’ amplitudes and phases. Our modal approach addresses two weaknesses of prior work. Free-form point optimization under video score distillation (SDS) moves each point and frame independently along noisy gradients, tearing the outline and causing jitter. In contrast, our modes are smooth along the outline and driven by a few whole-cycle harmonics, which restricts these gradients to smooth, seamlessly looping motion. On the other hand, structured alternatives rely on skeletons or keypoints from category-specific priors, whereas our modes come from the glyph itself; the only prior is a list naming each letter’s moving parts, generated once for the whole alphabet by a language model. In modal kinetic typography, shape and motion are disentangled by construction: a single base outline is sculpted toward the concept, and the modal drive cannot alter it, so a letter can also be animated without being reshaped. Across letters and typefaces, our method produces more articulated and smoother motion than Dynamic Typography and AniClipart at comparable or better concept alignment, with less glyph tearing than Dynamic Typography, and is preferred by human raters, including in a frozen-shape setting where motion alone must carry the concept. For reference, raters also prefer our method over Astra (GPT-6).

Visual Results: Shape + Motion

The word KNIGHT, with the K animated as a knight swinging a sword. — “A knight swings his sword”

The word ROOSTER, with the R animated as a rooster strutting and bobbing its head. — “A rooster strutting, its head bobbing forward and back with each step”

The word HEEL, with the final L animated as a heavy boot tapping its toe. — “A heavy boot tapping its toe up and down against the ground”

The word YOGA, with the Y animated as a figure raising both arms overhead and lowering them. — “A figure raising both arms high overhead and lowering them to the sides”

The word LULL, with the U animated as a slung hammock swinging in a lazy arc. — “A slung hammock swinging back and forth in a wide lazy arc”

The word QUEEN, with the Q animated as a seated cat flicking its tail. — “A seated cat flicking its long tail back and forth”

The word SMOKE, with the S animated as a plume of smoke curling upward. — “A plume of smoke curling upward and unfurling as it rises”

The word WHEE, with the H animated as an empty playground swing swinging between its chains. — “An empty playground swing swinging back and forth between its chains”

The word SPRING, with the N animated as a zigzag steel spring stretching and compressing. — “A zigzag steel spring stretching out long and compressing flat”

The word BEE, with the B animated as a fat bumblebee hovering, its wings beating rapidly. — “A fat bumblebee hovering in place, its two wings beating rapidly up and down”

The word WEIGHT, with the T animated as a weightlifter pressing a barbell overhead. — “A weightlifter pressing a loaded barbell up overhead and lowering it back down”

The word FARM, with the F animated as a wooden signpost creaking back and forth on its bracket. — “A wooden signpost creaking back and forth on its bracket in the wind”

The word ACROBAT, with the first A animated as an acrobat hanging from a bar, legs scissoring apart and back together. — “An acrobat hanging from a bar, legs scissoring far apart then crossing back together”

The word KICKOFF, with the second K animated as a signaller swinging both outstretched arms up and down. — “A signaller swinging both outstretched arms up and down together”

The word LAWN, with the W animated as tall grass blades swaying together in the wind. — “Tall grass blades swaying together from side to side in the wind”

The word FLAG, with the F animated as a long pennant flag snapping along its pole. — “A long pennant flag snapping back and forth along its pole in a stiff breeze”

The word WHOA, with the H animated as a tall stepladder rocking side to side. — “A tall stepladder rocking side to side on uneven ground”

The word RAVEN, with the V animated as a bird beating both wings through deep strokes. — “A bird in flight beating both wings through deep full strokes, up and down”

The word LIZARD, with the Z animated as a lizard scurrying, its body flexing side to side. — “A lizard scurrying forward, its body flexing from side to side with each step”

The word SWAN, with the S animated as a swan bobbing its long curved neck down and up. — “A swan on water bobbing its long curved neck down and up”

The word NOMAD, with the N animated as a walker striding, legs swinging forward and back. — “A walker striding along, legs swinging forward and back with each step”

The word ROCKING, with the C animated as a rocking chair rocking on its runners. — “A rocking chair rocking”

The word PSI, with the P animated as a gauge needle tilting. — “A gauge needle tilting”

The word FLEX, with the X animated as a wrestler bracing defensively. — “A wrestler bracing defensively”

The word CRAB, with the C animated as a crab snapping its pincer open and shut. — “A crab snapping its pincer open and shut”

K.O, with the K animated as a boxer throwing a punch at a heavy bag. — “A boxer throwing a punch”

The word BUTLER, with the L animated as a butler bowing politely from the waist. — “A butler bowing politely from the waist”

The word EXERCISE, with the X animated as a stick figure doing jumping jacks. — “A stick figure doing jumping jacks”

The word ARF, with the R animated as an excited puppy bouncing. — “An excited puppy bouncing”

The word PECK, with the P animated as a bird bobbing its head. — “A bird bobbing its head”

The word CAMEL, with the M animated as a camel walking steadily across the desert. — “A camel walks steadily across the desert”

The word GYM, with the Y animated as a man lifting two dumbbells. — “A man doing exercise by lifting two dumbbells in both hands”

The word HALLOWEEN, with the W animated as a bat flapping its two broad wings. — “A bat in flight flapping its two broad wings up and down”

The word BOOMBOX, with the X animated as a breakdancer mid-windmill. — “A breakdancer mid-windmill, limbs at angles”

The word ENCORE, with the E animated as a one-man band, each arm playing a different instrument. — “A one-man band: each arm playing a different instrument”

The word PEDAL, with the A animated as a cyclist standing on the pedals, legs pumping alternately. — “A cyclist standing on the pedals, legs pumping alternately”

The word SMITH, with the S animated as a wrought-iron bracket being hammered into its curve. — “A wrought-iron bracket being hammered into its curve, rebounding”

The word ZEN, with the Z animated as a deck chair refusing to unfold and snapping back. — “A deck chair refusing to unfold, snapping back”

The word MERRY, with the M animated as bunting strung between poles, swaying. — “Bunting strung between poles, swaying at a fair”

The word WIPERS, with the W animated as a pair of windshield wipers swiping back and forth. — “A pair of windshield wipers swiping back and forth relentlessly in a heavy downpour”

The word EVEREST, with the first E animated as a rock climber on a wall, three limbs holding and one reaching. — “A rock climber on a wall: three limbs holding, one reaching”

The word PUNCH, with the H animated as two boxers touching gloves across the ring. — “Two boxers touching gloves across the ring”

The word HELICOPTER, with the T animated as a hovering helicopter whose crossbar tilts like a rotor. — “A helicopter: body hovering still, rotor (crossbar) tilting”

The word DRILLING, with the N animated as a pump jack whose head nods on a fixed base. — “A pump jack: base fixed, head nodding”

The word WEATHER, with the T animated as a weathervane rooster turning on a rigid post. — “A weathervane rooster turning, post rigid”

The word JUNGLE, with the J animated as a monkey hanging by its tail and swinging gently. — “A monkey hanging by its tail, swinging gently”

The word LAKE, with the L animated as a heron standing on water, its legs planted. — “A heron standing on water, legs planted”

The word STRIKE, with the T animated as an umpire signaling, legs planted and arms calling the play. — “An umpire signaling: legs planted, arms calling the play”

The word GOAL, with the L animated as a boot kicking a ball, its standing leg firm. — “A boot kicking a ball, standing leg firm”

The word TOASTER, with the E animated as a toaster whose two slices pop at different times. — “A toaster: body still, two slices popping at different times”

The word RODENT, with the D animated as a sitting hamster stuffing one cheek. — “A hamster stuffing one cheek, body sitting”

The word PERCH, with the P animated as a griffin perched on a banner pole, its wings settling. — “A griffin perched on a banner pole, wings settling”

The word LIZARD, with the Z animated as a lizard doing push-ups, its tail flat. — “A lizard doing push-ups, tail flat”

Visual Results: Motion Only

The word BLOB, with the B animated as a blob of jelly jiggling, the letter itself left unreshaped. — “A blob of jelly jiggling”

The word READY, with the Y animated as a student raising one arm to ask a question, the letter itself left unreshaped. — “A student raising one arm to ask a question”

The word PARTY, with the R animated as an excited puppy bouncing, the letter itself left unreshaped. — “An excited puppy bouncing”

The word FLOAT, with the O animated floating side to side, the letter itself left unreshaped. — “Floating side to side like on water”

The word SNAKE, with the S animated as a snake slithering fast, agitated, the letter itself left unreshaped. — “A snake slithering fast, agitated”

The word FLUTTER, with the F animated as a flag fluttering on its pole, the letter itself left unreshaped. — “A flag fluttering on its pole”

The word MIRAGE, with the M animated as a mountain range rippling in a mirage, the letter itself left unreshaped. — “A mountain range rippling in a mirage”

The word CATAPULT, with the first T animated as a catapult arm snapping over, the letter itself left unreshaped. — “A catapult: base planted, arm snapping over”

The word EQUALIZER, with the first E animated as an electronic equalizer display bouncing, the letter itself left unreshaped. — “An electronic equalizer display bouncing up and down with three distinct horizontal bars”

The word SHOCK, with the K animated as a man jolting in surprise, the letter itself left unreshaped. — “A man jolting in surprise”

The word SHRUG, with the H animated as a man shrugging his shoulders, the letter itself left unreshaped. — “A man shrugging his shoulders”

The word RAVEN, with the V animated as wings flapping slowly, the letter itself left unreshaped. — “Wings flapping slowly”

The word NEON, with the N animated as a flag zigzag rippling, the letter itself left unreshaped. — “A flag zigzag rippling”

The word WICK, with the I animated as a candle flame flickering, the letter itself left unreshaped. — “A candle flame flickering”

The word YAY, with the Y animated as a man cheering with raised arms, the letter itself left unreshaped. — “A man cheering with raised arms”

The word HARVEST, with the T animated as a scarecrow's arms bouncing in wind, the letter itself left unreshaped. — “A scarecrow's arms bouncing in wind”

The word TANTRUM, with the R animated as a man stomping his foot, the letter itself left unreshaped. — “A man stomping his foot”

The word PSI, with the P animated as a gauge needle tilting, the letter itself left unreshaped. — “A gauge needle tilting”

The word PIVOT, with the T animated as a wooden seesaw tipping end over end. — “A wooden seesaw tipping one end up and the other down, over and over”

The word MARCH, with the H animated as a soldier marching in place, the letter itself left unreshaped. — “A soldier marching in place, stiff and rhythmic”

Comparison: Shape + Motion

For Astra results we add the target letter and font in the prompt. Not every font is available to Astra, so it uses the closest one it has.

The input letter H in Noteworthy Bold. — “An empty playground swing swinging back and forth between its chains”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the H as a swing. — “An empty playground swing swinging back and forth between its chains”

The input letter V in Roboto Light. — “A bird in flight beating both wings through deep full strokes, up and down”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the V as a bird in flight. — “A bird in flight beating both wings through deep full strokes, up and down”

The input letter X in HobeauxRococeaux Sherman. — “A breakdancer mid-windmill, limbs at angles”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the X as a breakdancer mid-windmill. — “A breakdancer mid-windmill, limbs at angles”

The input letter Y in Indie Flower. — “A figure raising both arms high overhead and lowering them to the sides”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the Y as a figure raising its arms. — “A figure raising both arms high overhead and lowering them to the sides”

The input letter R in Noteworthy Bold. — “A rooster strutting, its head bobbing forward and back with each step”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the R as a strutting rooster. — “A rooster strutting, its head bobbing forward and back with each step”

The input letter Q in Kaushan Script. — “A seated cat flicking its long tail back and forth”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the Q as a seated cat flicking its tail. — “A seated cat flicking its long tail back and forth”

The input letter L in Luckiest Guy. — “A heavy boot tapping its toe up and down against the ground”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the L as a heavy boot tapping its toe. — “A heavy boot tapping its toe up and down against the ground”

The input letter X in Roboto Light. — “A figure doing jumping jacks, throwing all four limbs wide and snapping them together”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the X as a figure doing jumping jacks. — “A figure doing jumping jacks, throwing all four limbs wide and snapping them together”

The input letter H in Kaushan Script. — “A tall stepladder rocking side to side on uneven ground”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the H as a rocking stepladder. — “A tall stepladder rocking side to side on uneven ground”

The input letter M in HobeauxRococeaux Sherman. — “A moth fluttering, its broad wings beating up and down”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the M as a moth. — “A moth fluttering, its broad wings beating up and down”

The input letter K in HobeauxRococeaux Sherman. — “An armoured knight swinging his long sword up overhead and down again”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the K as a knight swinging his sword. — “An armoured knight swinging his long sword up overhead and down again”

The input letter Z in Josefin Sans. — “A lizard doing push-ups, tail flat”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the Z as a lizard doing push-ups. — “A lizard doing push-ups, tail flat”

The input letter S in Roboto Bold. — “A plume of smoke curling upward and unfurling as it rises”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the S as a plume of smoke curling upward. — “A plume of smoke curling upward and unfurling as it rises”

The input letter Y in Kaushan Script. — “A man doing exercise by lifting two dumbbells in both hands”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the Y as a man lifting two dumbbells. — “A man doing exercise by lifting two dumbbells in both hands”

The input letter L in Roboto Bold. — “A boot kicking a ball, standing leg firm”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the L as a boot kicking a ball. — “A boot kicking a ball, standing leg firm”

The input letter W in Kaushan Script. — “A bat in flight flapping its two broad wings up and down”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the W as a bat flapping its wings. — “A bat in flight flapping its two broad wings up and down”

The input letter M in Kaushan Script. — “A camel walks steadily across the desert”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the M as a walking camel. — “A camel walks steadily across the desert”

The input letter N in HobeauxRococeaux Sherman. — “A zigzag steel spring stretching out long and compressing flat”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the N as a steel spring stretching and compressing. — “A zigzag steel spring stretching out long and compressing flat”

The input letter T in Kaushan Script. — “A man doing Dumbbell Lateral Raise”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the T as a man doing a dumbbell lateral raise. — “A man doing Dumbbell Lateral Raise”

The input letter S in Kaushan Script. — “A fat swan is swimming elegantly and stretching its neck on the water”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the S as a swan stretching its neck. — “A fat swan is swimming elegantly and stretching its neck on the water”

The input letter P in Roboto Light. — “A griffin perched on a banner pole, wings settling”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the P as a griffin perched on a banner pole. — “A griffin perched on a banner pole, wings settling”

The input letter R in HobeauxRococeaux Sherman. — “A dog offering its paw, body seated”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the R as a seated dog offering its paw. — “A dog offering its paw, body seated”

The input letter Y in Luckiest Guy. — “A perched butterfly opening and closing its wings, body gripping the branch”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the Y as a perched butterfly opening and closing its wings. — “A perched butterfly opening and closing its wings, body gripping the branch”

The input letter G in Segoe Print. — “A brass gramophone horn swinging slowly from side to side”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the G as a gramophone horn swinging. — “A brass gramophone horn swinging slowly from side to side”

The input letter K in Roboto Light. — “A pair of steel scissors opening wide and snapping shut”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the K as a pair of scissors. — “A pair of steel scissors opening wide and snapping shut”

The input letter K in Noteworthy Bold. — “A fencer lunging: back leg extended, arm thrust, torso stable”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the K as a fencer lunging. — “A fencer lunging: back leg extended, arm thrust, torso stable”

The input letter R in Kaushan Script. — “A runner jogging on the spot, one knee lifting high and dropping back down”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the R as a runner jogging on the spot. — “A runner jogging on the spot, one knee lifting high and dropping back down”

The input letter C in Roboto Bold. — “A monkey reaching out with one arm, body curled”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the C as a monkey reaching out with one arm. — “A monkey reaching out with one arm, body curled”

The input letter E in Indie Flower. — “A toaster: body still, two slices popping at different times”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the E as a toaster with popping slices. — “A toaster: body still, two slices popping at different times”

The input letter T in HobeauxRococeaux Sherman. — “An umpire signaling: legs planted, arms calling the play”

Dynamic Typography's animation of the T as an umpire signaling a call. — “An umpire signaling: legs planted, arms calling the play”

Comparison: Motion Only

The letter is never reshaped here, so motion alone has to carry the concept. For Astra results we add the target letter and font in the prompt. Not every font is available to Astra, so it uses the closest one it has.

The input letter F in Kaushan Script. — “A flag fluttering on its pole”

AniClipart's animation of the F as a flag fluttering on its pole. — “A flag fluttering on its pole”

The input letter H in KaushanScript Regular. — “A ladder wobbling”

AniClipart's animation of the H: a ladder wobbling. — “A ladder wobbling”

The input letter L in KaushanScript Regular. — “A lamp nodding its head”

AniClipart's animation of the L: a lamp nodding its head. — “A lamp nodding its head”

The input letter M in KaushanScript Regular. — “Waves rolling across the sea”

AniClipart's animation of the M: waves rolling across the sea. — “Waves rolling across the sea”

The input letter N in KaushanScript Regular. — “A flag zigzag rippling”

AniClipart's animation of the N: a flag zigzag rippling. — “A flag zigzag rippling”

The input letter T in KaushanScript Regular. — “A scarecrow's arms bouncing in wind”

AniClipart's animation of the T: a scarecrow's arms bouncing in wind. — “A scarecrow's arms bouncing in wind”

The input letter Y in KaushanScript Regular. — “A man cheering with raised arms”

AniClipart's animation of the Y: a man cheering with raised arms. — “A man cheering with raised arms”

The input letter H in LuckiestGuy Regular. — “A soldier marching in place, stiff and rhythmic”

AniClipart's animation of the H: a soldier marching in place, stiff and rhythmic. — “A soldier marching in place, stiff and rhythmic”

The input letter J in Quicksand. — “A happy dog wagging its tail”

AniClipart's animation of the J: a happy dog wagging its tail. — “A happy dog wagging its tail”

The input letter Y in HobeauxRococeaux Sherman. — “A student raising one arm to ask a question”

AniClipart's animation of the Y: a student raising one arm to ask a question. — “A student raising one arm to ask a question”

The input letter K in DeliusUnicase Regular. — “A boxer throwing a punch”

AniClipart's animation of the K: a boxer throwing a punch. — “A boxer throwing a punch”

The input letter V in LuckiestGuy Regular. — “Tweezers opening and closing”

AniClipart's animation of the V: tweezers opening and closing. — “Tweezers opening and closing”

The input letter S in Noteworthy Bold. — “A snake slithering”

AniClipart's animation of the S: a snake slithering. — “A snake slithering”

The input letter U in Noteworthy Bold. — “A snail wiggling its antennae”

AniClipart's animation of the U: a snail wiggling its antennae. — “A snail wiggling its antennae”

The input letter U in Roboto Light. — “A cradle rocking gently”

AniClipart's animation of the U: a cradle rocking gently. — “A cradle rocking gently”

The input letter B in segoepr. — “A blob of jelly jiggling”

AniClipart's animation of the B: a blob of jelly jiggling. — “A blob of jelly jiggling”

The input letter W in Quicksand. — “Ocean waves rolling and undulating”

AniClipart's animation of the W: ocean waves rolling and undulating. — “Ocean waves rolling and undulating”

The input letter M in IndieFlower Regular. — “A mountain range rippling in a mirage”

AniClipart's animation of the M: a mountain range rippling in a mirage. — “A mountain range rippling in a mirage”

The input letter P in Saira Regular. — “A sad clown drooping, head lowering”

AniClipart's animation of the P: a sad clown drooping, head lowering. — “A sad clown drooping, head lowering”

The input letter R in JosefinSans Light. — “An excited puppy bouncing”

AniClipart's animation of the R: an excited puppy bouncing. — “An excited puppy bouncing”

The input letter U in Quicksand. — “A hammock swinging in a breeze”

AniClipart's animation of the U as a hammock swinging in a breeze. — “A hammock swinging in a breeze”

The input letter O in Quicksand. — “A rubber ball bouncing”

AniClipart's animation of the O as a rubber ball bouncing. — “A rubber ball bouncing”

Ablations

Each arm removes one component and is otherwise identical to the full model, on the same case with the same seed: the drive is left free per frame, only whole-letter modes are kept, the layers are left un-orthogonalized, or the basis is cut to four eigenmodes.

The input letter K in KaushanScript. — “A signaller swinging both outstretched arms up and down together”

The full model animating the K. — “A signaller swinging both outstretched arms up and down together”

The full model animating the V as a bird in flight. — “A bird in flight beating both wings through deep full strokes, up and down”

The input letter T in Roboto Light. — “A weightlifter pressing a loaded barbell up overhead and lowering it back down”

The full model animating the T as a weightlifter pressing a barbell overhead. — “A weightlifter pressing a loaded barbell up overhead and lowering it back down”

The full model animating the U as a slung hammock swinging in a wide lazy arc. — “A slung hammock swinging back and forth in a wide lazy arc”