Animating a bird logo

[Nicohk92]

Here's a client logo, that I want to give a little movement. Perhaps soaring up and extending its wings to finish in that position.

I'm about to go and vector trace it. How would yo go about it as well as rigging?

Having it on several layers perhaps (one for each wings + abdomen and head)?

Or rather just one layer with connected shapes?

[slowtiger]

I'd do at least 4 levels:
head/body
front wing
back wing
tail (maybe split in separate feathers)

[Greenlaw]

If I was animating only the wings, I'd keep this in a single layer, and use a mixture of Flexi-bind and Bind Points where appropriate. When the animation will be simple and limited, keep the setup simple.

An argument could be made to separate the body from the wings (so, at least three layers or groups of art,) but this depends on how complicated or detailed you want the animation to be. You should ask: Does the head also move? Does the tail? Does it open its beak?

If this was a 'general use' character rig that performs many different actions throughout a story, I'd break it out into multiple layers. I'd use Link to isolate which bones in the rig affect which layer of character. I'd likely combine this with Bind Points for any points that need to be locked to specific bones. Just mentioning this to help with the decision.

Hope this helps.

[Maestral]

I want to give a little movement.

Your interpretation of "a little" is the key here
The thing that you're tracing the logo sounds like a hint to me, alas...

All those feathers are simple, basic shapes that you can deploy in liquid shapes. Easy trace, simple rig and a lot of room for play.
I'd go for Slowtiger's structure though

Once you have the vectors and if you go for basic shapes (fewer points) Magnet tool on a single layer could be your friend as well

[NanotechBeasts]

Not sure, the others have some good suggestions, but it's a pretty logo. I like it. : D!

[Nicohk92]

The logo is not from me. I'm just incorporating it into a video.

It's just to give them a cool logo reveal, nothing more.

I think the only thing I'll do is spreading the wings and tails from a more vertical/straight pose (and head to the sky), with a little bit of overshoot.

The feather structure and color division makes me want to separate each one as different shapes if not layers but it might be an overkill.

Thanks for the leads. I'll keep you updated.