Motion Graphics: How to Make Motion Graphics

Motion graphics is a facet of visual effects (or VFX) and animation in which designers give text, shapes, and graphics the appearance of movement.

As an example, think of how often news stations utilize this sort of animated design to showcase “Breaking News” and other segments. Motion graphics are common in films, music videos, advertisements, and online content. Pure motion graphics videos—in the case of some explainer content or lyric videos for bands—also exist.

Motion graphics come into play during the post-production process, during which motion graphics designers work with video editors to finalize the appearance of video content.

In a literal sense, motion graphics are, indeed, a facet of animation. Motion graphics designers animate text, for example. Still, throughout the video production world, it’s useful to know the main differences between each subset of animated material—especially given the fact animation can be a broad catch-all term.

Both motion graphics design and more typical forms of animation create the appearance of movement, but the main difference between the two art forms is the subject matter of this motion. For instance, animation often refers to character animation. Think of your favorite animated sitcom or children’s movie. On the flip side, motion graphics almost exclusively deals in the typical elements of graphic design: text, shapes, and basic images.

Motion graphics become more and more ubiquitous every year. Consider these three common types of motion graphic content:

1. 1. Advertisements: It’s common for advertisers to use this art form to spruce up their content. This might include animating their logo, utilizing transitions from one scene in a commercial to another, and other enhancements in advertisements. Consider the case of an explainer video ad using an infographic. In this case, a motion designer could make it look like a graph draws itself on screen.
2. 2. Film credits: In the past, film credits were largely stationary. One set of names would appear after another in a series of stills. Now, these segments are often animated videos, and some movies have ornate motion graphic title sequences.
3. 3. Website copy: You can build motion graphics into your website’s user interface. Moving text and graphics are common in web design. There’s also an exciting potentiality for user interaction when it comes to triggering these small animations through clicks, scrolls, and other movements.

To become a motion graphics professional, you need to understand both animation and the basics of graphic design. Here are some fundamental tips to remember as you set out to make your own motion graphics:

• Collaborate effectively. Motion graphics design is just one aspect of the overall video production process. You might work with directors, editors, voiceover actors, and others to create this sort of content. Strive for a workflow that makes sense for everybody and do your part to bring together a cohesive creative vision.
• Consider the concept. Graphics and kinetic typography are entertaining in their own right, but they need to coalesce with a larger creative concept to sustain interest over a period of time. Ask what the purpose of your project is. Perhaps it’s to drive conversions and meet sales goals, in which case your transitions and designs might nudge viewers to take action. Or maybe it’s to build a movie title sequence capable of summing up the overall aesthetic of a film.
• Learn about animation. Look into both 3D and 2D animation techniques as you begin to learn how to make motion graphics. Consult online videos and tutorials about what makes animation work in a general sense. Even though motion graphics are a unique subset of the field as a whole, knowing your way around the subject in a general and pragmatic sense is useful.
• Make use of technology. Find digital compositing and animation software that works for you, as well as a film editing or video editing program. If you’re working with a team, make sure you’re all using compatible applications to synchronize your individual work. Research what types of technology will help you best put your design elements on display. Many of these programs come with basic motion graphics templates you can toy around with as well.
• Study graphic design. To become adept at motion graphics design, you need to know your way around basic graphic design as well. Study what makes certain types of color, typography, and images work well together. The more you learn about elegant and beautiful design in general, the more you can apply what you discover in a unique and distinctive way.

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