As technology continues to evolve rapidly, new subsets of graphic design are emerging that take full advantage of different design methods. Motion graphics design is a relatively recent graphic design method of using animation and visual effects in film and video production. You can see these designs in creative, dynamic opening titles of movies or highly animated explainer videos.
Regardless of your experience level in animation or graphic design, breaking into this industry may sound overwhelming. However, we’ve come up with some tips on how to start a career as a motion graphics designer.
What Does a Job in Motion Graphic Design Look Like
The job requirements for motion designers can span a wide variety of digital mediums. You can find yourself working on movie trailers, title sequences, animated commercials, and more. The explosion of digital content in the last few years has opened a host of job opportunities.
Skills You Need
While a BA in graphic design or a similar field can help you land a job in the industry, it isn’t necessary. If you have a passion for art or animation and the drive to learn on your own, you can gain the expertise that will impress prospective employers and start your career. It would be best to acquaint yourself with some basic skills that will have the added benefit of helping you create a portfolio.
Software
One of the biggest hurdles you will have to overcome is familiarizing yourself with the motion graphic design industry’s tools. Some of the software, like Adobe Photoshop, you might already recognize and have experience with. Others, like Maya or Blender, may take some time to learn the basics, but once you’ve grasped them, you will already be well underway in starting your career.
Cinematography
Have you ever watched a movie and were taken aback by how good the lighting looked across the hero’s face or noticed some cool back and forth editing? The same cinematography tools that make a film look and feel a certain way apply to motion design. You will want to learn about lighting, color theory, texture, and more, along with the technical skills to bring these concepts to life.
Creativity
It is incredibly beneficial to be able to visualize designs in your head. For example, you may be tasked with bringing a list of office safety tips to life through an animated video but won’t have much more information to go off. You need to think outside the box and discover exciting directions to take even dry figures and statistics to the next level.
As you start to learn the fundamentals and grow more comfortable with your skills, you should also develop a portfolio of the work you’re creating. If a lesson involves creating a monster that moves back and forth, keep that animation handy to show in applications. The more you understand and can explain, the better candidate you will become as a motion graphics designer.
