How to Become a Motion Designer

Motion design is a powerful way to communicate an idea, tell a story or add visual interest to text and images. You can see it in TV commercials, movie titles and infographics, music videos, mobile apps, websites, and more. Professional motion designers work with a wide variety of tools and software, including video editing programs, 3D modeling and animation software, and audio software.

A career in motion graphics can be rewarding, dynamic and challenging — it’s an increasingly coveted skill set. Motion design is used by major corporations, NGOs and nonprofits, marketing and advertising agencies, new and traditional media companies, and more.

To become a successful motion designer, you need to understand basic design principles and practices, including layout and composition, color theory, and visual hierarchy and space. You’ll also need familiarity with a few specific software tools, such as Adobe After Effects and Cinema 4D. It’s a good idea to pursue formal training, but you can also take an autodidactic approach to developing your skills, learning from online tutorials and joining a community of amateur motion designers.

The first step in creating an animated video is to create a storyboard. This is a visual map of your animation’s key scenes and is a valuable tool to use when planning your project. This is particularly important if you’re working with a client who has a specific vision for the final product. You can download free storyboard templates from many resources, such as Shutterstock and Envato. motion design