these days motion graphics is an attractive way to produce visual and graphic content that is used in a variety of fields such as educational content production, advertising, film, and much more.
have you ever wondered what features in the videos and teasers will appeal to you? maybe you’d like to make similar examples? all components of a video from story to characterization and graphic elements are seamlessly put together to produce a specific output called motion graphics. in this paper, we refer to the process of making motion graphics and their types.
titles you will read in this article:
- what is motion graphics
- history of motion graphics
- the difference between motion graphics and animation
- what is animation
- motion graphics types
- motion graphics applications
- motion graphics advantages
- motion graphic designer properties
- motion graphics software
- motion graphics construction
what is motion graphics
Motion graphics is an animation that forms the text, its main element. In fact, motion graphics can be considered animated graphic design. Since the first motion graphics were made, there has been a lot of discussion about the boundary between motion and full animation. Hitchcock’s Psycho (Psychic) film is one of the first examples of motion graphics in which the composition of sound, motion and graphic design were well placed together.
motion graphics is a way to communicate with the audience and add depth to the story. combining graphical elements with music can carry a message. motion graphics can be used in areas such as advertising, making movie headlines, descriptive video (text-focused), and sharing information.
history of motion graphics
before motion graphics, there was a time when the sections of the graphic design were used as flat (flat) in a non-moving format. when motion pictures resembled something like Walt Disney cartoons, but with the advancement of cinema, especially in the field of headline design, motion graphics also emerged.
In the 1940s Motion Graphics was born in the pilot project of Oscar Fischinger and Norman McLaren. In the 1950s, leading designers such as Saul Bass, Maurice Binder, and Pablo Ferro made motion graphics public.
the above artists worked on films that today are still used as a reference and source of inspiration for motion graphic designers and cinema experts. their work took a creative and unexpected approach to provoke audience reactions, and on the other hand, it took specialized information about films, production companies, directors, actors, and many contributors. this new way of playing with words and graphic elements gradually became one of the mainstreams of television and cinema.
motion graphics have a direct relationship with the advancement of technology, so the evolution of the two is tied together. in recent years, the development of design and animation software made it easy for many to access motion graphics. at the same time, the pervasiveness of the application of display pages provided more opportunities for designing and thus animating content. from cars to billboards, fridges, and smartphones, motion graphics can be seen almost everywhere.
the difference between motion graphics and animation
motion graphics are called animated graphic design. for example, if you want your chart to be animated or your website logo rotates around, you can use motion graphics. but if you want to animate characters to tell a child’s story, this will no longer fall into the motion graphics group and is a different kind of animation. motion graphics usually include shapes, objects, or text that are put together to create a motion.
what is animation
ANIMATION IS A MORE INCLUSIVE EXPRESSION THAT ALSO ACCOMMODATES MOTION GRAPHICS. THE HISTORY OF ANIMATION DATES BACK MORE THAN 100 YEARS. ANY TECHNIQUE THAT MAKES A STATIC IMAGE MOVE IS CALLED ANIMATION. THIS IMAGE CAN BE OF HAND-DRAWN CARTOONS, CGI (COMPUTER IMAGE) OR ANIME, AND OTHER TYPES. THESE CATEGORIES ARE OF COURSE NOT UNIQUE TO ANIMATION. FOR EXAMPLE, MOST MOTION GRAPHICS ARE PRODUCED WITH CGI, BUT YOU CAN ALSO USE MANUAL MOTION GRAPHICS.
content is a factor separating motion graphics from other types of animation. in motion graphics, abstract objects, text, and other graphic design elements are commonly used. in general, graph animating, infographic, or web design falls into the category of animation, but specializing in animating these objects is also a kind of motion graphics. take this example: if you set up an animated graphics video to display a tip, it’s called motion graphics. animation, on the other hand, focuses more on cinematic effects and storytelling techniques to create narratives.
motion graphics types
if you are familiar with a variety of motion graphics, you can decide where to start and which type fits your needs. regardless of what business or purpose you have, motion graphics can meet your needs. below are the motion graphics types:
descriptive videos
descriptive videos are usually short and are dedicated to introducing a product or service. descriptive video is the most common type of motion graphics. usually, companies use descriptive videos to clearly describe their products. if you are looking to sell a product or service, you can use descriptive video. this way you can attract more audiences by presenting attractive content and the audience will be more connected to your product.
educational videos
educational videos are similar to descriptive videos, except that their content is educational. for example, you may want to sell your brand’s food ingredients. you can use the educational video to teach recipes with the ingredients you want.
USER INTERFACE ANIMATION (UI)
if you have a digital app or platform, you can use motion graphics to make them more attractive. in this way, the audience becomes more familiar with your platform and you can also introduce your platform features better. motion graphics designers work on wireless or early sketches of the website. they then animate these original designs. examples of animations include animating menus or slides.
animating logo (motion logo)
logo animating can increase its shelf-life. by animating the logo, you can achieve an impressive animation. remember, motion graphics include static images that are manipulated to create motion. for example, if your logo contains cell shapes, you can rotate these shapes to achieve a single shape. on the other hand, the motion logo doesn’t have to be too complicated, you can only give it a little life.
animating icons
animating an icon is like a logo, depending on the appearance of the icon, you can choose a short move.
motion graphics title
by animating titles, you can draw the audience’s attention to them and emphasize their importance. motion graphics title is especially important when motion graphics do not have verbal sound.
motion infographic
by animating the infographic, you can guide the viewer’s eye in the order of titles. as a result, the information will be transmitted to the contact exactly the way you want it to be. this type of motion graphics is suitable for platforms like LinkedIn.
motion graphics on offer
you can improve your speaking skills by providing motion graphics. if you display perfectly uniform content, you may question your success. as a result, you can use motion graphics to animate elements such as diagrams and create attractive content for the audience.
motion tv graphics
one of the most common examples of motion graphics can be found during football games. this kind of motion graphics helps make tv shows attractive. fascinating motion graphics can also increase the game’s appeal.
short film
although short animations are made with different techniques, motion graphics are also part of this process. the advantage of using motion graphics in a short film is that it brings the audience into a completely imaginative world. motion graphics can be a visual representation of emotions and emotions and other tangible quantities.
gifs
gifs can be used on social media or sent to your friends and colleagues. gif is one of the most popular formats of motion graphics.
movie title
creating title headings for videos and even youtube videos is possible with motion graphics. saul bass is one of the most popular graphic designers in the field. he made the famous headline in the film “the anatomy of the killer”.
motion graphics applications
motion graphics are used today in a set of fields. for example, on tv or for branding and raising awareness. below you will learn about some examples and applications of motion graphics:
branding
one of the main objectives of motion graphics is the correct transfer of values and the purpose of the organization. in branding, choosing the right animation can express the mission of a business. by implementing motion graphics in the brand strategy, companies can better introduce themselves and reach a distinction among their competitors.
BRANDS USE MOTION GRAPHICS FOR EVERYTHING FROM ADVERTISING TO UI ANIMATIONS AND PRODUCT DEMOS. SLACK IS ONE OF THE MOST PROMINENT EXAMPLES. IN MOTION BELOW, SHARING INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRODUCT IS THE MAIN GOAL. THIS VIDEO SHOWS SLACK WHAT IS? HOW IT WORKS AND HOW IT CAN BE USED.
videos raising awareness
If you take a look at Google’s Trillions of Questions collection on YouTube, you can find numerous graphic videos describing important concepts in an attractive way to promote the Google brand. For example, Google in the video below titled World Health Day helps to raise audience awareness in an attractive way.
awareness-raising videos are usually a combination of motion graphics with background music or sometimes verbal sound to share a powerful message. in these videos, everything depends on the story. sometimes the simplest designs can also direct the story while maintaining its integrity of the story.
introducing the game
to learn about the example of motion graphics, see the introduction of the video game below. the award-winning game has a motion graphics preview in which the game’s features and charms are introduced.
creating narratives
if you are looking for a strong competitive game, you can also use storytelling skills. the sale of products or services is not only dependent on their quality, but also for customers. so always remember to sell your product to humans who always have a story to tell. the more people who are in harmony with your story, the more attractive the product will be. motion graphics help create narratives by implementing the right tools.
motion graphics advantages
implementing the graphic design with animation can increase the audience’s awareness of the brand and increase their curiosity about products, applications, and services. the advantages of motion graphics are as follows:
- it’s cost-effective in terms of time and cost. with a good animation design, you’ll need less money, time, or effort to make impressive videos.
- increases brand recognition. the audience can easily understand complex images, ideas and statistics in a simple and engaging language.
- brand content becomes shareable content on social networks. people typically share social videos 1,200 times more than plain text and statistical images. facebook videos, for example, have nearly 8 billion views a day.
- video makes people write their own opinions and discuss content. 85% of customers are more willing to see branded videos.
- web-based platforms or apps are ranked above google’s search. if a website contains motion, the chances of it being on google’s front page will increase 53 times.
- good motion graphics increase sales and return on capital. animated content sends 300% more traffic to the site.
- motion graphics help your brand stand out among competitors. videos account for nearly 82 percent of internet traffic by 2021.
motion graphic designer properties
motion graphics design job is a relatively new job. technology-based design jobs are growing. there are also a variety of designers: graphic designers, web designers, user interface designers or user experience.
motion graphics is a growing field. creative filmmakers and video producers will need professional motion graphic designers by expanding imagination and funding for cost and design. without these innovative and creative artists, movies and websites will look uniform, but what exactly should motion graphics have?
what do motion graphics designers do?
motion graphics designers, sometimes called motion designers, produce artworks for web, tv or film. they can include video clips, teasers, advertisements, headlines, and much more. they use special effects, animation and other cinematic techniques to give life to their works.
motion graphics designers raise the level of websites, videos, and commercial teasers by animating graphic elements and adding special effects. as online video content becomes inclusive, a motion graphics designers can operate in almost any digital field and platform.
In addition, there are opportunities outside of traditional motion graphics applications for designers in this field. Jose Anders, director of the People’s Association at Enklu Cloud sees augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) as the next phase of design technology.
where do motion graphics designers work?
According to the Labor Statistics Board (BLS), animators and multimedia designers typically work in animation companies, computer systems, and software and advertising agencies. The industry also accounts for a high percentage of self-employed employees (59%) and shows that telecommuting is one of the most likely options in this area. Nick Avella of Visuals by Impulse says:
Our studio is active in branding and graphic design services for broadcasters such as Twitch, YouTube and Facebook Gaming.
according to Avella, all their motion designers work telecommuting. working in this way has advantages like teams working whenever they want and distractions are minimized. telecommuting, on the other hand, has disadvantages. for example, the loss of direct interaction with colleagues is one of the disadvantages of telecommuting.
what skills does motion graphics designer need?
motion designer must acquire a set of skills to provide professional work. these skills include:
- 3d modeling: 2d art and calligraphy have their place, but most of today’s motion graphics are based on 3d modeling and 3d modeling is a major part of the future of graphics. understanding points in 3d space and connecting lines between points and multidimensionals are necessary skills in 3d modeling.
- animation perspective: a good 3d designer should understand the movement and time intervals very well. objects are moving. they also have a light source and camera. designers need to understand the complex movements and the way they are created from different angles.
- organizing and order: according to anders, organizing and order is a vital component of the work of freelancers and team members. “maintaining a tidy file and regular resources, relationships, layers and … order and multitasking are essential features of motion designers because they have to manage a large number of layers and elements at the same time.
- procedural animation: one of the biggest challenges of making motion graphics is its excessive dependence on time. procedural animation is one of the solutions to reduce this dependency. despite the simple and complex and ready algorithms, the production time of complete animations can be dramatically reduced. thanks to automated processes, it is possible to produce works more quickly. codes and scripts are used these days in motion graphics design that help save production time. procedural animation allows designers to apply predefined physics to 3d objects. for example, the collision of two objects at a certain speed has a predictable result and can be modeled.
- lighting effects and texture creation: the audience doesn’t usually see the model but the shapes and images. lighting and natural texture give 3d shapes. surfaces can be reflective, brilliant, transparent, rough or opaque. they can also simulate textures or display motion pictures. the potentials are unlimited.
- understanding great perspectives: the designer knows very well what his design is like. video design, multimedia, open and virtual reality are growing fields and destinations suitable for motion graphic designers, but each has its own application. the good designer knows these applications and the way they are planned.
- versatility: apps and designs usually change during a project. skilled motion designers should always be ready to change in order to satisfy customer feedback.
- timing: timing is one of the most difficult and important skills of a good motion designer. accurate and good graphic design will not have an interesting output if it is not in harmony with other elements such as sound. the best animators and motion designers adapt their work to the rhythm and speed of the process.
landscape salary designer motion graphics
MOTION DESIGNERS USUALLY GET A GOOD WAGE FOR THEIR EXPERTISE. ACCORDING TO BLS, THE AVERAGE ANNUAL WAGE FOR MULTIMEDIA DESIGNERS AND ANIMATORS IN 2020 WAS $77,700. PROFESSIONALS EARN THE MOST FROM SOFTWARE AND CINEMA COMPANIES.
motion graphics software
in today’s world, motiongraphics software is widely used in advertising, social networks, science education, and entertainment. the reason for this extent is also obvious: motion graphics allows ideas to be transmitted in a short, concise, transparent, and effective manner. in this section, we will examine the best and most practical software for making motion graphics. this software is:
- Adobe After Effects: The best animation and motiongraphics software
- Cinema 4D: A selection of designers and studios
- Adobe Premiere Pro: Professional audio and video editing tools
- Mocha Pro: VFX tracking and final processing tool.
- Adobe Photoshop: To design motion graphics
- Adobe Illustrator: Vector graphics software for motion graphics design
- Maya: Motion Graphics 3D Design Software
- Nuke: To create professional special effects
- Blender: Open source 2D and 3D production set
Adobe After Effects
The software motiongraphics-based layers and projects the combination of video editor and Photoshop. Adobe allows users to have the advantage of integrating the Creative Cloud ecosystem. After Effects is also compatible with other nonlinear editing systems such as Avid Media Composer and Final Cut Pro X. It also easily adapts to 3D programs such as 3DMax, Maya, and Cinema 4D.
after-effects can be used to produce high-quality special effects, build and manage animated graphics projects, make 2d animations, make li-outs and composites, remove objects, particle effects, and models, create templates and edit and correct the color of projects.
after effects also provides the ability to add 3d elements through various plugins. after developing storyboards and motion components in photoshop and illustrator, you can animate them in effect effects. after you have finished animating the after effects project, you can output the final video in the video editing software.
Cinema 4D
if a person is skilled in after effects, it will not be difficult for him to work with Cinema 4D. animation artists prefer cinema 4D to other 3d tools for reasons such as ease of use and flexibility of integration with after effects.
CINEMA 4D INCLUDES UNIQUE FEATURES AND COMPATIBILITY WITH VARIOUS GPU RENDERING ENGINES, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR USERS TO QUICKLY SEE 3D MODELS ON SCREEN. THE MOST POPULAR ENGINE OF CINEMA 4D IS OCTANE AND RENDERING MECHANISMS SUCH AS TRACKLIFT, V-RAY, AND MORE. 4D CINEMA IS USED IN AREAS SUCH AS MODELING, TEXTURE CREATION, RENDERING, ANIMATION MAKING, AND SIMULATION EFFECTS. C4D IS THE MOST COMMON SOFTWARE TO PRODUCE SPECIAL EFFECTS. IF YOU WANT TO INTEGRATE 3D ELEMENTS INTO A PROJECT, 4D CINEMA IS THE BEST CHOICE.
Adobe Premiere Pro
premiere is one of the most important tools for both motion designers and video editors. one of the outstanding possibilities of the premiere is the creation of dynamic links with after effects. in this way, users can make final changes to the presentations and images without rendering.
Adobe Premiere Pro is a program for timeline-based video editing. Motion designers use it to connect video and audio together, but the number of features and formats makes it hard for users of programs such as Final Cut Pro, Sony Vegas, and Avid Media Composer to finalize their videos. Premiere Pro is a program to make final changes to motiongraphics such as adding music and audio effects as well as improving video syncing.
Mocha Pro
Mocha Pro is a screen-based motion tracking system outside of pixel categories. an ideal tool for animated graphic artists who are interested in alternative display performances. working with this software was difficult at first but nowadays it can track all the moves.
In this way, Mocha becomes an ideal tool for animation artists interested in replacing screens, removing objects or rotoscopies. This tool is also useful for business projects. Mocha Pro can be installed in the form of an After Effects plugin or Pro Premiere. These capabilities make Mocha AE one of the best motiongraphics tools.
Adobe Photoshop
ALTHOUGH PHOTOSHOP IS USUALLY DEVOTED TO EDITING PIXEL BITMAPS, GRAPHIC ARTISTS USE IT TO DESIGN, EDIT STORYBOARDS, CREATE GIF ANIMATIONS, AND MUCH MORE. ADOBE PHOTOSHOP IS A FLEXIBLE AND USEFUL TOOL, AND GRAPHIC DESIGNERS USE IT TO CREATE TEXTURES AND EDIT IMAGES.
photoshop’s experience helps users create new design elements for animated graphics projects. for the animated graphic designer, photoshop’s practical knowledge is one of the key prerequisites: resizing images that are too large, cutting images, creating new designs using multiple filters, and a complex set of tools.
another feature of photoshop is the construction of storybird. some people prefer to manually design storyboards with pens and paper, but photoshop is the standout software for quick designs and compositions. the most important advantage of photoshop is integration with adobe creative clade. users can effortlessly import photoshop files directly into after effects.
Adobe Illustrator
ILLUSTRATOR IS A DRAWING AND DESIGN TOOL THAT IS SOMEWHAT SIMILAR TO PHOTOSHOP. HOWEVER, ILLUSTRATOR IS A PROGRAM FOR EDITING VECTOR IMAGES. THE ANIMATED GRAPHIC ARTIST USES THIS ANIMATION SOFTWARE TO DRAW THINGS LIKE CHARACTERS, OBJECTS, ENVIRONMENTS, LOGOS, AND MUCH MORE. IN ADDITION, VECTOR IMAGE IS A MAJOR PART OF THE ANIMATED GRAPHICAL FRAMEWORK USED TO DESIGN LOGOS, OBJECTS, AND VECTOR BACKGROUNDS. USERS CAN EASILY USE ILLUSTRATOR FILES WITH EXTENSIONS. ENTER AI FOR ANIMATING AFTER EFFECTS. IF CHANGES ARE MADE TO THE ILLUSTRATOR FILE, THESE CHANGES WILL ALSO APPLY TO AFTER-EFFECTS.
Maya
Maya is one of the well-known software in the field of animation, modeling, and 3d rendering. you can only use 4D cinema, but Maya is the perfect tool for modeling and animation in Hollywood studios. Maya allows users to write scripts. it is also a complete program for developing 3d resources for movies, tv, and video games, but it can also be used for motiongraphics. in the past years, this software has become one of the dominant software in the field of 3d graphics and now cinema 4D is its serious competitor. the ability to process 3d renders and high-quality animations makes Maya a software suitable for motion graphics production. however, the Maya user interface is a bit complicated for people who have not worked in the 3d field so far.
Nuke
nyuk and after-effects can be easily used in similar composite projects, but nuke’s main goal is to meet the needs of expert users. nuke is a node-based digital composite manufacturing software that is used at high levels of motion design to combine 3d elements and video. the nuke system is very effective for large-sized partnership projects.
nuke is used worldwide for the post-production phase of major films and tv productions. nyuk has many features such as complex timing, image composition, stereoscopic framework, rotoscopy and many other features. n.k. allows the use of a node system. that’s why most studios or professional artists use this software. some n.y.’s plugins can also be used for after effects.
Blender
BLENDER IS ONE OF THE BEST FREEWARE TO BUILD VFX OR SPECIAL EFFECTS. THE SOFTWARE HAS AN OPEN-SOURCE 3D MODELING PACKAGE FOR MAKING 3D IMAGES. MANY ARTISTS IN THE GAMING INDUSTRY USE BLENDERS. THE SOFTWARE SUPPORTS 3D MODELING, ANIMATION, SIMULATION, RENDERING, COMPOSITE, MOTION TRACKING, VIDEO EDITING, AND EVEN 2D ANIMATION.
LIKE MAYA, BLENDER LEARNING IS A BIT DIFFICULT BUT PROVIDES OUTSTANDING FEATURES SUCH AS CPU/GPU/VR RENDERING, PBR SHADERS, HDR LIGHTING SUPPORT, 3D DRAWING WITH TEXTURED BRUSH, MASKING, AND MUCH MORE. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU’RE LOOKING TO MODEL NEW WORLDS, MAKE CHARACTERS OR ATTRACTIVE EFFECTS, BLENDER IS THE PERFECT SOFTWARE TO MAKE MOTION GRAPHICS.
motion graphics construction
sometimes when browsing Instagram posts, you encounter attractive promotional animations and are eager to make the same. if you are looking to convert motion design ideas into motiongraphics, you should follow certain steps and be familiar with the process of making motion graphics in addition to design and illustration skills. in the following, we describe the process of creating an attractive graphics motion.
motion graphics preproduction
installation staff, electricians, plumbers, and carpenters usually follow a map to do their jobs. they provide this map to the customer and, if approved, make it work. making motiongraphics has the same trend. motiongraphics roadmap is prepared in the pre-production stage. if the map is designed correctly, it will come to your aid throughout the whole process, increasing your efficiency and chances of success. sometimes you need to take a step back or ignore a step during the project, but don’t worry, all the steps are interchangeable and interchangeable.
the idea can come to your mind suddenly or you need a bit of effort to achieve it. the key to getting to the idea is getting inspired. many top motiongraphics use a simple trick to get things started: just do something. it mustn’t be perfect.
for example, select a logo and animate it. any logo can be. publish logomotion in the form of fan art on social media and tag the brand name. then go to another logo. when you have an idea, you first have to lay the foundation for it, and then go into the details, no one goes to buy wallpaper before building a house. start with a simple scenario. for example:
a cube is thrown from the top of the building and hits the ground violently.
now that you have a plan, you can add to its details. for example, what features can you attribute to the main subject? what emotions do your animations evoke? is it comedy or tragedy?
does something stop the cube from falling? is the brick heavy? with any of the new details, you can give depth to your animation. at the end of the mental storm process, your plan could become something like this:
evil spheres try to prevent a brave cube from escaping. the cube over the victorious spheres jumps from the edge of the building and hits the sidewalk violently.
storyboard construction
the next step is the way motion is designed, felt, and looked at. to organize your thoughts, create a modem of anything that matches your idea. still unsure of your point of view? don’t know where to look? again, it’s okay.
regardless of the route you choose, you need to carefully organize your resources. in the next step, you need to prepare the original designs and storyboard. start from the first scene to make storyboards. then drag the last scene, and finally fill in the interstate scenes.
after drawing the storyboard, it is time to build style. what do you want characters, shapes, objects, scenes, and other details to look like? use the modebird as an intuitive guide and convert each storyboard thumbnail view into lightweight frames.
if you are not satisfied with your plan, you can collaborate with other artists. find your online animation group or trainers on the person’s work network. they can improve your design. after designing a two-dimensional narrative, it is time to animate. in animating, you do these steps:
- set artboards on timeline
- synchronization of artboards with music and sound
- create simple animations for the main subject or key elements
change the movements of the camera and scene according to the layout you have for making motion graphics. also, design each scene in a separate layer. before you reach the production phase, let the audience evaluate your story and look for feedback.
completion of motion design project
just like a carpenter, you need to make sure you’ve collected all the necessary resources before you start. you can sort your folders this way.
then collect the files in the following categories:
- music
- verbal sound
- fonts
- tissues
- pictures
- movie
- text
- reference images
- SPECIAL EFFECTS (VFX)
in the pre-production process, you created key points and general animation timings. now use this template as a guide to the final animation. start by animating key elements so that you can see the interaction between the subject and the scene. then add the additional elements. after animating scenes, for example, you may notice that the part is too long or a certain movement is fast. you can easily change your timings.
in the final animation phase of the timing, you have to be perfect and fix all the bugs. make sure the gestures are set correctly and that transitions are integrated. finally, refine your animation with techniques such as composites, color correction, and sound design.
look for feedback once the animation is finished. this way your animations will improve and you can fix bugs. after receiving feedback and criticism, make the necessary changes to produce the final animation.
after completing and outputing, you must now impose the animation. if you’re working on a client’s project, the final step is simple: just send it, but if the project is personal, it depends on you. you can also add your project to an online portfolio or professional website. you can share the steps on social networks by capturing images or screenshots of the project process.
final word
generating animated visual content or motion graphics is one of the best ways to advertise or convey messages in the present world. there are several methods and software for making motion graphics, from 2d software and simple animating to complex 3d software with advanced coding. in any case, motion graphics is a way to move content flexibly, which can multiply the value of advertising or content.
