Anyone who has taken a seat on a Sunday night to catch a little show called Game of Thrones will be familiar with what motion graphics are.
The now-iconic opening sequence, involving motion graphics including dioramas or cities and the countryside. Designed by Elastic, this opening sequence on its own is a serious work of art. The motion graphics team made such a mark on TV right at the start that they won an Emmy in 2011.
How did someone turn a creative career towards motion graphic design?
Here is the way to become a motion graphic designer.
What Are Motion Graphics?
When I was in middle school, we were allowed to create a PowerPoint presentation on any subject we wanted.
At the time I was interested in samurai, so I picked that as my topic. I went all out; I filled my presentation with cool pictures, pieces of audio, and graphics. I queued it up so that upon click, an image would animate on the title page. Little did I know that back then I had just taken part in motion graphics!
Very simply, motion graphics are animations used in conjunction with videos to make a lasting impact on the viewer. You will find most of these in the opening intros for TV shows, web series, and more.
If you were to look at a slew of movie intros, especially older ones, you can find a plethora of intros and animations made using graphic animation.
Motion graphic designers are so much more than merely animators as well. They are instrumental in telling stories by using their creative muscles, adding their personal touch to a story or visual.
Motion graphics have become so widespread in today’s world, that I guarantee you will not be able to surf the internet without coming across motion graphics. They range from informational YouTube videos to app animations, and everything in between.
If you were to watch the into from the first James Bond movie, Dr. No, the viewer is assailed by an army of constantly changing circles. These circles fluctuate between colors and intensity and offer a unique preview of the way that the film will unfold. It introduces the infamous ‘gun barrel’ point of view shot of James Bond, followed by the artistic credits sequence.
It was designed by Maurice Binder.
A particular piece of motion graphics I am awed by takes place in Total War: Three Kingdoms. Using the historical motif of medieval China during the Romance of the Three Kingdoms period, the research/tech tree is presented in the form of a cherry blossom tree.
With each successive chosen technology, the cherry blossom blooms more and more, giving the player a stunning animation as well as a classic piece of motion graphics.
Motion graphics allow animators and others to animate still images. Sounds simple enough, right? Although you could start motion graphic designing on your own, becoming a head honcho in the industry, you will need to follow a path towards the top.
Education: Schools and Degree Plans
Here’s a secret; I unabashedly love school. I know, it’s crazy. But loving school is easy if you are learning what you are interested in. Simple as that. If motion graphics are your passion, you will love going to school too.
If you are planning on specializing in the field, the following schools and their respective degrees or degree programs will give you that valuable step towards breaking through into the industry.
A bunch of factors should go into the decision process of choosing any of these schools. The student may want to stay close to home, may not be able to afford some schools, or are particularly attracted to certain programs.
I encourage you to look more into these schools on your own, as well as measuring the pros and cons so you can get the best program for what you are looking for in particular.
Top Schools for Motion Graphics Design
Yale University
- New Haven, Connecticut
- Master’s degree, 4 years
University of California, Los Angeles
- Los Angeles, California
- Bachelor’s degree, 4 years
Virginia Commonwealth University
- Richmond, Virginia
- Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, 4 years
Rhode Island School of Design
- Providence, Rhode Island
- Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, 4 years
Check out this great gallery of some students’ work at the Rhode Island School of Design.
School of Art Institute of Chicago
- Chicago, Illinois
- Bachelor’s, Master’s, 4 years
- Graduate Certificate
Carnegie Mellon University
- Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
- Bachelor’s degree, 4 years
Columbia University
- New York, New York
- Master’s degree, 4 years
Cranbrook Academy of Art
- Bloomfield, Missouri
- Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, 4 years
California Institute of the Arts
- Valencia, California
- Bachelor’s, Master’s, 4 years
- Graduate Certificate
Maryland Institute College of Art
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Bachelor’s, Master’s, 4 years
- Graduate Certificate
College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Bachelor’s, 4 years
Reddit user, r/Sopro4869 says about DAAP:
“have a mandatory paid-internship program which was HUGE…It took us to 6 internships across the country, gave me a lot of experience that got me where I am now. It also let me try a bunch of actual jobs and roles out, and taught me what I don’t want to do, and what I needed to learn.”
The Savannah College of Art and Design
- Savannah, Georgia
- Bachelor’s, Master’s, Master of Fine Arts, 4 years
Regarding the Savannah College of Art and Design, here are some particular classes that you will be taking in various degree programs:
- DRAW 100 Drawing I: Form and Space
- DSGN 101 Color: Theory and Application
- MOME 105 Principles of Motion Media Design
- MOME 408 Multi-Platform Media Brand Packaging
- MOME 705 Visualization and Concept Storyboarding
And of course, you could rough it, foregoing school and education for a crash course in motion graphics by learning yourself. I would never disparage this approach, as many successful designers have succeeded without an impressive degree you can get from these iconic schools.
However, I believe that it will be harder to break in without any sort of certification whatsoever. Again, it is your decision, and it depends on your style and work ethic. This transitions into what happens after you graduate from studying motion graphics.
Becoming A Motion Graphics Designer
Being a motion graphics designer is a multifaceted process, and unfortunately, it isn’t so cut and dry. A graphic designer, in general, should have a bachelor’s degree in graphic design or perhaps a related field or major.
Furthermore, to impress hiring managers and the heads of companies, you’re going to want to have your portfolio really stand out. This means practicing your craft of graphic design and adding motion to your designs. Showing potential employers an impressive portfolio can score major points that perhaps positions on a resume couldn’t.
It will take different people different time frames to really master motion graphics as well. There will be some that will need training and practice from the ground up, while there will be those who have an innate ability to pick up the basics and have an easier time adapting to a motion graphics designer’s workflow.
Types of Motion Graphics
There are three main types of motion graphics.
Promotional: these advertise different products and services to their intended audience.
Explainer Videos: These, as you can probably guess, explain different processes, products, or help define hard-to-understand concepts. Doing this through animation can help people comprehend difficult thoughts and ideas more easily.
Emotive: These motion graphics intend to move the viewer in any way. Whether it is tugging at their heartstrings, or making them laugh, the Emotive video is one where it seeks to elicit an emotional response.
What Do Motion Graphics Designers Do?
A motion graphics designer is an artist that creates various forms of work for different mediums. They then use their expertise to bring their works to life through animation techniques. Many of your favorite animated shows, shorts, and movies utilize the work of motion graphic designers.
Which Software Is Used For Motion Graphics?
The top software for motion graphic designers is Cinema 4D. They also use:
- Photoshop
- Illustrator
- After Effects, and
- Premiere Pro.
Graphic Design vs. Motion Graphics
The difference is motion. Graphic artists will work with still images to advertise, create, and build, while a motion graphics designer will continue that work once a movement has entered the creation process.
Think of it this way: the graphic designer creates the actual title cards for the opening of a movie, but a motion graphics designer creates and implements the motion that the opening sequence will show in the finished product.
They’re both incredibly essential fields and depend on each other considerably in certain situations.
Do Graphic Designers Make Animations?
Graphic designers make the actual design while the animation is left to the animators.
Skills of A Motion Graphic Designer
3D Modeling
Knowing how to render and animate 3D models is crucial, and will make your career a breeze if you know your stuff.
Animation Perspective
Knowing proper perspective while animating, which way is up, down, left to right, and different views.
Organization
This is a very detail-oriented job that needs a keen eye and a knack for organization.
Procedural Animation
Knowing how to create animation and objects using computer programs automatically is a must for moving on to more significant animation projects.
Texturing and Lighting Effects
Those who want to make animations as realistic as possible should be familiar with lighting and texturing principles.
Understanding Big-Picture Context
The big picture is the name of the game. You need to be able to picture your long-term goal to form your short-term goals.
Adaptability
Things won’t go right 100% of the time, and a motion graphics designer will need to adapt to changing scenarios. A client could want the product to change the day before its due, etc.
Timing
Arguably one of the most important aspects of motion graphic design, having impeccable timing makes it all come together into a cohesive piece.
Career, Pay, Salary, and More
Harkening back to an impressive work portfolio to turn some heads, you need to start building it sooner rather than later. This shows the employer that you have a knack for getting art projects done in your free time, and what your style looks like. It can give the person hiring you an important, and sometimes intimate, view of how dedicated you are to the craft.
Along with portfolio work, research some different degrees in graphic design if you don’t already have it. There are also fantastic certification programs that illustrate how well you work with specific programs like Photoshop and After Effects.
If you can’t swing a bachelor’s degree, then these certificates are pretty valuable.
After graduating, the motion graphics design field is a lot like many other design job markets. A great first step in finding a job is to build on your portfolio.
The portfolio is your lifeblood here, as it will show prospective employers and companies what you are capable of, your art style, and your attention to detail. It might be in your best interest, before hitting the pavement, to refine what your portfolio looks like.
Employers will not look kindly on those with messy, incomplete portfolios. With any luck, your school of choice will have helped you build your portfolio up substantially.
After you feel you have gotten a better grasp on what to show interviewers and companies, you should do some research as to what pay and salary will be like for you just entering the business.
On average, a motion graphic designer can expect to make around $62,000 a year. This is a very basic number, as many factors go into the rates. Consider that perhaps you wouldn’t be working for a company, but rather be your boss through the practice of freelancer.
Freelancers seem to make more, work on fewer projects, and other aspects.
Ultimately, it is up to you how you want to go building the framework of your career. If you are a person that craves a stable job and routine, then working at a company is your best bet. The freelance market can be tough, as you need to be connected constantly with multiple people for work.
If you can swing it, however, you could come into some serious cash. Not all experiences are universal though, and yours may be unique to the thousands of other motion graphics designers.
For more exploratory research into these aspects, check out the School of Motion. It is a great resource for designers to find work.
What are the Best Locations?
Where do motion graphics designers work?
You can usually find motion graphic designers working under the banner of multimedia artists. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for this field is $75,270 per year, steadily growing over the next ten years or so by 4%.
This could be another deciding factor in how much money you could make. On average, big cities are more promising when it comes to salaries.
The states with the highest volume of graphics designers are:
- California
- New York
- Texas
- Georgia
- Washington
To narrow it down further, the states that pay their motion graphics designers are:
- Connecticut
- California
- Washington, D.C.
- New York
- Washington
While these cities are beacons of creativity and starting an artistic career, a few aspects need to be considered. The living costs in New York and San Francisco should especially be examined, as rent can prove to be astronomical.
My friend lives in the backend of Harlem, paying nearly $3,000 a month for basically a closet apartment. You need to keep in mind what your salary could bring you in terms of financial security. If you are cool with higher rents and living in the big city, then by all means, go for it!
You do not necessarily need to inhabit the big cities to become successful. The one thing that a big city can guarantee, however, is a vast network of like-minded artists and contemporaries which may prove invaluable to a budding artist.
Tools of the Trade
Okay, now that we know where to go, and what to do, what tools to motion graphics designers utilize the most to create unique and stunning visuals?
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe After Effects
- Unity Engine
- Maya
- Adobe Illustrator
- Cinema 4D
- Mocha AE
- Trapcode Suite
- Adobe Animate and Moho
- Nuke
- Houdini
- Syntheyes
However, as one motion graphic designer, Dan Maurer, stated:
“Being able to think like a designer, being able to break the problem down into elements and then solve it properly, that in my mind, is more important than actually knowing the software. If you can do good design and dissect the problems, you will go significantly farther than just learning the tools.”
Having a basic grasp on these tools is a must, but as Dan Maurer said, having the designer’s mindset is way more valuable than just being an automaton that knows programs inside and out.
Wrapping Up
If you were looking at the Game of Thrones intro with a sense of reluctance before, you don’t have to now.
Companies like Elastic and the team that worked on the GoT intro as well as countless others, all got their respective starts in a ton of different places.
Since you are reading this, I can assume that you are at least somewhat competent with the programs above, which is a great start.
But if you’re not, don’t despair.
There is NO time limit on your career as a motion graphic designer. All you need to do is have a designer’s mindset, a grasp on the tools of the trade, and a small penchant for networking with your fellow artists.
Whether you are 18 or 48, graphic motion design is ever-changing and evolving with technology, so you won’t be left behind.
No one story is the same, and with proper networking, location, education, and portfolio, you can make it big as a motion graphics designer. Now get working on that portfolio, you brilliant artist!
