On the design front, motion graphics design is a relatively new profession. Design professions that use technology are expanding. And there are so many different kinds of designers out there that it’s difficult to keep track of them all! Graphic designers, web designers, user experience designers, user interface designers, and so on are all available.
“Motion graphics is a growing field that is not going away anytime soon,” designer Paul Joseph says. “Part of this is due to the fact that the high-tech looks used in motion pictures become old very quickly, and new fresh approaches are always in demand.”
Skilled motion graphics designers are becoming increasingly important as creative filmmakers and video producers expand both their imaginations and their budgets for impressive technology and design. Your favourite shows, movies, and even websites and apps would look very different if not for these savvy, innovative artists.
But, what exactly does this job entail? How do you get started in this creative field? We spoke with a few experts who are currently working in the field to get answers to this question and learn more about the world of 3D motion graphic design.
What does a motion graphics designer do?
Motion graphics designers, also known as motion designers, create artwork for the web, television, and film. This includes movie clips, trailers, commercials, title sequences, and so on. To bring their creations to life, they employ visual effects, animation, and other cinematic techniques. They create animated graphics, as the name implies.
Motion graphics designers elevate films, websites, commercials, and other media by animating graphics and creating vivid visual effects. With the growing popularity of video content on the internet, a motion graphics designer could end up working on almost anything, on any digital platform.
Furthermore, there may be opportunities outside of these more traditional motion graphics applications. According to Jose Andres, creator community manager at Enklu Cloud, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are the next major advancements in design technology. “I’ve delved deeper into the world of interactive technology,” Andres explains. “The tools I now have access to have drastically altered my design process.” With AR & VR tools, I can start laying out a concept and creating assets much faster than I could with traditional desktop software.”
Depending on your interests in motion graphics, you could end up working on a big-budget Hollywood film or freelancing the opening intro for a new iPhone app.
Where do motion graphics designers work?
Animators and multimedia designers typically work in motion picture offices, computer systems and software companies, and advertising agencies, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). 1 In 2018, this industry had a very high percentage of self-employed workers (59%) indicating that remote work arrangements are very possible in the field. 1
“Our studio specialises in branding and graphic design services for Twitch®, YouTube®, and Facebook Gaming® broadcasters,” says Visuals by Impulse’s Nick Avola. According to Avola, all of their motion designers work remotely. “We’ve discovered that it results in happier, more effective artists.” Our team can manage their time as they see fit. Distractions are reduced, allowing designers to “get in the zone.”
However, there may be drawbacks. One disadvantage of the remote-work arrangement is the loss of the convenience of collaboration. “Teamwork is often more effective when creators work face to face,” says Avola. “Not to mention the difficulty of time zones.”
What skills do motion graphics designers need?
We polled motion graphics designers to determine the most important technical and soft skills for their current role.
Table of Content:
3D modeling
“Calligraphy and two-dimensional art have a place,” Joseph says. “However, most motion graphics are now based on 3-D modelling, which is a huge part of graphics’ future.” Working with modelling programmes allows Joseph to understand points in 3-D space, lines connecting those points, and polygons made up of those lines.
Animation perspective
According to Joseph, “a good 3-D designer understands motion and timelines.” “Objects are capable of movement. Light sources can do the same. The camera, which is the audience’s point of view, can also move. The designer is capable of choreographing complex movements one element at a time and spinning them off in a variety of ways.”
Organization
Andres believes that organisation is essential for both freelancers and team members. “Keeping a tidy file with organised assets, dependencies, layers, and so on becomes more important as your projects grow larger,” Andres says.
“Organization and multitasking are important qualities we look for in new motion designers,” Avola says. “You’ll be managing a lot of layers and elements at the same time.” Keep your files neat and tidy or you will pay the price later.”
Procedural animation
One of the most difficult aspects of creating motion graphics is that it can be extremely time-consuming. One method is to use procedural animation.
“In recent years, there has been an awakening of the word ‘procedural,’ and this trend is set to explode over the next decade,” Avola says. “Procedurally generated, full animations can be created in a fraction of the time using simple and complex algorithms.” Because of automated processes, work can be easily tweaked, adapted, and revised.”
According to Avola, motion design software is increasingly using scripts, expressions, and coding to save time during the creative process. Procedural animation, for example, allows designers to apply predetermined physics to 3D objects—for example, if two objects collide at a set speed in an animation, the results are predictable and can be modelled appropriately.
Texturing and lighting effects
“The audience sees the shapes and images, not the model,” Joseph says. He emphasises the importance of surfacing in making 3D graphics look photorealistic. “Surfaces can be reflective, shiny, translucent, rough, or refractive. They can also display moving images and simulate textures. “The potential is limitless.”
Understanding big-picture context
“A good designer understands how their designs will be used,” Joseph says. He emphasises that video, multimedia, game design, and virtual reality are all growing fields that motion graphics designers could pursue. However, each application requires a unique approach. “Know all of these applications and how to prepare for them.”
Adaptability
“Plans change, as do project scope and goals,” Avola explains, adding that skilled motion designers in motion graphic company must be willing to change their original vision in response to client feedback. “Keep your head up and roll with the punches.”
Timing
According to Avola, timing is one of the most difficult and important skills for a motion graphics designer. “Motion design is primarily a storytelling tool, and the best stories have a natural flow and rhythm.”
A fantastically detailed and otherwise appealing graphic will be ineffective if the pacing is off or does not fit in with other elements such as sound. The most talented animators and motion designers learn to adapt their work and incorporate rhythm and pacing into their workflow.
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