Motion Graphics Designer Job Description

Motion Graphics Designers transform static designs into moving images that are generally in a two- or three-dimensional format. Sound may also be included. Motion graphics can be found on the internet, on TV and in film.

What is a Motion Graphics Designer?

A Motion Graphics Designer creates animations, graphics and videos that are visually alluring. Your job is often to communicate complex ideas and concepts to audiences in a way that is engaging, entertaining and educational.

When it comes to getting a job as a Motion Graphics Designer, there are certain skills that need to be acquired. It’s important to have an understanding of design principles, including color theory, layout and typography, in addition to the principles of animation and motion graphics.

There are a variety of programs and software that a motion graphic designer might use to create graphics in two- or three-dimension formats, including Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign and After Effects, among others. It can also be beneficial to have traditional art skills to brainstorm initial ideas on paper before transferring them into a digital environment, as well as knowing how to select typography, audio, visuals and other design elements.

Motion graphic designers typically work with a creative team, but they can also be self-employed. No matter what job environment you work in, having good communication skills is essential. Not only do you need to be able to speak with members of your office team, but you may also need to communicate with clients and stakeholders to ensure the final product meets expectations. 

Job Requirements

There are a variety of different tasks you’ll be expected to undertake as a Motion Graphics Designer, including the following:

1. Have Some Experience as a Motion Graphics Designer

There are a variety of different ways to gain experience as a Motion Graphics Designer. The first is to volunteer your services to businesses or organizations in your local community. Consider working with a nonprofit to help them create an animated message for an upcoming event or fundraiser. You can also look for internship opportunities. 

Another way to gain experience as a Motion Graphics Designer is to earn a bachelor’s degree or take online courses. It’s not necessary to have a bachelor’s degree to work in this field, but some employers may require one. 

Taking online courses can also be beneficial, as you’ll be able to obtain Motion Graphics Designer skills in a shorter amount of time. This may also be a good option if you already have a bachelor’s degree in art, computer graphics or a related field and want to branch out into motion design.

2. Create a Portfolio of Work

The best way to show off skills and talent is to put together a portfolio of your work. This can include work you’ve completed while earning your degree, while taking an online course, or while working for clients. You might even consider creating some fictitious projects to show off your skills.

Make sure to showcase your portfolio on a personal blog or website, and make sure to include a link on your resume when applying for jobs.

3. Know How to Use Motion Graphic Design Software

Knowing how to use motion graphic design software is an essential responsibility to your job. There are several options to choose from, including Adobe Animate, Nuke, Mocha Pro, Blender and Cinema 4D, among others. Learning how to use all of them might be a bit much, but if you know how to use the most common (Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, After Effects, etc.), you should be able to do your job without many issues.

However, stay open and flexible to learning new software, as this will ensure you stay relevant within the field.

3a. Have Basic Art and/or Graphic Design Skills

Knowing how to use motion graphic design software is essential if you want to be a motion graphic designer, but you’ll also need some basic art skills and/or graphic design skills as well. Most projects don’t start on the computer, they start on a drawing board or a piece of paper, so knowing the basics of color, patterns and use of white space, among others, can be incredibly beneficial.

4. Know About Aesthetics and Design

Part of your job responsibilities is being able to create items for businesses that are visually appealing and grab attention. Knowing about aesthetics and design will ensure that you put together something that not only your client loves but that also catches the attention of their audience.

5. Be Organized

Being organized is essential when it comes to finishing projects on time, to the specifications of the client and within their budget. 

6. Be a Team Player and Communicate

While it’s possible you may be self-employed, you won’t be working alone. You’ll still have clients who expect a certain result when they hire you to do a job. Being a team player that is able to communicate with the clients is an essential responsibility that ensures the project is completed to everyone's satisfaction.

Most Motion Graphics Designers work on a creative team, which means there are a lot of people involved in the process in addition to clients. Being able to work with others and communicate effectively and efficiently is a job responsibility that will keep you employed for a long time.

Job Responsibilities

As a Motion Graphics Designer, you’ll need be responsible for the following:

• Design - your main job is to create motion graphics and animations that are visually stunning for a variety of digital media platforms. Design skills also include being able to incorporate typography, visual effects and potentially sound to create something memorable.

• Have a keen eye for detail - not only do you need to pay attention to the details of your projects, but you also need to think about aesthetics, as this will ensure that the final product grabs attention.

• Use video software - some of the software you’ll need to be able to use includes Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, Photoshop and After Effects, among others.

• Collaboration - whether you’re working with a design team or a client, you’ll need to be able to communicate and work efficiently to create a final product that grabs attention and makes the customer happy.

• Creativity - a lot of your work will be accomplished through collaboration, but bringing new, creative ideas to the table is beneficial and contributes to the success of the design and the team.

• Adaptation and optimization - people use a wide range of devices to access information, and your design needs to be viewed on all of them, so having skills in being able to adapt and optimize the motion graphics for different screen sizes and resolutions is necessary.

• Project management - more than likely, you will be working on more than one project at a time, so being able to adhere to deadlines and deliver projects on time—and within budget—is essential.

• Stay up to date on industry trends - the digital world is constantly changing, so staying up to date with best practices and current trends ensures employability; refining your skills and exploring new techniques and ideas can also help you push the boundaries of graphic design and create something astounding. 

Skills

To ensure that you’re excelling at your position as a Motion Graphics Designer, there are several skills you’ll need to hone, including:

Animation

Having an understanding of animation principles, including timelines, light sources, positioning and movement, can help you create realistic perspectives and make the graphics more intriguing for audiences.

Typography

There are a wide range of font styles in the world, and knowing which one is the correct style and size is essential to creating motion graphics that get noticed.

3D Design

A lot of final motion graphics are created for a three-dimensional space, so having an understanding of 3D modeling principles is a skill that many employers are looking for.

Graphic Design

This is probably one of the most important skills you’ll need for this job, since your goal is to use visual and textual content to portray a message to audiences. Knowing how to make that design look good and be memorable is essential to job retention.

Knowledge of Software

Most motion graphic design work is done on a computer using software, so knowing how to use that software not only makes your job easier but also ensures the final product looks amazing and meets client specifications.

In addition to these hard skills, some of the soft skills that are necessary to become a Motion Graphics Designer include artistic skills, time management, organization and storytelling abilities.

Why Do Businesses Need Motion Graphics Designers?

There are numerous reasons why businesses need a Motion Graphics Designer, including the following:

Brand Identity

A company’s brand ensures that they are recognizable by people around the world. Keeping that brand consistent through logos, typography, illustrations and icons is beneficial, and you can help them achieve their goals.

Simplify Complex Concepts

Whether a company is sharing information with stakeholders or the general public, it’s important that the message comes across, and that’s when motion graphics can be helpful. From charts to infographics to diagrams, complex concepts and information can be simplified for better overall understanding.

Engagement

The digital world is an incredibly crowded place, so for a business to stand out, they need to create something eye-catching and memorable—and that’s where motion graphics come into play. 

Shareable Content

Not only do businesses want to catch the attention of customers, but they also want that content to be shared. As a motion graphic designer, you can create content that can be shared across the web.

Where Do Motion Graphics Designers Usually Work?

Motion Graphics Designers can work in pretty much any industry, including:

• Television
• Film/movies
• Video games
• Nonprofits
• Marketing
• Retail
• Tech
• Startups

There are a lot of options when it comes to finding a job as a Motion Graphics Designer, and if you are able to collaborate and communicate with others, you may find yourself with an incredibly lucrative career in an industry that fits your values and dreams.

Motion Graphics Designer Salary and Job Outlook

Thus far into 2024, the average Motion Graphics Designer salary is $37 an hour, or $77,000 a year. The outlook for this position, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2022-2032 is 8% growth. This is faster than average growth compared to other industries, so there is a need for motion graphics designers.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Motion Graphics Designer?

The amount of time it takes to become a Motion Graphics Designer depends on several factors. For example, while having a bachelor’s degree is beneficial (and employers may require one), it’s not always necessary. Thus, if you want to obtain a bachelor’s degree, that could take four to five years.

For individuals who already have a bachelor’s degree or who decide they don’t want one to become a Motion Graphics Designer, it may be possible to obtain some basic skills in as little as a few hours to a few weeks.

However, to become proficient and a skilled professional, this will take years and staying up to date with the latest technology and design concepts.

Motion Graphics Designer vs. Animator

When thinking about career opportunities, you may be wondering what the difference is between a Motion Graphics Designer and an animator. After all, “animation” is a skill that is used by Motion Graphics Designers. However, there are some key differences between the two.

The first difference is that animators typically create the actions and movements of a cartoon character, as well as the environment in which they interact. A Motion Graphics Designer is responsible for creating visual effects that are used in movies or TV shows.

The skills and techniques used by animators and Motion Graphics Designers are also different. Typically, animators need to understand traditional animation techniques, including drawing and staging, in addition to having knowledge of anatomy and character design.

Motion Graphics Designers need to understand typography and visual language. It’s also beneficial if they have knowledge of graphic design.

Another difference between animators and Motion Graphics Designers is their career path. Animators can earn a college degree in animation or a related field, and then start their career as a trainee or assistant and work their way up. Animators may find themselves in a competitive job market, but the demand for animators will see growth in the coming years, especially in the entertainment and gaming industries.

Becoming a Motion Graphics Designer is a bit more flexible, and an individual can start out in another creative profession, such as graphic design, before transitioning into motion graphics. A Motion Graphics Designer will need specific technical skills, but not necessarily a college degree. The job market for Motion Graphics Designers is expected to grow in the coming years, and a wide range of businesses will be looking for a designer to help them with their advertising and marketing campaigns.

Learn the Skills to Become a Motion Graphics Designer at Noble Desktop

When it comes to obtaining the skills that are necessary to become a Motion Graphics Designer, you’ll find what you’re looking for at Noble Desktop. There are a wide range of courses that will help you hone your software skills and technique. You have the option of taking these classes online or in-person.

You don’t need to spend a ton of time gaining motion graphic design skills. If you enroll in a bootcamp or certificate program, you can learn the necessary skills in as little as a few weeks to a few months. The best part of these classes? You’ll be able to put together a portfolio to show to potential employers or clients.