How to Learn After Effects

After Effects is a dynamic program that allows users to create visually engaging videos. Despite these strengths, the program is not necessarily intuitive or beginner-friendly. Users report the highest level of success when they pair formal instruction with practice and independent study. The following article presents an overview of learning opportunities for students interested in mastering Adobe After Effects. 

What is After Effects?

Adobe After Effects is a motion graphics application that places special effects design and creation tools in your hands! Whether you are a small business looking to make eye-catching advertisements and commercials or an employee of one of the top animation studios, After Effect allows users to bring their imagination to life. This Academy Award-winning program has been a favorite of film, television, and internet creators since its creation in the early 1990s. Special, practical, mechanical, and theatrical effects artists used After Effects software to create blockbuster movies such as Star Trek: Into Darkness and Ender's Game. 

Combined with the graphics of Illustrator, the image-altering tools of Photoshop, and the video editing capabilities of Premiere Pro, After Effect’s comprehensive toolbar and layering features allow users to create dynamic special effects and title cards. Adobe Effects also has a 3D design function, adding new emphasis and movement to any project. You can even use After Effects to create fully or partially animated features! When combined with the other programs of the Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe After Effects will help your video project stand out from the crowd!

Read more about what After Effects is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with After Effects?

Think about the last time you watched a Hollywood blockbuster. What were the main things that you noticed throughout the movie? Maybe you noticed the quality of the animations and other motion graphics that added a unique texture to your viewing experience. Perhaps the dynamic opening credits that set the stage for the action caught your eye. Or maybe the incredible special effects drew you into the movie's action. Regardless of what visuals captured your attention, Adobe After Effects or a related motion graphics and special effects tool was likely responsible for these incredible visuals. 

After Effects is a motion graphics and special effects software that allows you to animate texts and objects, use greenscreens to add or subtract objects and elements, and develop unique transitions to your visual media creations. Users can create their original graphics using Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator or redesign one of the many available templates to create their vision. When users combine the editing power of After Effects with the capacities of Cinema 4D Lite included with every subscription, these artists can add new textures and dimensions to their visual media. 

Beyond the incredible toolkit offered within the After Effects program, this application is also compatible with many other tools. Part of the larger Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe After Effects can work with programs such as Adobe Audition, InDesign, Lightroom, and Premiere Pro to create original and composite forms of visual media. After Effects also works with third-party plugins such as FXFactory, Red Giant by Maxon, and CycoreFX, further maximizing the capabilities and functionality of this application.

In-Person After Effects Training

Students that thrive in traditional academic environments may want to begin learning After Effects through in-person classes and workshops. In-person classes vary in length and complexity based on the goals and objectives of the participants. Industry professionals frequently teach in-person classes and are available to answer questions and provide assistance throughout the course. Those looking for a quick but comprehensive overview of After Effects may consider enrolling in a 3-day to week-long boot camp. Contrastingly, those looking to pursue a career that regularly uses Premiere Pro would probably gravitate toward a longer certificate program. 

Noble Desktop, the creator of this tool, is an excellent resource for identifying which in-person course will best fit your schedule and overall goals. Students that live in New York may want to pursue an in-person class on Noble Desktop’s Midtown-Manhattan campus, where they can enroll in an After Effects in a Day workshop or an 18-hour After Effects Bootcamp. Both classes walk students through the basics of using After Effects to create animated graphics and logos and prepare participants for independent or continued study. 

Students that live outside of the Manhattan area can also benefit from Noble Desktop’s After Effects Classes Near Me tool. This search engine allows aspiring After Effects users to compare and contrast brick-and-mortar classes to identify those most conveniently located and that offer courses that work with their schedules. Ledet Training, for example, offers short-term introductory and intermediate After Effect courses in almost every major city in the United States. Students with a background in Photoshop looking to refine their skills in After Effects may also want to consider intermediate courses from Future Media concepts in cities such as Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Orlando. Visit Noble Desktop today and discover the course that will launch your career.

Live Online After Effects Training

Many students are searching for alternatives to the traditional classroom environment and the need to commute to acquire a collegiate-level education. Many students, for example, are discovering the benefits of live online learning. Like in-person classes, live-online workshops and courses feature instruction from skilled professionals who are available to answer questions and provide assistance throughout the course. Nevertheless, students can set up their ideal working environment and avoid the distractions of a traditional classroom. Several live online classes even offer career support and one-on-one mentoring opportunities to live online students. 

Many students gravitate to live online training when building their After Effects skill sets. The general structure of live online courses mimics those of in-person classes, where professional experts tend to balance lectures and demonstrations with hands-on assignments and experience. Live online training centers even offer opportunities for one-on-one mentoring and networking with your professors and classmates. Designed for students with busy schedules and multiple responsibilities, live online classes tend to occur during accessible times for those who work during business hours or have other commitments that may prevent them from attending in-person classes. 

Noble Desktop, the creator of this tool, offers several live online learning opportunities for students looking to develop and enhance their After Effects skills. Beginner or casual After Effects users may wish to enroll in Noble Desktop’s After Effects Bootcamp or After Effects in a Day course. These short-term classes teach students how to animate text and graphics, create title sequences and end credits, and start creating 3D objects. 

Participants looking to pursue a career in computer animation and motion graphics development may wish to enroll in one of Noble Desktop’s highly-rated certificate programs. Enhance your skills and round out your resume by enrolling in the Video Editing and Motion Graphics Certificate Course or Motion Graphics Certificate Course. These multi-month classes walk students through multiple Adobe Programs necessary to create original visual content like Audition, After Effects, and Premiere Pro. These certificate programs prepare students to enter the workforce with the confidence and skills necessary to succeed in their chosen careers. 

Unsure which course to take? Check out Noble Desktop’s list of the Best After Effects Courses Online. This helpful resource allows students to compare live online and on-demand courses' costs, duration, and curriculum.

Free Online Courses & Tutorials

Learning After Effects is a commitment that requires time and energy to pursue. If you are unsure whether this application is worth the time and effort necessary to master it, researching before and after you begin your subscription is one of the best ways to ensure that you prepare yourself for long-term success. For example, an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription gives you access to Adobe After Effects and Adobe Animate. Which program will help you meet your personal and professional needs? Check out Noble Desktop’s blog post with a detailed comparison of Adobe After Effects and Animate programs to ensure that you invest your time and money well. 

Are you searching for a way to expand your skills and learn new techniques? Even after you have committed to purchasing an After Effects program or an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, you may feel overwhelmed determining the best place to start learning this complex program. Noble Desktop offers a free Get Started in Motion Graphics course and an Intro to After Effects seminar recording. Noble Desktop even has a free technical training YouTube channel to help you understand the ins and outs of After Effects. These free introductory videos and tutorials work best in conversation with the in-person or live online courses found using Noble Desktop’s After Effects Classes Near Me and Best After Effects Classes Online. 

These tools are also great ways to identify other free introductory classes online. Udemy, for example, offers a range of free courses in multiple languages. Entry-level students are the intended audience of these on-demand videos, focusing on specific skills rather than connecting different techniques and applications. Nevertheless, this platform allows students to explore the benefits and limitations of on-demand classes. Coursera offers similar free learning opportunities, but classes tend to be much broader, and many of the free courses overview other animation and motion graphics applications besides After Effect. Students may also use these free courses to prepare for more advanced techniques and tools that more structured classes cover. 

Read about more free After Effects videos and online tutorials.

On-Demand After Effects Classes

Students invested in learning After Effects but would like to train on their schedule may want to consider enrolling in an on-demand tech class. Like in-person or live online classes, on-demand videos cover introductory and advanced animation and motion graphics techniques. Industry experts guide you through complicated tools and techniques of After Effect in a rewatchable format. Learn After Effects on your schedule in the learning environment of your choice with on-demand classes. 

Classes vary in cost, duration, and complexity, requiring students to compare and contrast the cost of After Effect classes to discover which opportunity best suits their needs. A subscription to Skillshare, for example, will bring you eighteen lessons, hands-on projects, and the entirety of Skillshare’s diverse video catalog. Students looking for a much more comprehensive overview may want to consider Udemy’s Adobe After Effects: Complete Course from Novice to Expert. This course allows students to progress and refine their skills over 35 hours of videos. On-demand video programs offer a way to learn almost any animation and motion graphics skill at your own pace. 

On-demand video training is not without limitations. Students frequently struggle to find footing in asynchronous courses without in-person or live online instructors. While students can watch on-demand videos as many times as they would like, they still lack an onsite or online professional that can help answer questions specific to their problems. On-demand training programs also remove the opportunity to network and build a professional identity in a classroom setting, which is essential, especially if you want to use After Effects professionally.

Which Learning Method is Right for Me?

Take a second to reflect on your life and how your After Effects training fits in with your current and future goals. Are you in a position where you can control your schedule? Or are you limited by other responsibilities such as career or family obligations? Did you thrive in a traditional classroom setting, or would you prefer to work at home? How are you planning to use your After Effects training? Will you pursue a new career path with After Effects or use the program more casually? Your answers to these questions can help you identify which After Effects training format is best for you. 

The rise of online learning and technology schools means that you can customize your After Effects learning experience to your unique needs. If you notice that you have an overwhelming number of responsibilities, you will likely enjoy the freedom of on-demand learning. These pre-recorded classes allow you to set your schedule and pace. Those seeking classes taught by a trained instructor in real time but would like to choose their learning environment should consider a live online class over an in-person one. In-person courses, usually within a campus’ computer lab, tend to be ideal for those who would like to learn After Effects before purchasing expensive new equipment. When choosing an After Effects course, reflection and research can go a long way.

Why Learn After Effects?

Do you have a creative eye? Did all of your school assignments always have doodles in the margins? Would you like to transform your animation hobby into a career? After Effects gives you the tools to bring your imagination to life and start building your unique business or individual brand! Discover why artists, businesses, and filmmakers gravitate towards After Effects to fulfill their needs for motion graphics and special effects! 

Adobe After Effects is a highly-rated motion graphics tool allowing users to create dynamic title and closing credits, stunning special effects, and cohesive and compelling narratives. Part of the larger Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe After Effects works cohesively with other Adobe programs like Animate, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Premiere Pro and is compatible with third-party software such as Frame.io, Universal Audio, or Flow. Creators can use After Effects to create unique designs from scratch or develop their own vision using one of the many presets included with the program. After Effects even allows users to design 3D figures using the Cinema 4D Lite extension, integrating new textures and experiences within their media.

Read more about why you should learn After Effects.

Level of Difficulty, Prerequisites, & Cost 

After Effects is a standout program in the Adobe Creative Cloud. Users frequently claim that After Effects is one of the most complex programs to learn, despite mirroring other Adobe applications in form and organization. Even basic graphics require multiple steps and tools that can be challenging to follow without the assistance of a skilled instructor that can guide you through the process. While adding educational costs to your monthly After Effects subscription may appear to be financially prohibitive, this is the easiest way to ensure you get the most out of your After Effects program. 

After Effects requires considerable time and practice to master regardless of the user’s technological background and capabilities. Nevertheless, students can still prepare to use this complicated application before downloading the software. For one, they can invest in a gaming or high-tech computer with a large RAM capacity that can minimize the chances of the program crashing. They can also research current motion graphics and special effects trends to develop those skills through education and practice. Exploring the interconnected nature of the Adobe Creative Cloud can also help users better situate After Effects in the motion graphics and video production process.

Keeping these training tips and tools in mind, many students may wonder how much a subscription to After Effects costs. Ultimately, their ability to access After Effects depends on their intentions for using the program. Those with smaller, short-term projects may want to enroll in the monthly payment plan, which runs for about $32 per month. Users willing to commit to an entire year can lower this monthly fee to $21. Another way to save money is to pay a $240 annual subscription fee upfront, reducing the average monthly cost to about $20. 

Subscribers looking to access the entire Adobe Creative Cloud can save money when they bundle 20 applications and pay an annual fee of $600. Additional subscription plans for a whole year are also available for $83 per month and $55 per month. Still unsure if After Effects or acquiring the Adobe Creative Cloud are the right decision for you? Users can try out these programs using Adobe’s seven-day free trial to determine which program will work best for them. 

Read about how difficult it is to learn After Effects.

Learn After Effects with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Are you looking for a training program to jump-start your After-Effects adventures? Noble Desktop, the creator of this tool, is known for its high-rated full and part-time bootcamps and certificate programs. Expert instructors set students up for long-term success through project-based learning and many opportunities for hands-on learning. Students living in or near New York City can easily commute to regularly offered in-person After Effects classes offered at Noble Desktop’s Manhattan campus. Want to avoid a long commute? Consider enrolling in one of Noble Desktop’s live online After Effects classes, where you can receive dynamic and interactive After Effects training from the comfort of your home or office!

Wondering which class format will help you cultivate your After Effects knowledge and skills? Consider your timetable and ultimate objectives. Students looking to use After Effects more casually or as an additional skill for an existing career may want to enroll in Noble Desktop’s After Effects in a Day or three-day After Effects Bootcamp. These classes save you time and money by balancing lectures with hands-on experience, maximizing retention, and setting you up for success. “Definitely recommend Noble Desktop overtaking a semester-long continuing education class at an expensive art school,” raved one reviewer, “This class covers techniques in a practical manner, and you can get started on your own after three days of intensive learning.” Worried that you couldn’t possibly retain everything you learn? Noble Desktop offers a free retake for all of its classes! 

Students interested in a more dramatic career change or would like to develop their portfolio and CV may want to enroll in the Motion Graphics Certificate or Video Editing & Motion Graphics Certificate programs. These training programs use hands-on experience and project-based training to teach students how to create original content using After Effects, Premiere Pro, and other Adobe Creative Cloud applications. Students also have several opportunities for one-on-one mentorship and receive a comprehensive step-by-step manual that ensures they have all the tools needed for long-term success.

Key Insights

• Adobe After Effect is not usually a beginner-friendly program and frequently requires students to use multiple training programs. 
• Students are more likely to retain what they learn when they pair multiple formats of learning. 
• Students should compare and contrast different programs before beginning their subscription or training program. 
• Noble Desktop offers several tools that allow students to identify the learning format that will work best for their personal and professional needs.