Are Motion Graphics Classes Worth It?

Learning motion graphics can expand a Graphic Designer’s skill set for finding work through training to learn new techniques with a variety of visual design software. An experienced Graphic Designer can learn motion graphics through training in design applications like Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, and other visual design software available in the Adobe Creative Cloud. Demonstrating a high level of skills with using design software for motion graphics could prove beneficial in expanding career opportunities.

Graphic Designers who are considering changing jobs or improving on skills for a current position may be interested in training for motion graphics. Classes in motion graphics can provide new skills for experienced Graphic Designers and related design professionals for working in film and television or websites, online video, and digital media. Skills in motion graphics can lead to finding work as independent contractors or as part of an organization's design team collaborating with other Designers and Managers. Motion graphics facilitate designing animations and visual effects or with video editing that can help in securing careers as Graphic Designers, Motion Graphics Designers, Animators, 3D Animators, or Video Editors.

Consider the Costs

The cost for learning motion graphics can vary depending on the method of training students have decided to take, ranging from a four-year college degree, independent training courses, online courses, or bootcamps for learning motion graphics. Learning motion graphics requires training across a wide range of graphic design applications such as Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, or Cinema 4D, which costs about $975 for each course at an education provider like Noble Desktop. Courses for training in Adobe Creative Cloud applications typically provide access for training in motion graphics.

However, some online schools do not provide access to the Adobe Creative Cloud. Accessing these applications requires an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, which means paying a $59.99 monthly licensing fee that varies depending on the payment method and number of software programs licensed. However, an individual subscription with After Effects, for example, through Adobe Creative Cloud costs $22.99 a month that also allows users access to Cinema 4D for training in 3D modeling and rendering used with motion graphics projects. Subscribing individually to any of the Adobe Creative Cloud applications includes a free trial period that allows users access to training resources.

Advantages of a Motion Graphics Class

While motion graphics classes can be costly and may require adjusting a person’s schedule, there are several advantages to enrolling for learning the fundamentals of motion graphics with the prospect of a profitable career. 

General Benefits

Training in motion graphics courses allow students to train under industry-expert instructors who typically assign participants real-world projects with step-by-step instructions and feedback for learning motion graphics related software like Premiere Pro and After Effects. Enrolling in a motion graphics class can provide detailed lessons for gaining a better understanding of the tools and techniques related to the area of graphic design. Training in motion graphics can provide a skill that helps experienced Graphic Designers and related professionals qualify for work in film and television, websites, online videos, or digital media. 

Access to Program

Among the biggest difficulties with learning motion graphics is being able to access the required software and tools for getting familiar with that area of graphic design. While it’s possible to gain access to Adobe Creative Cloud graphic design applications through a trial subscription in order to get comfortable with the basic functions of tools like Premiere Pro or After Effects, prospective design professionals will need a subscription for prolonged formal training and work involving motion graphics for access to graphic design software that they will need for the classes as well as eventual employment. While many classes may provide limited licensing for students training in motion graphics for lessons through hands-on projects, some education providers may require that students purchase their own Adobe Creative Cloud subscription or software. 

Learning Theory and Practice

Anyone training to learn motion graphics must also become familiar with theories and practices related to that category of graphic design. Knowledge of design theories contributes to training by providing a structured foundation for skills in motion graphics. For Graphic Designers new to motion graphics, getting comfortable with the software for applying techniques might represent the highest hurdle.

However, training in user-friendly applications like Adobe After Effects for learning motion graphics can help with easing new learners along their way to mastering skills for making static graphics and text come to life through animation. Training in motion graphics involves various methods for designing simple animated graphics such as moving titles, spinning shapes, and animated logos along with developing complex digital animations for television shows, movies, commercials, and YouTube used by professional organizations and amateurs for creating visual content. Learning anything new is never easy, but learning techniques associated with motion graphics for using software like After Effects, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, or Illustrator can provide experienced Graphic Designers with a smooth transition for picking up a new set of skills.

Personalized Feedback

With training in an area of design as complicated as motion graphics, being able to get feedback on projects or to clear up difficulties can help with gaining a better understanding of the specialty. Feedback can be helpful for students who may have a background in graphic design but have no experience related to areas like animation or video editing. Enrolling in a motion graphics class can help Designers with enhancing training through getting feedback from their instructors. Being able to get a response about whether a particular approach on a project is appropriate or heading in the wrong direction can help tremendously during training. Basically, feedback can help with avoiding common mistakes that could end up becoming bad habits.

Collaboration and Project Training

Work in motion graphics typically involves collaborating in working environments that allows groups to share ideas on work projects. Workplace collaboration typically involves communication using cloud-based technology. The cloud provides a convenient place for sharing files and exchanging ideas with motion graphics-related projects through cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive that lets participants involved on a project upload, download, sync, and access files from and onto several types of devices and locations.

The collaborative process for working in motion graphics usually involves other Graphic Designers, Project Managers, Web Designers, and Video Editors working on multiple creative projects. Motion graphics courses usually touch on collaborative processes involving graphic design through lessons that require students to work together as colleagues for completing real-world projects. 

Building a Portfolio

Training in motion graphics allows prospective Motion Graphics Designers to create plenty of engaging animations and graphics that can be included in their portfolios for impressing potential employers. For people looking to work in motion graphics, enrolling in classes can prove help with job support and practical career training. However, among the biggest benefits is that many of the exercises completed in a motion graphics course can be included as part of a professional portfolio.

Tools used for working in motion graphics include Adobe applications like After Effects, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, and Illustrator. Learning these applications can provide students with skills for designing complex animated graphics, including digital animations, animated logos, and infographics. Training in these design tools allow Motion Graphics Designers and other design professionals to create elaborate animations with the skills needed for working in various capacities.

Developing skills in motion graphics can lead to work including film editing, especially with digital technology used in today’s film and television industries. Knowledge with motion graphics can lead to working as Visual Designers or Film Editors specializing in creating effects-related content. Motion graphics professionals can also find work as members of a design team tasked with developing animated effects or other elements used in film, television, or digital media. Skills in motion graphics can also help with expanding any ambition Graphic Designer’s skill set for designing and developing kinetic graphics.

Consideration When Looking at Motion Graphics Classes

Graphic Designers looking to change careers or improve on skills at their current jobs can benefit from enrolling in motion graphics classes. Training in motion graphics can provide a skill that experienced Graphic Designers can use to find work as independent contractors or for becoming a part of a design team with a company or marketing agency.

General Considerations

When enrolling in either an in-person or virtual motion graphics course, students must consider what may be required with their new endeavor. By enrolling in classes, students will need to follow a set schedule that may not only require being able to get to a classroom somewhere but also being able to get assignments completed on time. With live online courses, while not having to travel to another location, students will still have to follow a set schedule for logging into class and completing assignments. For either method of training, students will still have to adhere to a schedule. However, students do have the option of enrolling in an on-demand motion graphics course, which offers more scheduling flexibility with starting and completing assignments at the student’s discretion.

For experienced Graphic Designers new to motion graphics, simply getting comfortable with some of the design software and techniques involved with a new area of graphic design could represent the biggest challenge. While learning anything new may not be easy, adapting to the scheduling requirements for training in motion graphics involves learning design software like After Effects and Premiere Pro and could prove to be a good investment. 

Balancing Theory and Practical Skills

Among the challenges with finding the right motion graphics courses is deciding on how to balance training with theories and practices involved with the discipline. Some students may want to work in motion graphics for finding work in web design or digital media while others may want to get involved with visual effects or video editing for working in film and television.

A plan for working in visual effects and editing may lead to training in Premiere Pro. However, if a student is more fascinated in working with graphic effects for either web design or digital media, they may decide to go with training in After Effects. Striking the right balance can help with deciding on which direction to travel when considering motion graphics classes. 

What Skills Do You Need to Know?

Learning motion graphics can open doors to new careers as well as providing individuals with creative growth. Training in tools for motion graphics can lead to employment in a variety of industries and professions such as web design, video games, television, film, and online marketing.

Through learning motion graphics, prospective Motion Graphics Designers can create engaging animations that can be included in a portfolio for help with appealing to potential employers. Tools for working in motion graphics include Adobe software like After Effects, Premiere Pro, and Illustrator. Through training in these design tools, students can learn how to design complex, animated graphics for creating digital animations, animated logos, and infographics. Many of these design applications allow Designers to create elaborate animations with the skills needed for working in digital technology.

Skills in motion graphics can also lead to working as a Film Editor due to digital technology used in the television and film industries. Knowledge in motion graphics can help with finding work related to digital media through training in After Effects and Premiere Pro for designing visual effects or editing visual content. Motion graphics includes designing animated effects and other elements involved in film, television, and digital media.

Is It Worth Enrolling in a Motion Graphics Class?

Graphic Designers who are looking to change jobs or improve their skills at a current position may be interested in learning motion graphics. Classes in motion graphics can add to an experienced Graphic Designer’s skill set for working with film, television, websites, online videos, and digital media. Learning motion graphics can lead to working in a variety of capacities for designing animations or graphic effects or editing video by becoming Motion Graphics Designers, Animators, or Video Editors.

Who Will Find It Worthwhile?

For anyone who has seen an animated film, television program, or commercial, curiosity could lead to training in motion graphics for opening a path to a new career in animation. Skills in motion graphics can create options for working in several areas related to animation and visual effects. Think about it. Motion graphics can be used to find work in entertainment, information media, or education. Skills with motion graphics can be used for producing animated graphic designs that combine text, audio, motion, animation, and visual effects that can be used in television commercials, films, television shows, YouTube videos, and social media.

Training in motion graphics can lead to becoming Motion Graphics Designers, Animators, Graphic Designers, Video Editors, and Visual Designers. Animation allows for telling a story in a way that helps develop a connection with audiences more quickly than with static image or text. Motion graphics can vary from a small animated accent to an elaborate visual effect. Learning how to design motion graphics can set any ambitious Graphic Designer apart from competitors vying for the same position with finding a career in animation or visual effects.

Who Probably Doesn’t Need a Motion Graphics Class?

People designing graphics and animation as a hobby for making amateur videos or blogs will not likely need to spend their time or money on training in a motion graphics class. A motion graphics course would be relatively expensive and time consuming but may pay off as a good investment for a career with using motion graphics in animation, visual effects, and other capacities.

Learn Motion Graphics Skills with Noble Desktop

If you have been considering picking up new skills in motion graphics, you might want to enroll at Noble Desktop to take advantage of training for learning design applications like Adobe After Effects or Premiere Pro by enrolling in the Motion Graphic Certificate program to gain skills with motion graphics, animation, and video editing. Noble Desktop provides training inside classrooms for people living in or near New York City as well as a virtual learning option for anyone living anywhere else to participate in training. Noble Desktop offers you training from experienced instructors who provide students with immediate feedback and advice with developing skills in motion graphics. Additionally, Noble Desktop provides 1-on-1 mentoring along with options for retaking this course for free within one year.

Noble Desktop also offers After Effects related classes for in-person and live online training that can teach you how to use this industry-standard motion graphics application, including the After Effects Bootcamp for learning how to create stand-alone animations, videos, visual effects, and animated titles through lessons from hands-on projects. You may want to follow up any After Effects training by enrolling in the Cinema 4D in After Effects Bootcamp, which offers training in Maxon Cinema 4D Lite for integrating designs into After Effects for creating 3D models and motion graphics for assigning textures, creating animation, and using the Cineware effect for unified integration.

You might also benefit from taking any number of Noble Desktop’s Premiere Pro classes that offer training for the industry-standard digital editing application used by studios and design professionals that includes motion graphics. These courses include enrolling in the Premiere Pro Bootcamp that provides lessons on how to import and organize footage, apply those elements to a sequence, clean up audio, and correct color.