What is the Best Course to Learn Motion Graphics?

Training in motion graphics can provide skills for work related to design in areas of animation, visual effects, and video editing. For anyone considering a career involving motion graphics, there are training options available such as in-person courses or virtual learning. Courses in motion graphics can lead to becoming Motion Graphics Designers, Graphic Designers, Animators, 3D Animators, and Video Editors for working in film, television, web design, and digital media. A Designer who has skills in motion graphics may also consider enrolling a certificate program or gaining certification.

Anyone interested in learning motion graphics for skills in animation, visual effects, or video editing can get training in applications like Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Maxon 4D Lite through courses, bootcamps, or certificate programs. Motion graphics can be used to produce animated graphic designs that combine typography, audio, motion, animation, and visual effects in social media, YouTube videos, and commercials as well as film and television, particularly graphics used for creating content associated with movies, TV shows, advertising, and video games.

For students who decide on enrolling in a certificate program, they should be aware that certificate training and a certification are not the same. Certificate programs can help with learning motion graphics for learning skills to qualify for certain jobs but can also contribute to passing a certification exam that authenticates expertise.

Finding Introductory Courses in Motion Graphics

By enrolling in introductory courses to learn motion graphics, prospective students have to consider how their experience with graphic design can weigh how they will develop skills in animation and compositing. Experienced Graphic Designers should have a basic understanding of design concepts that should help with learning skills in new areas. The type of training that people choose greatly depends on how comfortable they feel with using design applications and techniques required for motion graphics. Graphic Designers who have some experience with motion graphics may decide to take on more advanced training to hone their skills. However, for Designers who may not feel as comfortable with motion graphics, there are free online webinars, YouTube videos, or tutorials for learning tools associated with motion graphics that may help with getting acclimated to working in an unfamiliar area of design.

Another option would be finding introductory classes for learning motion graphics. Introductory motion graphics courses provide a quick and efficient way for learning design techniques and software related to areas of graphic design. An introductory course for motion graphics can be taken in less than a day or spread out over a few days in short sessions. Beginner-level classes can provide everything from a basic introduction to a subject like motion graphics to an opportunity of working in hands-on projects to get tactile experience. For instance, The New School in New York includes the Parson School of Design where new learners can enroll in the Motion Graphics: Introduction, which is an in-person class that introduces students to the fundamentals of motion graphics, including lessons on typography, images, and narrative sequence. New learners can also find introductory training through online providers like LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, and Skillshare that offer either free or low costs options for initiating training in motion graphics.

Learning motion graphics involves mastering software like Adobe After Effects, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and Photoshop for creating dynamic graphic design content to help with finding work in today’s competitive digital job market. Skills with motion graphics have become vital for working in several industries, including digital marketing and web design. Because of this, training to learn motion graphics can provide options for working in several areas related to animation and graphic design that includes finding work in entertainment, information media, and education.

People who have skills in motion graphics can earn a good living through careers as 3D Animators, Motion Graphics Designers, or Video Editors. Motion graphics can be used for developing vibrant animated graphic designs combined with a sense for storytelling.

Learning motion graphics provides Graphic Designers and similar professionals with skills for using animation as a way for telling stories visually in order to connect with audiences more effectively. Motion graphics can vary from a small animated accent to an elaborate visual effect. Learning how to create motion graphics can set a Graphic Designer apart from the crowd for establishing a career involving animation and visual effects.

How Much Are You Willing to Pay for Training in Motion Graphics?

The cost for training related to motion graphics can vary widely depending on the path a prospective Designer plans on taking. Of course, if a person decides to go the direction of a college major in graphic design with an emphasis on motion graphics, that route may be fairly expensive and take years to complete. According to the U.S. News & World Report, the cost of a college degree can range from $38,000 to $96,000 or more in total tuition depending on whether a student is attending a private college or state university, where there are benefits through in-state tuition. For example, a BFA in Graphic Design can cost as much as $48,000 for a four-year education at a school like the University of Florida.

However, motion graphics training from an online education provider can vary from a few hundred dollars with in-person or online courses and bootcamps for learning motion graphics related applications like Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, or Maxon Cinema 4D to a few thousand dollars with certificate programs. Despite certificate training typically being more expensive than basic courses or bootcamps, the cost will not likely total as much as or take as much time as attempting a college degree.

Another option for training would be with on-demand courses. The cost for on-demand training will likely be less expensive than in-person and online classes, bootcamps, and certificate programs with the cost rarely rising above $100 for self-paced courses.

How Quickly Will You Need to Learn Motion Graphics?

A key factor with choosing the types of course that can help with learning motion graphics would be in determining how long training may take. There are several paths for getting started quickly with learning skills in motion graphics. For people who are just starting out, there are free resources available such as online tutorials and videos from a variety of online education providers like LinkedIn Learning or video platforms like YouTube. These resources can provide a fast way for gaining an understanding of workflows, software, techniques, and tools for developing graphics, animation, and 3D animation to create visual effects for TV shows, movies, and commercials through working in the film and television industry or in digital media.

Of course, paid in-person and virtual learning introductory motion graphics classes also provide a fast and efficient method for learning fundamentals associated with design software and techniques through training options for classes that can take a day to several weeks. 

Certificate training is also an option with learning motion graphics for experienced Graphic Designers who would like to demonstrate their expertise with tools and procedures related to animation. Certificate programs can help with learning the appropriate software for working in motion graphics and preparing for certification exams that authenticate aptitude for working in a particular area of graphic design or with certain applications. Certification usually requires passing an exam supervised by an industry recognized association.

How Much Technical Training Do You Need with Motion Graphics?

Working in motion graphics requires both technical and creative skills in design. Motion graphics is a technical process that involves creativity for designing animated graphics to use in various capacities. The creative skills needed for working in motion graphics demands knowledge with a variety of software and categories for working on projects involving digital media, including television, film, video games, and web development. Here are a few tools and areas to consider for technical training to work in motion graphics: 

Adobe After Effects

Adobe After Effects is a visual effects application often used for post-production compositing, visual effects, and animation by Visual Designers, Animators, and Motion Graphics Designers for working in film, television, web design, YouTube, and digital media. Training in After Effects can provide skills for creating and controlling animation, applying visual effects, and combining audio and video for connecting with any target audience. After Effects provide versatility with effects editing that includes a green screen compositing tool and software for creating 3D animation.

Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro is the leading video editing application used in television, film, and web design for integrating video, graphics, and audio for creating professional-quality visual presentations. Becoming familiar with video editing software provides skills for combining visual editing with storytelling principles for establishing a compelling narrative flow. Premiere Pro integrates seamlessly with Photoshop, Audition, After Effects and other Adobe Creative Cloud applications. Training in Premiere Pro may ultimately lead to finding work in animation for video editing with cartoons and animated film, which makes learning the design application a wise investment for anyone considering a career in animation or motion graphics.

Maxon Cinema 4D

The Maxon Cinema 4D software suite has been designed for Graphic Designers and Filmmakers to use with creating animated content in 3D. Cinema 4D has functions for layering, polygonal modeling, sculpting, and texturing. Professionals use Cinema 4D in animation, video compositing, and motion graphics with 3D design.

Animation

Animation is an area of graphic design that involves creating the illusion of motion with images in the same way that motion pictures created the illusion of movement using still photographs. During the 20th century, animation was a series of drawings, but today, animation is typically computer-generated and developed by people who have skills with design software like Adobe After Effects, Illustrator, and Maxon Cinema 4D. Skills in animation, both drawn and computer-generated, allows Designers and Animators to create worlds and concepts that depict the impossible as well as enhancing live action content as a type of visual effect.

3D Modeling

Animators create lively and visually arresting designs for film, television, websites, video games, online marketing, and digital media by designing and manipulating graphics and text for animation and 3D models that can make static images appear to come alive. Animators often collaborate with Art Directors, Storyboard Artists, Film Directors, and Producers for developing characters and scenery that engage audiences and potential customers.

3D Animators work by turning digital graphics into textured animated content for displaying in a variety of visual media. 3D animation focuses on presenting immersive and realistic looking graphic designs. 3D Animators strive to make animated effects look realistic by creating depth that gives their work the impression of weight and movement that should feel lifelike to viewers.

Do You Prefer In-Person or Online Training?

For people who are considering training related to motion graphics, there are learning options available through in-person programs wherever they live or with virtual learning classes from any number of online education providers. Learning motion graphics provides skills for becoming Motion Graphics Designers, Animators, 3D Animators, or Video Editors working in film, television, web design, and digital media for producing a variety of content. Although there are plenty of live online courses for learning software and procedures related to motion graphics, many people prefer learning inside classrooms with an instructor standing right there in front of them. For those individuals, there are schools in or near where they live that provide in-person courses for learning motion graphics. Prospective students can compare in-person and live online training for motion graphics with introductory courses, bootcamps, or certificate programs for either learning inside classrooms or from the comfort of home.

Learn Motion Graphics Skills with Noble Desktop

If you have been thinking about picking up new skills in motion graphics, you might want to enroll at Noble Desktop to take advantage of courses, bootcamps, and certificate programs for learning related design applications like Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, or Maxon Cinema 4D Lite by taking courses like the Motion Graphics Certificate program. This program provides lessons on motion graphics, animation, and video editing.

Noble Desktop offers training inside classrooms for people who live in or near New York City or through live online courses for anyone living anywhere else. Noble Desktop provides training from experienced instructors who will provide you with immediate feedback and advice for developing skills in motion graphics. Additionally, Noble Desktop provides the opportunity for retaking any course for free within one year.

Learn UX Design Skills with Noble Desktop

Design and coding school Noble Desktop provides UX design classes of various lengths and scopes to help you meet your learning goals as efficiently as possible. Noble offers a comprehensive UX & UI Design Certificate program ideal for beginners who want to launch a UX design career. Whether you choose the full-time or part-time track, you will receive 132 hours of hands-on training, a free retake option, one-on-one mentorship, and a verified certificate of completion as a student in this UX design class. You can attend this class live online from anywhere, or if you’re in the NYC area, you can enjoy this UX design certificate program in-person. In addition to the UX design skills in prototyping, user testing, and Figma you gain in the class, you’ll also have completed a professional portfolio to showcase those skills to potential employers by the end of the program.

Noble Desktop’s UX Design Foundations is an introductory class available in-person in NYC and live online for those wishing to learn the basics of the field. No experience is necessary to enroll in this 12-hour short course. Featuring lectures, discussions, and hands-on exercises, UX Design Foundations is an ideal first step in your UX design learning journey. Whether you’re simply needing familiarity with the basics or looking for a low-commitment taste of the topic before committing to pursuing a career as a UX Designer, you’ll learn the foundational concepts and tools of UX design in this course and earn a verified digital certificate when you complete the course.

For those whose UX design educational needs include or are limited to mastering Figma, Noble Desktop offers a 12-hour Figma Bootcamp. With the guidance of an expert instructor, you’ll learn how to use the industry-standard application to create intuitive layouts and interactive prototypes using the software’s robust menu of tools. By the end of the bootcamp, you’ll be making impressive animations, using the Team library, designing with grids, and able to share your designs with both clients and designers with ease. In addition to your hands-on digital or in-person classroom experience, you’ll have the option to retake the course for free within a year should you ever need a refresher.