Motion graphics involves transforming static images into animated content. Once you’ve decided to learn motion graphics, the next important question is deciding how you plan to learn these skills. Most students find that they learn better when they receive guided training, and there is no shortage of available options for students to receive guidance in their motion graphics training. To learn more about the different motion graphics training options and what advantages and disadvantages they carry with them, read on.

What is Motion Graphics?

Motion graphics refers to the field of visual design concerned with digital animation and film editing. In motion graphics, students learn the tools that will allow them to create animated images that can be layered onto designs in applications like Photoshop and Illustrator, giving motion to otherwise static images. Motion graphics training also serves as an entry into the world of film editing, as motion graphics classes teach students how to use the tools that are used in the film and television industry to create special effects and post-production edits. Motion graphics tools create animated web assets, digital logos, responsive and interactive infographics, and other animated visual content.

Motion graphic artists use Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, and Cinema 4D to build animated designs and assets. Using these tools, motion design artists can produce vibrant animations that fully utilize the digital canvas. Motion design also relates closely to video editing, so motion graphics training covers how creatives use digital tools to both cut and mix film clips. Additionally, the training covers how to edit those clips using tools to correct colors, how to use green screens, and how to replace cell phone displays. These skills will allow creatives to take static designs and enhance them with dynamic motion animations that give life to their visions.

While some people think that motion graphics and animation are the same things, the two are quite distinct. Animation is a term that covers all types of moving images, from cartoons to clay animation. In contrast, motion graphics is a type of animation that is focused on giving movement to static graphic design elements. Another major difference between the two is that animation typically tells a story, while motion graphics is more focused on communicating a specific message to the audience.

Read more about what motion graphics is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with Motion Graphics Skills?

With motion graphics training, students will learn how to build dazzling graphic animations that add life to their creative projects. Using After Effects and Premiere Pro will train students to start working with complex, animated graphic designs, ranging from digital animations to animated logos and infographics. Using these tools will allow students to create elaborate animations that will take their graphic design projects to the next level. By learning how to render animations in Cinema 4D, creatives will be able to develop the skills necessary for entering into an in-demand career field.

Motion graphics is closely related to film editing, and learning these tools is ideal for anyone hoping to work on the digital side of the film and television industry. Special Effects Artists and Film Editors use motion graphics animation skills, particularly those working on effects-heavy content. Motion Graphics Designers in the film industry can be found doing a wide variety of different things, such as working on the typography and graphics for a movie title or credits, designing visual effects for a music video, creating graphics for a news show, or making an infographic for a documentary.

There is also a high level of demand for Motion Graphics Designers in the field of web design. Websites have become an important part of daily life worldwide, and most consumers spend hours a day online. Motion Graphics Designers create graphics that help ensure that the websites these consumers visit are interesting, balanced, and easy to understand. Research shows that motion graphics boost traffic and help sites retain customers. In fact, websites that don’t contain motion graphics are often seen as outdated.

Whether students hope to be part of a professional design team that brings fantastic scenarios and characters to life or just want to enhance their creative projects by adding animated assets and elements, learning motion graphics skills will help them achieve those goals. In addition, learning motion graphics skills will help students expand their creative toolkits and begin working on even more exciting projects.

Why Training Format Matters

Students who want to learn motion graphics will find a number of different training formats available to them. These different formats involve varied levels of flexibility and interaction with teachers and fellow students. Tuition costs can also differ substantially. Overall, each format has both advantages and drawbacks, and the choice of learning path will vary by student. 

Types of Training Formats

There are a number of different ways to learn motion graphics. These range from free classes that generally provide a basic level of knowledge and require a minimal commitment to paid certificate courses that require a much greater level of responsibility but also leave students with a comprehensive understanding of motion graphics. The decision about which format to choose will depend on what the student plans to do with their motion graphics skills and how much time and money they have to invest in a class.

Live In-Person Classes

Many believe in-person classes are the best way to learn new information and skills. One of the most significant advantages of in-person instruction is that it is interactive and has a high level of engagement. Students in a live classroom can talk with fellow students and receive immediate instructor feedback. In addition, they have access to tools like computers and up-to-date software that they may not have at home.

However, in-person classes lack flexibility since instruction is only offered at certain times and in specific locations. Schools are often located in major cities, so for students living in smaller cities or rural areas, it can be more challenging to find in-person options. In-person classes also require a commute, which involves an investment of both time and money.

Live Online Classes

For students unable to attend an in-person class, choosing remote instruction can be a good alternative. With this format, students still get live instruction and feedback but don’t have to commute to a classroom. Remote students can attend from any location they want as long as they can log on at the scheduled class time. Some students prefer the remote format because they feel more comfortable asking questions from behind a screen rather than in front of a room full of people.

However, while live online courses have more flexibility than in-person ones, students are still required to log on at a specific time to attend each session. Many students participate in live online classes from home, but some find that this is problematic because their home environment has more distractions than a classroom setting. 

On-Demand Classes

On-demand classes offer much more flexibility than live classes do. Not only is there no commute, but there is no set schedule. Instead, each student can work at their own pace. This can be a great option for those who need to fit classes into a busy schedule. Another advantage of on-demand classes is that they are generally cheaper than live instruction.

However, on-demand classes have some drawbacks. Since on-demand lectures are pre-recorded, they have the potential to be outdated. In addition, students don’t get real-time interaction with an instructor, making it more difficult to understand complicated topics or find answers to questions. Some students who take on-demand classes also struggle to maintain the level of motivation needed for a self-paced course.

Free Courses

Free motion graphics classes can be a great choice for people who are just getting into the field and aren't ready to invest a lot of money in training. Students will find a wide selection of free motion graphics courses online. For instance, some websites provide overviews of this topic and explain some of the basics. Noble Desktop provides free seminars that give students a good overview of a number of different design topics, including motion graphics. YouTube also has a selection of free motion graphics seminars and tutorials. 

However, students who utilize free resources also need to do research to ensure that their sources are current and reliable. Not every free motion graphics class is created by an expert on the topic, and some even contain incorrect information. In addition, some free resources are outdated, which is particularly problematic with a topic like motion graphics, where technology changes quickly.

Other Things to Consider When Choosing a Class

Interaction with Other People

Students who learn online typically have to make more effort to interact with the instructor and classmates. However, they should remember that even if they have to work for it, this interaction can be beneficial in a number of ways. Teachers and other students can be valuable resources, and students who interact more often find that they both understand the course material better and find networking opportunities. In addition, some people find the isolation of online classes difficult, so communication with classmates can provide a better feeling of engagement and connection.

Staying Motivated

Online students might also find that they need to make an effort to stay motivated and to keep up with their schoolwork, particularly if they are taking an on-demand class that lets them go at whatever pace they want. With so much flexibility, staying on track can be more difficult. Students can avoid this problem by setting up a dedicated study area that is away from distractions and by scheduling regular study times.

Depth of Training Formats

In addition to live and on-demand formats, motion graphics classes come in a variety of depths of training. Students can opt for a shorter introductory course, an intensive bootcamp, or a comprehensive certificate program.

Certificate Programs

Certificate programs are one of the most comprehensive types of motion graphics courses. They take longer to complete than some other classes–usually a number of months–and they can be more expensive. However, they also leave students with a thorough understanding of the subject matter. 

Noble Desktop’s Motion Graphics Certificate is a good example of how comprehensive a certificate program can be. Students in this course learn multiple apps that are used in motion graphics, including After Effects, Premiere Pro, and Cinema 4D Lite. They also learn about the entire process of motion graphics creation, from design to fully animated graphics. Further, they create a demo reel of their own projects and get expert advice about how to find a job in motion graphics.

Training Bootcamps

Bootcamps usually run shorter and cost less than certificate programs. They often cover less subject matter too. However, they are usually more intense. It is this intensity that makes them popular because students are able to master new skills in a relatively short amount of time. This is particularly appealing to people who don’t have a lot of time to devote to training, such as those working full-time jobs.

In addition to giving students an intense education, bootcamps typically focus on getting them ready to use those skills in the workplace immediately. Many people take a bootcamp to get the skills they need to advance within a career or transition to a new one. For example, Noble Desktop offers After Effects Bootcamp, where students will learn how to use this app, which is widely used within the field of motion graphics.

Introductory Courses

Introductory courses are a great way to start learning a new skill. For instance, Noble Desktop offers After Effects in a Day, where students can learn the basics of this app, which is popular among Motion Graphics Designers. Introductory courses usually only take a day or two to complete and cost significantly less than longer courses like certificate programs.

However, an introductory course doesn’t cover everything and is usually not enough of an education for students who really want to master a program like After Effects or a new skill like motion graphics. In order to master skills like these, students typically need to enroll in a longer course like a bootcamp or a certificate course. In addition, most Motion Graphics Designers stress that every student should plan to spend hours of additional practice in order to master motion graphics skills.

Learn Motion Graphics Skills with Noble Desktop

Students looking to learn motion design skills should consider the hands-on training options available through Noble Desktop. Noble offers courses for experienced and novice designers covering specific skills like After Effects alongside more career-focused bootcamps like the Motion Graphics Certificate program. Available both in-person at Noble’s Manhattan campus and online, these courses are taught by experienced instructors who are there to help provide students with feedback and assistance on their designs. Even online, class sizes are small, ensuring that students won’t have to fight for their instructors' attention. Plus, all these courses offer a free retake option for students, letting them retake the course within one year. This gives students a chance to go back over skills they had difficulty with, attend missed lessons, or get more hands-on experience with motion graphics tools.

For students who have some design experience or who just want to learn a new tool to add to their creative toolkit, Noble offers several skills bootcamps designed to teach students how to use Adobe After Effects and Cinema 4D. These courses are designed to introduce novice users to the basic functions of these essential design tools. Students will learn how to build simple animated images and layer them onto Photoshop and Illustrator designs. Then, students seeking more training can take Noble’s After Effects Advanced course to learn how to composite video footage, animate shape and text layers, and learn practical chroma key skills. These courses don’t require knowledge of Illustrator and Photoshop, but some proficiency is very helpful. Students interested in receiving this background training should look at the graphic design courses offered through Noble.

Students seeking a more career-focused training course may wish to consider Noble’s Motion Graphics Certificate program. In this course, students will learn how to use Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Cinema 4D to create motion graphic designs and edit video clips. Students will get hands-on experience working on the kinds of creative projects they will work on when they enter the workforce. A part of their training will be a professionalization seminar designed to teach them how to get involved in the motion graphics and video editing industry. In addition, students will receive one-on-one career mentorship from Noble’s career professionals and dedicate substantial time to building a practical demo reel that students can bring onto the job market.

Students interested in learning more about these courses or looking into their other training opportunities should consider Noble's motion graphics design courses.

Key Insights

• Students who want to learn motion graphics will find a variety of training options.
• Many people find in-person classes the most effective way to learn a new subject.
• Live online classes can be a good choice when an in-person class is impossible.
• On-demand classes offer the most flexibility but also require a high level of motivation.
• Certificate programs usually take a number of months to complete and are the most comprehensive type of motion graphics class.
• Bootcamps are popular because they prepare students to use their new skills in the workplace immediately.
• Introductory courses are a great way to start learning motion graphics skills.
• If you are interested in enrolling in a motion graphics class, Noble Desktop offers several different options.