As a motion graphic designer, you’ll need these ten skills
What precisely do motion graphic designers do? They make motion graphics, which may be seen in a wide range of media, including television, movies, advertising, and more. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned motion graphics artist, you should possess a set of talents that will enable you to excel as a motion graphic designer.
In this post, we’ll go over ten of the most important talents that any motion graphics artist should have. In order to take their work to the next level and advance in their profession.
Graphic Design Expertise
This one may seem self-evident, but it bears repeating because it is crucial to learning how to design motion graphics and becoming a good motion graphic designer. After all, motion design is the process of animating graphic elements to bring them to life. Giving yourself that graphic design knowledge can help you push your motion design work forward. Particularly if you work as a freelancer, where you will frequently be required to not only make virtual things move. But also to construct them. Sure, you could be employed at a studio where your job is converting virtual materials developed by a graphic designer into a moving motion graphics piece. That said, you never know what kind of projects you’ll be working on, and understanding how to not only move but also build 2D pieces is critical to your success.
Traditional Art Techniques
Knowledge of traditional art can aid you in your design process by providing you with an eye for the most effective manner to express your motion design to the audience. It’s always easier to sketch out your ideas on paper throughout most motion graphics projects than. It is to develop it in the computer only to discover that it doesn’t function. Sketches may be completed considerably more rapidly, allowing you to swiftly brainstorm various ideas and, as a result, speed up your productivity. You won’t be as disappointed if you have to discard a concept because you didn’t have to devote much effort to it.
An Introduction to Animation
As a motion graphics artist, you must be able to use movement to bring 2D things to life. To do so, you’ll need to use animation. Which is more than merely setting a few key frames in motion graphics. In order to generate appealing work, you also need a good foundation in the foundations of animation and how things should move. Animation principles apply to you just as much as they do to a character animator. You must be able to determine when to exaggerate, when to ease in or out, and what style of timing is most effective. Even if you have the best design, if it isn’t animated well, your motion design piece will fall flat.
Skills in 3D Design
3D features have made their way into motion design and are increasingly being utilized. It can be found in a 3D logo, a TV show’s opener, a commercial, and more. You’ll need this skill set as a motion graphic designer to stay up with the industry’s evolving trends. There are numerous 3D apps available; it is up to you to invest the effort to master one. You should not limit yourself to 2D motion design; instead, broaden your understanding to 3D, which will provide you with additional chances.
Typography: An Introduction
In motion design, typography is frequently used as the driving force behind the motion graphic. A motion design, for example, may rely solely on type to communicate the product, company, or service to the spectator. Typography is so crucial that we wrote an entire post about it. Because type is so important, you should be familiar with typography, including what virtual aspects make up a typeface, what complements a design, and what is the easiest for the audience to read. Your motion design can be taken to the next level with the proper typography.
An Introduction to Color Theory
Color will be used in all of your motion graphics. As a motion graphic designer, you must have a thorough understanding of color theory and how different colors affect an audience’s moods and feelings. You should consider your color options carefully. What do you hope to achieve with this piece? Are you looking for toughness and dependability? The color palette for your motion design will be determined by the answers to these questions. If you’re making a motion graphics work on fall, for example, you wouldn’t want to use blue, grey, and white. This would give it a wintery feel. Learn more about color theory and how it applies to your designs in this article on Color Theory for Graphic Design.
Thinking Outside the Box
It’s your job as a motion graphics designer to bring a graphic element to life, and it’s also your responsibility to know how to do so in the most efficient way possible. It’s possible that you’re working with very little information from a customer, and the concept isn’t obvious. Being able to take a simple idea and transform it into a complicated and engaging motion design piece is where creativity comes into play.
Technical Expertise
Because motion graphics are now entirely created on computers. It’s critical that you have the technical ability to adapt to new products, servers, and systems. In order to succeed in the industry, a motion graphics artist must understand a variety of tools, operating systems, and virtual servers. When given a new project, you should be able to jump right in and not be held back by your technical abilities.
Communication between people
Even though this skill has little to do with your actual design abilities, it is nonetheless vital. Communication is the foundation of all great motion designs, whether it’s with a client or with your creative director. A motion graphic designer must be able to clearly communicate his or her ideas and concepts to clients and employers. They should also express any issues or changes they may have. Clients aren’t usually designers, therefore it’s up to you to explain your ideas to them in a way that they can grasp.
Originality
It’s easy to get caught up in the latest fashion trends and adopt a specific style or look. This may cause your work to blend in with the rest, making it difficult to distinguish yourself. Consider your style to be your trademark; with each project you work on, you have the opportunity to imprint your distinctive style in the minds of the audience, making it memorable and unique. Every motion graphic artist should have his or her own distinctive style. Of course, this will take time to develop, but you will eventually build your own style. Consider Tim Burton’s artwork: it’s one-of-a-kind, and you’ll identify one of his sketches the moment you see it.