How do you animate text and typography in After Effects?

1 Create and format text layers

The first step to animate text and typography in After Effects is to create and format text layers. You can use the text tool to type directly on the composition panel, or you can create a text box and drag it to the desired position and size. You can also adjust the font, color, alignment, and other properties of the text in the character and paragraph panels. To create multiple text layers, you can duplicate an existing layer or use the pre-compose option to group them together.

2 Apply animation presets

One of the easiest ways to animate text and typography in After Effects is to apply animation presets. Animation presets are pre-made animations that you can apply to any layer with a single click. You can find them in the effects and presets panel, under the animation presets category. There are different types of animation presets, such as animate in, animate out, or animate with. You can preview them by hovering over them, and you can customize them by adjusting the keyframes and settings in the timeline panel.

3 Use text animators

Another way to animate text and typography in After Effects is to use text animators. Text animators are powerful tools that allow you to animate specific properties of the text, such as position, scale, rotation, opacity, color, or shape. You can access them by clicking on the animate menu in the text layer, and choosing the property you want to animate. You can then adjust the range selector to control which part of the text is affected by the animation, and modify the keyframes and settings in the timeline panel.

4 Add expression controls

A more advanced way to animate text and typography in After Effects is to add expression controls. Expression controls are effects that allow you to link and control the values of different properties using expressions. Expressions are snippets of code that can create complex and dynamic animations based on variables, conditions, or functions. You can find expression controls in the effects and presets panel, under the expression controls category. You can then drag them to any layer, and use the pick whip tool to link them to the properties you want to animate.

5 Use shape layers and masks

A creative way to animate text and typography in After Effects is to use shape layers and masks. Shape layers are layers that can create vector shapes, such as rectangles, circles, stars, or custom paths. You can use them to create interesting backgrounds, borders, or patterns for your text. Masks are paths that can hide or reveal parts of a layer, creating cut-out or reveal effects. You can use them to create transitions, transformations, or distortions for your text.

6 Experiment and have fun

The final step to animate text and typography in After Effects is to experiment and have fun. There are endless possibilities and combinations of tools and techniques to create unique and engaging animations for your text and typography. You can also use other effects, such as blur, glow, or distortion, to enhance your animations. You can also use other resources, such as fonts, graphics, or sound effects, to complement your animations. The most important thing is to have fun and express your creativity.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?