You’re working on an animation project. How can you make your motion graphics stand out?

Motion graphics is all about continuity, your frames should be continuous and in sync with each other. Also, there has to be a story behind the animation and the messaging has to be clear. You can use voiceovers to support your animation.

I think one of the most important things to be on consideration is the rythm. Like when you are listen music your eyes need the same, you need beats in your animation to let time to read the actions. You can do strong poses or crazy movements but the most important is if the audience can read it.

Ever dived into a project, only to find your client's vision as clear as fog? Enter Style Frames—the game changer. These visual heroes align expectations, offering a taste of the final product before the real work begins. They're not just extra steps; they're your ticket to a smooth project ride. ??? By presenting fully illustrated scenes, clients can pick their path, saving you the headache of endless revisions. It's not just about saving time; it's about crafting the perfect story together.

Working on an animation project heavily relies on the expectations of my target audience. To ensure that my animation effectively communicates the messages I want to convey, I always focus on creating a focused narrative and storyboard for my project. This helps me break down my production process and allows me to review and modify my work without incurring additional costs or extending the overall production timeline. Generally, I prefer to use a familiar workflow and avoid experimenting with new apps, except for minor tasks in my free time or during relaxed schedules. I believe that there's always a better approach to doing things, so I'd rather improve my workflow gradually rather than interrupt my production.

First, be thoughtful in how it is used. Having a lot of motion onscreen doesn't do much without knowing what the purpose is for. The graphics should help with the purpose of the output, not take away from it. Then make a mood board and smaller R&D choices before committing. It also helps to board out what the continuity of the motion looks like through the storyline. This will keep it coherent and you will be problem solving proactively instead of reactively.

We specifically switched to using ACES color space last year and haven’t looked back. The color is so much nicer, a definite improvement in our work. It’s such a nerdy thing, but it helps us stand above others. It shows.

Utilizing plugins and presets enhances the efficiency and quality of my motion graphics, enabling me to achieve polished results with ease and saves time as well.

I code NO PLUGINS NO PRESETS NO COMMERCIAL SOFTWARE NO PROMPT NO AI -- ?INFRINGEMENTS JUNK RESULTS WHY??? OUTDATED REDUNDANT technologies! I spend 5??mins All done ??????

If you are starting focus on the frames and native effects of the programs you use to expand your knowledge, when we talk about plugins and presets we are talking about saving time, in a working environment I think they are essential tools because something that would take hours to animate can be done with just a few clicks which can reduce the delivery time for a client, and what the client looks at when you deliver is the delivered product, the client doesn't care if you have spent a whole night animating or you have taken 1 hour to do it, the client will only look at the result, it is always important to improve the workflow and add tools like plugins or presets either to improve the quality or to reduce time.

Nada contra plugins e predefini??es, mas para quem tá come?ando é sempre bom fugir deles. Isso porque eles podem acabar te limitando e servindo como "bengalas" para suprir técnicas que você ainda n?o aprendeu. Sem contar que você pode vir a utilizar uma máquina de uma empresa onde nenhum dos seus plugins está instalado, por exemplo, e isso vai te limitar muito por n?o ter aprendido a fazer sem eles. Ou seja, depois que você tiver certeza de que aprendeu muito bem todos os fundamentos e a base da anima??o - e do software que você vai utilizar - aí sim, os plugins, scripts e outros recursos ser?o maravilhosos para otimizar seu workflow o e possibilitar maior escala de projetos.

Animation or motion design focuses on typography to make your projects pop. The key thing is to master the essentials of typography—think fonts, spacing, and all that graphic design fundamentals. Once you learn the rules, dare to experiment and break them. Animate your text in ways that encapsulate your message, from kinetic typography that brings words to life to blending in 3D elements or video for an extra layer of depth. This isn't just about making words readable; it's about making them resonate, convey emotion, and guide your audience through your story. The goal is to create typography in motion that's not only seen but deeply felt, leaving a lasting impression.

Animated or kinetic typography is a huge player in any motion graphic, e.g. intros, and outros. They are essentially the glue that the graphic content hangs on. Communicating with type is key to visual storytelling and is often overlooked as support or secondary content. Use typography to drive your next project and refrain from using graphics to carry the message.

Una tipografía puede sumar, o restar mucho a un proyecto si no se escoge adecuadamente. Considero que ester debe ser un paso obligatorio en todo proceso de animación y se debe priorizar la buena elección de una fuente ya que esto termina llevandose la mitad de la atención de todo el proyecto.

Learn the fundamentals of typography and almost always adhere to the basics of composition. The ability to lay out typography is one of the key factors that differentiate a designer with an educated taste from one who simply pushes buttons.

Many people doesn't give typography as much recognition as much they should. Typography can help you to convey complex design ideas into simple words. But, sometimes people overuse it, and it starts irritating people. Like many people nowdays avoid contents which has a lot of texts. Because, it makes them feel like they are watching another boring ad and most probably they skip it. So I prefer to use texts in the places where I think it would be best to do so, otherwise I don't blindly use texts as the "only motion graphics tool"

It really comes down to details. You might want to first grasp the general animation, then towards the smaller elements, and so on. But the first common mistake is to just stop there, where 'everything moves in some way'. What that animation 'tells' is the matter after all. So try to look at the Principles of Animation, see how the work can be improved. Check how others do it and see what is it that they are doing better. And go back to the timeline, check how you can make it better with what you have learned.

Smooth animations are like a good story; they draw you in and keep you engaged. Mastering the art of easing and timing is like learning the rhythm of a song. It makes your work feel more intuitive and alive.

To get deep into animation, I would strongly recommend you to go through Richard Williams - The Animator's Survival Kit, although it is for traditional animation but most of the principles can be used in motion graphics as well, like stretch and squash, anticipation etc. Ease is also part of the motion principle

When delving into the world of animation, one of the parts I enjoy the most is playing with the acceleration and deceleration of movements. It's like conducting an orchestra, where each gradual change in speed adds depth and fluidity to the animation. Starting and ending movements smoothly to simulate acceleration and deceleration is like breathing life into the canvas, adding that touch of realism that captivates the viewer's attention. Additionally, rhythm and spacing are key to maintaining a cohesive and captivating visual experience. For me, finding the perfect balance between these techniques is a true creative adventure, always seeking new ways to make my animations come to life in a striking manner.

Animating with ease, controlling acceleration and deceleration, enhances quality and realism. It ensures smooth, natural movements, avoiding abrupt transitions, adding energy. Adjust using graph editor or plugins like Ease and Wizz, or Flow.

To produce realism or an awaking to a message, sound is often required. The key part with sound is the relevance of the audio clip and synchronisation of this with the moving objects. Get it right, and the animation looks smooth and memorable. Get it wrong, then everything looks out of place (probably still memorable for the wrong reasons!). Get a good audio editor to shape the sound waves to fit your animation.

Sound is the unsung hero of motion graphics, offering a multitude of benefits that elevate the viewer experience to new heights. From enhancing engagement and guiding narrative clarity to evoking emotions and reinforcing brand identity, sound adds a dynamic dimension that breathes life into visuals.

Quality sound can sometimes make or break a video. If the budget allows a sound designer can really elevate an animation to another level. It helps set the tone and reinforce the message the video is trying to deliver. Drawing attention to key text or voiceover whilst setting the mood for the overall feel.

Plugins can be helpful for tight deadlines or adding flair, but beginners often rely too much on them. It's important to understand the basics like using the graph editor effectively before depending on plugins. Once you're comfortable, then consider using presets and plugins to enhance your work. Focus on understanding everything thoroughly in the beginning.

One thing I found useful is; at every step of the way in production (ideation, storyboard, illustration, animation, sound design) instead of thinking how to finish this story, I try to think of how to make the next frame a surprise for the audience. Give something really unexpected. Make one frame of your project out of this world. For example: 1.Use a complex matching 3D frame in an otherwise flat 2D style video. 2. Give non-related but matching sound design for obvious animation. This surprise and awe method never fails to make your video memorable.

Don’t add so many things and keep it simple, because you will find n number of effects and transitions over internet but no one opt for simplified approach.

Continuous learning is my go-to strategy. Studying the work of others in the field provides inspiration and insights. Analyzing successful motion graphics not only sparks creativity but also helps refine your own techniques, contributing to the evolution of your style.

My mantra is to never ever stop learning. As humans, we use around 1% of our brain’s capacity, which is just astonishing! We have so much more space in there to consume all knowledge we encounter. The best way to develop as an artist is to truly be curious about everything, don’t be afraid to ask questions (even if you feel silly) and absorb other creator’s work. (Of course it goes without saying; be a good human and never plagiarise, but I can guarantee your best ideas will be an amalgamation of inspiration from multiple sources).

Watching others' animations and trends in graphic animation is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it allows us to stay updated on the latest techniques and styles, which can inspire and enrich our own work. Additionally, it provides us with the opportunity to learn from the creativity and approach of other artists, helping us expand our repertoire and improve our skills. Lastly, by keeping abreast of trends, we can better adapt to market demands and stay relevant in the ever-evolving industry.

As professionals we never stop learning new things and we should be udating our knowledge constantly, the best way to do so is to follow other creatives, agencies or studios in social media or youtube and be on the look out for trends in animation styles and even softwares, plugins and effects. That way we can get inspired and get more ideas to take our work to the next level.

Desde mi punto todo empieza desde el lápiz. Definiendo lo idea y a si ver las acciones principales que se deben jerarquizar, colores y efectos son herramientas, pero mas es tener un objetivo identificado, teniendo claro eso, sabes a que darle importancia en la composición.

One thing to consider while creating motion graphics is a proper story board. Be it a 30 secs reel or a lengthy explainer video, the storyboard is like a guideline for the designer to effectively use all elements - visuals, images, shapes, typography, music and so on. Storyboarding is nothing but penning down the imagination of the intended output.

When working on your animation project, consider incorporating dynamic camera movements to enhance visual storytelling. Experiment with depth of field effects, parallax scrolling, or simulated handheld camera shakes to create a more immersive viewing experience that sets your motion graphics apart.

Getting to a result shouldn’t always be considered a linear process. Approaching your animation and design iteratively enables you to develop results that build upon the previous ones or break with them. Either way, you are in a creative, flowing dialogue with yourself and your work, gaining momentum with every little tweak or colossal change. You compile a chronological catalog of versions you can look through, compare, re-evaluate, and ultimately select – ideally with fresh eyes after a break or a night of sleep. The latest version is not always the best one. And only working on that one draft that must somehow become the final result will keep you from loosening up and exploring new ideas.

Before bringing an animation to life, it's crucial to dedicate time to plan and visualize the project as a whole. This approach allows for establishing a solid and coherent structure from the outset, facilitating the execution of the creative process. By envisioning the animation beforehand, you can better identify key elements, define the narrative, and anticipate any technical challenges that may arise. This initial planning phase not only helps save time and resources but also ensures a more impactful and satisfying final outcome.