This type of design can be found in almost every form of digital media including movies and television shows, advertising, social media, and websites. In recent years, motion graphics have become increasingly popular, and motion graphics design is now a sought-after job skill.
The reason for its popularity is that there is widespread evidence that motion graphics are one of the most effective ways to present complex information in an easily-understandable and engaging format. They are also a great way of getting people’s attention, and this is important in a digital landscape where there are millions of new pieces of content competing for views every day.
The Ten Best On-Demand Motion Graphics Classes
- UC San Diego Extended Studies—Adobe After Effects I: Introduction to Motion Graphics
- Udemy—Complete Adobe After Effects Megacourse: Beginner to Expert
- Motion Design School—Motion Beast 2
- UCLA Extension—Motion Graphics I
- LinkedIn Learning—Motion Graphics for Social Media
- Coursera—Mastering Final Cut Pro
- School of Motion—After Effects Kickstart
- Parsons School of Design—Motion Design Certificate
- CreativeLive—Adobe After Effects Fundamentals
- Udemy—Complete Blender Megacourse: Beginner to Expert
#1: UC San Diego Extended Studies—Adobe After Effects I: Introduction to Motion Graphics
Adobe After Effects I: Introduction to Motion Graphics is offered through UC San Diego Extended Studies, which offers educational programs that support lifelong learning. This class introduces students to After Effects. It covers the basics of animation, compositing, and the use of titling in theatrical and broadcast graphics. Students also learn a variety of finishing techniques including color correction, image adjustment, and output settings for different media. Instructor Genadi Radiul has a master’s degree in music and one in motion graphics. He has taught at the Art Institute in Pittsburgh and in San Diego. UC San Diego Extended Studies also offers an intermediate After Effects Course.
Key Information
This class costs $495, which is due at the time of enrollment, and can be paid by credit card, check, or money order. There is an early enrollment discount of $25. The course runs for one semester. It is completely web-based and can be completed asynchronously between the published start and end dates.
Students are also required to subscribe to LinkedIn Learning to access the required textbook. LinkedIn Learning offers a free one-month trial, then charges $19.99 per month for an annual plan, or $39.99 per month for a monthly plan.
There are no prerequisites for this class, but experience with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator is recommended. Students must also have Adobe After Effects installed on their computer.
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There are a number of positive online reviews for UC San Diego Extended Studies. For example, one former student writes, “My class was taught by a highly accomplished professor. He knew exactly what he was talking about and all the books he authored backed that up. I felt confident that I received sound advice. Having an accomplished teacher is a big plus in my book.”
#2: Udemy—Complete Adobe After Effects MegaCourse: Beginner to Expert
Udemy offers an on-demand motion graphics class called Complete Adobe After Effects Megacourse: Beginner to Expert, which is designed to teach students how to create visual effects and motion graphics with After Effects. The class starts with a definition of common After Effects terms, then covers a long list of skills including morphing, looping, logo motion, animations, 3D text, and a number of video editing skills. Students also learn to make GIFs and work with advanced VFX.
Key Information
Tuition is $15.99, and is payable upon enrollment. There are no prerequisites for this class. Students receive access to 60 hours of on-demand video (a total of 206 lectures), and 71 downloadable resources.
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Udemy offers lifetime access to its courses, meaning that once a student has purchased a particular course, they has access to it for life. Students can also access their courses on mobile devices. They receive a certificate of completion upon finishing.
Udemy has reviews from former students on its website. Many liked the format of this course. For example, Rod C. says, “I know a lot about After Effects, so I took this course to learn more. I love how simple this person is explain the steps. It's not hard to understand her at all and I'm learning new things. This course is great so far!” Dan M. says, “Your attention to detail is outstanding. You go into detail of all the options which is very helpful in learning After Effects.”
#3: Motion Design School—Motion Beast 2
Motion Beast 2 is offered by the Motion Design School, which is an online school offering classes in 3D production animation, editing, and screenwriting. This course is focused on motion design, and covers digital animation, frame-by-frame techniques, and 3D production pipelines. Students learn by engaging in diverse tasks and continuously practicing their new skills. They also get personalized assistance and feedback.
Key Information
Tuition for this class is $499. Students can access a free lesson before enrolling, to get a better idea of whether this course will be a good fit. There are 18 lessons in total, and the course takes more than 20 hours to complete.
The Motion Design School offers a money-back guarantee, where students who are unhappy with the course can request a refund within 14 days, and receive all of their money back. Students who take this course need to have Adobe After Effects, Adobe Animate, Cinema 4D, and Blender.
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Students who complete Motion Beast 2 can get a WEB3 certificate which provides proof of their skills.
There are a number of positive reviews on the School of Motion Design website. For instance, Michael Gardner says, “The lessons are great. You get what you’re looking for and a little more.” Nikki Slaughter comments, “The teaching style is fantastic and engaging? I’ve also enjoyed seeing everyone’s work in the FB groups. Everyone seems to be excited to give helpful feedback and encouragement! I recommend your classes to my coworkers and friends all the time.”
#4: UCLA Extension—Motion Graphics I
UCLA Extension is one of the oldest and largest continuing and professional studies providers in the United States. It runs a number of motion graphics classes, including Motion Graphics I. This class teaches students how to integrate digital artwork into After Effects. The instructor covers workflow strategies, common resolutions, complex motion paths and masks, bit depths, color modes, graphic and video file formats, frame rates, and frame and pixel aspect ratios.
Key Information
Tuition for this class is $829. UCLA Extension accepts credit cards, cash, checks, and money orders. It also offers access to a number of different financial aid programs, including a variety of loans and grants.
Students do not need to apply for acceptance before enrolling; instead, this is an open-enrollment class. After enrolling, students log in to Canvas, which is UCLA Extension’s cloud-based learning management system, and use this platform to access course material such as webinars, readings, and videos, and to connect with the instructor and classmates. There are no live meetings, however, new course content is delivered weekly, and assignments are due regularly. Instructors also provide office hours through Zoom.
The class website states that this course can also be completed in as little as 11 weeks. Students who want to enroll in this class should have knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
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There are a number of positive reviews for UCLA Extension classes online. For example, one former student says, “The UCLA Extension Film/TV Certificate Program is a great course with great classes with great teachers in a great school. We learn a lot not only about the subjects of the classes but also about the Film & TV industry. It's a great way to do network too.” Some students do caution that certain instructors were not as responsive as they would have liked.
#5: LinkedIn Learning—Motion Graphics for Social Media
LinkedIn Learning offers online educational courses in a variety of different fields, including business and technology. Motion Graphics for Social Media is a LinkedIn Learning course intended to help designers create more eye-catching content on social media by incorporating motion graphics design. Instructor Andy Needham is a motion designer, editor, and compositor. In this course, students learn how to animate a logo, work with type and shapes, create transitions, and create engaging full-screen graphics. They also learn about reformatting and exporting.
Key Information
This class is designed for beginners, and has no prerequisites. There is a total of two hours and 24 minutes of instruction
The course costs $34.99, which is due at the time of purchase. LinkedIn Learning accepts American Express, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover, or payment by PayPal.
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Students can access this class on either a phone or tablet. They receive a certificate of completion upon finishing.
The LinkedIn website has mainly positive reviews of this course. Many students found the course clear and easy to understand. One reviewer writes, “Easy to follow, with good examples and no side stories, Thank you so much.” Another says, “Incredible crash course on all the necessities I needed/wanted to know about doing practical animations in After Effects. A bit fast but, as with any video, you can pause and rewind, so that wasn't a problem for me. Will be coming back to this course for reference many times in the future. Thank you!”
#6: Coursera—Mastering Final Cut Pro
Mastering Final Cut Pro is a course designed to help students master Final Cut Pro, which is an application that can be used to work with motion graphics. Students start by learning how to import and organize media, and how to edit a rough cut. After that, they learn a wide range of other skills including audio editing, transitions and effects, titles and motion graphics, and color correction. Finally, the course covers 360 video, and media management, exporting, and interoperability. This class also gets students ready to take the Final Cut Pro X certification exam.
Key Information
Coursera provides three different payment options. Students can access a single course for between $49 and $79 per month. Coursera also has a Plus Monthly plan, which is $59 per month, and gives students access to more than 7,000 different courses. Another option is the annual plan, which is $399, and includes access to courses for a year.
Mastering Final Cut Pro has about 40 hours of instruction time, and is designed to run for eight weeks. Students who plan to take this class should have a basic understanding of the mac operating system and video terminology. Experience with video production and workflow is recommended, but not required.
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There are many positive online reviews for Coursera and for this class. Students say that they liked the way this class is organized, and that they finished it with a good understanding of Final Cut Pro. One says, “Excellent course that explains everything you can do in FCPX. I love how they use example projects that gives you an idea on what can be done within the program. Great on ramp that allows you to go back at your own pace to build edits exactly like you want for your project.” Another comments, “I have been using FCP for several years and this course has covered areas that has truly helped to optimize my workflow. A very thorough and well organized course!”
#7: School of Motion—After Effects Kickstart
After Effects Kickstart is a class designed to help students learn the fundamentals of After Effects. It is offered by the School of Motion, which is an art school that offers a variety of motion graphics classes. Content covered in this class includes creating artwork for animation, learning the After Effects interface, learning about the motion design industry, and skills such as working with layers, sound, and movement. Instructor Nol Honig is a director, designer, and animator and has directed work for a number of well-known companies, including Coca-Cola and MTV. Students in this class are assigned a teaching assistant to work with throughout the course. They also have access to a forum of fellow students to share work with, and ask questions.
Key Information
Tuition for this class is paid in three installments of $265. The first payment is made on the day of enrollment, and the others are charged in 30-day increments.
Course material is released incrementally, with new content available on weekdays at 8 AM Eastern Time.
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Students who complete this class earn a Course Credential through Credly. They also get lifetime access to the course material, which includes any updates.
Many positive class reviews are posted on the course page online. One student comments, “Very thorough and fun to do exercises. Love the feedback from the Teaching Assistants.” Another says, “I found the course to be very well put together! Every tool and technique was explained in a way that gave context as to how or why it would be used in a real-world professional workflow. It definitely helped me fill in some holes and gaps in my knowledge of the software even though I've been using these programs for years. I felt like it brought me up to speed with more current and efficient techniques that helped my workflow. Great investment!”
#8: Parsons School of Design—Motion Design Certificate
Parsons School of Design is a top U.S. design school. It is based in New York, but also offers online education such as a Motion Design Certificate. This course is designed for aspiring designers and filmmakers. There are three required courses in the certificate program. Storytelling for Time-Based Designers helps designers develop storytelling and conceptual skills. Motion Design 1 covers foundational skills in Adobe After Effects, Adobe Animate, and Premiere Pro. Motion Design 2 is focused on learning advanced techniques, and helping students create professional-quality work. Courses are taught by industry professionals.
Key Information
The certificate program costs $2,670 if each course is purchased separately, or $2,400 if they are bundled together. The school does offer financial aid.
According to the course website, students usually take about a year to complete all three courses. They must start the last course within a year of purchase, and must complete the entire certificate within two years. There are no prerequisites.
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Students will receive a certificate of competition from Parsons after finishing the course.
Parsons School of Design is reviewed positively by former students, although some mention that tuition is relatively expensive. One reviewer states, “Excellent instructors with professional experience in the field who are excited to help students succeed in the workplace. First class design school respected for its reputation.” Another comments, “Good combination of classrooms and hands-on projects. You really have to be passionate about what you work on. It's a really expensive school, so if you're paying out of pocket make sure you get as much as you can from the resources available.”
#9: CreativeLive—Adobe After Effects Fundamentals
Adobe After Effects Fundamentals is designed for students with very little After Effects Experience. The instructor, Philip Ebiner, is a video and class creator, photographer, and teacher, with more than ten years of experience working in video and photography. In this class, he covers the After Effects workspace, how to start a new composition, adding media, working with the timeline, masting tools, creating circles and alignments, navigating and utilizing shape properties, animating your projects, working with layers and strokes, tracking matte animations, working with character animations, and a variety of other skills. Students will also learn to export in the correct format and resolution.
Key Information
This course costs $29, and includes 104 video lessons, with a total of 10 hours and four minutes of instruction. Content can be streamed, or downloaded for offline access, and can be accessed with both desktop and mobile browsers. There are no prerequisites.
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There are a number of good reviews for CreativeLive classes, however, some former students caution that they received poor customer service or found outdated course content. One student who did write a good review says, “Awesome—love their videos, and if you get an annual subscription on offer, it works out as good value for money, even if you only complete a few courses in the year.” Another writes, “The course was easy to understand and I learnt more in the first hour, than YouTube videos had taught me in the previous two weeks.”
#10: Udemy—Complete Blender Megacourse: Beginner to Expert
In Complete Blender Megacourse: Beginner to Expert, students learn how to use Blender. The course covers a long list of skills including the Blender interface, mesh modeling and advanced modeling techniques, sculpting principles, rendering, using textures and materials, creating game assets, creating a simple stylized character, and creating 3D environments. The class is taught by three different instructors, who are experienced in different aspects of 3D art.
Key Information
There are no prerequisites for this class. It is composed of 232 lectures, with a total of 129 hours and 27 minutes of on-demand video. There are also 15 downloadable resources. Tuition is $18.99, and payable at the time of registration.
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Students who enroll in a Udemy course get lifetime access to that course. They can also access courses on mobile devices, and receive a certificate of completion upon finishing.
This class is generally well-reviewed by former students. One says, “It is very well explained and easy to understand and also, very complete and extensive.” Another student writes, “Excellent! Teacher is extremely smooth and easy and makes learning extremely fun. She takes care to show her keystrokes and maintains a calm inventiveness that keeps you captivated. Extremely easy to follow and a joy to watch, can watch in short bursts or have long viewing sessions. Great!”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an On-demand Motion Graphics Class Worth It?
Whether or not an on-demand motion graphics class is the best choice for you will depend on your learning style and your scheduling needs. On-demand classes allow you to work through the course material at your own pace, and this format can be ideal for people who have a busy schedule and need flexibility. Another advantage of the on-demand format is that since there is no live instructor, these classes are typically less expensive than in-person or live classes.
However, on-demand classes are not the best format for everybody. Some people find it more difficult to learn without live instruction and the ability to ask questions and get immediate feedback. In addition, on-demand classes require more self-discipline and motivation, and students who aren’t good at staying on track can find themselves falling behind.
What Will I Need for an On-demand Motion Graphics Class?
If you plan to take an on-demand motion graphics class, you’ll need a computer with an internet connection. You’ll also need access to the motion graphics software that you’ll be using in the class. Many companies provide free trials of their software. For example, Adobe offers a free seven-day trial of its Creative Cloud, which includes all of its applications, or students can choose a free seven-day trial for an individual app like After Effects. Apple offers a free 90-day trial of Final Cut Pro.
Can I Learn Motion Graphics On-demand for Free?
There are many free motion graphics resources online, and you can definitely learn some motion graphics skills for free. For instance, YouTube has lots of short motion graphics tutorials that focus on specific skills, or answer common problems. If you’re serious about becoming a motion graphics designer though, you’ll probably need to enroll in a paid class, where you can receive comprehensive and reliable instruction from an expert. Not only is paid instruction one of the best ways to ensure that you are getting reliable and up-to-date information, but it is typically the fastest way to master this motion graphics design.
Design software also typically costs money. While you might be able to start out with a free trial of a motion graphics design program like After Effects or Final Cut Pro, free trials usually only last for a few weeks or months. If you’re planning to work with motion graphics for longer than that, you’ll need to pay for a subscription.
Is It Better to Learn Motion Graphics in a Live or Self-paced Class?
There are unique pros and cons to both live and self-paced classes, and the choice of which format is best varies from person to person. If real-time instruction is important to you, then live classes are probably your best option. Live classes also typically give you the opportunity to interact with other students. However, if you prefer to learn at your own pace, or you find a live setting intimidating or distracting, then a self-paced class may be a good choice. And while self-paced classes don’t allow you to ask questions in real time, they do let you pause, rewind, or fast-forward sections of the course if you need to. Another difference between the two formats is that live classes take place at a specific time, which can be good for people who like to stick to a schedule, while self-paced classes are a better fit for those who want flexibility.