Compared to other types of animation, motion graphics are typically less focused on telling a story, and more focused on communicating a specific message. Motion graphics designers typically work with computer applications like Adobe After Effects and Apple Final Cut Pro.
One of the first places that motion graphics were used was in title sequences for movies, however, this type of design has become popular in many other types of media including social media, advertising, educational media, and websites. Learning motion graphics can thus lead to a wide variety of jobs in many different industries.
The 20 Best Motion Graphics Classes
- Pitch to Screen—VFX and Motion Graphics Techniques: 2-Day Course (Live Online)
- UCLA Extension—Motion Graphics I (In-Person and Online)
- Noble Desktop—Motion Graphics Certificate (In-Person and Live Online)
- Manhattan Edit Workshop—Adobe After Effects Level 1 (In-Person and Live Online)
- NYC Career Centers—Video Editing & Motion Graphics Certificate (In-Person and Live Online)
- DCTV—After Effects (In-Person)
- Training Connection—After Effects Bootcamp (In-Person and Live Online)
- UC San Diego Extended Studies—Adobe After Effects I: Introduction to Motion Graphics (Online)
- School of Visual Arts—All Together: Digital Animation and Motion Graphics (Live Online)
- ExitCertified—An Introduction to Motion 5 (In-Person and Live Online)
- American Media Training—After Effects 1 (In-Person and Live Online)
- headTrix—After Effects Bootcamp (In-Person and Live Online)
- Studio Arts—Blender 101 (Live Online)
- Motion Design School—Motion Beast 2 (Online)
- Parsons School of Design—Motion Design Certificate (Online)
- Ledet Training—Adobe After Effects Training (In-Person and Live Online)
- Lumenbrite—After Effects Training: Bootcamp (In-Person and Online)
- Future Media Concepts—Fundamentals of Cinema 4D (Live Online)
- School—Class (Format)
- School of Motion—After Effects Kickstart (Online)
#1: Pitch to Screen—VFX and Motion Graphics Techniques: 2-Day Course (Live Online)
VFX and Motion Graphics Techniques: 2-Day Course is offered by Pitch to Screen, which is both a film festival and screening platform, and a film school, and was founded in 2017 by Al Hallak. Hallack is a producer, director, writer, and educator, and teaches this class. The two-day course covers motion graphics and compositing techniques using Adobe After Effects. Topics include working with text and graphics, animation and keyframing, animating infographics, keying and masking, rotoscoping, adding 3D elements, precomposing and using a track matte, simulation and effects, and rendering and exporting.
Key Information
Tuition is $845. There are three class sessions, running from 10 am to 5 pm Eastern Time. Students need a PC or Mac computer that can run Adobe After Effects, and a dual monitor setup is recommended but not required.
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Every participant who completes the course receives a certificate of completion.
CourseHorse has a number of favorable reviews from students who have taken Pitch to Screen classes. Students mention that they found the instructor both patient and knowledgeable. One student comments, “I took a full-day After Effects course with Al and it was great. I had previously attempted to learn After Effects on my own, but struggled to grasp how to navigate the software. This class was a great intro to the interface and covered an array of key animating concepts. I was the only participant, which allowed Al to focus on specific effects I was interested in learning. His explanations were clear and he took time to review examples and identify the effects in use…. This course laid a great foundation to develop my skills.”
#2: UCLA Extension—Motion Graphics I (In-Person and Online)
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. This class is offered both in-person and online.
Key Information
Tuition for Motion Graphics I 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.
For the in-person course, students meet once a week for three hours, with a total of 11 sessions. The class website states that the online 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 some instructors were not as responsive as they would have liked.
#3: Noble Desktop—Motion Graphics Certificate (In-Person and Live Online)
The Motion Graphics Certificate is designed for students who want to become motion graphics designers. It covers motion graphics and video editing skills, and includes instruction in a number of apps used by professional motion graphics designers. Students learn to use Adobe After Effects to create motion graphics and visual effects, and Cinema 4D Lite to render 3D animations. Instructors help them develop a workflow that goes from concept, to design, to fully animated graphics. Students also work with Adobe Premiere Pro on a variety of video editing techniques including adding music, editing video, adding voiceover and dialogues, and adjusting the color, speed, and placement of video clips. Finally, this class includes working on a demo reel that showcases the students’ best motion graphics projects for prospective clients or employers. Noble Desktop is a design and coding school that was founded in 1990, and is based in Midtown Manhattan. This class–like many Noble offerings–is available either in-person or live online.
Key Information
Tuition for this certificate program is $3,495, payable at the time of registration. Noble also offers two flexible payment plans, with no interest or financing fees. One option is to make a deposit of $349.50, paid one week before the start of class, and then pay the remaining balance in four installments, over the duration of the course. The second option is a 12-month financing plan, where a deposit of $500 is due before the class starts, and then students pay $249.58 per month for 12 months.
The course takes two months of full-time study or four months of part-time study to complete, with a total of 102 hours of instruction. A variety of scheduling options are available, including weekdays and weeknights. The average class size is 15 people. The course is licensed by the New York State Department of Education, and students receive a certificate of completion at the end.
Students need to have a working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and/or Adobe Illustrator. Basic design skills and a basic knowledge of video timeline editing are recommended, but not required.
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All Noble classes include the option of a free retake within a year. Students can also access recordings of the class sessions through their student portal. Recordings are available for a month after the session. In addition to regular class sessions, students also get five one-on-one mentoring sessions where they can work on challenging concepts, and receive expert advice on their portfolio and resume.
Noble Desktop’s website includes many positive reviews from students who have taken this course. Many like the professional quality of instruction, and the valuable insider insights that they received. Dora says, “I took a motion graphics and video editing course and I couldn't be happier…I would highly recommend Noble Desktop to anyone—the courses are worth every penny and I'm pretty sure it's the best you can get for this type of training school in this field.” Lynn Bartolotta comments, “After taking the Motion Graphics Certificate course, I am able to edit and create animations. I recommend this course for anyone who wants to bring their design skills into the digital age.”
#4: Manhattan Edit Workshop—Adobe After Effects Level 1 (In-Person and Live Online)
The Manhattan Edit Workshop was founded in 2002. It is in New York City’s Flatiron District. This school provides post-production training for a number of different platforms, including Apple, Adobe, and Avid. It offers a class called Adobe After Effects Level 1, which is an introductory course designed for editors, producers, motion graphics artists, and anyone else who wants to learn After Effects basics. Students learn After Effects fundamentals, including working with the traditional workflow, how to use effects and presets, working with masks, animating text, working with shape layers, using the puppet tool, other effects, and rendering and output. By the end of this course, they should be able to create motion graphics and effects.
Key Information
This class is designed to provide an intense education, and has three sessions, running from 10 am to 6 pm each day. Tuition is $1,295, and is due at the time of registration. Payment can be made by Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, money order, personal check, or cash. Educational organizations receive a 10 percent discount on most classes. Students who want to take After Effects Level II and After Effects Level III can bundle the course and save 15 percent on tuition. They will have 30 days to complete all three courses.
Students who want to take this class need to have basic knowledge of the Mac operating system. The school website has a link for students to use to get a free After Effects trial to use during the class.
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Students who have taken courses at the Manhattan Edit Workshop have posted a number of favorable reviews online, with many people commenting on the professionalism and teaching ability of the instructors. For instance, Christopher Olsen says, "The instructors are the program's greatest strength, especially in combination with the small class size. They have a solid program and an excellent school." Jose Taveras writes, "A priceless experience you will never forget! I can't stress enough how nice and supportive the whole staff is and how they make the learning experience productive, complete, natural, and over all Inspirational!"
#5: NYC Career Centers—Video Editing & Motion Graphics Certificate (In-Person and Live Online)
NYC Career Centers offers a variety of professional development and corporate training programs in New York City and in a virtual format. Its Video Editing & Motion Graphics Certificate covers a variety of video editing and motion graphics skills. Students learn audio editing in Adobe Audition, video editing with Premiere Pro, and motion graphics with After Effects. Instructors cover workflow strategies, and help students create projects, from design to polished final product. Students also work on a demo reel that they can use to showcase their motion graphics skills.
Key Information
The Video Editing & Motion Graphics Certificate costs $4,995. Tuition can be paid in full at the time of registration, or there are two payment plan options, with no interest or financing charges. Under the first option, students can make a deposit of $499.50, one week before the start of class, and then pay the remaining balance in four installments, over the duration of the course. The second option is a 12-month financing plan, where a deposit of $500 is due before the class starts, and then students pay $374.58 per month for 12 months.
There are a total of 40 class sessions in this program, and it takes two months of full-time study to complete, or four months of part-time study. NYC Career Centers offers both weekday and weeknight scheduling options. This course is licensed by the New York State Department of Education, and students receive a certificate of completion at the end.
There are no prerequisites, but a basic knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator are helpful. Design skills will also make the learning process easier.
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Students who take this class can do one free retake within a year. They also have access to recordings of the class sessions through their student portal. Recordings are available for a month after the session. In addition to regular class sessions, students also get five one-on-one mentoring sessions where they can work on challenging concepts, and receive expert advice on their portfolio and resume.
A number of students have posted positive reviews of NYC Career Centers. Many people mention that they found the instructors engaging and helpful. Anya Berube says, “The instructor was very patient in balancing everyone and their individual technology needs and experience levels. I enjoyed the course.” Kimbeliza Ocasio says, “Amazing and informative! We covered a lot of ground, especially for a beginner class!”
#6: DCTV—After Effects (In-Person)
DCTV is a nonprofit media arts center for independent filmmakers in New York City that was founded in 1972. It is located in the Chinatown/Tribeca area, and provides a range of workshops, in addition to post-production facilities and production equipment and space rentals. After Effects is designed to teach students to use the After Effects program. It covers basic animation, effects and presets, animating text, rendering, working with masks, time and frame rates, keyframing, compositing, and system setup.
Key Information
This course costs $360, which is due at the time of registration. There are three class sessions, and they run from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. Classes have an average of six students.
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The CourseHorse website provides student reviews for this After Effects class. Most reviews are positive. One student says, “Great class to take to build your skills if you are intimidated by after affects. Teachers are informative and professional.” Another writes, “The class provides a basic understanding of After Effects. Teacher was really great—clear, patient and a thoughtful explainer. The actual examples that we went through felt very outdated visually, but the bones were there and I feel confident in my ability to apply what I learned elsewhere.”
#7: Training Connection—After Effects Bootcamp (In-Person and Live Online)
The After Effects Bootcamp is designed for graphic and video professionals, and covers video editing, motion editing, and compositing with After Effects. It is designed to take users from a beginner to an advanced level over five sessions. No prior experience with After Effects is required. The class covers real-world usage, setting up, basic animation, animating text and shapes, working with masks, color correction, rendering, compositing, keying, rotoscoping, and a number of more advanced topics. Training Connection is an Adobe Authorized Training Center based in Los Angeles. It also offers online classes.
Key Information
There are five class sessions in this bootcamp, and they each run from 9 am to 4 pm Pacific time. Tuition is $1,845, and is payable upon enrollment. Training is available on both Mac and PC.
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Students who take this course will receive an After Effects Training Manual and an Adobe Certificate of Course Completion. Training Connection also offers a free class repeat within six months.
The school has been reviewed favorably by a number of students, with many mentioning that the school facility is clean, modern, and spacious. For instance, Carolina Z. says, “The location for the Training Connection is convenient, as it is steps away from the Metro station. Upon arrival I was greeted by a friendly person who checked me in and asked me to help myself to coffee or other refreshments. There were also snacks and a stellar view. The labs were new and clean and the instructor we had was awesome.” Hannah S. comments, “If you're thinking about taking a class here—DO IT! I just can't say enough good things about my experience here—From the break room to the staff and teachers—top notch! Drastically improved my skills—worth every penny!”
#8: UC San Diego Extended Studies—Adobe After Effects I: Introduction to Motion Graphics (Online)
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.”
#9: School of Visual Arts—All Together: Digital Animation and Motion Graphics (Live Online)
The School of Visual Arts is based in New York and was established in 1947. Thousands of artists, designers, filmmakers, and other creative professionals have graduated from it. All Together: Digital Animation and Motion Graphics is a workshop where students learn all stages of the animation process, and work with After Effects and Photoshop. At the beginning of the course, students work on exercises in panning a background with a walk cycle, in addition to creating abstract shapes, motion graphics and animated GIFs. After that, they work on layout design, animation movement, color styling, audio tracks and digital compositing for post production. Students also work on finished personal films and After Effects exercises.
Key Information
This course costs $700. There are a total of ten class sessions, which run on Saturdays, from 10 am to 3 pm Eastern Standard Time. The School of Visual Arts offers scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study, and participates in all forms of federal financial aid.
Students should have familiarity with the Macintosh computer, and have completed a basic drawing course. They will need a drawing tablet for the class. All students receive free access to the Adobe Creative Cloud.
The class is hosted through Canvas, and can be accessed by most computers five years old or newer. Participants need to have a minimum screen size of 800 X 600, and a good broadband connection.
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There are numerous online reviews for the School of Visual Arts. Some students mention that they liked the networking opportunities provided by this school. For example, one reviewer writes, “Some of the best design professionals teach at SVA creating excellent internship opportunities and industry connections. With a campus scattered around New York City, work opportunities are unlimited.” Another says, “SVA is a top-rated design school…. If you decide to attend, please take advantage of every resource: access to professionals, student organizations, school resources, student perks and discounts, memberships to professional organizations, and most importantly, don't forget to network.
#10: ExitCertified—An Introduction to Motion 5 (In-Person and Live Online)
ExitCertified offers IT training and certification, both in-person and virtually. It runs a class called An Introduction to Motion 5, where students can learn to use Motion 5, a motion graphics tool that is used with Apple Final Cut Pro X. Instruction covers the fundamentals of motion graphics, creating smart motion templates, creating parameter rigs, using keyframes, animating cameras, stabilizing and tracking media, and using generators, shapes, and paint strokes. Instruction is interactive and hands-on.
Key Information
There are three class sessions, which run from 10 am to 6 pm Eastern Time.
Tuition is $1,495, and is payable upon enrollment. There are no prerequisites for this class.
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Students who take this class get access to the PDF of course books and guides after completing the course.
There are thousands of online reviews for ExitCertified online, and the majority are positive, with many people mentioning that the instructors at this school are knowledgeable and professional. For instance, one former student says, “Well presented with a knowledgeable instructor and clear objectives. Another comments, “The training was well-organized, inciteful, and pointed. The instructor was knowledgeable both in and outside of the material covered and tailored the discussion to our organizational needs. Very satisfied with the overall experience!”
#11: American Media Training—After Effects Level 1 (In-Person and Live Online)
American Media Training provides in-person and online training for Adobe, Apple, and Microsoft software, with certified instructors teaching the courses. After Effects Level 1 is a class designed for beginners to digital video, and is intended to introduce them to After Effects, and also get them started on the path to mastering it. Students learn about the workflow, basic animation, animating text, working with shape layers, animating layers, working with masks, using the puppet tool and the rotobrush tool, color correction, building 3D objects, advanced editing features, and editing and output.
Key Information
There are no prerequisites for this class. Tuition is $1,295, and is payable at registration. There are a total of three class sessions.
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The American Media Training website has positive reviews of many of the school’s instructors. For instance, Ramona Tyler says, "The class went great with Rick. The professor rearranged his training style to accommodate me all the while keeping the class on schedule. I will recommend him to others and hope to be able to take more classes in the future." Nicole Houston also has good things to say about her instructor, commenting, "Stephen was an excellent insutructor. He was well paced, patient, informative and was able to keep my attention and focus. I would definitely recommend Stephen as an instructor."
#12: HeadTrix—After Effects Bootcamp (In-Person Live Online)
The After Effects Bootcamp offered by headTrix is a combination of the school’s Level 1 and Level 2 After Effects classes, and is designed to take students through both beginner and intermediate topics. Instructors cover real-world usage of After Effects, setting up a project, importing and manipulating graphics, importing and manipulating video clips, importing and manipulating sound, creating text and titles, working with effects and transitions, rendering, keying, stabilization, and color correction. headTrix is a computer training company that offers a variety of different design, animation, and video classes
Key Information
This class runs from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, over a total of four days. Tuition is $1,295, and is payable at the time of registration. Students should have basic computer and file management skills on Windows or Mac.
headTrix offers both in-person and virtual training options. For live online training, students receive a link to the headTrix Adobe Connect Classroom. They can hear and talk to the instructor and other students in real time. To take an online class, students just need a computer, an internet connection, and a headset with a microphone. The headTrix website has a link to download a free trial of Adobe After Effects.
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The headTrix website has reviews from students who have had good experiences taking its classes. Edwin S. comments, “I have taken several classes with headTrix in the past year and plan on taking some more. They are really great at what they do–they're patient and very knowledgeable…. They keep their group classes very small so you still get the proper attention from thier knowledgeable Instructors. They have a good syllabus in place and answer all types of questions you may have (patiently).” Jordis M. says, “I took a class on After Effects and was so pleased with the instructor Steve, he was awesome! I will defiantly be taking the advanced training.”
#13: Studio Arts—Blender 101 (Live Online)
Studio Arts is based in Los Angeles, and offers a variety of classes designed for creative people who work in the entertainment industry. Blender 101 is designed to teach students how to use Blender, which is popular for 3D modeling, animation, and VFX. The class starts with an introduction to the Blender workflow, then students model a simple asset and texture, animate, light, and render it. They also learn to use the Blender tracking tool to integrate the asset into background footage and composite the final elements.
Key Information
Tuition for this class is $1,000. There are eight class sessions, on Mondays, from 6:15 pm to 10 pm Pacific Time. Students should know how to use a computer, and have a reliable internet connection. The class is held via Zoom.
There are two student funding opportunities for this school. Students may be able to get up to 240 hours of Studio Arts training funded through the State of California Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. In order to qualify for this funding, they need to be out of work, have contacted the EDD, and have requested WIOA training. A second option is the Studio Arts Scholarship Grant, which covers up to 50 percent of the regular cost of classes. It is for certain students who are out of work, on hiatus, or in need of financial aid, and are not covered by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
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Studio Arts has been reviewed positively by former students. For instance, Andrea R. says, “I LOVE Studio Arts! I've taken several classes they're over the years and the classes have enabled me to move up in my career. I'm so grateful they're a school that offers classes for working people in the entertainment industry. Plus, they offer several grant options as well as scholarships for those in need. All the classes are TOP notch led by some of the greatest talent in the industry. The owner Eric is one of the nicest most down to earth dudes out there. It's a rarity to have an owner so invested in his students helping them achieve their career goals. The whole staff is awesome! I just love this place and look forward to taking several more classes over the years.”
#14: Motion Design School—Motion Beast 2 (Online)
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.”
#15: 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.”
#16: Ledet Training—Adobe After Effects Training (In-Person and Live Online)
Ledet Training was founded in 1996, and is an Adobe Authorized Training Center. It runs classes for many different Adobe programs, including After Effects. Adobe After Effects Training is a beginner-level class where students learn to create visual effects and motion graphics with After Effects. Covered topics include basic animation and effects, working with text, keyframes and layers, track and key, transparency, using paint and vector pain, expressions and time, and advanced motion techniques.
Key Information
There are five sessions in this class, and tuition is $1,395, payable at the time of registration. Students should have some experience with Adobe Photoshop, to get the most out of this class. They also need to purchase the Adobe After Effects software, or download a free trial version from the Adobe website.
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There are many student reviews of Ledet classes posted on the Indeed website. Many students say that they like the hands-on style of instruction that they received at this school.
One former student says, “The teacher taught step by step, and if any student got stuck, he encouraged them to ask questions. He wouldn't proceed unless everyone was caught up.” Another writes, “There was more hands-on than i expected and great resources to reach and work with a professional. Learning the tool bar and all of the set up options for different applications was more intensive than anticipated, but they are thorough.”
#17: Lumenbrite—After Effects Training: Bootcamp (In-Person and Live Online)
The After Effects Training: Bootcamp is offered by Lumenbrite, a school that offers digital design training both online and in-person, at a variety of locations across the United States. The bootcamp integrates the content from both of the Lumenbrite essential skills classes, and takes students to an intermediate level of mastery. Students learn video blending, advanced text effects, keying effects and track mattes, basic animation techniques, nesting, and creating precomps. They also learn to properly key footage, manipulate masks, and work with time effects. In addition, there is an optional introduction to Cinema 4D Lite. Finally, the instructor talks about best practices and common pitfalls.
Key Information
There are five class sessions in this bootcamp, and they run from 9 am to 4 pm Central Time. Tuition is $1,995.
Online classes are held via Zoom, and students need a reliable internet connection. They should also have basic computer skills.
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Students who take this bootcamp receive an Adobe Nationally Recognized Course Certificate and a conversion tools bookmark.
Lumenbrite’s website contains a number of favorable reviews from former students. Some say that they found the Lumenbrite instructors very personable and engaging. One reviewer says, “I loved the interaction, instructor knowledge and patience, very engaging. I learned a lot and enjoyed working on all the projects. I feel I still learned just as well as an in-person training would've been.” Another comments, “I really appreciated the dynamic nature of the course. I could immediately apply the skills I used that day. My instructor was extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and kept us engaged!”
#18: Future Media Concepts—Fundamentals of Cinema 4D (Live Online)
Fundamentals of Cinema 4D is a class offered by Future Media Concepts, a school that provides training for a number of different software programs used for motion graphics. Fundamentals of Cinema 4D teaches students how to use this software to create projects from start to finish. Some of the specific skills covered include splines, generators, lighting, texturing, animation, rendering, compositing, and customizing.
Key Information
There are three sessions in this class, and tuition is $1,895, due at the time of registration. Students should know how to use either a Mac or Windows operating system. A basic understanding of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects are beneficial, but not required.
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The CourseHorse website posts reviews for Future Media Concepts classes. One student writes about her experience taking an After Effects class, saying, “Instructor Foster Johnson was incredible – he asked us what we wanted to learn and taught the class that and way more! He gave us all the lesson files and helped us understand almost every aspect of After Effects. I didn't know AE at all before this class, and now I feel super empowered. I want to take another class with him again!” Another reviewer writes, “Great class…The instructor was both highly knowledgeable and creative, bringing elements of history, development and practical use together in his approach to teaching.”
#19: Computer Training Source, Inc.—After Effects Part 1 (In-Person and Live Online)
Computer Training Source, Inc. Offers software training classes in the Chicago area and online. After Effects Part 1 is designed for beginners, and students in this class learn about motion graphics and visual effects for a variety of media including film and the internet. The instructor covers setting up the timeline, green screen, working with text, layers, rotoscoping, integrating Photoshop images, using transparency and alpha channels, compositing, tracking, and stabilizing.
Key Information
This class costs $645, which is payable at the time of registration, and it has two three-hour class sessions. Students who plan to take this class should know how to use Windows.
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Computer Training Source offers a free retake for all of its classes within six months of the original class. The company also provides resume reviews, and LinkedIn page reviews. It can also provide job leads.
A number of former students have written very positive reviews for Computer Training Source. For example, Rochelle W. writes, “I have taken several classes here and it is very convenient as most of the classes are offered online. They also have in-person training as well. The instructors are knowledgeable and they provide a variety of perspectives which helps when learning. The program administrator is very helpful with selecting the courses and helped accommodate my work schedule. I enjoy CTS and look forward to learning more.” Marie W. says, “I have attended numerous computer training schools over the course of my IT career and CTS is the best there is. The staff is professional, efficient, responsive, helpful, and customer service is their number one care. I mean this sincerely. I have been attending CTS almost two years and recommend this school for computer classes.”
#20: 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.
More Details
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!”
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Choose a Motion Graphics Class?
If you’re trying to choose a motion graphics class, it can be helpful to start by thinking about how much time and money you have to invest in your education, and what type of training you are looking for. There are many different training formats and lengths of classes out there, and they all vary in how much flexibility they provide, the time you need to invest, tuition costs, and the level of support you receive from the instructor. For example, you can choose to learn either in-person, live online, or on demand. You’ll also find that classes range from short, introductory sessions that take a day or two to complete, to more comprehensive bootcamps or certificate programs that take weeks or months to finish.
In order to find the best motion graphics class for your particular needs, you should also spend time researching all of the different schools and classes available to you. One good way to get a better understanding of your options is to read course descriptions and syllabi on the school websites. Student reviews–available online for most schools–are another great way to get more insight into a particular class or school.
Is It Better to Attend a Motion Graphics Class In-person or Online?
When you start researching motion graphics classes, you’ll find both in-person and online options. Each of these formats has advantages and disadvantages, and the decision about which one to choose will depend on your specific needs and learning style. Years ago, the only way to learn was to take an in-person class, and this format is still popular because it gives students a high level of personal interaction and engagement. In-person classes make it easy for students to interact with one another, which can make the learning process easier and also lead to valuable networking opportunities. They also make it easy to interact with the instructor, for example when students need to ask questions or get feedback.
However, in-person classes require you to travel to the class location, which can not only cost you time and money, but limits you to classes in your immediate area. In contrast, you can take an online class from any school in the country, and do so without even leaving your home. Some students prefer online classes because of this flexibility. Online classes have their disadvantages too though. There can be more distractions when you learn from home, so if you’re not good at working independently, then this format might not be a good choice for you.
What Will I Need for a Motion Graphics Class?
Motion graphics are created on a computer, so if you plan to take a motion graphics class, you’ll probably need access to a computer. If you enroll in an in-person class, the school may provide a computer, however, you’ll probably still need access to one of your own so that you can practice your skills outside of class. If your class is online, you’ll need a good internet connection so that you can download course material and attend live class sessions via the school’s online platform.
To learn motion graphics, you’ll also need access to the motion graphics software program that you will be learning. Many companies provide free trials of their programs, which may last you long enough to complete the course. For instance, Apple offers a free 90-day trial for Final Cut Pro, and Adobe offers a free seven-day trial for After Effects. If you need to use the software for longer than that, you’ll need to pay for a subscription.
Can I Learn Motion Graphics Online for Free?
You can learn a number of motion graphics skills for free. For example, YouTube has free tutorials on a wide variety of different motion graphics techniques. However, while free resources can be a great way to learn a few new skills or troubleshoot a particular problem, if you’re serious about learning motion graphics, you’ll probably need to invest in a paid class. With a paid class, you’ll get more than just a few tips and tricks; you’ll get a comprehensive motion graphics education, and you’ll know that you are receiving reliable information from an instructor who is an expert in this field.
Many motion graphics students also end up paying for software too. Adobe, Apple, and other companies that produce motion graphics software often offer free trials, however, these only last a few days or weeks. Most students who are serious about learning motion graphics need to access the software for longer than that.
Is It Better to Learn Motion Graphics in a Live or Self-paced Class?
There are unique advantages and disadvantages to both live and self-paced classes. When you take a live class, you get to interact with an instructor in real time, and this can not only make the class more interesting, but it allows you to ask questions and get feedback whenever you want to. The disadvantage of learning live is that you have to attend at a specific time, and you work through the course material at the same pace as the rest of the class. On the other hand, a self-paced class doesn’t give you the benefits of real-time interaction, but it does let you learn on your own schedule, stopping and starting whenever you need to.