Explore the world of motion graphics, an effective tool for communication that brings static design elements to life. Learn through a variety of formats including in-person, live online, and on-demand classes, or opt for certificate programs to gain comprehensive knowledge in this field.
Key Insights
- Motion graphics is a type of animation that brings static designs like text or drawings to life, often complemented with music or other audio elements. It's an effective way to grab attention and convey information quickly.
- In-person motion graphics classes offer immediate feedback from instructors, easy interaction with fellow students, and potential networking opportunities. However, they may be more expensive and require commuting.
- Live online classes provide real-time instruction through platforms like Microsoft Teams or Zoom, offering flexibility for those who can't attend in-person classes. However, these classes still require scheduling at specific times.
- On-demand online classes offer pre-recorded lectures, allowing students to learn at their own pace. Despite the flexibility, this format may lead to procrastination for some students.
- Free motion graphics tutorials are available online, including on platforms like YouTube. These tutorials are useful for troubleshooting or mastering specific skills but may not be comprehensive enough for becoming a motion graphics designer.
- Certificate or certification programs provide a comprehensive education in motion graphics. Certificate programs are unique to each school, while certifications are standardized and often require passing an exam.
A number of research studies have shown that motion graphics are an effective way to get the attention of an audience, and can also help people quickly and easily understand information, and as a result, motion graphics have become very common in many types of media. Motion graphics are generally more focused on communicating a specific message to the audience, rather than telling a story like many other types of animation.
Enroll in In-Person Motion Graphics Classes
With an in-person class, you’ll be in the same room as your instructor and the other students in the class. You can ask questions and get immediate feedback, and the instructor can easily see if you need additional help with the content. In addition, in-person classes make it easy to interact with other students, and this can both enhance the learning experience and lead to valuable networking opportunities. A disadvantage of the in-person format is that it can be more costly than some other formats. You’ll also need to commute to the classroom.
Attend Live Online Motion Graphics Classes
Live online classes can be a great alternative for students who want live instruction, but can’t get to an in-person class. They also take place in real-time, but students attend online through a conferencing platform like Microsoft Teams or Zoom, rather than in-person. Live online classes allow more flexibility, however, students still need to attend at a specific, scheduled time.
Sign up for On-Demand Online Motion Graphics Classes
With on-demand classes, lectures are pre-recorded, and every student can access the course material and work on assignments at their own pace. An advantage of learning on-demand is that you can pause, rewind, or fast-forward the lecture whenever you want to, which means that you can take more time with challenging content, or skip through sections that you already understand. A potential downside for some people is that it can be easier to procrastinate when you’re able to stop and start whenever you want to.
Watch Free Motion Graphics TutorialsÂ
It’s easy to find free motion graphics tutorials online. Most of them won’t be comprehensive enough to make you a motion graphics designer, but free tutorials are a great way to troubleshoot a problem or learn how to master a specific skill. YouTube has hundreds of motion graphics tutorials. Adobe and many other software companies also offer free, short tutorials on their products.
Explore Motion Graphics Certificates & Certification
If you’re looking for a comprehensive motion graphics education, then a certificate or a certification program might be a good choice. Most schools have their own unique certificate programs, which usually take multiple months to complete. Students receive a certificate upon completion of the program. In contrast, certification is the same no matter where you obtain it. A certification is a standardized designation earned by meeting specific industry standards. To earn a certification, students often have to pass an exam.