How to Create Motion Graphics: A Walkthrough
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Marketers are embracing video more than ever, as evidenced by TikTok videos, explainer videos, and expert panels on Zoom. In addition, viewers are more interested than ever in videos simultaneously. For example, 73% of individuals said they would prefer to watch a brief video to learn more about a product, according to Wyzowl’s study.) Although there are various ways for marketers to use this medium, there is one kind of video, in particular, that is advantageous for them: motion graphics.
To accomplish a purpose or convey a story, motion graphics create visuals and move them in time and space. To give the impression of motion, the motion graphic elements are arranged in a series of frames. Motion animated graphics, in contrast to other types of animation, primarily use visuals and typography.
What is Motion Graphics?
Motion pictures? Animation? Although the two words are frequently used synonymously, if we’re being technical, motion graphics is a subset of animation. In essence, it’s the fusion of animation and graphic design. In our profession, virtually any animated material is referred to as a motion graphic. Motion graphics, which frequently employ data visualization, kinetic typography, and geometric shapes, assist in communicating a message through moving images.
Motion graphics, however, is not only these things. Motion graphics can also be made using various other techniques, including cel animation, mixed media animation that combines photography and live-action footage, and even 3D animation. Motion graphics may evoke a range of emotions, tell compelling stories, and fascinate audiences when used in conjunction with voiceover, music composition, and sound design.
People have to pay more attention when they read; therefore, it’s a clever strategy to get their attention.
How Do Motion Graphics Videos Help Brands?
Video is a powerful medium because it integrates audio and visual processing, which makes it simpler for the audience to understand the message. But there are several reasons why motion graphics are so compelling.
They are a powerful tool for storytelling
You may use a variety of motion graphics technologies to tell compelling stories. Stunning graphics, powerful speech, and ominous music can all come together to create a potent piece of visual content. The best part about motion graphics is that it frees you from the limitations of live-action video to produce visually compelling stories (e.g., actors, location, equipment, etc.). Without adding a pyrotechnics budget, you can quickly animate any world you wish to see.
This is especially useful if you want to tell emotionally charged stories. We quickly identify with and mimic the feelings of the experiences we see shown on a screen due to the phenomena of emotional contagion. (For the same reason, you feel delighted in a rom-com or visceral fear in a horror film.) Motion graphics are a terrific method to elicit emotion from your audience, whether trying to incite happiness or compassion. Check out the guidelines for how to choose brand colors.
They are a passive experience
Consumers watch video content for about 19 hours per week, according to Wyzowl data. It’s not shocking. We all recall being relieved when a substitute teacher showed a video in class since it meant we had nothing to do. Both are motion graphics. Viewers are not required to read, investigate data, or use much mental effort. All they need to do is hit “play” and relax. (Keep in mind that most consumers prefer viewing content to reading content.) In addition, using motion graphics to convey a condensed message makes it easier for viewers to understand.
For simple understanding, they simplify the information
Because your brain interprets visual information nearly instantaneously, visual communication is effective. According to MIT research, you can digest visual information in as little as 13 milliseconds. Because of this, it often helps to “see” things to understand them better. For example, motion graphics makes it easy to simplify complex information through visual storytelling, effectively conveying a brand’s message. This is particularly helpful for:
Tutorials
Motion graphics are helpful when you need to demonstrate a process to someone. This is why explainer videos frequently employ motion graphics.
Processes
Motion graphics are a terrific method to explain how something works, similar to how-to videos.
Data visualization
By visualizing data in motion graphics, data that first appears dense and impenetrable may be quickly brought to life.
Abstract ideas
Motion graphics is an excellent tool for explaining, clarifying, or providing context for information.
They are adaptable
Since social and media platforms now support video, you can distribute your motion graphics everywhere and in various ways, which will help your campaigns last longer. For example, a video could be divided into several parts to produce information suitable for various audiences. For example, a presentation or e-book may include your motion graphics.
This is particularly true if your motion graphics addresses an ongoing issue. Your work spent developing motion graphics will pay off in the form of an effective communication tool that will last for many years. Find the evolution of graphic design.
They exchange a lot of information quickly
Most motion graphics range in length from 30 seconds to 3 minutes, which is quite helpful when you need to make an effect right away. (This is relevant, in particular on social media platforms. For example, a Facebook study found that watching less than 10 seconds of a video can aid in developing buying intent and increase brand awareness. Motion graphics maximize human information processing capacities by fusing auditory and visual elements, enabling you to convey more information while using less content. A minute can demonstrate what a 1,500-word piece might explain.
In 15 seconds, a complex process may be visually explained. Motion graphics are beneficial in environments where you can’t rely on audio due to their intrinsic visual character (e.g., a busy trade show floor).
As a result, motion graphics can be utilized to convey information through many touchpoints, such as:
Traditional advertising
TV or online adverts (national or regional).
Promo Videos
Viral videos, case studies, endorsements, product reviews, and other promotional videos—editorial or commercial—are all examples of promotional videos.
Explainer Movies
Videos that introduce, summarize, walkthrough, or teach how to use a product, service, or concept.
Cultural Marketing Videos
Videos for culture marketing that highlight your company, its employees, or specific causes.
Social Media Videos
Content to interact with viewers on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube. Possibly instructive or purely entertaining. 46% of consumers claimed to have purchased as a result of watching a brand video on social media, according to Tubular Insights. Check out the guide for social media image size.
Sales collateral
Includes whatever information a sales staff frequently disseminates about a company, a product, or both. (Creating a motion graphic using that information can save time and effort.)
How to Create Motion Graphics Video from Scratch – Easy Tips
There are several ways available when you intend on creating motion graphics. You can either use a:
- motion graphics video maker
- motion graphics software
Before we differentiate both, specific steps are required for either option you decide to use when making motion graphics project(s).
Define Your Audience, Concept & Goals
A tumultuous and crazy trip might be the creative process. Therefore, it’s crucial to outline the goals for your motion graphics project as early as possible for more accessible sailing.
Obtain information about your audience. Knowing your audience is a crucial step in achieving the intended result. For example, you can quickly access historical marketing data through popular marketing and data analytics tools or design specialized polls and surveys for more focused results.
Using information about your audience, create a target persona. This will enable you to focus on the message and material that will appeal to your intended audience. For example, will it be sentimental because your target audience is a middle-class millennial who still uses analog cameras and does his home film development? Or, because your target persona is a no-nonsense nine-to-fiver about efficiency, will your motion graphic feel more like an Apple commercial—clean, concise, and elegant?
Generate Ideas Through Brainstorming
Now that you know your target market prepare a pen and paper (or an electronic notepad) to write down your motion graphics ideas. Then, it’s time to begin writing down your most irrational thoughts. This is the brainstorming session, where your task is to develop new ideas while investigating various animation techniques, regardless of how bizarre and unconventional they may seem.
Give your imagination free rein right now. There’s no need to overthink the motion design process! We’re here to let you know that most of the ideas you’ll come up with at this point won’t make the final cut. After that, based on the data you currently have on your audience, you may apply the process of elimination to select the best of the best.
Write a Script to Tell Your Story
Whether you want to make an animated asset with no audio or an audiovisual motion graphic, scriptwriting is essential to the direction of your project. Scripts are produced for conversation, action, or both in motion graphics videos.
Ensure simplicity. Establishing a course that is more closely aligned with your initial ideas will assist you in avoiding misunderstandings.
Create Your Storyboard
When creating the storyboard, you can begin to envision the script once you have it. Then, when the narrative and the images are combined, the final designs begin to take shape.
A brainstorming session with your design and production team members should precede each storyboarding session. The production team comprises producers, art directors, designers, and animators. (You might also include your creative director.)
Style and color communicate just as much as the idea itself in each visual presentation you produce. As a result, simple design decisions can significantly impact the experience, even when you’re working inside your brand guidelines.
You can start turning your storyboards into actual designs once you understand the storyboard using sketches. Recall: Everything you create at this point will be used in the final phases of animation, so pay close attention to the details.
Write out your visual comments, check them with your production team (and any other stakeholders), and then send them to the motion graphics team for use in the final cut.
Animate the final designs
The culmination of the process occurs at the animation stage. By the time you start animating, everyone should clearly understand what will happen if you have done your job and received a sign-off on each stage.
Here are some things to consider:
Timing: The pace of your motion graphic may make or break it. People won’t “understand” what you’re trying to tell them if you’re too hurried. You’ll lose people’s interest if you move too slowly. Pace maintains audience interest. To create excitement, take into account tactical changes.
This implies that you should not be too slow or fast-paced.
Music: Much like the other aspects, music adds another dimension to help your story move forward. It can create an atmosphere, fill in blanks, and change the narrative’s tone. Make sure you’re communicating the proper content with the overall tone of your music since the right music may make or destroy your video.
Upload the music of your choice and customize your animation.
Sound effects: Just like music creation, the art of adding sound effects, blending sounds, etc., is essential. The secret is only to use elements that benefit your project and don’t detract from the story you’re attempting to convey.
This final step leads to choosing your style of design. For example, do you want to use an online video maker or animation software to create your video content?
Using Motion Graphics Video Maker
With these tools, you can create spectacular motion graphics videos of studio quality from static drawings, no matter your design skill level.
The majority of these online tools tend to follow the same procedure.
Log In
To begin making your own motion graphics video, sign in or create a new account with the video maker of your choice.
Choose
Select from one of its pre-made motion graphics templates or start from scratch to make a fresh motion graphics animated video.
Without a designer, you can make stunning motion graphics videos in numerous styles with more animation styles.
Edit
Change the template! Use its free video editor to customize icons, add text and images, basic shapes, colors, fonts, unique characters, and other visuals to give your motion graphics a unique flair. In addition, you can move items between layers.
NOTE: These templates are created for beginners by professional animators.
Using Motion Graphics Software
You will undoubtedly be able to build your own motion graphics from scratch if you are already experienced with video editing programs like Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects.
If you want to get started, having knowledge of Adobe Illustrator or having expertise in vector illustration is a huge benefit. You may immediately begin animating after importing vector graphics from Illustrator into After Effects!
Remember that you can also create simple animations using Adobe Photoshop.
EXTRA: The Photoshop feature called Timeline makes it possible to create animations and motion graphics. Simply choose Window > Timeline from the menu to make it visible.
The Timeline then appears at the base of Photoshop’s workspace. It is initially empty. When you click the Create Video Timeline button, the layers from the project will appear in the Timeline window.
Don’t worry if you find this assignment intimidating. For assistance with your Motion Graphics project, All Time Design is available. The motion designers at All Time Design can assist you with the entire creative process, from bringing out the full potential of your ideas to creating the ideal animations for your on-brand visuals and marketing videos. Your designated motion graphic designer will work with you to create the animations of your dreams in any style and increase your video marketing!
NOTE: These are your go-to software options when creating motion animated graphics. They have been created and designed to serve these purposes.
FAQs
How can I use motion graphics?
Motion graphics are captivating and effective because they can quickly and precisely convey ideas by tapping into the human brain. They can genuinely orient your customers and aid in developing a strong brand identity!
With motion graphics and animation software, you may animate titles, logos, basic shapes, and static pictures for your social media, web design, blogs, and video advertisements.
What software is used for motion graphics?
Adobe After Effects is the industry standard for animating visual content and assets. Artwork is typically created in programs like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. However, there are a lot of additional programs and video editing tools on the market.
EXTRA: When you upload compositions, you can add details to the images and background by importing files from Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere Pro, or other Adobe programs. You can position, scale, and rotate layers to record several keyframes and produce animation.
Start Making Motion Graphics Today
Every business can only get customers if these customers understand what the business is about.
After creating flyers and posters, some prospects still view them as similar to competitors. A well-descriptive motion graphics video distinguishes you from others.
Make a motion graphic now that you know what it is and the tips to achieve it. Since video now makes up most of the internet traffic, inventive people are developing ways to produce more video content quickly and inexpensively.
Not everyone knows how to use these motion graphics software. Also, you might not be impressed with what online video makers produce because you might have different ideas and perspectives.
All Time Design offers you motion graphics for just $1699. It might sound expensive, but it is not for one video. Instead, you can create unlimited videos for the period paid for.
$1699 monthly is a great deal to get unlimited requested designs and revisions.
Sign up today to create that unique motion graphics that will take your business to the next level!
