Where to start learning motion design?
I am in my first year of a school that focuses on design but until we start to learn actual designing is 3 years from now. I have taken an interest in design for a long time now even though I am not sure if its what I really want to do, but just being interested wont get me anywhere. I really need to start learning now because i need a talent and perhaps a good future. Thanks to my school, i already own every Adobe programm out there so the platform will be no problem i suppose.
Yet, I don't know where or how to start. Can someone experienced give me some advice?
Every answer is appreciated, thank you.
7 answers
Michelle’s Answer
You didn't say if you are in high school or college because to get the accurate advice, one would need to know that.
If you are in a specialized design high school and they are not teaching you how to create, that is very unusual. You should not have to wait three years to learn design technique and implementation if it is a design school. There are always online instructions if you are not satisfied with what they offer at your school. Since you already have all the Adobe programs, read the instructions and start learning the programs so that you can start a portfolio.
If you are in college, my advice is to finish the semester and look for a different college that has a Design Major. Explore universities that have a strong Art Department or another Design college. The University of Art and Design Linz, and The Anton Bruckner International School are two design colleges where you live. I don't know if you're already attending one if them, but you should be learning hands on design and being assigned projects to design. As I mentioned, a University near where you live that doesn't specialize in design may just have a good Art Department that offers a Design Major so you'll have to explore that.
It is extremely rare if not unheard of that a school focused on Design would not be instructing the students on how to design and giving them assignments. You will have to decide if you want to remain at your current school or look for a different one that meets your needs.
Kim’s Answer
What courses are you taking? And when you say "actual designing," what do you mean? Are you studying graphic design, and if so, I'd expect that you'd be learning layout, color theory, typographic design, and so on, and that certainly involves "actual design."
Please reply with some more specifics about your program and the courses you're enrolled in. In the meantime, since you have Adobe CC, try doing some of the tutorials available through Adobe. Typical design projects are things like presentations, social media ads, web pages, books, catalogs, and so on. Do you have anything you'd like to share or promote, or can you find someone who needs design services that you could volunteer for? I see you've tagged motion graphics--can you maybe design and animate a story or scene for fun using the software you have access to, and available free tutorials? There's also a ton of stuff on YouTube, so you could try checking there for ideas.
In short, the way to start is by starting. Pick a project and dive in!
Best to you.
Timothy’s Answer
1. Understanding Motion Design Basics
- Definition and Purpose: Familiarize yourself with what motion design is and its applications in various fields such as advertising, entertainment, and user interface design.
- Key Principles: Learn about the fundamental principles of animation, such as timing, easing, and keyframes. Resources like "The Animator's Survival Kit" by Richard Williams can be valuable.
2. Research and Inspiration
- Explore Existing Work: Browse platforms like Behance, Dribbble, and Vimeo to see what other motion designers are creating. Take note of styles, techniques, and trends.
- Follow Influential Designers: Identify and follow motion designers on social media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter for inspiration and insights.
3. Software Familiarization
- Choose Your Tools: Common software used in motion design includes:
- Adobe After Effects: Industry-standard for motion graphics.
- Cinema 4D: For 3D motion graphics.
- Blender: A powerful free alternative for 3D design.
- Adobe Illustrator: For creating vector graphics that can be animated in After Effects.
- Start with Tutorials: Use platforms like YouTube, Skillshare, or LinkedIn Learning to find beginner tutorials specific to the software you choose.
4. Fundamental Skills Development
- Graphic Design Basics: Learn design principles such as composition, color theory, and typography. Websites like Canva or Adobe Color can help you understand these concepts.
- Animation Techniques: Start with simple animations (e.g., moving shapes, text animations) before progressing to more complex projects. Focus on understanding keyframes and motion paths.
5. Online Courses and Resources
- Enroll in Online Courses: Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and School of Motion offer structured courses on motion design and animation.
- Read Books and Blogs: Explore books like "Motion Graphic Design: Principles and Practices from the Ground Up" by Ian Crook and Peter Beare. Blogs like Motionographer provide insights into the industry.
6. Practice Projects
- Create Your Own Projects: Start with small projects, such as animating a logo or creating a short explainer video. Use prompts from design challenges found online.
- Join Challenges: Participate in design challenges on platforms like Instagram or Behance to get feedback and improve your skills.
7. Feedback and Community Engagement
- Join Online Communities: Engage with other learners and professionals on forums like Reddit (r/MotionDesign) or Discord servers dedicated to motion design.
- Seek Feedback: Share your work on platforms like Dribbble or Behance and ask for constructive criticism.
8. Building a Portfolio
- Select Your Best Work: As you create projects, compile a portfolio that showcases your skills and unique style.
- Create a Showreel: A short video showcasing your best work is crucial for applying for jobs or freelance opportunities.
9. Continued Learning and Networking
- Stay Updated with Trends: Follow industry news, attend webinars, and participate in workshops to keep your skills sharp.
- Network: Attend design conferences, meetups, or workshops to connect with other motion designers and industry professionals.
Summary
Starting in motion design requires a blend of learning theoretical concepts, mastering software, and hands-on practice. Focus on building a strong foundation, seek inspiration from the community, and continuously challenge yourself with new projects. With dedication and practice, you can develop your skills and carve out a successful path in motion design.
gufran’s Answer
Explore Design Fields
1. _Graphic Design_: Typography, color theory, and composition.
2. _UI/UX Design_: User experience, user interface, and human-centered design.
3. _Digital Illustration_: Vector graphics, illustration, and visual storytelling.
*Learn from the Best Resources*
1. _Adobe Creative Cloud tutorials_: Official tutorials for Adobe programs.
2. _Skillshare_: Wide range of design courses and workshops.
3. _YouTube_: Channels like The Futur, Design Milk, and Will Paterson.
4. _Udemy_: Online courses for design and creative skills.
*Build Your Portfolio and Skills*
1. _Start with simple exercises_: Design logos, icons, or social media graphics.
2. _Participate in design challenges_: Join online communities like Dribbble or Behance.
3. _Collaborate with others_: Find fellow design enthusiasts for projects.
4. _Build a portfolio_: Showcase your work on Behance or Wix.
*Master Time Management and Goal Setting*
1. _Dedicate time for learning_: Allocate time for design practice.
2. _Break goals into smaller tasks_: Divide larger goals into achievable tasks.
3. _Stay organized_: Use Trello or Todoist for progress tracking.
*Stay Inspired and Motivated*
1. _Follow design blogs and websites_: Stay updated with design trends.
2. _Join online design communities_: Participate in forums like Reddit's r/design.
3. _Attend design events or workshops_: Network with designers and learn from experts.
*Remember*
- Consistent practice, dedication, and a willingness to learn are key to success.
- Explore different design fields before committing to one.
- Your school's focus on design and these resources will provide a solid foundation.
Good luck, and have fun exploring the world of design!
Keep practicing until you achieve it
Pierre’s Answer
Congratulations on having a goal in mind and a drive to want to learn as much as possible as early as possible. I believe I understand what you're going through. Design schools want to teach the basics the first year, and it's often a year or two before you can start taking courses in topics that are specific to the kinds of things you really want to learn.
Having said this, we live in a different world now where information is much more readily available. Back when I was in college, you had far fewer options. Libraries were helpful but the internet didn't exist and college was a necessity. Today, there are plenty of online courses you can take to either supplement or replace a college education. Thankfully you have access to all of Adobe's software as this is a huge opportunity to take advantage of before you have to pay for it yourself.
If you have the talent, acquiring the information is the easy part. Applying the information is more difficult and getting "seen" is perhaps the most difficult of all. I was lucky because I had talent. I would suggest remaining open to all sorts of opportunities that life provides...you never know what doors will open when you choose to go down one path rather than another. Even though I went to film school, I still understood the basics of design and was able to pivot to a design job later in life when animation work was not as plentiful as it was when I first started out.
If you feel stymied by your school's curriculum and want to get a head start, you have so many more options than I did when I was younger. I happen to like courses that Udemy offers. They often offer courses at a discount (anywhere from $5 to $15 dollars rather than $50 to $150) and I've personally learned a lot from them.
I also really like the courses available on Domestika as well. Again, I would take advantage of their discounts which they offer on a regular basis. They happen to use international teachers who might not speak a language you understand but the subtitles help and their teachers are uniformly wonderful.
Of course, YouTube is a fantastic free resource. There are multi-part tutorials available for nearly any topic or else hyper-focused tutorials available if you're trying to learn one specific technique. Frankly, I'm a YouTube junkie and enjoy watching tutorials about all sorts of topics. When everyone might be watching something frivolous, I'm likely learning something new on YouTube. The information available there is as broad or hyper-focused as you need.
I hope this helps and good luck in all that you do in the future!
Nissa Burkhalter
Nissa’s Answer
First of all, kudos to you for taking the initiative and diving headfirst into the world of design. It’s great that you’re passionate and eager to start learning! With access to all the Adobe programs, you’re already off to a fantastic start.
Here’s my friendly advice to get you going:
1. Self-Study: Utilize online resources like YouTube tutorials, Adobe’s own learning platform, and websites like Skillshare and Udemy. These can help you get a feel for different tools and techniques.
2. Experiment: Don’t hesitate to play around with the Adobe software. Try replicating designs you like or creating your own from scratch. The more you experiment, the more you’ll learn.
3. Projects: Work on personal projects, even if they’re small. This could be anything from designing a poster for a friend to creating a digital art piece. The key is to practice and build a portfolio.
4. Community: Join design forums, groups, or even social media communities. Engaging with other designers can provide valuable feedback and inspiration.
5. Books & Articles: There are plenty of great books on design principles, color theory, typography, and more. Reading up on these topics can deepen your understanding and help you develop a good design eye.
6. Online Courses: If you want a more structured approach, consider enrolling in online courses. Platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and even Adobe’s own courses can be very helpful.
7. Stay Open-Minded: It's completely normal to change your major in college and even your career path once or twice. Don't stress too much about it now. Focus on learning and exploring your interests. What's important is finding what truly excites and motivates you.
Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Embrace the learning process, stay curious, and most importantly, have fun with it. You’ve got this!
Warm regards,
Nissa
Dr’s Answer
It’s awesome that you already have access to Adobe Creative Cloud—that gives you a huge head start in learning motion design! Since you’re eager to start now, here’s a clear roadmap to get you going if I understood your question right ofcourse! 😁
Step 1: Understand Motion Design Basics
Firstly Motion Design is a mix of graphic design, animation, and video editing. Think of title sequences, animated logos, explainer videos, and VFX.
The Best Beginner-Friendly Software:
Adobe After Effects (Industry standard for motion graphics)
Adobe Premiere Pro (For video editing basics)
Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop (For designing assets used in animations)
Start a small goal like, Learn how to animate simple objects and text to get familiar with motion design principles.
Step 2: Take Beginner Courses
Since you have Adobe programs, start with:
Adobe’s Free Tutorials – Adobe After Effects Learn & Support
Motion Design School – Great for structured learning
Ben Marriott (YouTube) – A must-follow for motion designers
School of Motion (Paid, but excellent) – High-quality, industry-level courses
Envato Tuts+ (Free & Paid) – Tons of After Effects tutorials
Try this: Complete at least 2 small animations (e.g., animated text, logo motion, or simple character movement).
My brother who is developing his own games and animations recommends trying Moho, however it is paid. Or you could also try Synfig Studio, just search if I got the spelling right! 😅
Step 3: Work on Small Projects
Now, it’s time to practice. Wihh practice you can get veyy far even if you end up with garbage.... Which you wouldn't! Still it is best to start!
You can try Logo animations – Pick a logo and make it move creatively.
Or Kinetic typography – Animate words to appear dynamically.
Social media ads – Create a simple motion ad for a fake or real business.(like me) 😎
Explainer video – Try animating a short 10-15 second explainer. It helps get practice!
Here is what I can tell you to start as a goal: Build a mini portfolio with 3-5 motion design pieces.
Step 4: Join Motion Design Communities & Get Feedback
Reddit (r/motiondesign) – Ask questions & share work
Motionographer – Get inspired by pro-level motion design
Discord & Facebook Groups – Connect with other designers
Your Goal here is to Get feedback on your work and learn industry tips.
Step 5: Start Freelancing (Optional, but Recommended)😏
Once you're comfortable, you can start getting paid gigs! Try:
Fiverr & Upwork – Offer simple motion graphics services
99designs & Behance – Showcase your work & attract clients
Cold emailing businesses – Many small businesses need motion design but don’t know where to start.
If you are doing this you cna sit yourself to Earn your first freelance gig (even if it’s small!).
You’re already ahead by taking initiative—just start creating! Motion design is one of those skills where you learn best by doing. Good luck, stay curious and keep practicing! I believe you can achieve whatever you seek as long you are dedicated and passionate! 😎🤗
Dr recommends the following next steps: