Are you a Graphic Designer who wants to take the next step? Or maybe you are fascinated by visual effects and animation? If you are thinking of changing to a career in motion graphics, you may be wondering if you are making the right choice. You may question what kinds of businesses and organizations hire Motion Graphics Designers, what they do every day, and how much they typically earn. Here are some answers to these and other questions to help you decide if motion graphics is the right career for you.
Where Do Motion Graphics Designers Work?
Motion Graphics Designers often work in the motion picture and television industry, but they are also employed in advertising, the music business, UX/UI design firms, computer companies, and game development teams. Some land full-time, salaried positions, but many work as freelancers.
What Do Motion Graphics Designers Do?
Motion Graphics Designers create computer animations that bring text and graphics to life on the screen. They often work as part of a video editing team to produce a video, film, television show, documentary, or advertisement. Motion Graphics Designers create the title and credit sequence in movies and television shows and sections of videos that explain concepts. Any text that moves on a screen has been created by a Motion Graphics Designer.
How Hard is Motion Graphics?
Motion graphics involves concentrating for long hours in front of a computer screen and working with digital tools to create animated effects. The software is complicated and challenging, and it takes inner motivation and drive to keep at the task. If you are creative, love working with technology, and are able to dig in and stick with a job until it is done right, motion graphics design would be a good career for you.
Motion graphics is a creative field, and although it requires technical knowledge, the workday is similar to any artist. It can include planning upcoming projects, using software to add animated text and special effects to videos, creating animation mockups, or conferring with team members and clients. Much of the work is solitary and involves many hours of sitting in front of screens.
What Are Job Prospects Like for Motion Graphics Designers?
The US Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects that motion graphics and other tech fields will grow by 16% through 2030, so the chance of finding a job in motion graphics is very good. Some people start as Video Editors and then specialize later in their careers. It is also possible to progress to jobs as art directors, producers, or directors. Jobs in motion graphics pay an annual median salary of $77,700.
Do I Need to Go to College?
An impressive portfolio of work is more important for getting a job as a Motion Graphics Designer than a college degree. Many people who work in the field get bachelor's degrees in computer animation and art. These degrees require drawing, painting, sculpture, computer animation, and video production classes. If you are artistic and enjoy meticulous work with computers, Motion Graphics Designer just might be the right career for you.
Important Qualities for Motion Graphics Designers
People who want to pursue a career in motion graphics need some artistic ability and an affinity for technology. Artistic ability is a must to work as a Motion Graphics Designer. You will need to make sketches for storyboards and mockups, and you will also need to translate a client's ideas into art. Designers should also have a good understanding of color theory, textures, light effects, and typography.
You need to enjoy working with digital products to be a Motion Graphics Designer. Motion graphics is all about technology, so designers need a strong technical background and an interest in keeping up with new developments. You will spend most of your time behind a screen, so enjoying that aspect of the job will make it much more fun.
Communication skills are also important. Motion Graphics Designers need to talk with clients and/or team members during projects and get their ideas across effectively, whether working alone or as part of a team. They also need to understand what clients or employers are expecting of them.
Time-management skills are another essential aspect of a successful Motion Graphics Designer. The ability to set and meet deadlines is crucial in the film and television industries and other areas where Motion Graphics Designers work. The hours can be long when a project is close to the deadline, and the ability to make and meet realistic schedules is an important part of the job.
Learning Motion Graphics Design
If you are artistic and motion graphics sounds interesting, it is easy to take courses to change careers. Schools and training programs are available that offer intensive classes in software and technique. You can choose classes that meet in-person or online to learn After Effects, Photoshop, and Illustrator. Some people prefer to attend brick-and-mortar sessions when learning new information, but that isn't always available. Live online classes have a similar set-up with a real-time, remote instructor who can answer questions and take control of your monitor—with permission—to show you how to do things. Training is part or full-time and available weekdays, weeknights, or weekends.
The best way to prepare for a career shift to a technical field like Motion Graphics Desing is to enroll in a bootcamp or certificate program. These are intensive training courses that run for a few weeks to a few months and will cover the topic in much more depth than tutorials can. Another plus of training is that you will leave the class with a professional-quality portfolio of sample videos that you can show to prospective employers.
Conclusion
Learn motion graphics design and start a new career. Check out Noble Desktop's motion graphics courses. Choose between in-person sessions in NYC at Noble's location or sign up for live online motion graphics courses and attend from anywhere. Use Noble Desktop's Classes Near Me to find other courses in motion graphics in your area.