Learn about After Effects’ capabilities for creating GIFs, animating logos, and importing layered files from Illustrator and Photoshop.
Get started in this one-day workshop, or dive right into our intensive After Effects Level 1
Course Syllabus
Section 1
Intro to After Effects
- The Project, Composition, & Timeline panels
- Importing a Layered File with all its Layers Intact
- Using Title Safety to ensure TV viewers can see the text
Working with Keyframes
- Animating in the Class Names
- Previewing in real time
- Adding Easing
- Sliding Over the Entire Class List
- Animating the Icons
- Animating the “In a Day” Title
- Adding Motion Blur
- Trimming Off Extra Time
Outputting to GIF
- Exporting from After Effects
- Making the Animated GIF in Photoshop
- Reducing the Number of Frames
Section 2
Noble Logo Animation: Anchor Points & Animating with Overshoot
- Converting an Illustrator file from CMYK to RGB
- Animating the black square to overshoot its final size
- Changing where the rectangles scale from by moving layer anchor points
- Setting layer in points using the In column
- Keeping vector layers sharp as they scale up
Noble Logo: Masking Layers & Parenting
- Pre-composing layers
- Hiding the letters before they animate using masks
- Moving the entire logo away from the rising letters using parenting
Noble Logo: Rotation, Fade-Outs, & Rendering
- Adding anticipation keyframes before a major animation
- Animating the Rotation property
- Adding a fade to white using a solid color layer
- How to find missing project files
Optional Bonus: Preparing an Illustrator File for Animation
- Resizing artboards & vector graphics
- Setting up layers to individually animate elements in After Effects
Bonus: HBO Intro Sequence
Importing Flattened Files & Adding Easing
- Importing a layered PSD as a merged file
- Isolating HBO logo, Feature & Presentation text using masks
- Creating fade-ins & fade-outs
- Adding automatic easing to slow down portions of the animation
Working with Numerous Layers
- Familiarizing ourselves with the Photoshop layout: layers extending outside canvas bounds, guides
- Scaling up each tile using a single null object and Parenting
- Randomizing the order in which the photos animate in
- Orchestrating the exit animation so the tiles fall down in diagonal groups
Vector Layouts
- Animating vector shapes using the Trim Paths feature
- Continuous rasterization
- More null objects: animating the three pay television content descriptors
Putting It All Together & Adding Audio
- Sequencing multiple compositions
- Animating like an editor: overlapping shots & using blending modes
- Adding audio to a composition
Schedule & Enrollment
- $325
- 6 Hours
- 185 Madison Ave, NYC or live online
- Mac or PC Provided in Class
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Discounts
Discounts
Shorter courses such as this are already affordably priced and are not eligible for discounts.
Payment Plans
This course is not eligible for a payment plan, which is only available for programs priced at $2,495 and above. Read our Payment Plan FAQ for more details.
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June 8
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July 17
Friday, 10–5pm
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March 17–19
Tuesday & Thursday, 6–9pm
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October 12–14
Monday & Wednesday, 6–9pm
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I need to bring anything to the class?
No. We provide computers (Mac or PC) with After Effects installed. Choose your operating system at checkout.
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Does this course require any prior knowledge or experience?
Students must be comfortable using a computer. No other prior knowledge is required.
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Do you offer discounts or a payment plan for this course?
Discounts
Shorter courses such as this are already affordably priced and are not eligible for discounts.
Payment Plan
This course is not eligible for a payment plan, which is only available for programs priced at $2,495 and above. Read our Payment Plan FAQ for more details.
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Can I take this course online (remote learning)?
You may attend this training virtually (online) at the scheduled time the course is offered (New York, Eastern Time).
How does attending “live online” work?
- Students can attend this training remotely through screen sharing software (we use Zoom).
- Participants can hear the instruction, ask questions, and even share their screen with the instructor.
- For audio you can use your computer’s microphone/speakers or call a phone number that we’ll provide.
- Classes are activity-based and taught by a live instructor, so we strongly encourage students who are local to the area to attend in person!
Corporate & Onsite After Effects Training
Purchase group class vouchers at a discount for our regularly-scheduled group classes in New York, or create a custom training program at your offices.
Private Training
- Available onsite at your location
- Modern computer labs in Midtown Manhattan
- Customize or choose from our existing courses
- Free instructor consultations to finalize content
Or
Group Class Vouchers
- Send employees to our group classes
- Extensive offerings and flexible scheduling
- Simple billing and logistics
- Computers and training resources provided
We’ve trained thousands of companies!
Let us create the perfect program for your team.
Get Started in After Effects at Noble Desktop
This After Effects course will have you using professional techniques as you create animated GIFs, logos, transitions, and more. Learn these skills with hands-on exercises in small classes led by a leading motion graphics instructor.
Industry Expert Instructor
This course is taught by Kalika Kharkar Sharma, an industry-experienced instructor who has produced animations for a wide range of clientele including CNBC, Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network. Kalika brings years of experience teaching motion graphics and traditional and digital character animation at renowned art schools including NYU, Pratt Institute and Rhode Island School of Design.
Learn After Effects in a Day
This class is designed to get you up and running quickly with the fundamentals of the application. You’ll dive in and learn enough to start using the program on your own. If you only have one day to spare, this is the class for you.
Learn, then Practice Teaching Method
“After Effects in a Day was awesome. We started by watching, then doing. I like that the approach was exercise-based, as opposed to going through every single tool and interface (like some other trainings I've been to). It’s my preferred way to learn, and I came away learning more than I anticipated!”
Lisa Keller, Graphic Designer + Creative Services Manager
Highly Reviewed by Our Alumni
From our hands-on training style to world-class instructors and proprietary curriculum, we deliver a learning experience our alumni can be proud of.
After Effects In a Day is a great beginner class to learn simple animation basics. Great variety of exercises in the training book. Kalika is a fun and entertaining instructor and she shared some of her own work which is amazing and inspiring!
Victoria Greiss
After Effects in a Day was awesome. We started by watching, then doing. I like that the approach was exercise-based, as opposed to going through every single tool and interface (like some other trainings I’ve been to). It’s my preferred way to learn, and I came away learning more than I anticipated!
Lisa Keller, Penguin Random House
A learning experience that is personal and that actually WORKS, I feel equipped with the right skills I can use on my own!
Jane Crager
Noble Desktop is a great place to take courses and learn a significant amount in a day. I've taken several classes (Photoshop, InDesign, After Effects ) and will continue to return.
Brian Kaplan, BrainKap Communications
I've already messed around with After Effects to create little animations, so I didn't expect to learn a whole lot new in a six hour workshop. Totally wrong; I feel so much more empowered to create more complicated animation projects.
Wen Lung, Landor
This class is perfect if you're looking for an easy, but in depth introduction to After Effects.
Danny Menendez, BuzzFeed
"Super helpful! For an intro class I learned everything I needed to fool around and explore the program for myself without being frustrated looking up "how to's on Google."
michael cracco
After Effects In A Day is a fantastic introduction to After Effects and some of the basic animation possibilities. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking to get their feet wet with After Effects.
Alanna Kellogg, EYP Architecture & Engineering
Noble Desktop has always been my go to place. Their attention to detail, cooperation in working with scheduling and providing top notch instructors makes it a pleasure to work with them. I'll be back!
Lori Zalbowitz Roux, Whole Story Productions
A wonderful introduction! I feel more comfortable playing around with After Effects on my own.
Catherine Gonzalez, Colorlines
As a broad spectrum type of class, it hit on so many key points and features of After Effects. I feel much more capable and confident now. GREAT class!
Kelly Vail, Alpha1 Marketing
After Effects in a Day was a great primer on a very powerful piece of software. I loved the instructor, and am excited to explore more about what AE can do!
Nicholas Moy, Nikon
Fabulous class, taught with personality and real-world situations as examples. Would highly recommend for the graphic designer wanting to put motion into their work.
Sonia, TripleLift
After Effects in a day pretty much gets you up to speed fast. It is like a bullion cube of condensed knowledge that expands into a tasty, filling broth.
Jeff Faerber, Spotco
I came in as a complete beginner, and now I feel like I have enough knowledge to teach myself what I need to know about After Effects. David was super clear and flexible. He helped everyone individually, but explained things very clearly in lecture style as well. Great class!
Natasha Bunzl