Learn more about Video Editing
Interested in becoming a video editor or motion graphics artist? Noble has a suite of video editing and motion graphics workshops, classes, and certificate programs to help you learn the skills and techniques necessary to be a successful motion graphics artist.
The first step is to understand the difference between video editing and motion graphics. With that information, you can then decide which software would be a better fit for your needs. Of course, there is some overlap in skills, theory, and methodology, and many experts ultimately work in several different software programs to complete their projects. Still, for those looking for guidance as to where to begin, this is a good place to start.
With this information, you can decide what software is best for you, and which classes you should take to learn the software and master important skills.
Video Editing vs. Motion Graphics
Video Editing
Video editors cut, move, and manipulate videos to create a completed video product. They put together video, photos and layouts that emphasize the content of the photo itself, rather than the design of the layout being used. Basic stop-motion animation also falls within the video editing category.
Motion Graphics
Motion graphics is about enhancing a multi-layered design through movement. For example, a motion graphics artist might create a beautiful layout, and then highlight each aspect of that layout in a specific sequence by manipulating individual elements in a way that brings the design to life.
Theory, Methodology, and Foundational Knowledge
Video editing takes cues from cinematography, psychology, and photography.
In addition to those design concepts, motion graphics also take cues from the principles of graphic design, including typography, composition, color, and the use of layers, as well as character animation and illustration. For this reason, many graphic designers often prove to be very successful as motion graphics artists. For those of us who aren’t experienced graphic designers, even a basic understanding of graphic design principles or Photoshop’s layers can be radically helpful in creating high-quality motion graphics and animations.
Video editing is accessible to a very wide range of students. People who tend to grasp video editing concepts and skills the fastest include anyone with knowledge of time-based media (such as music or audio files) and students with knowledge of layers in Photoshop. If you’ve ever edited video or audio in iMovie, Garage Band, SoundCloud, or Photoshop’s Timeline, then you’re already well on your way to becoming a skilled video editor!
What software should I learn?
Video Editing
- Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro X are the two most popular video editing software programs available.
- In our Premiere Pro Bootcamp, students build upon their basic knowledge with several dynamic editing projects, while also learning how to organize files and export final projects to a variety of formats. Students will progress to more advanced features, including multicam editing, color correction, stop-motion loops, and more. Students will work through real projects with instructor guidance to strengthen their knowledge of the material.
- In our Premiere Pro in a Day class, students get a basic overview of how to use the software as they complete a project that incorporates audio, video clips, and graphics in simple yet elegant ways.
- In our Final Cut Pro X class, students will work on real-world film projects to understand the basic video editing concepts within the Final Cut Pro software. Students will learn about file structure and organization, how to import and export videos, how to work with Photoshop files, basic film editing principles, and more.
Motion Graphics
- In our After Effects courses, students learn how to use sophisticated movements to enhance their designs. This is no simple task, as projects often entail animating files that have up to 20 layers. Nevertheless, our hands-on activities help students to grasp these skills in a step-by-step, logical manner.
- In our Cinema 4D class, students will learn the basics of creating and animating objects in 3D using Cinema4D. Learn different ways to create basic 3D models, assign looks and colors, and create animations.
What types of people are learning these skills?
Anyone who would like to be able to edit their own videos would benefit from Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro X video editing classes.
Motion Graphics, on the other hand, is a specialized set of skills that are not commonly transferrable to other industries or professions. In other words, if you aren’t planning on working day-to-day with motion graphics projects, then mastering these skills may not be a worthwhile investment.
In that case, our After Effects in a Day class will give you just the right taste of the software and skills (such as working with layers and working with a timeline and framerates), so that you can then decide whether or not you’d like to pursue additional training.
In another example, many of our After Effects Level 1 students are creative directors and supervisors, who come with the goal of learning enough skills, techniques, and theory to provide high-quality, direct support for their motion designers.
