Movement can explain what statics cannot show. We talk about motion design.
Once a static frame starts moving, it becomes a graphic animation, an animated picture, but not a motion design. When
the image comes to life and additional meaning appears - that’s when we talk about motion design.
A motion design product is a video story told over time. Creating such a video, even a very short one, is a labor-intensive and expensive task.
The profession of a motion designer combines a huge amount of skills, knowledge and abilities. This is a designer-orchestra: screenwriter, artist, director, cameraman, editor, producer, sound designer and even programmer.
Motion design as we know it today owes its appearance to almost 200 years of animation history. Many techniques invented then are still actively used by motion designers today.
Thaumatrope is a toy based on an optical illusion: when you quickly rotate a circle with two drawings on different sides, they are perceived as one. It was especially popular in the Victorian era. The possible inventor of the thaumatrope is the English physician John Ayrton Paris.
An example of a thaumatrope. Ichabod Crane toy from Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow
A phenakistiscope is a laboratory device for demonstrating moving patterns, the design of which is based on persistence - the inertia of human vision. Joseph Plateau is considered the inventor of the phenakistiscope. Almost simultaneously with Plateau, Simon von Stampfer invented a device very similar to the phenakistiscope, and called it a stroboscope.
General view of the phenakistiscope
A zoetrope is a device for demonstrating moving pictures, the design of which is based on the inertia of human vision. William George Horner is considered the inventor of the zoetrope.
Zoetrope
Emile Reynaud improved the zoetrope by combining it with a magic lantern, which allowed not one person to view moving pictures, but several at the same time.
In honor of Reynaud's first show of "luminous pantomimes" in 1892, October 28 is celebrated as International Animation Day. The holiday was approved by ASIFA in 2002.
Reynaud began to use a permanent set, drawing it separately from the characters and transmitting it to the screen through a separate magic lantern. He was the first to synchronize image and sound, and he also composed the musical accompaniment for his films himself.
Raynaud used some techniques that became the basis of animation technology. These include separate drawing of characters and scenery.
The year of the official birth of cinema. Public paid sessions of the brothers Auguste and Louis Lumière turned out to be more popular and successful from a commercial point of view than all other endeavors, which is why Lumière is considered to be the founders of cinematography.
The first full-length film in history with synchronized speech soundtrack in 1927 was the musical film “The Jazz Singer”, created using Vitafon technology with sound on a gramophone record.
Cinematography became the medium in which motion design was born, and it received significant development in the 50s in the United States, thanks to designers such as Saul Bass, Maurice Binder and Pablo Ferro. At that time, animated titles and logos began to appear on television. This is how a turning point occurred: animation ceased to be solely a tool for entertainment and received functional tasks.
The main application is titles and futuristic interfaces. Titles can be considered the progenitor of such a modern trend as motion identity.
Motion is used everywhere in it. Emotional videos with a short but capacious plot, designed for emotional perception.
Video content is gradually replacing all other types of content. It's easier to watch a training video than read a manual. Movement is more interesting than static, it fascinates and captivates. They try to use videos everywhere: in presentations, reports, lessons, explanations of working with services.
This is a laser show, where the “screen” for 3D projection is the facades of buildings - while the geometry of the building, its architecture and location are played out.
This is a fairly new direction, a symbiosis of design, programming and show. Interactivity helps make user interfaces expressive and easy to use. Motion design is one of the most popular areas today. Applicable in the following areas:
An example of site interface animation from Sergey Gurov
In order to create cool motion projects, you need special software. A motion designer has a wide range of tools in his arsenal, from basic design tools to highly specialized ones. These tools are used in all of the above areas of motion design, from film to web.
A popular and powerful tool that is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud line of products and is perfectly integrated with them.
Software for working with vector images. It is mainly used to create logos, vector illustrations and backgrounds for subsequent use in motion graphics. Just like Photoshop, it easily integrates, for example, with After Effects.
Perhaps one of the most important programs for mastering motion design. After Effects is a 2.5D animation program.
Motion design is a digital discipline that applies the principles of graphic design to the production of video content through the use of animation and visual effects. A modern motion designer, in addition to graphics, interacts with such components as time, space and sound. And moreover, now designers are not limited at all by reality as such. Today, motion technologies allow us to show the wonders of creativity, creating transcendental fantasy worlds that amaze the imagination. But let’s figure out what trends will be especially in demand in the coming year, what’s new in digital visualization technology, and what styles and techniques you should pay attention to in order to keep your finger on the pulse and keep up to date with the modern realities of motion design.
1. Complex visual effects
Explosions, natural disasters, dinosaurs and transformers... Such scenes cannot be filmed in real life. But thanks to visual effects, we can see them in films or commercials. By combining real video with computer graphics, you can easily transport the viewer to another magical reality where everything is possible. It is not surprising that this type of motion animation is becoming increasingly popular. It is a hybrid of technology and craftsmanship that gives viewers an exclusive visual experience. Make sure that interesting visuals are included in your marketing campaign. This is a trend that cannot be ignored.
2. 3D animation
The undoubted flagship of the coming year is moving 3D graphics. She really is everywhere. The combination of 3D, animation, sound and video opens up great possibilities for showcasing incredible scenes that designers were previously unable to depict. We see 3D shapes in game design, in marketing videos and presentations, and in explainer videos. This tool can be extremely beneficial to highlight the advantages of a product or service. So, 3D expansion will continue in the coming year.
3. Combination of 2D and 3D graphics
This trend became fashionable at the end of 2017. This year its popularity will only increase. Design ninjas continue to test new approaches and work on an amazing combination of 2D and 3D graphics. As proof, we can see many new examples not only in high-budget offline advertising, but also in digital advertising and marketing. And this is not surprising. The 3D graphics design itself can be quite expensive, while simple 2D animation is not always sufficient. A thoughtful combination of both results in visually appealing graphics at an affordable price.
4. Colorful color palettes
Color has a huge impact on any visual message or storytelling. It can double the emotional impact, clarify motivation, or set the right mood. So, how to choose the most suitable color? The answer is that your design needs to stand out. And bright, bold colors are ruling the digital design world right now. Remember that color is also a form of brand expression. The animation color palette for the coming year inspires positivity. Don't be afraid to use the visual power of color to keep your animation looking fresh and spicy.
5. Animated gif logo
Animated logo design is a very hot trend that will continue to evolve throughout 2019. The eye-catching magic of moving elements is now heavily used in logo animation, causing letters to warp, rearrange, expand, transform, hide, show and rotate. We will certainly witness the emergence of more and more new ways of such logo effects that will attract the attention of users. Try using this trend in your next project to create something truly unique.
6. Animation of fonts and titles
Using animated fonts and titles is a trendy way to grab your audience's attention and also convey a message to them. Moreover, all kinds of text transformations can be truly fascinating and creative. And, undoubtedly, they will decorate any project.
7. Retro motion graphics
Retro style again serves as a source of inspiration for motion designers. Retro is what will help you stand out in the coming year. If you're bold enough to combine retro and modern visuals, your audience will undoubtedly appreciate your experimentation and keep coming back for more exciting new offerings. Retro effects in motion look cool, they evoke nostalgic memories and can attract a much wider range of audiences than expected.
8. Micro Interactions in Web & Apps
The user quickly makes a decision - to leave or stay on the site or application. And in this case, interesting interface animation, interesting transitions and unexpected discoveries will help you significantly increase the competitiveness of your resource. Micro interactions are very subtle animations that enhance the user experience and allow the user to interact with the interface in an instant.
9. Kinetic typography
We were always taught not to stretch or deform words under any circumstances. And here you go, in defiance of this statement, a new trend was born - kinetic typography or moving text. It is a technique that combines movement and text to express ideas or emotions using video animation. So now designers are stretching, twisting, pixelating and reshaping text in all directions, often forming almost three-dimensional structures out of letters.
10. Visualization of torn text
This trend is not new, but it has received a new impetus that takes it to a whole new level. Words are rendered in different ways - they can appear gradually, one after another, located at different levels, or the letters themselves can be deconstructed and scattered across the screen. They can be animated, for example, in a poetic manner, offering a visual representation of the actual meanings of the words.
11. Morphing
Fade or morphing is one of those trends that will always remain in our hearts and that is why it has been so popular for many years. Nowadays, designers are introducing this elegant technique with a more modern approach. The lack of breaks between scenes creates a video with a very fluid feel, where scenes subtly blend into each other and act as an eye-catcher, drawing viewers' attention to the image while other elements change in the background.
12. Fine lines
In general, the lines are clearly underrated. Despite their simplicity, they have an endless number of design functions: directional guidance, defining shapes, separating elements, and much more. Today, the possibilities for the humble line are becoming endless. We can now see the increasing use of lines in motion design as they are integrated and animated to create various effects such as creating outlines of shapes, forming patterns and embellishments.
13. Liquid motion animation
Liquid motion, the movement of liquid, is a style that involves the flow of one element into another, accompanied by characteristic splashes, drops and waves. It dilutes well the severity of the geometric forms of conventional shape animation, and its elements can also be used to create accents and emphasize the necessary details.
14. Macro typography
Another notable trend in the design world is large, dominant typography. This technique allows you to clearly convey your message to the user in a bold and unambiguous way using words that visually capture the screen.
15. Cinemagraphy
Cinemagraphs are photographs in which small, repetitive movements occur. They are usually presented in gif format and give the viewer the illusion of watching a video. are obtained by creating a series of photographs from a video recording with subsequent processing in a graphics editor, when the photographs are combined into a continuous cycle of successive frames so that the animated object is perceived as a continuously repeating movement, in contrast to the rest of the stationary part of the image.
16. Digital surrealism
This style depicts a surreal virtual world composed of unusual visual elements and materials that seem both familiar and imaginary. The combination of textures and digital design creates movement that would be impossible in real life - from bubbles that never pop, to objects that evaporate into thin air or defy gravity, and liquids that magically turn into solids.
If you asked me when is it easier to learn motion design, now or 5-10 years ago? I wouldn't be able to answer with certainty.
Previously (5-10 years ago), in order to find information, you had to dig deep on the Internet. And then there were only 2-3 sites that published tutorials. Today there is so much information that it is difficult to find what is really necessary and important. There are a lot of lessons, a lot of tutorials, so where to start?
For many people, motion design is associated with Adobe After Effects. And this is not surprising, because this is one of the most popular and convenient programs for creating animation. To tell the truth, it doesn’t matter what program you work in, Flash, Photoshop, After Effects or others, what matters is how harmonious and tasty you can create animation. Software is just a tool with the help of which the artist’s idea is realized.
The first thing I recommend is to learn the basics of graphic design, laying a foundation on which to build a strong understanding and taste in motion design. To learn the software, you need to spend several months or even weeks, but to develop taste and learn the theory - this can take much longer. Of course, it is important to study everything in parallel. But pay special attention to the laws and principles in design.
When I started learning motion, I started with mastering After Effects, and to be honest, it couldn't be called motion design, it was more like moving objects in chaos :-). But, studying the work of graphic designers and professional motion designers, I began to understand what works and how.
What design theory do I need to know?
1. Color
It is important to understand how to choose and combine colors correctly. A common mistake beginners make is the lack of a unified color palette in the project, which results in disharmony in the frame. You need to understand and know the psychology of color, what is the difference between warm and cold colors, how a certain color affects a person.
2. Composition
This is the foundation of the foundations in motion design. Knowledge of composition will help you make each frame interesting and harmonious, you will learn to distinguish the main from the secondary. You need to know what the golden ratio is, perspectives, what types of perspectives exist, how to correctly arrange objects. Analysis of paintings by artists and analysis of the works of graphic designers will greatly help in studying composition.
In addition to the three basics, it is important to know other important things. I recommend learning the 12 principles of animation. This will help you create more dynamic and memorable videos:
It is also important to know, since motion design is as close as possible to video and cinema, and you need to know what parts the story is built from and how to influence the viewer. I recommend several books:
Mitta “Cinema Between Hell and Heaven”
Million Dollar Story
In addition, knowledge of the basics of filming will be a big plus for you. Knowing what aperture, focal length, shutter speed are. What is the difference between a long-angle lens and a wide-angle lens? All this will give you a strong foundation and will serve as an excellent support when creating animation.
Don't forget to visit exhibitions and galleries. Look and see what and how it works in art.
I hope this article will be useful to you and will become a starting point into the mysterious world of motion. Next, I will tell you what software you need to know for motion design and where to start, but in practice.
If you're serious about getting into motion design, this skill will help you consolidate what you've learned. Every time you see work that inspires or resonates with you, ask yourself questions such as:
– How harmonious does the image look in terms of composition?
– What fonts were used, how they are combined
– What techniques does he use?
It is very important to collect useful and inspiring materials in one place. This could be a separate folder on your computer, an album on Pinterest, or a notebook in Evernote. The advantage of the latter option is smart file sorting - you can create notebooks, individual notes and assign specific tags to them. And all this can be viewed from your phone, browser or laptop.
Proper sorting of the information found will help you easily find the videos, photographs or illustrations you need. In this way, you will develop your taste and understand what you like and what is beautiful and cool in motion design for you.
Make it a habit to find 1-2 inspiring videos or images every day and add them to your library. In just 30 days you will have 30-60 cool works that will serve as a source of inspiration.
Also write in the comments what topics you would be interested in learning about motion design, and perhaps you will receive answers to them in the near future.
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Hi all! In this article I will talk about such an interesting phenomenon in the design industry as motion design.
So, what is motion design?
Many of you have seen animated videos with moving pictures or letters on the Internet or on TV. Such videos are usually used in advertising screensavers. All this movement on the screen is called motion design.
In other words, motion design is bringing graphics to life using animation. A static image enters the world of motion design as soon as it begins to move.
You can see a clear example of how motion works below. First look at the image in a still state, then press the play button and everything will become clear to you.
In the same way, you can “revive” any graphic objects.
When using motion graphics, you can convey any information to the client in a simple and clear way. Do you want to tell your client about your company? Instead of boring text and static pictures, create a motion video.
Motion design originated from the beginnings of cinema and received significant development in the 50s in the USA, thanks to designers such as Saul Bass, Maurice Binder and Pablo Ferro. At that time, animated titles and logos began to appear on television.
This art form has continued to evolve for 50 years and has experienced a boom in the last 15 years due to the development of digital technology.
Today, motion graphics is a relevant and popular form of creativity and an interesting hobby.
Developing video clips with 2D motion graphics is a very fascinating process that you can’t tear yourself away from.
The promotional video made for the film “The Elusive” evokes an irrepressible desire to watch this film in its entirety.
Thanks to the high market demand for motion graphics, your passion for motion videos can develop into a well-paid profession.
Let me give examples of several areas where motion design is widely used:
Some may say that motion design is difficult and expensive. That motion can only be done by super specialists with extensive work experience, but I dare to assure you that all this is nothing more than a myth.
Anyone can learn how to make high-quality videos with motion graphics. It certainly sounds incredible, but despite the wild popularity of motion graphics, there were practically no training courses on this topic on the Internet. But with the advent of the “Super Motion” course, everything changed.
The authors of the course made the lessons on motion graphics accessible and understandable to everyone. The video course is filled with high-quality and useful content to make it interesting for both beginners and more advanced After Effects users.
To maximize the effect of the course, all lessons in the course consist only of practical lessons. No boring theory, just practice. After completing each chapter of the course, you will create a finished video.
To confirm my words, I will give a review video of one of the chapters of the course on motion design.
Looking at these videos, it may seem that you cannot do something like this, but in fact it is easier than it seems. You can see this for yourself by visiting the course page and reading reviews from real students.
There is one more thing that I would like to draw your attention to - the lack of competition in the motion design market. But in another couple of years, more specialists in this field will appear and the motion design niche will be occupied.
If you are a creative person and have decided to be the first among those who want to try themselves in a new promising type of design - go for it. And the video course “Super Motion” will help you!
Note! By promotional code SUPERMOTION_10EB you will receive a discount - 15% to purchase the course
P.S. Read how to apply a promotional code
