Motion Graphics Artists

High School

Take as many art and design courses as possible—especially those that focus on illustration, digital design, Web design, animation, video game development, and the digital editing of art, video, and photographs. Motion graphics artists must know how to effectively promote their work, so classes in marketing, branding, social media, English, and speech will be useful.

Postsecondary Education

An extremely talented motion graphics artist can enter the field without a college degree, but many employers prefer applicants with a bachelor’s degree. Motion graphics artists have degrees in digital design, graphic design, multimedia design, animation, computer and video game design, fine art, or human-computer interaction. Many schools are adding courses on motion graphics. Students also participate in internships, cooperative education programs, part-time jobs, and volunteer opportunities to obtain practical experience while they learn.

Certification

Many colleges and universities provide undergraduate and graduate certificate programs in motion graphics, digital design, animation, video game development, and related fields. These programs typically last six months to a year. For example, the Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, California, offers a certificate in animation. Students will learn how to develop all aspects of a concept, including characters, backgrounds, storytelling, and a final storyboard; get an overview of the fundamentals of design, including typography, graphic design, and digital storytelling; learn how to use software such as Adobe Premiere, After Effects, and Cinema 4D; learn about motion graphics via several classes; and be instructed in the art of post-production techniques using editing, music, and sound. The New School in New York offers a motion design and animation certificate to students who complete the following courses: Storytelling with Motion Graphics and Animation; Motion Design 1 with After Effects; and Motion Design 2 with After Effects. Other schools that offer certificates and concentrations in motion graphics include the Fashion Institute of Technology, Webster University, and Indiana University.

Professional associations and for-profit, online learning platforms (OLPs) offer shorter-term (i.e., a few days to two to three months) certificate programs. For example, AIGA, the professional association for design, offers a wide range of certificates via its Certificates for Creatives program. Certificates are available in communication and presentation, collaboration and relationship management, project management, small business management, technology, and other areas. Visit https://www.aiga.org/professional-development/certificates-for-creatives for more information.

Other Education or Training

Continuing education opportunities (i.e., webinars, in-person classes) are offered by professional associations (e.g., AIGA, the Graphic Artists Guild), OLPs (such as Udemy, which offers Become a Motion Graphic Artist: The Complete Course and other classes), and colleges, universities, art schools (such as the School of Motion), and other postsecondary schools.