Motion designer: pros and cons of the profession

Animation design, motion design, motion graphics, motion graphics, video design are terms that describe the visual design for video content, television and film. All modern motion design is created using computer technology. From simple captions in a video to complex augmented reality graphic elements included in a video, the entire set is a credit to the motion designer.

The term "motion design" itself appeared long before its popularity - in 1960. Perhaps this niche is more terrible to most readers hobiz.ru. It was then that the first graphics began to be used in films to convey their mood. The recognized pioneers among the films that used motion graphics are "The Man with the Golden Hand" (1955), "Vertigo" (1958), "Psycho" (1960).

It was a little more than 40 years before the technology and the profession were popularized. At first it was special cumbersome machines that only movie studios could own. Then, having progressed, at the turn of the 1980s and 1990s, graphic equipment made its way to television. And at the end of the 20th and beginning of the 21st centuries, when computer and internet technology was very advanced, motion design became accessible to almost every modern owner of a computer, laptop, tablet and even smartphone. And that's when the profession of motion design became mainstream. Well, almost. Because the profession is just about to become mainstream.

Who is a motion designer? Tasks to be solved by a specialist

Motion-designer - a specialist generalist, simultaneously working with graphics, animation, video and sound. Simply speaking, it is a person who, on the basis of a boring script or technical task can create an interesting and effective video for the task.

Speaking of tasks, we can briefly describe the four most common sources where they come from. That is, areas where the specialist applies his talent motion graphics. And earns money.

Cinema is the foundation of motion design. As the reader remembers Hobiz from the beginning of this article, the movie is responsible for the emergence of this niche. Here the designer has more than one task. On the conscience of the motion expert are the opening and closing credits, the credits in the film itself. In addition, he should be able to create teasers and trailers.

Television is the second most important field that creates a lot of tasks for a motion designer. There is probably more work here than in movies. Starting from title sequences and titles for TV shows. Finishing with any graphic element that appears in the broadcast. For example, the "Next" promotional strips that tell the viewer what they're going to see next. Taking up almost half of the screen, thereby interfering with the viewing experience. This is done, no doubt, by a talented motion designer.

Internet and media - creating videos for YouTube, advertising content, promotional materials, video design and the like. Thinking back, once again, to the beginning of this article. In a couple of years, 82% of all Internet traffic will be in this niche. That is, every eight out of 10 people will consume content that cannot be created without a motion designer.

Business, training, narrow niches - specialized tasks that came from general cases. Here, too, you need to create commercials, ads, promotional materials. Perhaps, for example, you have to draw title sequences, credits, and the whole program (or even films) for corporate or educational television. In general, to create specialized content for narrow consumption. Limited to corporate tasks. For example, a national natural resources company regularly produces its own television magazine. Which tells the story of the company's accomplishments.

Tools, skills and features of a motion designer

So, having sorted out the areas where a motion designer can make money from his talent. It's worth moving on to answering the question - how will a video designer make money?

Despite the popularization of the profession in motion graphic studio, to master it is not easy. First of all, as such, this specialty is not taught anywhere in its pure form. It stems from close or related professions. For example, a specialist in graphic design - illustrator, having mastered a number of video-graphic software packages, can become a good motion specialist. Or a video cameraman. Or an animator - a cartoonist. It is from this profession comes a lot of specialists in motion design. In general, you need talent first, then you need skill development, and then you can call yourself a motion designer.

Speaking of skills that a motion designer needs. In addition to knowledge of graphic programs and video editors, organizational aspects are also required. So, a good specialist is able not only to create content, but also to organize the joint work on the project of various professionals. That is, if necessary, to work out the details of the terms of reference, write a storyline scenario, pick up solution tools and the like.