What is a Motion Graphics Designer?
A Motion Graphics Designer is responsible for creating complex graphics, animation, and live video content for the web, television, and film.

What is the Job?
Motion Graphics Designers are a fundamental part of the creative process. They are responsible for creating a variety of graphics, such as trailers, advertisements, movie clips and title sequences. They use visual effects and other cinematic techniques to bring life to paper sketches and ideas. Motion graphics design is really a subset of graphic design, taken to the next level, as designers must adopt graphic design principles in video and film production and then apply animation techniques on top.

A Motion Graphics Designer uses their skills to create moving words, logos, text and numbers on screen during a TV show or film. Day to day tasks can including designing graphics and animations using computer software, creating basic designs and drawings with pen and paper, converting static objects into animated objects through modelling and optical scanning and creating animated sequences.

On top of this, a Motion Graphics Designer may be responsible for projecting budgets and timelines and making others aware of the resources required to meet any deadlines. They may also direct and motivate team members, resolve conflicts and be responsible for organising presentations.

Motion graphics are vital in a variety of media settings, and so depending on the type of motion graphics you want to create, you could be working on a film, a TV series, computer games, corporate videos, or working on creating the opening intro for a new mobile app. There is a huge amount of variety in the areas you can work on.

Key Skills

• Knowledge of traditional and classical art.
• Graphic design skills.
• Experience using software such as After Effects, Cinema 4D, Final Cut Pro and Photoshop.
• Strong knowledge of how to animate 2D elements.
• An understanding of colour theory.
• Good communication.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Ability to keep up-to-date on current technology trends and advancements.

Salary & Working Hours
The average salary for a Motion Graphics Designer is around £30,000. Salary can range from £20,000 at the lower end, to £50,000 at the higher end. Motion Graphic Designers usually work around 35 hours a week, Monday to Friday. However, extra hours are not unusual, especially when there is a deadline that needs meeting. Many Motion Graphic Designers work on a freelance basis after they have gained some experience.

How to Become a Motion Graphics Designer
A degree in Motion Design can be helpful, as it acts as a signal to employers that you already have the foundation skills to excel at the job. Although a degree is not always necessary if you have a good amount of relevant experience. However, those without a degree or formal education need to have a portfolio that shows the experience and skills that they have.

The most important step to take if you are interested in becoming a Motion Graphics Designer is to become familiar with animation and graphic design basics. This will include gaining some experience on, and becoming familiar with, the main software used, such as After Effects, Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, Cinema 4D and Premiere Pro.

In addition to this, having knowledge of traditional and classical art is extremely important and can be very helpful, and so a background in art is ideal. It’s also a good idea to stay up to date with new trends and techniques in the field.

Where Can It Take You?
Although growth may be slowed by outsourcing jobs overseas, the employment of multimedia artists is expected to grow approximately 6% from 2014 to 2024. On top of this, consumers are continuing to demand more realistic video games. Therefore, as a Motion Graphics Designer, the opportunity for progression is getting better day by day, and technological advancements mean Motion Graphics professionals are much in demand.

Become a Motion Graphics Designer
If you are ready for the next step in your career, why not take a look at the latest Motion Graphics Designer vacancies on our jobs board? You can view our latest vacancies here.