Nowadays, AI computer programs have gradually replaced traditional manual graphic design. We increasingly access advanced image and sound technology.
With that trend, the motion-graphics design industry was born. Although it has only emerged in recent decades, many people pursue this career seriously because of their ambition and its high salary.
Many motion graphics designers work with a wide variety of creative software.
To help you understand specifically about motion graphics designers, we will share the working environment and skills you need to succeed in this career.
Let’s scroll down to read more information!
Job Description
Before reading this article, you have heard about the motion-graphics designer. To help you think more carefully, we will present their tasks, requirements, and working environment. This information helps you greatly in your research on this particular profession.
What is a motion graphics designer?
A motion graphic designer is also a graphic designer. They specialize in creating works for the web, TV series, video, or advertising via cinematographic software.
The design industry includes many sub-specialties, such as web design, graphic design, and book cover design. Motion graphics design has been a scorching job recently and will develop even more in the future. The main reason is that people’s entertainment needs are increasing.
Creating a compelling video or engaging movie always takes the help of motion graphics designers. Motion graphics bring picture quality and sound effects to the next level.
Duties and Responsibilities
A professional motion graphic designer has to shoulder many responsibilities and skills. These are the required tasks if you want to be a graphic designer.
- Turn ideas into actionable desktop graphics.
- Build animated videos and pictures from software like Adobe Premiere Pro
- Design motion graphics and animate ideas
- Work with the creative team to make the concepts.
- Proactively troubleshoot problems and learn techniques you don’t know
- Listen to comments from customers and change as soon as possible
- Regular updates on emerging trends
- Maintain a progressive attitude at work
- Good communication skills with customers and associates.
Where do motion graphics designers work?
The working environment for motion graphics design is quite liberal, including advertising agencies, design agencies, filmmaking, or working from home. You can choose where you are best suited for the best productivity.
In an office environment, motion graphics designers easily exchange discussions and support with their colleagues to develop ideas. However, the office is time-bound and often has many internal disputes.
In the case of freelancers, you will have complete control over your time. Its disadvantages are that you need long-term perseverance and determination.
Each environment will have its pros and cons, so it’s better to try both to see which suits you better.
Education Requirements
Jobs that involve a lot of creativity, design, and computer skills all have specific career requirements. These are the standards for employers to find suitable candidates for their company.
Education & Training
Typically, motion graphic designers need a bachelor’s degree in computer animation graphic design and a certificate in computer skills.
It will be better if you choose the right majors and study them during college. Yet, if you love this profession but have yet to go through college or university training, you can take short courses to earn your degree.
Employers often favor bachelor’s students between bachelor’s degrees and short-term certificates.
They usually have a long time to contact and learn career-related knowledge. Of course, besides qualifications, experience and skills are the keys to determining success or failure.
Work experience
Companies often include a minimum one-year experience requirement in job vacancies for motion graphics designers. And to reach higher positions, you need more years working on the same job description.
You accumulate excellent knowledge when you have done the same job in many different environments. Business owners can spend time training from scratch.
However, for students who have just graduated, it is a complex requirement to meet. The theories in the classroom are far from the reality required on the job.
You should apply for an internship at a few small and medium-sized companies during your student days to solve this problem.
Certifications
Certifications prove that the employer believes in your ability. These documents can help you advance in your career.
Here are some qualifications you can refer to study
- Bachelor’s Degree in graphic design
- Evidence of ability to organize and manage
- Certification in 3D software or related field
High-quality certifications are an essential criterion for employers to select candidates. Even so, we hope you can use the knowledge you already know.
Although a degree is necessary, it is also a meaningless piece of paper if you do not have the skills and work experience.
Essential Skills
The following hard skills and soft skills are the basics to get you started as a motion graphic designer. Check out all the information to improve your skills.
Hard skills
- Graphic design skills: This is an essential skill because the nature of the job is to transform ideas on paper into animated images on the desktop.
With this skill, it will be easier for you to start work. Graphic design skills include skills in using 3D software and Photoshop.
- Technological knowledge: In addition to the skills related to editing image design, typing techniques, composing layouts, and fixing technical problems are essential skills.
- Know the color gamut: The proper color distribution makes the whole look easy to see and keeps the viewer interested in what you have created.
Soft skills
- Creativity: Customer requests are just the basis for you to think of many different aspects. Without a quick brain and an excellent creative mind, you will lose time and can’t get the job done. However, in the creative process, always focus on customer requirements.
- Communication skills: Always be receptive and receptive in necessary cases. You should listen to the opinions of customers and colleagues to draw out mistakes and fix them to be better.
Essential Tools
If you have chosen to follow the motion-graphics design industry, you should know some supporting tools. Most of your tasks are related to the desktop with a lot of movement, so the tools below will significantly help you.
- After Effects
- Photoshop
- Illustrator
- Premiere Pro
- Cinema 4D
- Mocha AE
- Red Giant software
- Adobe Animate
Job Outlook
Motion graphics design is a profession with extremely high job prospects. As technology improves, people’s entertainment needs are also increasing. You can become a film producer with skills and previous work experience.
Besides, if you prefer a safer job, you can work in entertainment, film production, or advertising companies in roles such as editor and designer.
Even if you can’t get to the office, you can continue working remotely from home. So, finding any objective factors hindering your career opportunities will take a lot of work.
According to statistics, the recruitment demand related to motion graphics design will increase by 5% from 2021 to 2031. Every year there are about 6,700 openings, creating opportunities for many job applicants.
Salary
The average salary for a motion graphics designer in the US is around $79,890. According to our report, the highest case earns $132,370, and the lowest is $47,000.
These numbers are awe-inspiring compared to similar careers in the graphic design industry in general. Yet, it’s just the average expected salary. Each country and each company will have different payment rates.
Either way, the salary will always satisfy you if you have a high level of expertise.
So, always absorbing, constantly learning, and improving work performance will help you get the salary you want.
Advantages and Disadvantages
If you become a motion graphics designer, you will receive these benefits:
- Need to work from home
- Rich working environment
- Great earning opportunity
- Creative freedom
- Future prospects
- Do many companies
- Not hard labor
- Get many special programs from the site.
Besides the advantages, the disadvantages, as well as the things that motion graphics designers will encounter when starting this job:
- Competitive
- Health effect
- It takes a long time to complete
- Accept criticism from customers
- Sitting in front of the computer for many hours
FAQs
In addition to the above career descriptions, we will answer the most frequently asked questions to help you become a professional motion graphics designer.
What is the difference between graphic design and motion graphics?
Graphics design focuses on static images in digital motifs for print or magazine covers. Motion graphics is also a form of graphic design but focuses on motion to create videos, movies, or blogs.
Is motion graphics a promising career?
Motion graphics are good because of the scarcity of high-quality human resources and attractive salaries. According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the motion graphics sector will grow 16% by 2030.
Are motion graphics complex?
Any profession has its own set of challenges, including motion graphics. You will need to master hard and soft skills to master the job. Once you get used to it, you’ll find things much more accessible.
How do you become a motion graphic designer?
To become a motion graphic designer, you need to do the following steps:
- Step 1: Submit your degree
- Step 2: Learn how to use support software
- Step 3: Master the 12 principles of motion graphics
- Step 4: constantly upgrade knowledge and skills
- Step 5: Looking for investment and cooperation
- Step 6: Build your audience
How long does it take to become a motion designer?
The fastest time to master the primary uses of the software is about eight weeks.
Besides, the time to become a motion designer depends on your ability. But it will take many years to become a professional motion designer.
Where do I start with motion design?
There are two ways to get started, including online or face-to-face learning. You can enroll at a college or university or take short courses online. Skillshare.com is the helpful learning site I recommend.
Are motion designers in demand?
Human resources in this industry are in great need. You will often do positions such as editing product demos or creating explainer videos. In short, job opportunities in motion graphics design are incredibly diverse.
Can I be a graphic designer if I can’t draw?
According to a recent survey, 8 out of 10 essential skills of a graphics designer are related to drawing design and creation.
So, if you master the skill of drawing, this job is more accessible, but it’s still not too tricky if you don’t know how to draw.
Can a graphic designer be wealthy?
It all depends entirely on your capacity. Surely you will make more money if the product created attracts many people with unique ideas and outstanding skills.
What problems do graphic designers face?
Some of the problems graphics designers face while working include
- Competitive
- Working with tight deadlines
- Balancing personal preferences with customer needs
- Constantly updating professional knowledge and skills
Career Advice
A motion graphics designer is a job with high advancement opportunities now and in the future. This job promises to bring interesting experiences to your life.
Each career brings different experiences, difficulties, and challenges. If you have enough passion and enthusiasm, every difficulty will no longer be complex.
You will not realize your ability if you hesitate to challenge yourself. Therefore, prepare the knowledge and skills to pursue your ambition.
To start your career, you should start practicing your projects. There will be many challenges, but you will quickly overcome them if you follow the rules and discipline that you set out.
Also, it’s essential to build your first portfolios. It will make it easier for you to apply for related full-time or freelancer jobs.
Next, limit yourself to more than one creative framework. On the contrary, you should try developing new skills and practicing to master them.
Finally, a proper degree will help you stand out in the eyes of employers. Pursuing short-term certifications certainly takes little time for you.
Hopefully, this article has provided you with useful content. Are you ready to pursue this job? Don’t forget to share your plans! Thank you for reading!