As a motion graphics designer, I have made many videos that turn beautiful illustrations into designs. In today’s world more than a static illustration, people prefer something with movement. 

We all know well that humans are visual beings and tend to understand better with visuals. However, the concept of visuals have changed drastically. The idea of humans being visual beings have, in many ways, leveled up. 

By this, I mean that static images and designs are appealing, but not able to stand out and attract as much attention as is expected. It only makes sense as videos are more on demand. Graphics with motion are more interesting to people and it is now widely used in various fields, especially in marketing. 

Animations and Motion Graphics interest everyone. It is proven to stand out as animations and has been a wonder to everyone, regardless of age. 

But let’s get this straight! Creating motion graphics is not that easy, especially if it's for business. And After Effects is one tool that makes the lives of designers much easier.  

So, here in this blog, I will share some tips and tricks that you must know while creating motion graphics in After Effects.

Tips and Tricks to create Motion Graphics

Use Expressions and Gradients

Simply by adding an expression to a gradient, you will be able to keyframe points on it. When you incorporate movement into a gradient, you give your work an entirely new dimension. Additionally, this makes it more appealing to the eye.

Make use of Grain Texture

Using grain textures can help your animations feel more realistic and prevent them from looking like plain 2D animation. This style couldn't be easier to achieve.

This style may not be appropriate for all of your current or future endeavours, but it is worth keeping in mind. This will be a wonderful method to understand how masks, blending modes, and parenting operate in After Effects if you are just starting off in the software because it will allow you to do so without getting too caught up in the clutter.

Nulls are Essentials

When it comes to the creation of motion graphics, nulls are absolutely necessary. If you desire more complicated designs, this is a very crucial consideration. They make it possible for you to build animations that overlap with one another.

Nulls can be utilized to drive a significant amount of the movement in the animation that starts off the video. If you can't figure out how to adjust the motion correctly without affecting the keyframes that are already in place, you may simply link it to a null, and you'll have a lot more wiggle room as a result.

Bevel and Emboss

The technique of grain shading known as “Bevel and Emboss” is speedy and gets right to the point. Bevel and Emboss is a layer style that you can use to add a grain texture to an image without having to bother with masks or duplicate layers.

The grain won't move at all because the only blending mode that can be used is dissolve, not dancing dissolve. This is the trade-off for having this option accessible. If you do not consider this to be a significant issue, then you may have just discovered an easy solution to the shading issues you have been experiencing.

Create Animated Paths

In the world of motion graphics, animated paths are a common sight. It's easy to accomplish and has a nice visual effect. It's frequently employed to provide the impression that an object is being drawn onto a live-action video in a completely organic manner.

After Effects provides a wide variety of tools for creating effects like this. Setting keyframes at various intervals along the journey is one option. It could be done, but it would be laborious and time-consuming.

Instead, you may use one of After Effects' many animation presets to quickly and easily generate an animated path that looks fantastic. To achieve the desired effect, just use two keyframes at the beginning and conclusion of the animation.

Use RGB

It's possible that after importing files from Illustrator into After Effects, you'll find that the colors in your project don't appear the same as they did in Illustrator. This is because the color mode that is used by default in Illustrator is CMYK, which is designed for print, whereas the color mode that is used by default in After Effects is RGB, which is designed for video.

If you want to make sure that you are getting the most out of your graphics and also get an accurate representation of what your final piece will look like, you will need to switch your color mode in Illustrator to RGB whenever you are creating designs for motion graphics.

This will allow you to get the most out of your graphics and also get an accurate representation of what your final piece will look like. You won't have to worry about dealing with any coloring problems in the future because this will fix them all.

Make use of the Puppet Tool

When animating a visual, After Effects' Puppet Tool is invaluable since it allows you to precisely position control points. When you have a graphic element that looks like a person or an animal, this is an excellent tool to use.

Using the puppet tool, you can position the graphic's joints exactly where a human's joints would be, allowing you to move them independently of one another. Check out this blog on how to use puppet tool in after effects.

Wrapping Up

Getting the hang of After Effects is a lot like putting together a puzzle. If you keep these tips and tricks shared in this blog in mind, you can solve the puzzle more quickly and with more room for personal expression.

After Effects makes it simple to jump right into a new project and begin bringing it to life. However, spending additional time in the design stage is a valuable investment. Due to its restricted design capabilities, After Effects requires an additional day of work in Photoshop or Illustrator to make designs look nice in After Effects. When you launch After Effects, you don’t have to bother about its appearance — that’s already done.

Spending more effort on the design phase of an asset means less time will be needed to convince viewers that the asset is reliable through animation. A well-conceived concept with basic animations can maintain your viewers’ attention far longer than any poorly designed concept with outstanding animation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Motion graphics are effective due to their ability to convey complex information in a visually engaging and easily digestible manner. They combine visuals, motion, and sometimes audio to tell a story or communicate a message effectively. By using animation and design principles, motion graphics capture viewers' attention, explain concepts, and leave a memorable impact.

To enhance the quality of your motion graphics, consider several factors. First, focus on clarity and simplicity in your design and messaging. Use clean and consistent typography, colors, and visuals. Pay attention to timing and pacing to ensure that animations flow smoothly. Incorporate storytelling elements and a compelling narrative to engage the audience emotionally. Finally, seek feedback and iterate on your designs to continually improve.

Motion graphics are used to engage audiences by presenting information in a visually appealing and dynamic way. They can simplify complex concepts, highlight key points, and maintain viewer interest. To engage your audience effectively, use captivating visuals, clear messaging, and well-timed animations. Tailor your motion graphics to your target audience's preferences and needs.

While motion graphics can be complex, they become easier with practice and familiarity with design and animation software. Many design tools offer templates and presets to simplify the process. Learning the fundamentals of design principles, animation techniques, and software functionality can help you create motion graphics more comfortably over time. It's a skill that can be developed with dedication and learning.