“Motion design” is another term for “motion graphics design”. It refers to the use of graphic design principles and techniques to create visual elements that move or change over time. This can include animations, video effects, and other dynamic visual elements used in film, television, and digital media. Motion design is a broad field that encompasses a wide range of creative practices, and can involve the use of various software tools and technologies to create and edit visual content.
A motion designer is a multi-talented creative professional who combines technical skills with graphic design expertise. They often work on a variety of tasks for a single project, such as hand drawing concepts, creating graphics in Illustrator, modeling objects in 3D software, filming real-life sequences, and using After Effects to animate and combine all of these elements into a cohesive and visually striking final product. The motion designer also plays a key role in ensuring that the finished product has a consistent artistic direction and style.
Motion design has come a long way since its early days, when it was hindered by limited techniques and high costs. In the 1990s, the rise of personal computing and the development of graphic editing software sparked a revolution in the field, leading to the democratization of motion design. Over the past few decades, motion design has become increasingly prevalent in a wide range of media, including advertising, television, film, music videos, video games, and more. Today, motion design can take many different forms, including 3D animation, traditional animation, vector animation, and more. It is often used to inform, entertain, educate, or enhance the user experience in applications and other digital media. The term “motion design” was popularized by passionate professionals in the field, who were often self-taught and helped to spread the term through their work.
Over the years, motion design has evolved from simple representations to more complex, fully-fledged designs that include characters, sets, and interactive elements. The distinction between motion design and animated film has become increasingly blurred, and it can be difficult to determine where one ends and the other begins. Some may argue that once a character expresses themselves, it is no longer motion design, but this is not a hard and fast rule. In 3D motion design, the designer often takes on the role of director, cameraman, cinematographer, and actor, making choices about framing, lighting, and focal length. However, these same techniques are used in both motion design and traditional film-making, making it difficult to draw a clear line between the two. Ultimately, the distinction between motion design and animated film may depend on the specific context and goals of the project, and these lines may continue to shift and evolve over time as the field of motion design grows and changes.
The “golden age” of motion design, characterized by a few self-taught individuals who were proficient in software tools, has passed. Today, motion design training is widely available and agencies are increasingly internalizing these skills. With the constant innovation and rapid advancement in technology, particularly in the field of 3D design, the future looks bright for the motion design industry. Real-time rendering is becoming more accessible, opening up new opportunities for the development of 3D applications such as AR and VR. Video is an essential medium for online communication, with billions of views on social media platforms every day and a high percentage of website visitors choosing to watch a video rather than read an article. Motion design is applicable to a wide range of video formats, making it a vital component in the world of digital media. As a result, motion designers are likely to continue playing a crucial role in the industry.