Did you grow up consuming visual media? Are you interested in becoming a motion graphics designer? With the advent of faster Internet speeds, websites are posting more complex graphical content. Coupled with the popularity of films, TV, and news broadcasts, it is obvious why the medium has taken off. So, are motion graphics designers in demand?
Are Motion Graphics Designers in Demand?
The good news is the demand for motion graphics designers has never been higher. The number of roles and projects that require motion graphics continues to expand. While you can learn motion graphics skills on your own, nothing matches the benefits and advantages that you will receive by enrolling in formal classes run by industry professionals. With a degree on your resume, you will have the best chances of breaking into the industry and creating demand for your services.
What Jobs are Available with a Video Editing and Motion Graphics Degree?
Here are some of the jobs that are in demand and available after graduation with a degree in video editing and motion graphics. From motion graphics designer and visual effects editor to entry-level animation and beyond. Let IPR help you bring your career into focus with a video editing and motion graphics degree.
Job #1: Motion Graphics Designer
As the name of the degree implies, you will be ready to work as a motion graphics designer in a variety of roles. Local news stations, online content creators, small businesses, and anyone else who needs to convey information in an eye-catching manner demand highly trained motion graphics designer. With the skills you learn during a degree program, your goal is to capture an audience’s attention long enough to make a choice, buy a product or use a service.
Job #2: Visual Effects Editor
Visual effects are an excellent way to add entertainment value to a production. This can include explosions in movies, scientific models in academia, dialogue in video games, and anything else that demands some extra visual flair. Like a job as a motion graphics designer, you will be conveying information through your designs, though the emphasis is more on entertainment. This is a great role if you love to work closely with film production as your career progresses.
Job #3: Entry-Level Animation
The motion part of motion graphics involves numerous fundamental animation techniques. You will learn a great deal about animation as you study. Many degree programs offer a hybrid education in both fields to improve your chances at landing a job. As an entry-level animator, you will engage in all the work that goes on in between the key frames.
Job #4: Production/Post-Production Technician
Post-production is the crucial phase of any project in which the final published version is formed. Motion graphics designers know how to create stunning visuals by adding effects that enhance the experience. While you may not need a visual to show how much damage a punch can inflict, you will need an accompanying sound to really drive home the impact. In post-production, you decide how to make the content more appealing.
Job #5: Assistant Editor
The role of assistant editor is similar to a post-production technician but offers more responsibility. As an assistant editor, you will work closely with a senior video editor to compile footage in the best order possible. Typically, the assistant editor will organize the recorded footage while the senior editor makes the final decisions on where to place each clip in the sequence. The assistant editor’s role is vital as extraneous footage is always mixed in with the real gems. With a motion graphics background, you will know which clips to pick based upon how visually appealing they are.
What Hard Skills are Employers Looking For?
There are several hard skills that you can hone and are in demand by employers. These core tenants of the profession must be mastered. Any time spent studying these skills is a step towards accomplishing your goal of getting hired. If you can demonstrate these talents, there is nothing stopping you from entering the industry. Some of the hard skills that employers demand include:
Skill #1: Pro Tools
Pro Tools software is by far the most used audio workstation. This industry-standard application allows you to add music, create sound effects, and mix audio tracks to produce professional-quality sound. It is a staple in the fields of post-production and audio design. Motion graphics designers should also know how to increase the impact of their animations using sound effects. Many visuals simply aren’t engaging without that accompanying sound. This makes Pro Tools just as important as the other skills on this list.
Skill #2: Video Editing
Video editing and motion graphics go hand-in-hand. If you work for a small business or social media creator, they will expect you to wear both video editing and motion graphics hats as you work. The core of editing is the ability to arrange footage to achieve the desired emotional response from the audience. Sometimes this is merely for entertainment, and other times the goal is to sell a product or inspire people to take an action. A skilled video editor knows how to engage an audience at every level.
Skill #3: Visual Effects
The creation of stunning digital effects can be time-consuming. Especially with the rising standards of modern audiences. After seeing thousands of explosions, it takes quite a bit of effort to wow audiences. Therefore, honing your talent in this area is crucial. Should you ever need to come up with a rousing effect, you will already want to know which programs to open and how to operate them.
Skill #4: Animation
Since the motion graphics you create will be moving, you must understand the basics of animation. Even scrolling text must move at a consistent rate or the viewer will get distracted. The viewer must focus on the information being presented, not the jerky state of your animation. As your animation prowess increases, you can produce more elaborate movement patterns that will make your portfolio stand out.
Skill #5: Color Grading
Color is a huge part of achieving the desired emotional response from an audience. Color theory explains how each hue affects the subconscious response of a viewer. Then there is the more practical purpose of picking colors that are visually appealing when paired together. Color grading marries these concepts together to determine which colors should be invoked on each part of the screen. It is another visual tool that increases the quality of your designs.
Skill #6: Story Boarding
This integral part of pre-production involves planning out the events of a project. Story boards are sketched out by hand and look like comic strips. The idea is to give everyone working on the project a unified vision of what the final product will look like. As a motion graphics designer, you will be beholden to story boards when deciding what to add. So, learning how story boards are constructed is important to master.
Skill #7: Motion Graphics
Motion graphics in general involves mixing the above concepts together to create a truly memorable visual product. The goal is to convey information and get the audience to remember it. You do this using animation, text, audio, visuals, and all other material you have in your arsenal. Mastering motion graphics design is about putting it all together to make a stunning and memorable graphic. This is the overarching skill you develop as you work on all the other hard skills in motion graphics.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a motion graphics designer is challenging but rewarding. If you have a passion for graphics, sound, color, and animation, then becoming a motion graphics designer may be the right career path for you. So, sketch yourself into the story board of your career and start working in the ever-evolving field of motion graphics today.
Video Editing & Motion Graphics Program
Now that you know how in demand motion graphics designers are, ready to learn more about a career in video editing and motion graphics? IPR’s Online Video Editing & Motion Graphics Degree program is entirely online, and allows you to earn a multi-skill, multi-functional Associate of Applied Science Degree in less than two years*. You will learn entry-level skills in every aspect of post-production. IPR’s Video Editing and Motion Graphics program prepares you for a real-world role in post-production processes in the editorial, color, and motion graphics/animations departments.
If you are interested in a career in video editing and motion graphics you should tour our Minneapolis creative arts college, see the labs, and meet our staff. Call 1-612-351-0631 or contact admissions to make arrangements.
*2-year program completion based on full time enrollment