Audio/Video is a very complex field but once you get the hang of it, you can make some really good-looking stuff.
A/V can be categorized into following types:
While animation and motion graphics are closely related, here animation means hand-drawn animation which oftentimes requires a drawing tablet.
Motion graphics are pieces of animation or digital footage which create the illusion of motion or rotation and are usually combined with audio for use in multimedia projects. You first create a graphic in a software (Adobe Illustrator recommended) and then import it into a video compositor (Adobe After Effects recommended). You can then animate it and convey what you want to convey. Here are a few examples to help you understand:
Nuxeland | Exun '23 & Intech ‘22 Teaser (2D Animation)
Robotronics '23 | Opening Video (3D Animation)
Additionally, motion graphics can be a great way to showcase products, applications, and websites. In these kinds of videos, the main goal is to highlight specific features and specifications in a creative and visually engaging way. It’s all about finding unique methods to make your product stand out. Whether you could do that using kinetic typography (visual text animations) or using other elements such as shapes to draw attention to certain parts in your videos.
One of the most important elements in making these videos truly effective is the background soundtrack. A strong soundtrack can completely elevate the experience, adding energy and emotion that brings the visuals to life. On the flip side, a weak or mismatched track can leave the video feeling flat or forgettable. Sound plays a huge role in engagement, often being the difference between a standout video and one that’s just average. This type of motion graphics is especially common at creative events.
Here are a few examples of the videos created last year during creative events:
It’s true that motion graphics may seem intimidating at first and it actually does require a lot of time and skill to make them but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to make videos in considerably lesser amounts of time. Here are a few tutorials that will help you learn it as soon as possible.
After Effects is the most commonly used software for motion graphics. It is a powerful tool that enables you to accomplish a wide range of tasks in the A/V field.
Watch Learn After Effects in 10 minutes for a basic walkthrough of the software or watch After Effects in 60 minutes by Ben Marriott for a more in-depth understand of the software.
For a broader range of references and effects, consider visiting Eyecannndy and Spectacle.