Motion graphics are made through a variation of steps. Once reached by a client, for a motion graphics piece the first and most important is to do some research on the product or cause this video will be for. Study the client’s audience. If this is for a personal project, the research still needs to be done. Doing research will save you time down the long run,  and will help create a better base ground for the project. You also need a story, it can be a script provided by a client or one you create on your own. With this script we’ll be creating a storyboard where we will lay frame by frame and foresee the motion of your project. Once approved, we’ll bring it into Adobe’s After Effects where we will do your main animation if the project is in 2D. Most of the time other softwares are required to do 3D work. The last steps will be the sound design which will bring your project to a whole new level.

In addition to being a magical form of expression, implementing motion graphics in business can mean a significant difference in communications and ultimately product success because of its special impact on an audience, alternate to that of still image. They can be used to enhance storytelling, explain complex concepts, and create visual interest. Motion graphics are also used in educational and training materials, as well as in presentations and social media content. Motion graphics is used in marketing because of its powerful engagement for viewers, and will continue developing into the future as a vital tool to connect customers to a brand. Even though a still image advertising is still important, the limits have been pushed to turn any still frame/image into a motion piece. Not only will numbers improve, but you’ll have an audience that connects better with the brand. Research has shown that video content has higher shareability through social media than a still image.

Indeed it is! Not only are the benefits of video animation prolific, but there are animation and motion graphics solutions for every budget! Engaging and impactful on audiences, motion graphics is integral parts of marketing and advertising strategies across all industries. From website explainer videos to campaign sizzle videos, as social media as well, motion graphics plays a significant role in communication and connecting viewers to messaging in a highly effective way. Although we work a lot with very large companies, at FEVR we also regularly support young companies, startups or small NGOs in the creation of their motion graphics videos.

For creating motion graphics, there’s many softwares available and commonly used in the industry. Projects will have different scopes and bandwidth, and therefore different requirements to execute their needs. So what do you look out for when considering which software to use? Working off the first essential step of any motion project is a smart place to start, which is creating a storyboard to layout the entire motion process and solidifying a clear vision for the project. For ease and accessibility of creating this storyboard, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator are great, reliable softwares – tried and true by millions of users. Another major step in the motion process comes after the design is set and is ready for motion integration. Importing the design to a software like After Effects, where it can be animated in 2D, or 3D, can achieve beautiful, professional results. There are tons of software programs that offer a wide array of operations, so just stay keen on how they perform.

Motion graphics are often used in film, television, and video production, advertising, web design, and other creative industries. With the enormous growth of social media communication, more people day to day are turning to motion graphics. Be it from a business point of view, or just as a fun way to animate your latest vacation pictures and videos. The possibilities with motion graphics are pretty endless, and due to its fast paced growth, it has become more accessible to society. There are many advantages to using motion graphics. For example, for business marketing purposes, campaigns can be more dynamic, engaging more with the viewer which will be resulting in a higher ROI. Moving more to a personal level, motion graphics can be of great use to bring all those old family pictures to life! Or even make a great video compilation for your best friend’s bridal shower! Many ways to be used and also many levels. From pro videos at agencies to beginner level taught by the lovely YouTube University.

The answer is — it ranges, vastly. The final cost of an animated video depends on a number of variables, some of the most significant being the animation style, animation technique, video length and audio. Let’s look at technique a little closer. The resources required from one technique to the next can vary greatly, we’re talking tens of thousands of dollars even. We see a good example of this disparity when comparing Motion Graphics (vector animation) and 2D Tradi (traditional or cel) animation. Because Tradi is created frame by frame, providing for completely custom, highly sophisticated motion, production is much more skill intensive and time consuming, which results in a more expensive video.

Other factors like Voice Over and Illustrations will further effect the bottom line. Voice over costs can depend on actors’ experience or on how specific the voice request is. Illustration prices are not one-size-fits-all either; simpler graphics can be a lot more budget-friendly, while more layered and elaborate character or landscape designs will increase the price tag. So how do we get your final number? Having a clear understanding of your project needs will help us optimize your resources and create a comprehensive animation that best meets your goals.

After a story is developed it is time to put it into a storyboard. In the storyboard we’ll see frame by frame exactly how an animation is going to turn out. Part of the storyboard is to have an animation description. This description will give us good insight into how things will be animated, how we will transition from frame to frame. How the whole story will develop. The visual of the storyboard has to be strong enough to also show its action, with the most minimal description needed. After a storyboard is ready it is time to bring it to life. And how do we do that? There’s many different ways depending on the animation program desired. Will this be an After Effects animation, will it be a traditional animation project or will it be a 3D one. Depending on this, that’s when we’ll know what software to use.