Motion graphics is a term that very broadly defines animation and moving imagery for use in media projects. From a purely technical definition almost all animation could be included under the term, but that is evidently not reflective of many businesses’ and designers’ intent when discussing motion graphics.

Simply put - Many clients want motion graphics services but might not be able to define that term precisely when they are requesting services from designers. Here is a list of some of the in-video subjects motion graphics work can include:

2D animation
3D animation
Character animation
Lower thirds
GUI pre-visulation
Graphic design
Illustration
Compositing CGI ontop of live video
Motion tracking
Particle systems
Video editing
Visual effects
Green Screen keying / compositing
Animated typography
Animated infographics
Animated logos / logo sting
And much more.

Watch my showreel for real world examples of many of these put into action.

Legendary designer and pioneer of motion graphics, Saul Bass lay the groundwork for modern-day motion graphics by weaving underlying meaning and intent behind the motion and form of the imagery being displayed. His title sequence for Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Vertigo’ is a prime example of writing the film’s psychological themes and a visual representation of the sensation of vertigo into the moving imagery.

Title sequence for Alfred Hitchcock's film 'Vertigo' created by Saul Bass.

The term has risen in popularity in recent times in parallel to software packages that allow the creation of digital animation relatively inexpensively when compared to previous very time consuming methods of animation (such as frame-by-frame cell drawings). Software such as Adobe After Effects and Cinema 4D have been prominent; the digital, non-destructive nature of motion graphics software has enabled a myriad of new art styles to emerge hence their popularity with designers.

‘Stardust Experiments’ by Fried Pixels demonstrates the abstract, impossible imagery that motion graphics software enables.

The large utility of these software suites also accommodate more illustrative and descriptive types of animation. One such style of video is dubbed the ‘explainer video’ which is used to depict a product, service, subject or operation and their functions. Clients have found great benefit using these types of videos for their own services and products.

‘Fracking Explained’ by Kurzgesagt

The animated diagrams and inferred meaning behind each movement is monumentally useful and informative for depicting subjects to audiences. Explainer videos still fall under the umbrella of motion graphics, but the latter term encompasses many skills and design disciplines that clients will also find valuable. A motion graphics designer could assist in the creation of a 2D animation but may also be able to provide assistance with video editing and branding, for example.

In my experience I have found some smaller clients to be requesting the services of an animator when an motion graphics artist would be more applicable. This is one example where the client knows what they want but isn’t using a term that might not immediately connect them to the right person.

Universities and other designers generally understand the term motion graphics while those that require them - the clients - might not. This is especially true for clients who are generally not involved in the media industry. The dichotomy has made marketing one’s self as a motion graphics artist somewhat difficult, as clients who require your service don’t know what terms they might need to search for to find you. As motion graphic designers can we can only hope to try and broadly market ourselves as being involved in animation, graphic design and visual effects.