What Does a Motion Graphics Designer Do? How to Become One | Coursera

Explore a career in motion graphics with this guide on how to become a motion graphics designer, the skills you'll need, and info on motion graphic jobs.
A motion graphics designer works with animation, audio, and visual effects to create moving content and graphics for various types of media.
Motion graphic designers work with creative teams to incorporate design elements into a project.
To begin a career in motion graphics design, also called motion design, you’ll likely need a formal education in art, computer graphics, or a similar field.
You can become a motion graphics designer by gaining skills in motion graphics design software, building your portfolio, and gaining entry-level experience.
Learn more about motion graphics and the skills and education you’ll need to start a career as a motion graphics designer. If you're ready to start building in-demand graphic design skills, try the Graphic Design Specialization from CalArts to develop fundamental skills, create a capstone project, and explore interface design.
Motion graphics is a type of animation that transforms static designs into moving pictures. The animations are typically in two- or three-dimensional format and sometimes have sound.
Motion graphic designers use software programs to create visual narratives digitally or on television. Videos, apps, games, advertisements, and anywhere movement is required to connect with the audience all use motion graphics.
Motion design uses visual effects and graphics for filmmaking and creating videos. Professionals in this field are called motion graphic designers or motion graphics artists.
As a motion graphics designer, your role will be to create graphics and two-dimensional and three-dimensional animation from conceptualization to the final product.
Other job duties include:
Working with various design programs such as Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator
Working in a creative team
Creating motion designs for social media platforms such as Meta and Instagram
Meeting with clients to address their needs
Selecting audio, visuals, typography, and other design elements
Job duties may also include onboarding new members added to your team and overseeing day-to-day operations.
A career in motion graphics requires an understanding of design principles such as layout, typography, and color theory. You’ll need to be a creative thinker and know the principles of motion graphics and animation.
Mastering design programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and After Effects is essential. While technical skills are necessary, traditional art skills help brainstorm ideas on paper.
Good communication skills are essential not only for talking to clients, coworkers, and employers, but you’ll want to discuss your designs in a manner that the general public can understand.
Read more: Professional Skills: What They Are and How to Use Them
As a motion graphics designer, you can choose to be self-employed or work for a company. As do technical and scientific agencies, advertising and public relations agencies hire motion graphics designers. The motion picture and video industries offer job opportunities, and software publishers and computer-related industries need motion graphic designers.
Positions are typically available in the entertainment and non-entertainment fields, and 62 percent of motion graphics designers are self-employed, according to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [1].
Motion graphics is a type of animation that does not involve storytelling or a narrative. It uses self-contained animation to convey information or emotion. You can implement motion graphics for a movie’s opening title, kinetic typography, onboarding animation, and social media graphics interchange formats (GIFs).
Conversely, animation is a broad field that many types of moving design fall under, such as stop motion, cartoons, and claymation. It's comprised of cinematic effects and storytelling techniques. Animation generally involves a talking and moving character or characters that tell a story.
According to the BLS, the median annual wage for special effects artists and animators is $99,800 as of May 2024 [2]. The lowest 10 percent earn less than $57,220, and the highest 10 percent earn more than $174,630 [2].
The BLS projects motion graphics design jobs to grow 2 percent from 2024 to 2034 [3], which is as fast as the average for all occupations, with approximately 900 openings each year over the decade. Many of these openings will likely result from the need to replace workers who leave the profession for other careers or exit the labor force. Attrition due to retirement and the economic recovery from the COVID-19 recession are also factors.
As consumer demand for video games and more sophisticated television and movie special effects grows, the need for motion graphic designers will likely grow. The increase in smartphone and app use may also positively impact the motion design industry.
To work as a motion graphics designer, you’ll typically earn a bachelor’s degree, develop skills in animation and the programs used to create it, gain work experience, build a portfolio, and continue to expand your skills.
A career in motion graphics design, also called motion design, typically requires a bachelor’s degree in computer graphics, art, or a related field and a portfolio of your work. According to Zippia, 74 percent of graphic designers hold a bachelor’s degree, 12 percent earn an associate degree, and less than 10 percent have a master’s degree [4].
A portfolio of your best work allows you to show prospective employers and clients your talent and graphic skills. You can show your animation portfolio on a personal website or blog, and your resume should include a working link to your portfolio.
Your portfolio can include work from your education and client experience. If you don’t have enough content, you can design mock-ups of fictitious projects.
Keeping your skills fresh and up-to-date is vital in