Daiana NeamaIn today’s digital world, visuals play a crucial role in capturing attention and conveying information effectively. While static images and text are powerful, motion graphics take visual communication to the next level by adding movement and animation. Whether it’s an animated logo, a product explainer video, or an engaging social media post, motion graphics help brands and creators make their content more dynamic, memorable, and impactful.
Whether you’re working on Lottie animations, SVG animations, or full-scale animated videos, mastering best practices is key to standing out in the industry.
This guide will walk you through essential tips for freelance motion designers, covering everything from animation fundamentals to performance optimization and client collaboration. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
What Are Motion Graphics?
Motion graphics are a blend of graphic design and animation, bringing static visuals to life through movement. You’ll find motion graphics in everything from explainer videos and social media ads to app interfaces and broadcast graphics.
At their core, motion graphics use movement, timing, and design principles to guide the viewer’s eye and create a more engaging experience. Elements like typography, icons, shapes, and illustrations are animated to communicate a message clearly and dynamically. This makes motion graphics a powerful tool for businesses, marketers, and content creators looking to make their visuals more captivating and memorable.
Quirky character design – Made by SVGator
Login mobile page – Made by SVGator
How to Create Motion Graphics?
Creating motion graphics requires a mix of creativity, design expertise, and technical skills. The process involves several key steps, from initial concept development to the final export.
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how motion graphics are created:
- Concept Development – Start by defining the purpose of the animation. Outline key ideas, determine the message you want to convey and create rough sketches to visualize the direction.
- Storyboarding – Map out how elements will move and interact over time. This step helps ensure a smooth flow and a logical sequence, serving as a blueprint for the animation.
- Animation & Design – Using software like Adobe After Effects, SVGator, or Blender, bring your visuals to life. Animate elements with keyframes, easing, and effects to create smooth, engaging motion.
- Enhancements – Depending on the project, you may add sound design, transitions, or 3D elements to make the animation more dynamic and immersive.
- Export & Optimization – Once the animation is complete, export it in the appropriate format for its intended use, whether for social media, websites, or video production.
The key to effective motion graphics is balancing aesthetics with functionality. A great animation doesn’t just look good, but it enhances communication and engages the audience in a meaningful way.
Arcade video game animation – Made by SVGator
Best Practices for Motion Graphics
Start with Simple Animations
When diving into motion graphics, it’s tempting to create elaborate animations with complex effects right away. However, starting with simple animations is the best way to build a strong foundation. Smooth transitions, subtle movements, and basic keyframe animations can be just as impactful as flashy effects. Simple animations help maintain clarity, ensuring that motion enhances rather than overwhelms your message.
By mastering the fundamentals first, you’ll gain a better understanding of timing, easing, and composition. These skills will allow you to create engaging animations that feel natural and purposeful. As your confidence grows, you can gradually incorporate more advanced techniques without sacrificing usability or performance.
Line animation – Made by SVGator
Pen and pencil animation – Made by SVGator
Animated icons – Made by SVGator
Hand-drawn line art – Made by SVGator
Keep Performance in Mind
While motion graphics can significantly enhance a website’s aesthetics, they should never come at the cost of performance. Heavy animations and unoptimized visuals can slow down loading times, leading to frustrated users and lower engagement. It’s essential to strike a balance between creativity and efficiency by optimizing animations to run smoothly across all devices.
Techniques such as using lightweight file formats and minimizing unnecessary effects can help maintain fast load times. Keeping animations simple and efficient not only improves user experience but also ensures that they don’t drain excessive system resources, especially on mobile devices.
Character animated illustration – Made by SVGator
Ensure Accessibility
Motion graphics should enhance user experience for everyone, including those with visual impairments or other accessibility needs. Poor readability, cluttered layouts, and ineffective use of color contrast can make it difficult for users to engage with your content. To ensure accessibility, always prioritize clear typography, maintain a strong visual hierarchy, and design buttons and interactive elements with accessibility in mind.
For instance, text over images should have sufficient contrast to remain legible, and important buttons should be easily distinguishable from surrounding elements. Avoid excessive motion effects that can be disorienting for some users, and always provide alternatives for those who prefer a reduced-motion experience. By designing with accessibility in mind, you’ll create a more inclusive and user-friendly experience for all visitors.
Poor vs good readability – Made by SVGator
Visual hierarchy examples – Made by SVGator
Test Across Browsers and Devices
Motion graphics should work seamlessly across different platforms, browsers, and devices. What looks smooth on one browser might lag or break on another, and animations designed for desktops may not function well on mobile. Testing animations on various screen sizes and operating systems is essential to ensure a consistent user experience.
Test across devices – Made by SVGator
Experiment and Innovate
While mastering the fundamentals is crucial, innovation is what truly sets great motion designers apart. Trends in motion design are constantly evolving, and experimenting with new styles, techniques, and tools keeps your work fresh and engaging. Pushing creative boundaries allows you to develop unique animations that stand out in an increasingly competitive digital space.
Staying up to date with design trends can also help you anticipate shifts in user preferences and industry standards. If you’re curious about emerging trends and want to stay ahead of the curve, take a look at this graphic design trends prediction to explore what’s shaping the future of motion graphics.
Sweet jelly slime animation – Made by SVGator
Types of Motion Graphics
Motion graphics come in various styles and forms, each serving a different purpose in digital content creation. Whether used for marketing, education, or entertainment, motion graphics help communicate ideas effectively while adding a dynamic visual appeal. Here are some of the most common types of motion graphics:
- Explainer Videos
- Logo Animations
- UI/UX Animations
- Product Animations
- Character Animations
- Social Media Motion Graphics
- 3D Motion Graphics
- Kinetic Typography
Examples of Motion Graphics Designs
1. Explainer Videos
Explainer videos use motion graphics to break down complex ideas into simple, engaging visuals. Often used by businesses and startups, these animations help introduce products, services, or concepts in an easy-to-understand format. By combining animated text, icons, and illustrations, explainer videos make learning more interactive and enjoyable.
Explainer video animation – Made by SVGator
Web animated explainer – Made by SVGator
Delivery explainer video – Made by SVGator
2. Logo Animations
A static logo can become far more memorable with motion. Animated logos add personality to a brand by incorporating movement that reflects its identity and values. These animations are commonly used in video intros, websites, and advertisements to create a lasting impression.
Sniff logo animation – Made by SVGator
Hocus logo animation – Made by SVGator
Cookies logo animation – Made by SVGator
3. UI/UX Animations
User interface (UI) and user experience (UX) animations play a crucial role in making digital interactions more intuitive. These include micro-interactions, hover effects, and transition animations that guide users through a website or app seamlessly. Well-designed UI/UX animations enhance usability while making the experience more visually appealing.
Micro-interactions web animation – Made by SVGator
UI/UX logo loading – Made by SVGator
Mobile UI/UX animated onboarding example – Made by SVGator
4. Product Animations
Product animations are motion graphics designed to showcase a product’s features, functionality, and benefits in an engaging and visually appealing way. These animations are often used in marketing campaigns, advertisements, and e-commerce platforms to demonstrate how a product works without the need for live-action footage. They can range from simple 2D animations highlighting key aspects of a product to complex 3D renders that provide a realistic and detailed view from multiple angles.
Soda can product presentation – Made by SVGator
Best deal animated ad – Made by SVGator
Landing page motion graphics – Made by SVGator
5. Character Animations
Character animation involves creating and animating illustrated or 3D-modeled characters to bring storytelling, branding, or advertising to life. This type of motion graphics is commonly seen in explainer videos, educational content, advertisements, and entertainment.
Well-designed character animations help establish emotional connections with audiences, making messages more relatable and engaging. Whether it’s a mascot for a brand, an animated explainer video, or a short film, character animation plays a crucial role in visual storytelling.
Animated characters – Made by SVGator
Mexican food character animation – Made by SVGator
6. Social Media Motion Graphics
Social media platforms thrive on visual content, and motion graphics help brands stand out in crowded feeds. From animated posts and stories to GIFs and promotional videos, these short, attention-grabbing animations drive engagement and increase visibility across platforms.
Animated 2D poster – Made by SVGator
Animated ad – Made by SVGator
7. 3D Motion Graphics
While many motion graphics are 2D, 3D animations add depth and realism to visual storytelling. 3D motion graphics are often used in product visualizations, advertisements, and futuristic UI designs, providing a more immersive experience for viewers.
Diamond 3D motion design – Made by SVGator
Fake 3D box animation – Made by SVGator
Fake 3D pen motion graphics – Made by SVGator
8. Kinetic Typography
Kinetic typography, or animated text, transforms words into engaging motion-based visuals. This type of animation is commonly used in lyric videos, advertisements, and presentations to emphasize key messages and create a more dynamic storytelling experience.
Typography design – Made by SVGator
Dark radiant animated graphics – Made by SVGator
Kinetic typography design – Made by SVGator
Skills a Motion Graphic Designer Should Have
Whether you’re an aspiring motion designer or looking to refine your skills, there are several key areas you need to master. From technical know-how to storytelling and soft skills, here’s what it takes to excel in motion graphics.
1. Know Your Motion Design Basics
Before diving into complex animations, it’s crucial to build a strong foundation in motion design principles. Understanding concepts like timing, easing, and composition will help you create smooth and engaging animations. If you’re new to motion graphics or want a refresher, check out this Motion Design Basics Guide for a solid introduction to the essentials.
A good motion designer knows that flashy effects alone aren’t enough. It’s the fundamental principles that make animations look polished and professional.
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2. Master the Art of Storytelling
Motion graphics aren’t just about making things move. They’re about telling a story. Every animation should have a clear purpose, whether it’s explaining a concept, enhancing a brand’s message, or guiding the viewer’s attention.
Here are some storytelling principles to keep in mind:
- Structure your animation: Have a beginning, middle, and end.
- Use visual hierarchy: Guide the viewer’s eyes with movement and composition.
- Evoke emotion: Colors, timing, and transitions all play a role in how a message is perceived.
If you can craft compelling narratives through motion, your work will stand out and resonate with audiences.
Storytelling animation – Made by SVGator
3. Improve Usability and Accessibility
Motion design plays a big role in usability and accessibility, especially in UI/UX design. Poorly designed animations can be distracting or even disorienting for some users. To ensure your animations enhance user experience rather than hinder it, consider:
- Reducing excessive motion: Some users experience motion sickness or discomfort from fast, unexpected animations.
- Providing alternatives: Always offer an option to disable motion-heavy effects.
- Using motion to guide, not overwhelm: Subtle animations can improve navigation and make interfaces more intuitive.
By prioritizing usability and accessibility, you’ll create designs that are both functional and inclusive.
White space importance – Made by SVGator
Color consistency – Made by SVGator
4. Stay Updated with Industry Trends and Tools
Motion design is an ever-evolving field, with new tools, techniques, and trends constantly emerging. To keep your work fresh, relevant, and competitive, it’s essential to stay ahead of the curve. One way to do this is by following industry blogs and tutorials from sources that provide valuable insights and updates.
Engaging with motion design communities on platforms like Behance, Dribbble, and Discord is another great way to stay inspired and receive feedback from fellow designers. Additionally, learning coding for motion design can significantly enhance your animations. By continuously learning, experimenting, and staying informed, you can push creative boundaries and refine your skills in this ever-changing industry.
Collage scrapbooking animation – Made by SVGator
5. Develop Soft Skills for Working with Clients
While technical skills are essential, soft skills are just as important in the world of motion design. You’ll often work with clients or teams, so knowing how to communicate effectively and manage expectations is key.
Some essential soft skills include:
- Active listening: Understand the client’s vision before jumping into design.
- Flexibility: Be open to feedback and willing to revise your work.
- Time management: Deliver projects on time and set realistic deadlines.
- Collaboration: Work seamlessly with designers, developers, and marketers.
Great motion designers don’t just create. They also communicate, adapt, and problem-solve.
Donut coffee blog – Made by SVGator
Final Thoughts
Motion graphics remain essential in digital storytelling, marketing, and user experience design, continually evolving with new technology and creative possibilities. As designers push boundaries to craft engaging animations, tools like SVGator make the process more accessible, offering an intuitive platform to bring ideas to life without complex coding.
Shafiul Azam
Vicky
Raksha