Motion graphics have become one of the most popular and powerful marketing tools. Marketers and content creators are utilising this fun way of advertising to instantly market their brands and catch the attention of their viewers. According to an estimate, by 2024, almost 85% of traffic on the internet will be videos. So, it is evident that many of these videos will be motion graphic videos aimed to market something on the internet.
Let us discuss what motion graphics are and how you can benefit from them through your marketing strategies.
Motion Graphics
To put it simply, motion graphics can be defined as graphics that are in motion. Motion graphics can be described as graphics designed to move so they can tell a story or achieve their intended goal. For example, digital footage or animation combined with audio can create a motion graphic. It contains shapes, logos, texts, etc., that move through time and space and convey a special message to the viewer.
Motion pictures aren’t something new; in fact, their history goes back to the 1800s. Similar to computer graphics, motion graphics in their early days were also used to convey messages and tell stories.
The term motion graphics is often confused with animation. Although they may have a similar meaning because they both indicate moving pictures, they cover two different aspects of graphics. Animation has a broader meaning and covers many art forms, including motion graphics. Furthermore, the purpose of motion graphics is to convey messages and ideas that can be hard to understand if presented in the text. Motion pictures can make these messages and ideas easier to understand and more effective.
Uses of Motion Graphics
Technological advancements of this age have made things more accessible and attractive. Motion graphics have come a long way since their beginning and are used for various purposes today. Let us have a look at the uses of motion graphics.
Social media
Social media has become a significant part of our lives, and we use our social media applications daily. It provides information, entertainment, news, education, and whatnot to people worldwide. Most of the time, posts with images and videos catch our attention instantly, whereas posts with plain text are overlooked. Social media posts containing motion graphics will catch the user’s eye immediately and bring more visitors to your profile.
Information
Messages, news, or information that is conveyed in simple text, without pictures and videos, are ignored by people. People quickly lose interest in messages with no graphics or colour. Adding motion graphics to your messages can make them more exciting and effective because they can do the job more quickly. You can add an interesting audio clip and other catchy features to make your message more appealing and understandable for your targeted audience.
Logo graphics
The logos of your website don’t have to be dull. Instead of still logos, you can design logos with animation and up your game. For example, a glammed-up moving logo would look more attractive and eye-catching than a still one.
Digital Marketing
Motion graphics have proven to be a game changer in digital marketing. Email, social media, and search engine marketing can benefit from motion graphics and make their marketing strategies more attractive, effective, and practical.
Movies and entertainment
Entertainment media that we consume often carries motion graphics in different forms. One of the most common examples is the titles of the movies that are presented through it. The colourful motion graphics instantly capture the viewer’s eye and display information about the movie in a fun way. In addition, the audio in the background and the animated text make the motion graphics clip more amusing.
Difference between Motion Graphics and Animation
Motion graphics are infographics, web design, or animated text to present information fun and excitingly. Animating objects, texts, and other graphic elements through space can help you produce motion graphics.
On the other hand, animation is defined as a field of art that focuses on storytelling techniques with the help of cinematic effects and videography. So if your video contains graphics and objects moving to convey a message, it will be categorised as motion graphics. However, if a video is like a film with moving characters that embark on an emotional journey, then the video will be classified as animation.
Types of Motion Graphics
There are several types of motion graphics. Let us look at which type is better suitable for your particular needs.
UI animations
You can now make your User Interface more interesting with the help of motion graphics. UI of websites and applications refers to the pages and screens and the visual elements you see when you visit a website. All the buttons, icons, and other visual elements make up the user interface of a website. UI design is critical to ensure your visitors have a good experience on your website. UI designers work hard to ensure that the User Interface of a website is easy on the eyes and interesting enough to keep the user hooked.
UI designers use motion graphics for pop-up menus, hover buttons, and highlight icons. These motion graphics make your UI design more appealing and easy to use.
Explainer videos
Many brands and companies use motion graphics to prepare explainer videos that explain how their system works. These videos are meant to spread awareness and create an understanding of specific processes and topics. It allows creators to break down complex concepts and create chunks of fun, meaningful, and easy-to-understand information. These videos can help spread brand awareness, engage customers, and convey the emotional backstory behind the creation of your brand.
Icon animations
Motion graphics also include animating icons and other visual elements on your project, such as a video or a website. For example, icons, buttons, lines, etc., can be animated for a more attractive look. These animated objects are available in templates online so UI designers can utilise them for their projects.
Title sequence
Many YouTube videos and even films often use motion graphics to create their title sequences. It helps in creating effortless and classy title sequences.
Presentations
You can make your presentations more fun and easy to understand with the help of motion graphics. Animating your graphs, charts, bars, and other visual elements can elevate the overall look of your presentation. Motion graphics in your presentations can help engage viewers and provide an interactive experience while presenting essential information.
Benefits of using Motion Graphics
Motion graphics come bearing lots of benefits. Let us have a look at some of those advantages.
Attractive
Compared to plain text and graphics, motion graphics are much more attractive and catchy. Therefore, a carefully designed motion graphic will be highly effective and instantly catch the eye of its viewer.
Cost-effective and time-effective
Motion graphics are budget-friendly, unlike other animation types. They are cheaper and not complicated to create. Moreover, they don’t require a lot of time and effort.
Accessible
In this age of social media, if something is hard to access, it loses its charm. Motion graphics are easy to reach and share with your friends and acquaintances. If your content is easy to share, it can help in increasing the reach of your content.
Convertible
The best thing about motion graphics is that they can be converted to a different mode depending on the source you use to view them. These are designed to respond to your mode of user requirements to provide you with a better and customised experience.
Software to create Motion Graphics
The following software and applications can be used to create motion graphics of your choice.
- After Effects
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Illustrator
- Maya 3D
- Cinema 4D
FAQs
Are motion graphics and animation the same thing?
No, they are not. Animation is a broader term that covers everything from cartoons to animated movies. At the same time, motion graphics is a term that defines animated or moving objects, visual elements, text, etc.
Which is better: motion graphics or animation?
Even though both these fields require high creativity and skill, you can choose whichever suits your needs. Both fields produce different results and have different scopes. Animation is expensive to create and also time-consuming. However, motion graphics can be a budget-friendly option.
Does motion graphics have a promising career?
Motion graphics is an emerging field and in high demand. It is the right field for you if you have the creativity and talent to design and create exciting videos and infographics. In addition, if you enjoy creating colourful and attractive designs, you will love a career in motion graphics.
Conclusion
Every day we see different forms of media on various mediums and channels. All these media sources have one purpose – to tell us a story, convey a message, and promote a brand. Motion graphics have upped the game of giving messages. You no longer have to write simple text and wait for your viewers to read it to get the message. Instead, you can create motion graphics and say more through them in less time and words. Start now if you are ready to put in some effort and time to create motion graphics.
