Discover the Best Motion Graphics Classes in NYC
Motion graphics involves taking static graphic design elements, like text or infographics, and animating them. It is generally focused on communicating a specific message, compared to other types of animation that are often used to tell a story. Motion graphics designers use a number of different computer applications like Adobe After Effects and DaVinci Resolve.
According to Adobe, “[t]he origins of motion graphics are rooted in the evolution of film credits. In the early days of cinema, directors created title credits to meet the interest of this new generation of cinemagoers, who wanted to learn more about the actors in the films they saw.” Adobe explains that over time, digital technology has improved, and so have the design possibilities for motion graphics. Today, motion graphics are used for much more than just film credits. They are common in almost every type of digital content including advertising, social media, and educational content.
Best Motion Graphics Classes & Schools in NYC
There are a number of different motion graphics classes in New York City. The Manhattan Edit Workshop offers a class called FUS 101: Fusion in Resolve. This class is intended for editors, post-producers, VFX beginners, multimedia producers, and motion graphics professionals. Tuition is $1,295, and there are three class sessions. The instructor covers the basics of visual effects and motion graphics. It is recommended that students have a basic knowledge of editing terminology. Founded in 2002, the Manhattan Edit Workshop is located in New York City’s Flatiron District. It provides post-production training for a variety of different platforms, including Apple, Adobe, and Avid.
Noble Desktop is also located in New York City, and offers a certificate class called the Motion Graphics Certificate. This class is focused on motion graphics and visual effects, and includes instruction in Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, and Cinema 4D Lite. Students also learn video editing techniques, and work on a demo reel that will help them showcase their skills for prospective employers. A working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and/or Illustrator is required for this class, and basic knowledge of video timeline editing and basic design skills are helpful. There are a total of 34 class sessions, and tuition is $3,495. The average class size for this course is 15 people. Noble Desktop is a design and coding school that offers a variety of online and in-person classes. Founded in 1990, it is in Midtown Manhattan, near Penn Station, Port Authority, and Times Square.
Another option for New York City students is Adobe After Effects Level 1, run by the Manhattan Edit Workshop. This is an introductory class, and is intended for editors, producers, motion graphics artists, and anyone else who wants to learn the basics of After Effects. It covers the fundamentals of motion graphics, the After Effects workflow, creating basic animation working with masks, animating text, and using the puppet tool. Students also learn about rendering and output. There are three class sessions, and the cost of the class is $1,295. The Manhattan Edit Workshop is located in New York City’s Flatiron District. It was founded in 2002, and provides post-production training for a number of different platforms, including Apple, Adobe, and Avid.
Students can also enroll in a motion graphics class with DCTV, a nonprofit media arts center for independent filmmakers in New York City. This school was founded in 1972 and is in the Chinatown/Tribeca area of New York City. It runs a range of workshops, and also provides post-production facilities and production equipment and space rentals. It has a three-session class called After Effects, which costs $360. This class covers basic animation, effects and presets, animating text, rendering, working with masks, time and frame rates, keyframing, compositing, and system setup.
NYC Industries That Use Motion Graphics
In the digital age, motion graphics have become common in a wide variety of different industries. Overall, they can be found in almost any business that utilizes digital media. The film and television industry was one of the first places where motion graphics became common, and many motion graphics designers work in that industry today. Motion graphics are also widely used by website and social media content creators. Researchers have found that sites and pages that incorporate motion graphics are more likely to get the attention of an audience, and keep that audience for longer, and as a result, motion graphics have become wildly popular online. Motion graphics are also popular in advertising due to their ability to attract an audience. Another quality of motion graphics is that they can help people more easily understand complex topics, and so they have also become widespread in education.
Motion Graphics Jobs & Salaries in NYC
New York City has a large film and television industry, and thus many job opportunities for motion graphics designers who want to work in film and television. According to a 2021 report by the New York City Film & Television Industry, the film and television industry is an important part of the New York City economy. It says, “In 2019, New York City’s film and television industry supported over 185,000 total (direct, indirect, and induced) jobs in the city, accounting for over $18 billion in total wages and $82 billion in total economic output (business revenues and self-employment receipts).”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)–a federal agency that collects and analyzes information about the U.S. labor market–the New York metropolitan area has the fourth-highest employment level of special effects artists and animators, which is a category that includes motion graphics artists. It also ranks among the top ten-paying metropolitan areas in the United States for this job category, with an average annual wage of just over $100,000 for special effects artists and animators.
