Motion Graphics
What Is Motion Graphics?
Several articles, papers, essays and blog posts exist referring to
the subject of Motion Graphics.
Defining what motion graphics is, is rather complicated as it covers
an exceptionally huge area. Even motion graphics artists themselves cannot clearly explain what it is
they are doing. Put in simple words though, motion graphics is just graphic design in motion. Essentially,
motion graphics is the use of graphics in a moving environment; graphics made by combining video, audio
and animation to create a 3D clip.
The editor of Stash DVD magazine, Stephen Price, explains in an interview taken from Nick Spence;
“‘Motion graphics’ or ‘motion design’ is a category of commercial motion art, as are VFX and animation. Of course, clearly categorising commercial motion art is tough, because many styles and techniques are often incorporated into a single project.”
Motion graphic design differs from conventional graphic design because you especially design for motion. As a result your design has different kinds of prerequisites; motion graphic artists create their models to be habitats of a 3D environment.
Still frames from an advertisement of Spain’s tube: The video is “shot” beneath the surface of the ground. Motion graphics take video to another level, as this could have never been done with conventional video.
Still frames from a Siemens advertisement: The video shows how the world is built piece by piece. The closing line of this video is “Siemens. We are turning the dreams of businesses and the community, into reality.”
Still frames from Smirnoff signature commercial: The video shows a red line travelling across cities.
People don't Know about It
It is quite a new area and the majority of the audience doesn’t actually
know what it is. This is because it is a particularly specialised area which people still just perceive but do not
know how to name it.
“About 12 minutes in every hour of broadcast television is the work of the motion graphics designer. As many viewers are unaware of this component of programming, it is known as the "invisible art".”
Numerous desktop programs are available making this form of art handier and handier. These include Photoshop and Illustrator for making the graphics and 3DMaxStudio and After Effects to put them in a 3D environment.
Motion graphics design is an art as well as a growing form of media. It brought changes in the way advertisements and movies are prepared and made their final aesthetic appeal better. The future of the power of media like video is vague, as graphic design has some characteristics that override the futures of video. It is important therefore to get to know motion graphics as it may alter completely the way we know television and films.
A Motion Graphics video, advertising the Sony PSP
Go to the Next Page:
The History