Is it better to be a motion graphics freelancer or an in-person employee?
A motion graphics freelancer can create promotional videos for brands or display educational and entertainment topics through simple animations. The demand for motion graphics design has increased significantly in the last few years, and I have earned a high income.
Introduction
A motion graphics freelancer must be able to use his technical and creative skills to create new works of art according to the client’s order. For several decades, the demand for working with motion graphics creators has increased, and people with any degree can earn money this way. Motion graphics means animating part of the images with the facilities available in computer software. Due to the low cost of this type of video and the possibility of making them in a short period, marketing companies, new brands, startups, and even educational institutions have turned to motion graphics videos.
In this article, the topics mentioned are: Is a motion graphics freelancer better or an in-person employee? Freelance motion graphics income comparison, freelancers working hours, motion graphics freelancer duties, freelance project acceptance, solutions for career advancement.
How to make motion graphics
Motion graphics is one type of animation. Its main difference is the simplicity of movements and the use of standard design elements such as text, shapes, and images with motion graphics style. The stages of creating this type of animation include eight main steps, which are: choosing the style and type of motion graphics according to the subject, designing a script or a method of conveying concepts to the audience, creating a storyboard, designing graphic images and main characters, animating images and using Visual effects, deciding whether or not to have sound on the final video, evaluating and publishing motion graphics video.
The designers’ skills will significantly affect the quality of the final video. The use of audio and video techniques can direct the audience’s emotions toward the primary goal. The critical point in making motion graphics videos is that designers must create graphic images that are not repetitive to find a special place among the audience.
StoryBoard
The script’s scenes are defined as basic and simple designs at this stage. The initial idea of images, scenes, and main characters is depicted by creating a storyboard. Storyboarding prevents disjointed scenes in motion graphics videos. In addition, by creating preliminary designs, project members can ensure that the images match the script. You can write them down to remind you of the details that must be added to the final motion graphics sequences. Also, take seriously the schedule or any other matter you have in mind and write it down. One of the software used in the storyboard stage is PowerPoint. In PowerPoint, people can record the placement process of video scenes and their descriptions.
Designing the final images
The final graphic images are designed in this stage of making professional motion graphics. For this, focusing on the storyboard’s key points and depicting the script’s details is better. The final images determine the style and framework of the motion graphics video. At this stage, beginner designers can use templates and image effects in software such as Adobe Photoshop or After Effects to create professional images.
Animating images
As mentioned, the method of creating motion graphics may be slightly different when using different software. For example, to create 3D animations with Cinema 4D software, people must check images from different angles with particular. Still, the work method is much simpler when creating 2D images in After Effect software.
Different dimensions of the video
To create professional motion graphics, beginners can use software formats such as After Effects and Premiere (Adobe Premiere). Applying these templates will increase the speed of video editing, color adjustment, and other actions. Users can use the software’s original templates for free in their videos or purchase them from different websites or other designers. At this stage, the video’s timing and the images’ setting should also be by the previous principles and plans. The speed of the video display adds to its excitement; if applied correctly, it can attract the audience’s attention.
Voicing
Although a motion graphics video can be made without sound, depending on its style, the voice acting is a technique that plays a vital role in attracting the audience and evoking the viewers’ emotions. Standard voiceover and sound effects will affect the video’s quality and show each scene’s mood.
Assessment
In the last stage of motion graphics preparation, the final video should be evaluated, and if there are any problems, they should be corrected. When considering, the question must be answered whether the final output establishes effective visual communication with the audience and correctly conveys the intended concept and topic.
Release of motion graphics video
There are many ways to publish your final video. Television, specialized seminars, internet websites, and social media such as Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter are among the situations that are usually chosen for the quick and professional release of motion graphics.
Is it better to be a motion graphics freelancer or an in-person employee?
A motion graphic artist is a person who works on animation projects with various advertising, educational, website design, etc., topics. Motion graphics is one of the types of animation; in other words, these designers depict concepts in simple animated images. Enthusiasts can learn the basics of this profession in just a few months. For a motion graphic designer, it is essential to master the required software, practice a lot and make creative samples. With time and work on new projects, beginners can produce a variety of quality animations, from TV commercials to video games.
Comparison of motion graphics freelancer income
The salary issue always depends on the quality of work and skills of motion graphic artists. Experienced freelancers can earn many times more than the average employee. However, people employed in reputable animation companies will also have a high and stable salary. In other words, the income and salary are related to the proposed projects and the designer’s skills. Each career path has its challenges and merits. For this reason, people choose a freelance job or an in-person employee according to their conditions.
Working hours of freelancers
Working hours and days differ between freelancers and in-person employees. Employees usually work five days a week, either full-time or part-time. At the same time, people, as freelancers, do not have to go to work every day and must deliver a project within a specific time. Motion graphic designers may go weeks or months without order when freelancing. Therefore, according to their financial situation, this issue can be worrying, and they usually work on websites related to freelance jobs to prevent this issue.
Duties of a motion graphics freelancer
A motion graphics freelancer should create innovative and non-repetitive animated videos. Creating 2D or 3D short animations, educational videos, animated logos, infographics, animated icons for websites, movie credits, etc., is among the activities a motion graphic artist usually performs. Motion graphics videos are used in various media such as television, internet websites, mobile applications, software, etc. Motion graphics is not just creativity and creating beautiful images with computer software. If basic design principles and audience preferences are ignored in any medium, the video produced will not attract many people. Therefore, one of the tasks of motion graphic artists is to know the audience and make videos according to their taste.
In short, some of the tasks and features of a motion graphics freelancer are: using creativity and design skills in making motion graphics, having customer communication skills, paying attention to details in designing images, the ability to understand the style of commercial brands, familiarity with advertising, using software Computer software, familiarity with the psychology of colors, the ability to design a screenplay and its main characters, etc.
Facilities needed to make motion graphics.
You can only design excellent motion graphics videos with a computer and install the necessary software. Adobe Photoshop, After Effects, Cinema 4D, and Adobe Premiere are software usually used to create motion graphics. Pre-made templates and plugins can be used in Photoshop and After Effects software. Therefore, designing images and creating motion graphics is done in less time and with higher quality.
One of the challenges of making a commercial film is that it requires equipment such as expensive cameras and a multi-person team. Motion graphics do not require costly facilities; even a single person can make a video. Although many people think that to create motion graphics, they must have a lot of knowledge and skill in designing graphic images. This is not the case. Beginner motion visual artists can get vivid images from online websites and animate different parts of them in After Effects or Premiere software. Finally, people can easily create beautiful and fantastic motion graphics videos.
Freelance project acceptance
Sometimes agencies and companies directly order the project to the motion graphics freelancer, meaning they must agree to continue the cooperation. It is also possible to accept the project through online websites. The motion graphics freelancer must deliver the final video daily, weekly, and monthly according to the client’s needs. Motion graphics freelancers must have a job schedule to manage a project’s plan according to the client’s request. Clients always expect to receive motion graphic design videos within the agreed time frame. Therefore, freelancers should pay special attention to work discipline.
These days, advertising through motion graphics videos has become a marketing strategy. Different brands introduce their products and services in GIFs, typography, or moving infographics to attract users on social networks like Instagram. This way, accepting motion graphics projects for display on social networks will be a suitable source of income.
Solutions to progress as a motion graphics freelancer
The most critical issue that a motion graphics freelancer should consider for career development is interaction with the audience. The more careful they are in designing or choosing images and characters, the more effective the communication with the audience will be. Paying attention to the principles of creating motion graphics and defining the concepts in a narrative form will make the audience understand the subject of the video better.
To progress in freelance activities, a designer must establish a proper relationship with the client and audience. The field of animation is constantly changing. Therefore, motion graphic designers can recognize changes in this industry by analyzing the market and paying attention to customers’ tastes. Most motion graphic artists share their portfolios on social networks and evaluate the audience’s feedback to know the customer’s taste and the market trend. Also, membership in groups such as the graphic designers association, motion graphic artists association, or animation makers can provide suitable job opportunities for people. In educational workshops, professional motion graphic artists share their knowledge with members, which will be an excellent way to progress in this job.
