Motion graphic designer

What does a motion graphic designer do?

Motion graphic designers are essential in the making of any TV show, film, video game or commercial.  They might be required to create the opening titles for a new TV series or a sequence that explains the growth of a deadly virus for a documentary. They could be asked to design the style of name captions on a chat show or create stylised graphic elements such as an animated chart showing the number of medal winners in the Olympics.   

They are often called upon to create an entire "look" for a new series, so for a talent show or quiz game that means providing the opening titles, logos, name captions and closing credits, as well as working with the colour palette and design of the set so that the programme has a coherent, easily identifiable look – particularly important if the series format is to be sold around the world. It’s important to design graphics that work well not only on television or in the cinema, but also on social media, in print media and even on T-shirts and other merchandise.  Motion graphics designers need to be able to assess a production brief and understand and work with those requirements during pre-production through to design, production itself and final post.   Recently there’s been a move for motion designers to work on VR (virtual reality) elements for films and studio productions, using green screens and 3D graphic software.

Some designers work within production. For example, news graphics are usually prepared just before a story goes out, while on films they may need to design something that’s part of a film set, such as a prop like a newspaper or poster. However, only motion graphics designers work within the post-production family and a vast amount of the work they do comes after the programme has been filmed or recorded.

Many graphic designers are freelance and hired for specific jobs, although a lot of post-production companies and big television studios such as BBC News have their own in-house design teams who may be on the staff. 

Some work within a team of graphic artists for specialised ‘graphics companies’ or ‘graphics houses’.  Others own their own companies. 

A successful motion graphics designer will have the opportunity to create sequences that become legendary, perhaps by producing the opening titles of a long-running sports programme, film title sequence or even the totaliser in a much-loved charity telethon.

Watch and read

• Motion graphics explained: definition, history and examples
• Designing graphic props for cinema with Annie Atkins
• What Motion Designers do and how to become one
• Graphic props design in film: The substance of visual storytelling

What’s a motion graphics designer good at?

• Art: have a good eye, be able to draw, have a strong visual sense and keep up with current trends
• Creativity: have a genuinely original approach, be able to create a new look, enhance the mood and feel of a production through the graphics
• Attention to detail: work quickly but accurately, spot errors, have a keen eye for colour, get the spellings and names and job titles right
• Collaboration: be able to interpret the vision of the director or producer, share ideas and communicate
• Knowledge of software: have strong knowledge of different graphic design programs and an understanding of editing, animation and camera work as well as traditional forms of graphic design

Who does a motion graphics designer work with?

Motion graphics designers work closely with the executive producer, editorial team or production designer.