Animation and Motion Graphics

Often used interchangeably—inside and outside of the design industry—both animation and motion graphics add movement to objects or images to deliver information in a format that’s exciting and engaging.

However, there is a slight difference between the two types of work:

• Animation is a popular technique for storytelling. It might include 3D animation, stop motion, 2D hand-drawn animation, or computer animation.
• Motion graphics is a technique typically used to help explain ideas, often by animating text or objects in what could otherwise be a static image. Examples include explainer videos and the intros you see on YouTube videos.

Businesses use these formats to promote their products and services, whether through websites and apps, e-commerce stores, or broadcast and streaming services. Some of our clients ask us to contribute to another piece of creative work, such as composing intros and outros for a YouTube channel or making motion graphics for a presentation.

An animation or motion graphics production may tap into other abilities to:

• Generate ideas and develop a concept
• Storyboard key scenes and transitions
• Design the visual elements that will be animated
• Select the color palette and typography that will be used throughout
• Match the style established by the existing brand identity