Career Paths for Motion Graphics

[Jean Hauptman]

Hi Dario-
Fortunately, the job market has improved since a few months back when I told another poor guy it wasn’t worth it.
I can’t answer all your questions now but will try and hit a few. But we all have different takes on the field, so these answers aren’t definitive :
Question 1. The work is where you find it. You just start scattershot hitting any and everywhere. Just don’t do work from your computer without getting a 50% deposit, or I guarantee you will be burned. At your level, an internship would be excellent. In either video or motion graphics.
2. Honestly, it just depends. Politics is heavier on the east coast. West coast mainly wants the goods. Some places like to hire guys just like themselves. It’s all about schmoozing. Other places only want speed, mediocrity is fine. Others, you won’t get into the door without a solid Uber demo, and some shops really do want good well-rounded designer/animators.

There isn’t any one way of getting in. It’s kind of every man for himself.
Like all glamour businesses, there are hordes of people for every job, so naturally, there is
exploitation. Salaries have dropped in the past 8 years. Staff positions are still very few and very far between, and freelancing can be boom and bust.
In your area, you should try to connect with video production houses and local stations. If you are really good, you can probably find freelance work for local ad agencies.

It’s fantastic that you are taking video courses. That will be invaluable.
The best advice I can give you is 1. Think about whether you really want to invest years to get into a field that is not particularly solid; and 2. be a nice guy.

[Dario]

Thanks Jean.
I was kind of hoping that with my fine arts background (who said boom or bust!) I might have a slight leg up, at least as far as design goes.

Like everything in life I guess it all depends on how good you are and who you can prove that to.

Now that just about anyone can pick this stuff up for a couple of thousand dollars the market will probably be flooded soon with so, so wanna be’s. I just hope I get good enough that I float to the top and that I also don’t end up kidding myself that I’m better than I really am.

[Jean Hauptman]

Hi Dario-

The beauty of our field is that anybody who can afford a computer can hone their skills. That is what has given us such astonishingly interesting animation these days. 15 years ago, TV graphics were monopolized by good old boys on proprietary equipment. These guys mostly sucked. The kids coming out of design schools are super energizing motion graphics – this is a great thing. But it an overcrowded field – similar to the way video production got gutted around the mid nineties. But every location is different – and it’s sometimes actually easier to break in when you’re not on a coast. So you might have a lucrative and enjoyable career where you are. If this is what you want to do, hang in there, and good luck!

[Dario]

Thanks again Jean,
Encouaging words.

[Jeff Dobrow]

I agree with what Jean said entirely,…and will add a bit….

Realize and understand that it takes alot more than ‘art skills’ to do mograph….especially if you are in a small market without support staff. Knowledge of NLE’s, digital video specs, MAC/PC computer platforms, and various other areas all interplay to create the finished product. Knowing how to get your idea ‘moving’ is step 1, making it move is step 2, understanding title safe/pixel aspect ratio/drop vs non-drop frame video/tape formats/output devices..etc..etc are step 3.

It is a field dominated by those with both right and left brain strengths, to get the most from AE, technical approaches will be needed to solve design problems,….expressions/understanding effect parameters to get the most from them all are part of sitting down to produce your piece.

Just a few cents,………the best of luck!! Oh,…and remember…it will take ALOT of time. ALOT.

[Dario]

Good to know. Even if I don’t end up ‘making it’ I still love doing this stuff. Who knows, I may have the most graphically interesting home videos on the block:)

[B. Woodell]

A fine arts background is good. Most after effects people I know have formal design training or a background in fine arts or film. A few have none of the above but have a natural instinct for design.

[Scott Thomas]

I am one who a very little training but I do alright. My main frustration is knowing that something looks good or bad, but not being able to effectively convey that idea to another in words. I’ve been trying to read more and am doing a little better. I also believe that school to learn the concepts of design is vastly more important than learning a specific computer program. I preach to others to begin concepts on paper and then transfer the best ideas to the computer. We don’t need more button-pushers.

I’ve done a ton of radio station logo designs over the past 7 years. I always start on paper and go a few pages before going back and reviewing and picking a few to translate into Illustrator. If there is some complex curve I drew, I’ll scan it into the computer and trace it.

Full Disclosure: Scott does not own stock in any paper manufacturing company.