What is motion graphics?

Motion graphics are a way to communicate with the viewer, and add depth to the story. Together with music and effective copy, they can give us a message. We use them to create ads, title sequences for movies, explainer videos, and to share information.
What is motion graphics_

Think back to some of your favorite videos. What did you like about them?

If you’re anything like us, it’s not just one thing. Every individual part of the video, from the story to the graphics, just fit together perfectly. They complement each other, working in tandem to create something special.

What is motion graphics? (Motion Graphics Definition)

Motion graphics is animation, but with text as a major component. Essentially, it’s animated graphic design.

Ever since motion graphics first entered the scene, there’s been a debate about the line between them and full animation. The opening credits of Hitchcock’s Psycho is an early example of motion graphics, where the marriage of sound, motion, and graphic design come together exceptionally well.

Motion graphics are a way to communicate with the viewer, and add depth to the story. Together with music and effective copy, they can give us a message. We use them to create ads, title sequences for movies, explainer videos, and to share information. Many of Biteable’s video templates use motion graphics to help you communicate your message.

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Motion graphics examples

Let’s take a look at some examples of motion graphics in action.

Branding

Broadcast channel La Effe was looking to refresh their brand, something that would set them apart from other SKY channels. The new design, by Nerdo Creative Studio, is a meld of high-end art magazine-like styles cherry-picked from the history of graphic design, with a strong emphasis on typography. We think it’s fair to say you don’t see something like this on television every day.

Television title sequence

The main title sequence for HBO’s True Detective is a great example of well thought out visuals mixed with restrained typography. The bleak landscapes reflect the inner lives of the characters, and illustrates the story – a toxic swamp of damaged people. In an interview in The Art of the Title, Creative Director, Patrick Clair, described how important the story was to the design process, saying that “story is always the most fundamental part of our design process.”

Creating awareness

This awareness video combines motion graphics with a background track and a voiceover to share a powerful message.

It’s all about the story. There’s no need for color or fancy designs in order to share something that matters. Sometimes, the simplest designs can illustrate a story in a more direct way, while keeping the integrity of the story intact.

You can use simple motion graphics in your own awareness, motivational and explainer videos. Craft a powerful story and use animation to support it.

Explaining a concept

Motion Graphics are great for creating a powerful explainer video. ITFT uses motion graphics to illustrate their points and show the blockchain in action. It’s an effective way to support a concept because it can help the viewer visualize it in a way a presentation can’t.

Next time you create an explainer video, you can use motion graphics to support a point or to help the viewer see the information you share in a different way.

Telling a story

This video proves that you can use motion graphics to create an entire music video. The graphics itself tell a separate story that complements the song, the same way other music videos do.

It’s an interesting concept that highlights the different contexts motion graphics can be used in. You can use them to create an ad or even make a short film.

Share a product video

Product videos can be a great way to get your product in front of customers and increase sales. Motion graphics can help you create fun, entertaining and engaging product videos that are cheaper to produce than full animation, and bring something a little different to the table, like this video from Lavit.

Motion graphics templates

We’re pretty big fans of motion graphics. You can check out our full list of editable  video templates here, but first, we’d like to share some of our favorites.

This template combines motion graphics with short videos. It’s a great place to start if you want to create an explainer video for a landing page, your YouTube channel or your home page. The combination of different media will keep the viewer engaged throughout.

Get info across in an eye-catching way with a video template like this one, using some of our best ready-made motion graphics.

How to make motion graphics

You can use motion graphics to inject a bit of life and levity into a presentation or video in a variety of contexts. Making an infographic video? Give those statistics a bit of life by adding some motion graphics. Use them in videos you make to share on social media. Motion graphics are fantastic for getting your point across in an explainer video. It’s a great, affordable way to make a video.

Why don’t you give motion graphics a try today with one of our templates?

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