Motion graphic design

Motion graphic design, also known as motion design, is a subset of graphic design which combines design with motion graphics and video production. Examples include kinetic typography and graphics used in film and television opening sequences, and station identification logos of some television channels.

Both design principles and animation principles are important for good motion design.

Some motion designers start out as traditional graphic designers and later incorporate motion into their skillsets, while others have come from filmmaking, editing, or animation backgrounds, as these fields share a number of overlapping skills.

Technological advancements during the 20th and 21st centuries have greatly impacted the field; chief among these are improvements in modern computing technology, as computer programs for the film and video industries became more powerful and more widely available during this period. Modern motion graphic design typically involves any of several computerized tools and processes.

Adobe After Effects is one of the leading computer programs used by modern motion graphic designers. It allows users to create and modify graphics over time.

3D software such as Cinema 4D and Blender are part of many modern motion designers' toolkits.

Adobe Animate, formerly known as Flash, is a tool for 2D motion graphic design. Prior to the rise of HTML5, it was the primary tool for web animation. It has also been used for creating video animations, such as the web series Homestar Runner. It is still used by some motion designers, particularly for frame-by-frame, or "cel" animation. It was announced to be discontinued on the 4th of Feb 2026, but after immediate backlash from creators on X, they overturned the decision.

Adobe Premiere Pro is often used with After Effects when combining video footage with motion graphics.