Discover the Best Motion Graphics Classes in Chicago
Motion graphics refers to animated imagery on a digital platform. These images were previously motionless, but with the right editing skills, software, and imagination, Motion Graphic Designers and other animation specialists bring stoic imagery to life through movement. These can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional as well. In essence, motion graphics are a form of animation that is generally shorter and easily distributable. For example, a moving logo, advertisement, or infographic can be a motion graphic. There are many reasons businesses may want to utilize motion graphics. For instance, these pieces of digital art are reusable, and as a result, can help boost a brand through recognizability. Plus, motion graphics are quick and cost-effective to make and update. There are many industries where knowledge of motion graphics may be required, such as working in entertainment, advertising, retail, technology, hospitality, education, and web design, among many other career paths.
Best Motion Graphics Classes & Schools in Chicago
Video Editing Certificate Noble Desktop – Interactive Online Classroom
The Video Editing Certificate offered by Noble Desktop is a comprehensive course that covers the essential skills needed for motion graphics and animation design. In this course, you will receive hands-on instruction from an experienced instructor who will walk you through the Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects platforms. You will gain knowledge in foundational editing techniques, such as how to add backgrounds with a greenscreen, remove unwanted background noise, and alter speed, color, and placement. By the end of the course, you will have a completed project that displays your newly acquired skills and will impress future employers.
Prerequisites: This is a course for those with all levels of experience.
Duration: Full-time has 14 sessions that last seven hours each. Part-time has 28 sessions that last three hours each.
Cost: $2,995
Adobe After Effects 202: Creating Animated Characters in After Effects Training Ledet Training – 17 North State Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602
The Creating Animated Characters in After Effects course by Ledet Training is a thorough overview of the Adobe After Effects platform. This course is designed to provide students with as much information in a single day and covers essential design principles to follow when creating animated characters. Students will review Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to learn how to create characters and will move on to After Effects. In this course, students will learn how to use the Puppet tool, create smooth movements, and make realistic features on the characters. There are files and handouts included with the course material as well.
Prerequisites: This class is suited for novice users of After Effects. Prior or related experience with Photoshop is necessary in getting the most out of the course.
Duration: This is a one-day course.
Cost: $699
Intermediate Adobe After Effects CC Future Media Concepts – 55 East Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois, 60604
Students in this Intermediate Adobe After Effects CC course will learn practical skills to help boost their resume, build upon their skills in Adobe After Effects, and excel in the motion graphics field. Students will learn from an experienced instructor and will practice essential animation techniques, such as monitoring character movement with the Warp Stabilizer, adjusting color with the Lumetri Color Effect, and sharing projects with Dynamic Linking. Overall, this training can help students prepare for the Adobe After Effects Certification Exam and ultimately, the workforce.
Prerequisites: This course is suited for those with some experience using Adobe After Effects and Photoshop.
Duration: This is a two-day course
Cost: $795
Intro to Motion Graphics Design Chicago Filmmakers – 1326 West Hollywood Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60660
The Intro to Motion Graphics Design course at Chicago Filmmakers helps students learn how to create and edit animations, title sequences, gifs, and three-dimensional projects. Students will practice implementing fundamental design concepts and will work with Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Media Encoder to create motion graphics and other types of video projects. Through class exercises, projects, and lectures, students will feel more comfortable creating animated imagery on these platforms.
Prerequisites: This course offer
Duration: This is a one-day course.
Cost: $395. Students who sign-up to become a co-op member will receive a $15 discount.
Chicago Industries That Use Motion Graphics
There are an assortment of industries in the Chicago area where Motion Graphics Designers could potentially be hired. For instance, some of the more prominent industries currently in Chicago include food and beverage production, technology, and retail advertising. These industries all utilize motion graphics specialists for different, but necessary reasons. In particular, there are many motion graphics studios in the Chicago area. Some include JV Studios, Attack Studios, Bottle Rocket Media, Charter and Co., Skalawag Productions, Pink Hippo Productions, Social Driver, Hike Creative, Sarofsky, Demo Duck, INDIRAP, Umault, and Flightless.
Food and Beverage Production
The Chicago area has a growing food and beverage production industry. There are a plethora of food and beverage manufacturing companies in the greater Chicago area that all employ motion graphics experts to create successful promotional graphics, advertisements, and social media posts. Many of these companies will promote a new product with motion graphics or educate the community about a sale to increase profits. This is not only a growing industry, but one that requires some creativity and storytelling to create compelling graphics. Some of these food and beverage production companies in the local area include Pepsi Company, Mars, Amylu Foods, The Coca-Cola Company, Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, Kraft Heinz Company, Farmer’s Fridge, Nestlé, Graphic Packaging International Inc., Kellogg Company, Crescent Foods, US Foods, McDonald's, Gordon Food Service, Lakeland Marketing Chicago, Swift Prepared Foods, Simple Mills, Mount Franklin Foods LLC, Tyson Foods, Riverside Natural Foods Ltd., Home Chef, and Greenleaf Foods.
Technology
Motion graphics is closely related to the technology industry, as there are certain software systems and digital devices that help Motion Graphics Designers complete their work. As a result, many motion graphics specialists work in the technology industry in a variety of situations. In addition, many of those who work as Motion Graphics Designers in the technology industry are freelance or may work remotely. Plus, technology companies often produce work for other companies within other industries. Some of these employment opportunities within the tech industry and related sectors include Motorola Solutions, Gogo, Avant, Cisco Meraki, Duck Creek Technologies, Spot Hero, Genesis Motion Solutions, Supernova Technology, Metatheory, Meta, ARCO Construction Company, Beyond Design Inc., Framestore, Weigel Broadcasting Company, The University of Chicago, and Apple.
Retail Advertising
With a high population and an influx of tourists year after year, the retail industry is ever-growing in Chicago. There are many apparel shops, department stores, salons, footwear stores, and convenience stores in the area that rely on motion graphics to increase profits, spread brand awareness, and promote products. These professionals may create motion graphics for company websites or official social media pages as well. Walgreens, Green Thumb, Car Advise, Fast Signs, ShoppingGives, Local Eclectic, Crate and Barrel, Canada Goose, Marc Jacobs, Spikeball Inc., Sears Holding Corporation, Dude Products, Luxiem, Sprint, HNDMDE, International Flavors and Fragrances, ULTRA Diamonds, Evans Inc., WJ Holdings Liquidating Company, and Foxtrot are among some of the many retail companies in the area that may hire motion graphics professionals.
Motion Graphics Jobs & Salaries in Chicago
Many businesses hire Motion Graphics Designers and other related professionals in the greater Chicago area. These businesses differ from industry to industry, so the subject matter is generally varied and the career opportunities remain steady. In particular, Special Effects Artists and Animators earn an estimated $80,350 each year in the state of Illinois. In Chicago specifically, there are increased employment opportunities and the yearly wage of $80,000 is comparable to the state average.
