![\"motionGraphics2\"](\"https:\/\/getflywheel-images.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2015\/05\/motionGraphics2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nNothing can bring your designs to life quite like animation. But if you\u2019ve never worked with an animator or motion graphics artist, motion may feel like a foreign world.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re thinking about partnering with a motion graphics artist, now\u2019s a great time to learn some of the steps involved in the process.<\/p>\n
After working on a few motion projects, here are some of the basics to get your project off on the right foot.<\/p>\n
1. Work with a motion artist whose work you admire<\/b><\/p>\n
And pick someone whose style will work with your project. Of course, as you well know, artists can work in styles they don\u2019t use all the time, but things will run smoothly if you\u2019ve chosen someone who\u2019s in the right realm. Like maybe don\u2019t choose a cartoonist to work on a super corporate-y piece. (Or do if they really need a new approach!)<\/p>\n
2. Allow artistic freedom<\/b><\/p>\n
Your experience will be best when you can have a collaborative partnership with an animator you trust. Just as you [probably] work best with clients who trust your expertise, your motion project will excel when you can rely on your animator to make choices that will work. I\u2019m not saying they automatically have free reign or that they shouldn\u2019t check in with you before getting too far down the wrong road. I\u2019m just saying give them the same level of respect you want for your design.<\/p>\n
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3. Communicate (duh)<\/b><\/p>\n
Communication is the best way to keep your project on track. This is especially vital on your first visit to the motion rodeo. For example, did you know you\u2019ll likely be working in RGB and a screen resolution that\u2019s unusual for you? Ask a lot of questions and be forthcoming with your understanding of things. Each motion graphics artist works differently, so it\u2019s important to be on the same page and have an ongoing dialogue between you and the motion artist.<\/p>\n
4. Give your motion artist the time they need to do their portion of the work<\/b><\/p>\n
Motion is time intensive \u2014\u00a0like, a lot more so than design. Allot it ample time, consulting with your artist at the start of the project.<\/p>\n
Solidify your designs, your script, and your voiceover early in the process
\nEach project and partnership is unique, so some of this depends on how exactly your motion artist is involved at which stages. But it\u2019s crazy annoying for motion artists to have to try to adjust their work on pieces that should have been firmed up weeks ago. If you tweak an Illustrator file, they\u2019ll have to literally go in and change the entire sequence they\u2019ve set up. If you change the script, it messes up the timing they\u2019ve been working out with careful pacing. So get these finalized to the best of your ability and stay in touch with your motion artist if anything develops.<\/p>\n
Thumbnails\/sketches<\/b><\/p>\n
It\u2019s often easiest for you visual artists to collaborate with visual cues. Sketching out concepts is as core to animators as it likely is to logo creators. This may be a stage you do on your own, or involve your motion artist in, depending on the project.<\/p>\n
![\"motionGraphics1\"](\"https:\/\/getflywheel-images.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2015\/03\/motionGraphics1.jpg\")
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Storyboard\/Script<\/b><\/p>\n
A visual plot outline, the storyboard starts turning the sketches into the story that the piece will show. The script is the actual words that will either be presented in text on screen or in voiceover (VO). These two elements go hand in hand, and the order in which they\u2019re produced may vary by project (as may your animator\u2019s involvement).<\/p>\n
Style frames<\/b><\/p>\n
A style frame should look like a still frame taken from the finished video. It helps establish fonts, company colors, and branding, as well as overall style choices for the project. Style frames become an invaluable reference tool for both designers and motion artists, something you can always look to if there\u2019s any question about design. These will probably come from you, the designer.<\/p>\n
Style frames are different from key frames, which are one simple frame in the lineup of a motion path. Alternatively, style frames apply to the whole video.<\/p>\n
You can also provide motion frames, or a series of still frames to provide an understanding of what the movement should look like, if you have specific direction to give. Write out detailed descriptions of what you want to see happen to accompany motion frames.<\/p>\n
Animation tests<\/b><\/p>\n
Your motion artist may send you short clips of what they\u2019ve been working on and ask, \u201cAre these tests hitting the mark?\u201d This allows you a chance to give feedback and to ensure your team is moving forward in a unified, agreed-upon direction.<\/p>\n