50 motion design resources that creatives actually use creative boom

Motion design has become an essential part of digital storytelling, branding, and advertising. For creatives navigating the fascinating world of motion graphics, having access to the right resources can make a world of difference. Here’s an extensive list of 50 motion design resources that professionals and enthusiasts alike find invaluable.

 

Software and Tools

 

1. 1. Adobe After Effects: The industry standard for motion graphics and visual effects, offering a multitude of plugins and integrations. 

 

1. 1. Cinema 4D: A powerful 3D modeling, animation, and rendering software that’s a favorite among motion designers. 

 

1. 1. Blender: A free and open-source tool that offers powerful 3D capabilities, perfect for both beginners and pros. 

 

1. 1. Adobe Animate: A versatile tool for creating interactive animations for websites and games. 

 

1. 1. Final Cut Pro: Not just for editing; it includes motion design capabilities that many creatives appreciate. 

 

1. 1. DaVinci Resolve: Known for its color grading prowess, it also features a robust editing and motion graphics suite. 

 

1. 1. Nuke: A high-end compositing software that motion graphics artists use for visual effects in film and TV. 

 

 

Online Learning Platforms

 

8. 8. Skillshare: Offers a wide array of classes on motion design, taught by industry professionals. 

 

8. 8. Udemy: A more traditional e-learning platform that features countless courses on motion graphics and animation. 

 

8. 8. Coursera: Partners with universities to provide more formalized education in design and animation. 

 

8. 8. LinkedIn Learning: A great resource for professionals looking to upskill in motion design tools and techniques. 

 

8. 8. Motion Design School: Focused solely on motion graphics training, offering courses from industry insiders. 

 

 

Assets and Templates

 

13. 13. Motion Array: A one-stop shop for motion graphics templates, stock footage, and sound effects. 

 

13. 13. Envato Elements: Provides a subscription service that includes access to thousands of templates and assets. 

 

13. 13. Videohive: Part of the Envato Market, this site offers countless templates for After Effects and Premiere Pro. 

 

13. 13. GraphicRiver: An asset marketplace where you can buy individual motion graphics templates. 

 

13. 13. Mixkit: A site offering high-quality, free video assets for motion graphics. 

 

13. 13. Rocketstock: Offers premium After Effects templates and stock footage. 

 

13. 13. Renderforest: An online video maker with hundreds of templates for quick motion graphics creation. 

 

 

Plugins and Scripts

 

20. 20. Red Giant Universe: A suite of plugins for various creative applications, enhancing visual effects and transitions. 

 

20. 20. Video Copilot’s Element 3D: A powerful plugin for After Effects that allows for real-time 3D rendering. 

 

20. 20. Animation Composer: A free tool that includes pre-defined animations and presets for quick assembly in After Effects. 

 

20. 20. AE Scripts: An extensive library of scripts and plugins that enhance After Effects functionality. 

 

20. 20. Duik: A user-friendly rigging and animation tool for After Effects, perfect for character animation. 

 

20. 20. Plexus: A plugin for creating complex and dynamic particle effects in After Effects. 

 

 

Stock Resources

 

26. 26. Pexels: Offers free high-quality videos that can be used in motion design projects. 

 

26. 26. Unsplash: A fantastic source for free stock images, which can be incorporated into animated layouts. 

 

26. 26. Artgrid: A premium stock video platform that provides access to footage for motion graphics purposes. 

 

26. 26. Storyblocks: Provides an extensive library of stock videos, templates, and music for motion designers. 

 

26. 26. Pixabay: A free resource for both images and videos, excellent for motion graphics projects. 

 

 

Inspiration and Community

 

31. 31. Behance: A platform for creatives to showcase their work, featuring a myriad of motion design projects. 

 

31. 31. Dribbble: Designers share shots of their work, making it an excellent place for inspiration in motion design. 

 

31. 31. Art of the Title: Focuses on title sequences in films, offering behind-the-scenes insights into the motion graphics process. 

 

31. 31. Motionographer: A site dedicated to the motion design community, featuring projects, tutorials, and industry news. 

 

31. 31. Awwwards: Showcases award-winning web designs, often with innovative motion graphics. 

 

 

Forums and Networks

 

36. 36. r/MotionDesign (Reddit): A subreddit where designers share work, tips, and resources. 

 

36. 36. Creative COW: A community for media professionals; includes forums on motion design and animation. 

 

36. 36. MoGraph: A dedicated forum for motion graphics professionals, focusing on tips, resources, and networking. 

 

 

Articles and Blogs

 

39. 39. School of Motion: Offers articles, tutorials, and insights specifically for motion designers. 

 

39. 39. Motion Design Blog: Chronicles trends, news, and tutorials in the world of motion graphics. 

 

39. 39. The Animation Guild: Provides resources, support, and articles for animators and motion designers. 

 

 

Hardware

 

42. 42. Wacom Tablets: Highly recommended for those who want to hand-draw animations or design with precision. 

 

42. 42. Apple MacBook Pro: A favorite among creatives for its performance and display capabilities. 

 

42. 42. High-Performance Monitors: Essential for color accuracy in motion design; brands like BenQ are notable in this space. 

 

 

Fonts and Typography

 

45. 45. Adobe Fonts: Thousands of fonts available for use in motion graphics projects. 

 

45. 45. Google Fonts: A free resource for web-friendly, open-source fonts easily integrated into animations. 

 

45. 45. Typekit: Offers a collection of fonts for both personal and commercial projects. 

 

 

Sound Design

 

48. 48. Epidemic Sound: Provides a vast library of royalty-free music and sound effects suitable for video and motion design. 

 

48. 48. Artlist: A subscription service offering high-quality music tracks for creative projects. 

 

48. 48. FreeSound: A collaborative database of audio snippets, useful for various projects in motion design. 

 

 

This comprehensive list brings together essential tools, resources, and communities that every motion designer can leverage for their creative endeavors. With the right assets and a supportive network, the world of motion design opens up to endless possibilities for storytelling and expression.