If you want to get into producing animated video production company videos for business, you’ve probably asked yourself: What is the difference between animation and motion graphics?
Motion graphics are a type of animation in video production company videos for business. Motion graphics focus on giving movement to graphic design elements, but tend to have less of a concrete storytelling aspect than other types of animation.
The terms are often used interchangeably and the distinction is not always completely black and white.
In this article, we’ll define motion graphics and explain how it differs from other styles of animation. We’ll also explain when to use which term when talking about motion graphics and animation.
Motion graphics takes graphic design that would be otherwise static and gives it animation and movement, usually without following a specific narrative.
Want the bars in your graph to rise up for some extra visual flair? That’s motion graphics.
Want the logo on your website to spin around? That’s motion graphics.
Want to animate characters to bring a children’s fairy tale to life? That’s actually not motion graphics. It’s a completely different type of animation.
Whether or not there’s a “story” being told is a big determining factor in deciding if you’re dealing with motion graphics or animation. Motion graphics animation usually features shapes, objects or text that are being set in motion.
Why bother with motion graphics instead of a much cheaper, static infographic?
Motion graphics can illustrate complex ideas visually. Think of motion graphics like a visual aid. Some ideas (especially big, abstract ones) are hard to explain with words or still images. A few seconds of motion graphics can clear everything up perfectly. Just think about how password fields sometimes vibrate or turn red when you enter a wrong password, instantly signalling that you need to try again.
The visual style of motion graphics appeals to a wide range of viewers. Cartoons may come across as too childish for formal videos for business. But motion graphics can use that cute and fun style and apply it to more mature topics. No matter what industry you’re in, the motion graphics look can make your message more engaging and entertaining.
Any technique that makes static objects or images move is animation. Significantly hand-drawn cartoons, CGI, anime, claymation or motion graphics are all amazing. These categories are not mutually exclusive. Most motion graphics are done with CGI, but you could theoretically do hand-drawn motion graphics as well.
What separates motion graphics from other types of animation (at least in terms of marketing videos) is content. Motion graphics are typically associated with setting abstract objects, text and other graphic design elements in motion. Bringing a graph, infographic or web design to life using movement is broadly speaking “animation,” but more specifically, it’s a type of animation that’s called motion graphics.
In contrast, animation as a specific art form focuses more on cinematic effects and storytelling techniques to craft a narrative.
Think of it like this: if your videos sets graphics in motion to illustrate a point, it’s would be called motion graphics. If your videos for business features a human character that goes on an emotional journey, it’s more likely to be called “animation.”.
So when do you use the term animation compared to motion graphics?
Animation is used for stories. Anyone who’s seen a Pixar film knows that animation can be a powerful storytelling medium but motion graphics can bring statistical data to life, but animation can bring characters to life with emotional narratives, creativity, and artistic expression.
Animation is more expensive. Motion graphics are usually easier to produce. It’s a less complex form of animation. But when you start looking at photorealistic CGI, hand-drawn or painted artwork, and stop-motion techniques, expect to invest more money.
Motion graphics are best for outlining or emphasizing facts and illustrating a point you’re trying to make.
Motion graphic videos for business can break down your complex services or products and present them in a memorable way and remember, motion graphics are at their core visual aids, so they excel at teaching hard-to-understand ideas through visuals.
If you want to highlight the emotional aspects of a story, but you don’t know how to, provide a narrative or if you need to connect with your audience on an emotional level and you want to go with other kinds of animation.
Modus Film is a video production company based in Kent and London. Our services are nationwide and our video marketing agency can help you make some ground breaking content. If you want to discuss this further contact us or better yet see how video marketing can transform your current marketing mix. We are now fully PPE compliant. Plus we carry on working!
As video marketing experts we are specialists in all forms of video marketing. Here at Modus Film, we have completed many projects for our clients that have required us to define a digital strategy with really great results. If you want to speak to a specialist email [email protected] or call us on 01233 273 273.
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