Motion Design Course

Motion Design Course / FAQs

Motion Design Course Frequently Asked Questions

👋🏼 Have another question or want us to assess if this course is right for you? Email us at hello@ilovecreatives.com

Why did you make this course?

If you’re here (hiii), you probably want to make things move and make them look good. We built this course because we saw a gap: most motion design courses either go deep into software without a design perspective or focus on flashy tricks without teaching how it’s actually done in the industry.

Think of this as a Motion Design Apprenticeship. You’ll learn the creative side and the production side, the way it’s done in real studios. That means:

After Effects 2D Animation 101 — the core skills every industry pro expects you to know
3D for motion in Cinema 4D — practical, designer-friendly 3D that works seamlessly with After Effects
Concept-to-pitch process — how to take a brief, develop ideas, and sell them
Business skills — freelancing, career growth, and building a sustainable creative practice

For beginners, it’s the best way to become industry-ready without having to guess what to learn next. For motion designers who are already booked and busy, it’s a chance to refine your creative voice, push your artistic style, and build systems that make your work (and life) smoother.

Why motion design (and why now)?

Motion design is where storytelling, design, and timing collide. It can evoke emotions, inspire purchases, or leave a lasting impression, which is why brands, agencies, and studios can’t get enough of it right now.

The numbers back it up. The global motion graphics market is set to double from $64.3B in 2021 to $129.1B by 2028. In the U.S., the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects steady growth for animators and VFX artists. That is about 6,700 openings every year through 2033. And it’s not just traditional jobs, 77% of marketing and creative leaders plan to hire more contract talent in late 2025, and more than half of motion designers are already self-employed.

Why all this growth? Motion simply outperforms static content when it comes to grabbing attention, and brands are investing heavily from TikTok ads to giant billboards in Times Square.

In this course, you’ll learn how to pitch your ideas in a strategic deck, collaborate with teams and clients, and handle both 2D and 3D motion requests from start to finish. You’ll acquire the creative skills and industry know-how to produce work that not only looks great but also gets seen, placed, and paid.

Why is this course better?

The ilovecreatives Motion Design Course stands out by blending creative empowerment with practical career-building. Unlike typical tutorials that focus solely on software, this course delves into the real-world application of motion design skills, teaching you how to pitch, price, and manage projects effectively. It offers a comprehensive curriculum covering tools like After Effects and Cinema 4D, while also emphasizing the development of a unique Motion Identity and a professional portfolio reel. With flexible on-demand lessons and weekly live office hours on Discord, it provides both the knowledge and support needed to transition from learning to earning in the motion design industry.

Why do I need to learn Cinema4D?

This opens up tons of creative possibilities: you can animate 3D objects, adjust lighting and reflections, and even blend them with your 2D designs—all without bouncing back to a separate 3D program. Some models even come with built-in animation! Here’s an example of what you’ll be learning to make in 3D.

After Effects includes a free version of Cinema 4D called Cinema 4D Lite, which contains all the necessary features for the course.

Are you super excited and want a head start?

Same! Enroll here. Then, check all your email folders (yes, even Spam and Promotions) for your welcome email. Once you enroll, you'll get access to the course portal and everything you need to begin.

Who is this course for?

If you’ve ever made text fly across the screen, played with keyframes, or thought “How do they do that?”, then this course is for you. We made it for:

Designers who want to learn motion and actually get paid for it
Freelancers trying to level up with better clients and bigger budgets
Animators stuck in the revision loop who want to reclaim creative control
Visual creatives who want to build a system, a brand, and a business—not just another reel

I’m a Designer.

“I really want to elevate my designs and add motion to them!

My clients are already asking for this on the regular and I need to make my portfolio stronger.”

I'm a Creative.

“I don’t have any animation experience, but I want to make my visuals stand out.

I can use it for personal creative projects and, honestly, just for fun!”

I'm a Social Media Manager.

“I feel stuck with Canva templates!

Sometimes I have really great ideas, but I need to take it one step further and everyone says I need to learn After Effects.”

I’m a Freelancer.

“I know motion design will help me charge more and book better clients.

Right now, I feel limited in what I can offer and I don’t want to keep turning down work.”

I’m a college student.

“We had to learn After Effects and 3D on our own and I’m worried that I didn’t learn the right things.

I want to feel confident I can get a job and then do the job.”

I’m a Web/Product Designer.

“Animations are game changers for interface design, and I know I can do more than static prototypes.

Teach me how to animate my web designs like the real thing!”

I’m a Video Editor.

“I’ve been an editor for a minute now and I’ve been avoiding learning Motion Design.

I know that my work can be better and I would get way more work. It’s time.”

I make music.

“I already make music videos, but I want to make my videos even better.

Plus, my artists need promo like Motion Flyers for social and Spotify.”

I’m a Content Creator.

“I make videos all day and I feel limited because I’m only using mobile apps.

I’m ready to learn what the big kids know! Haha.”

I’m a Youtuber.

“I feel like my YouTube account looks like everyone else’s.

I want custom motion design that actually fits my personality and make me excited again.”

I’m a Motion Designer.

“I already do motion work, but I’m not getting the work I want. I love the ilovecreatives style and I’m ready to just be more creative!

Plus, I want to learn how the freelancing side actually works.”

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I have no motion design experience—is that OK?

Absolutely! This course is beginner-friendly and pro-polishing. Whether you’re just starting or have a reel full of client work, the course gives you tools to elevate your craft, clarify your voice, and grow your business.

What if I have no previous design experience at all? Will this course be a good fit for me?

While prior design experience is great if motion design will help you stack your skills (ie, adding motion to your own digital assets), it’s not required for this course at all! The core task of motion designers is to bring static graphics into movement, and they’re not necessarily going to be the creatives designing these assets from scratch (unless this is what you’re interested in 👀 Check out the Graphic Design Course instead). That being said, we will be teaching you design principles and guidelines throughout the course that’ll ensure your animations are tasteful and design-forward

Do I need expensive software or gear?

You just need a computer, Wi-Fi, and Adobe After Effects & Cinema 4D (which you can get with a monthly subscription). Psst, Cinema 4D Lite, which is all you need for this course, is free with an Adobe After Effects or full Creative Cloud subscription!

Can I become a full-time motion designer after this course?

Yes, that’s the goal! This course isn’t just about learning cool tricks in After Effects—it’s built to help you confidently step into the motion design industry. You’ll get hands-on experience with industry-standard tools, create a portfolio reel that shows off your skills, and learn how to pitch, price, and land real projects. Whether you're freelancing, applying for studio roles, or adding motion to your existing design career, the course is designed to help you go from “just learning” to “fully booked.”

Will this course help me get clients?

100% yes. This course is your cheat code to the landing clients you want to attract. You’ll learn the art of pitching, the science of pricing, and the know-hows of marketing your work like a pro—even if you don’t have any formal marketing experience!

I don’t want to freelance—should I still take it?

Definitely. Whether you work full-time or on passion projects, this course teaches strategic creative thinking and professional workflows that apply to any motion design job. It's about creative longevity, not just client chasing.

What’s the structure?

Self-paced, online, no deadlines. You can feel free to move through the course at your own pace (we understand that life can get busy!). We have a syllabus that can help you stick to a schedule as well. Most students finish in about 7 weeks, but you can take longer (especially if you go all in on your final motion piece, which we encourage!).

You’ll access the full video library and track your progress in our portal.

Will I get 1:1 feedback?

Yes! That is one of the main reasons why students love ilovecreatives courses. You’ll get feedback on your projects and portfolio from Dakota Hopkins, a motion designer with over a decade of experience. He’s worked with global brands like Apple, Hulu, Google, and Sony, and partnered with top studios including The Mill, Logan, Sid Lee, Use All Five, and Los York. That means your feedback isn’t just about making things look good—it’s grounded in what real clients and studios are actually looking for when they hire.

Why is this course $$$?

Because it’s not just lessons—it’s mentorship, real-world business tools, downloadable resources, portfolio critiques, and insight from a working creative who’s built the kind of career you want.

Can my job pay for this?

Yep, your employer may be able to cover the costs! In the US, your employer can offer up to $5,250 in education assistance, tax-free. We even made a sample letter to request reimbursement.

Do you offer a payment plan?

Yup! Check the enrollment page for options.

What is your refund policy?

We are happy to do a partial refund within 7 days of purchase if you mistakenly purchased the course and have not started watching any of the videos. Once you start watching the videos, we won’t be able to refund your purchase.

Motion Design Course