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Motion graphics artist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Dr. Julia Gaines,
Paige Williams
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical motion graphics artist skills. We ranked the top skills for motion graphics artists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 16.2% of motion graphics artist resumes contained video production as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a motion graphics artist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 motion graphics artist skills for your resume and career

1. Video Production

Here's how motion graphics artists use video production:
  • Worked as part of a team in a video production advertising firm.
  • Produce all aspects of video production.

2. Animation

Here's how motion graphics artists use animation:
  • Supplied animation and motion graphics consultancy for large-scale projects to streamline production across departments.
  • Created high energy kinetic typography pieces with custom designed symbols and character animation.

3. Cinema

A cinema is a place where motion movies are shown to people for public entertainment. Cinemas not only offer relaxation and entertainment but also create awareness and education.

Here's how motion graphics artists use cinema:
  • Home Entertainment Main title design, compositing, rotoscoping, Clients Include: SONY, FOX, DISNEY, NEW LINE CINEMA
  • Created elements in Adobe Illustrator and Cinema 4D and animated in After Effects.

4. Adobe Creative Suite

Here's how motion graphics artists use adobe creative suite:
  • Used video creation and editing software such as Final Cut Studio, AdobePhotoshop and Adobe Creative Suite 5.
  • Set up client supplied artwork for slot machine games using the Adobe Creative Suite and company specific software.

5. Premiere Pro

Here's how motion graphics artists use premiere pro:
  • Edit news and entertainment programs on Premiere Pro for the UTDTV station.
  • Project: WetPaint Skills Used After Effects Premiere Pro Motion Graphics Render

6. Video Content

Here's how motion graphics artists use video content:
  • Managed the content over the server in CCS and created video content that could be downloaded and utilized by clients.
  • Designed and animated graphics, and edited video content for screens and displays.

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7. Adobe Premiere

Here's how motion graphics artists use adobe premiere:
  • Strengthened skills and proficiency in Adobe Premiere CC and Adobe After Effects CC, as well as Adobe Audition.
  • Created titles and finished hero shots in post production with Adobe After effects and Adobe Premiere.

8. Storyboards

Here's how motion graphics artists use storyboards:
  • Confronted prior Kenneth Cole advertising by introducing new storyboard with concept of geometric images to represent the brand's modern vibes.
  • Illustrated storyboards and created motion graphic videos for the company, Retail TouchPoints, on retail statistics.

9. Maya

Maya, also known as Autodesk Maya, is a software and a graphics application used to create 3D models, effects, and assets intended for use in such 3D products as video games, films, architectural plans and models, and other, often interactive, pieces of media. Maya has, since the late 90s, become a standard and one of the core tools in the film and video game industries, has become a part of the primary learning curriculum in schools devoted to these crafts, and has been used in many famous movies, such as Lord of the Rings.

Here's how motion graphics artists use maya:
  • Make use of Illustrator to design logos; import files into MAYA.
  • Design the necessary 3D assets and animate them in Autodesk 3Ds Max and/or MAYA and present to Senior Producer for approval.

10. Adobe Photoshop

Here's how motion graphics artists use adobe photoshop:
  • Create vector and pixel based art using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
  • Advanced Adobe Photoshop retouching, illustration, and compositing.ty.

11. Photography

Here's how motion graphics artists use photography:
  • Consulted with Producers on lighting design and scene set-up for on-location photography.
  • Acted as director of photography on various productions.

12. Visual Effects

Visual Effects or VFX is converting the image into a fictitious character and then implementing those pictures in shooting films and movies. The visual effects appear by manipulating the actual footage into imagery and creating incredibly realistic images.

Here's how motion graphics artists use visual effects:
  • Designed visual effects and implemented in After Effects utilizing expressions.
  • Impressed Executive Producers by being the first Motion Graphics Artist to add visual effects to the motion graphics in the show.

14. VFX

Visual effects or, as it is known more often, VFX is a term used to describe the special imagery as well as the process of creating and applying said effects onto a visual piece of media, such as a photograph, a video, or a film. VFX is used in filmmaking to replace activities, actions, settings, objects, and animals that would otherwise be too expensive or dangerous or otherwise difficult to work with, create, or use.

Here's how motion graphics artists use vfx:
  • Provided compositing and VFX for animations.
  • Light compositing and VFX work.

15. Art Direction

Art direction is an essential job in the activities related to theatre, advertising, fashion, publishing as well the film industry. All of these fields have a direct or indirect connection with art and therefore require direction and supervision regarding this very aspect of the job. The art director is responsible for how a product turns out visually..

Here's how motion graphics artists use art direction:
  • Have worked on the storyboard, art direction, video photomontage, video editing for a baby soap television commercial.
  • Provided design, development and art direction on large video programs.
top-skills

What skills help Motion Graphics Artists find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on motion graphics artist resumes?

Dr. Julia GainesDr. Julia Gaines LinkedIn profile

Director, Professor, Percussion, University of Missouri - Columbia

Some experience with AV/IT. It will be necessary to be much more familiar with all platforms devoted to customer and student consumption.

What hard/technical skills are most important for motion graphics artists?

Paige Williams

Academic Dean, Art Academy of Cincinnati

Students entering the creative workplace need the visual, verbal, and written vocabulary to articulate their ideas and provide meaningful and constructive criticism. Students at the AAC learn criticism methods and engage in writing across the curriculum in every studio and academic course. A rigorous capstone experience requires that students write a ten-to-twelve-page thesis that thoroughly explains what they make (subject), how they make it (form), and why it matters (content). They then are required to present their ideas in a public forum.

Learning the latest technological advances and adapting as technology evolves is important for every student entering the workforce.

What motion graphics artist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Anne BeekmanAnne Beekman LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor of Graphic Design & Illustration, University of Findlay

Designers with a broad range of skills- technology, creativity, and communication-with a strong aesthetic will continue to find jobs.

What type of skills will young motion graphics artists need?

Philip LindseyPhilip Lindsey LinkedIn profile

Professor of Fine Arts, Wilson College

Communication skills, creative and critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, work well independently, and in a team, tech-savvy, broad knowledge (liberal arts) + disciplinary knowledge.

What soft skills should all motion graphics artists possess?

John Mayer Ph.D.John Mayer Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Professor, California State University - Stanislaus

Thorough ability to read and write and communicate efficiently and inclusively.

List of motion graphics artist skills to add to your resume

Motion graphics artist skills

The most important skills for a motion graphics artist resume and required skills for a motion graphics artist to have include:

  • Video Production
  • Animation
  • Cinema
  • Adobe Creative Suite
  • Premiere Pro
  • Video Content
  • Adobe Premiere
  • Storyboards
  • Maya
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Photography
  • Visual Effects
  • Logo
  • VFX
  • Art Direction
  • Web Videos
  • YouTube
  • Style Frames
  • Promotional Videos
  • Design Motion Graphics
  • Television Commercials
  • Nuke
  • Graphic Elements
  • Sound Design
  • HTML
  • Color Correction
  • Corporate Videos
  • Documentaries
  • Adobe Audition
  • DVD
  • HD
  • AE
  • Music Videos
  • CG
  • User Interface
  • Sound Effects
  • Digital Assets
  • Autodesk
  • TV Show
  • Title Sequences
  • FX
  • Video Shoots
  • Digital Signage
  • Instructional Videos
  • Facebook
  • Motion Capture
  • Graphic Packages
  • Clients Include

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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