What Does a Motion Graphics Designer Do? A Complete Guide
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- Jaro Education
- 11, November 2025
- 11:00 am
If you have experience with animation, filmmaking, and graphic design, then a motion graphic designer is the perfect job title to consider. Motion graphics is indeed one of the strong forms of visual communication in the arts and media. In fact, whatever content requires movement, whether apps, videos, games, or advertisements, uses motion graphics to engage the audience. And professionals working in this domain work with the creative team to incorporate design elements into a project.
Now the question is, what does motion graphics design do? What are their salaries and skills required to be the one? Let’s get the answer to these common questions and tell you everything as you think of these next career steps.
What is Motion Graphics Design?
Let’s get the answer to what motion graphic design is. Motion graphic design is “graphics with movement”. It changes the static design, like posters or static infographics, to a graphic design that adds life with animation. In a nutshell, it is a bridge between graphic design and animation.
Let’s be clear, though: motion graphics is not like a full-blown animated film by a studio like Pixar or Disney. Rather, it is generally character development or plot lines, with little to no actual storytelling. Motion graphics are typically short-form, active animations that communicate information or are mainly created to attract attention.
For example:
- The bold title sequence you see at the start of a TV show.
- A slick product animation in a YouTube ad.
- A 3D animated explainer video breaking down a complex idea in 60 seconds.
Do you know that Motion graphics started gaining attention in Hollywood, but it was the rise of digital technology that truly made it accessible to everyone. Nowadays, with Instagram, YouTube, and OTT streaming, motion design has established itself as one of the most powerful forms of visual communication.
What Do Motion Graphics Designers Do?
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As a motion graphics designer, your role will involve creating both 2D and 3D animations, from conceptualisation to the final product. Other roles and responsibilities may include:
1. Create Visual Content
The major responsibility of a motion graphics designer is to use their creative and artistic skills to create visual content. As it is the first stage of creating complex video content, most motion graphics designers draw a rough concept that is gradually enhanced until the final draft.
2. Add Motion to Static Images
After the artwork is finalised, designers will then use various 2D and 3D animation tools to create motion with these visuals. For instance, they may dramatically make text slide while animating an object so it spins in 3D, or they could build in visuals that sync with an audio track, and the motion graphics begin turning static ideas and visual artistry into motion.
3. Collaborate and Communicate
In addition to designing, motion graphics are all about collaboration and communication. Thus, Motion graphic Designers are constantly communicating with clients, the creative director, and other team members on their feedback, making changes to drafts, and ensuring their overall animation is cohesive with the project as a whole.
4. Manage the Creative Process
Motion graphics designers are also responsible for managing multiple projects, deadlines and swim lanes, especially when freelancing or when working within a busy agency.
Motion Graphics Designer Salary in India
As consumer demand for more advanced advertising, movie and television motion graphics increases, the requirement for motion graphics designers will be significantly higher. Not only this, but the rise of smartphone usage and apps also has a great impact on the motion design industry.
In fact, according to Glassdoor India (September 2024), the average base motion graphics designer salary is ₹5,87,432 per year. However, salaries can vary depending on experience, knowledge, and the type of industry.
Here is how salaries typically increase with experience:
| Years of experience | Avg. annual salary |
| 1 year | ₹1.2 L/yr – ₹6 L/yr |
| 2 years | ₹1.9 L/yr – ₹6.5 L/yr |
| 3 years | ₹2.4 L/yr – ₹8 L/yr |
| 4 years | ₹2.9 L/yr – ₹9 L/yr |
| 5 years | ₹3 L/yr – ₹11.5 L/yr |
Reference: Ambition Box
Motion graphics designer skills
Some of the most important skills for a motion graphics designer are:
- Organisational Skills: Motion graphics projects often include several tasks occurring simultaneously. Therefore, strong organisational skills are essential to help designers meet deadlines, manage client expectations, and keep all aspects of the creative process working properly.
- 3D Modelling Awareness: In many industries, 2D Animation is the baseline skill, but today’s market calls for at least a basic understanding of 3D modelling and animation skills. Having these skill sets sets a designer apart but also leads to more job opportunities in advertising, gaming, and entertainment.
- Understanding of Perspective & Lighting: In getting to that realistic animation, a designer must have an understanding of how perspective, shadowing, and lighting play into the scene. Having a great understanding of perspective & lighting leads to greater depth and believable visuals.
- Adaptability: Whether from the client or the design team, change is important. Therefore, remaining adaptable to different requests or changes makes for an easier flow of work and an opportunity for even greater client satisfaction.
- Communication: Having strong communication with the client and or design team is a key to getting on the same page for concepts and integrating feedback from others to create animations that can connect to the bigger vision of the project.
Career Opportunities for Motion Graphics Designers
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The best thing about this career path is that it doesn’t restrict you to being in the same industry. Since video content continues to dominate online and offline media, there are opportunities available in many other fields! So, here are some primary motion graphics designer jobs that are experiencing growth:
- Advertising: Brands absolutely rely on motion graphics for commercial spots, Demonstration/how-to videos, and social media ads. This is where engaging animations can enhance a simple commercial campaign into something more attractive and interactive.
- Entertainment: Film and television have long been major users of motion designers, especially in the areas of VFX, title sequences, and broadcast graphics.
- Social Media: With Instagram reels, TikTok videos, and YouTube shorts, brands have been increasingly hiring motion designers to create social content that will grab attention within seconds.
- Corporate Communication: Corporations are using motion graphics for training videos, presentations, and internal communication. This is one of the vast areas where motion graphic design plays an important role.
- Freelance Work: With the power of a global platform, you can work with clients around the world without ever leaving your desk.
Enhance your Motion Graphics Design Skills With Jaro Education
Motion graphics design is a growing career that empowers you to exercise both your creative and technical skills. Once you’ve decided to follow your passion for graphic design, you’ll want to decide what educational path you prefer. You might consider starting by learning about Graphic Design before enrolling in an online degree programme that is offered by prestigious universities through Jaro Education.
The Bottom Line
Without a doubt, the role of motion graphics design is not limited as it offers a diverse range of opportunities in various industries. From making a brand’s logo dance to creating cartoons, motion graphics is an exciting career for today’s graduates. So, if you have a passion for animation and visual storytelling, a thriving career is waiting for you. Jaro Education brings online courses that will help you acquire new skills or strengthen your existing skills.
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