Tips for a Smooth Motion Graphics Workflow
An efficient motion graphics artist allows you to deliver exceptional quality to clients without wasting your own precious time. The most efficient motion graphics workflow is one that is perfectly planned, allows for ample time, and ensures the ideas and creative juices continue to flow for the duration of the project. Follow these tips for a smooth motion graphics workflow.
1. Storyboard Before Jumping In
Before you begin with your motion graphics workflow, it’s important to have a plan in place – and it all starts with your storyboard!
Any great motion graphics artist knows that a storyboard provides the most efficient workflow because it limits that frequency of aimlessly making adjustments without a plan.
Even if you suck at drawing, a storyboard is your friend! Include notes about the various movements, motions, and animations that will take place with each frame.
Adding a storyboard to your motion graphics workflow is almost guaranteed to save you some time!
2. Choose Proper File Names
File naming conventions are important to any motion graphics workflow. An appropriately named file is easier to find later on, represents the asset in the workflow, and just plain makes more sense than having unconventional file names that are hard to figure out. Don’t just dump all your files in a folder and go!
Name your files and place them in organized folders. Not sure what we mean? Consider:
– Samples – a folder for files that represent your low res samples that are ready to be passed back and forth between your team and your clients.
– Assets – a folder for files that are directly related to the project. Things like your logos, graphics, and various other project assets go here.
– Comps – a folder for your C4d composition files that have been saved in numbered format or your after effects files. Keep them organized!
– Audio – a folder for your sound files such as music and sound fx. You can even put your voice overs in here. Again, organization is key!
– Output – a folder for your final output renders. Save them here so that you know where to find them if your clients need them again in the future!
3. Choose Proper File Naming Conventions
You’ve got a plan for your files and folders, but naming conventions are important to your motion graphics workflow too! Don’t just let your computer choose the file name for you! And please don’t, EVER, just take the file name of whatever you download! Make a decision on how you will name your files and stick with it. Keep it simple and organized.
For example, you might choose something like:
– Starting with the project name
– Including the shot name or a shot number
– Adding the version number
Doing so would result in a file name that might look something like: AmazingAnimatedAlligator_FieryBite_v18
Where the project name is “Amazing Animated Alligator” and the shot name is “Fiery Bite” and the version is number 18. See how simple that makes the entire process, and how easy it would be for you to refer to various files as well as to reference them in communications with clients or with your team? All are important for a smooth, seamless and efficient motion graphics workflow!
Want more motion graphics workflow tips and tricks? Give Beverly Boy Productions a call!