5 Major Motion Graphic Trends to Look Out For

Motion graphics oftentimes present a chance to step out of the ordinary and let your imagination go wild. In the context of graphic design, they are oftentimes used to strengthen the idea in a way no picture can.

Motion graphics trends, on the other hand, tend to be dictated by the latest innovations in the field of technology as well as pop culture movements. Of course, it’s important to note that jumping on the bandwagon of any trend blindly is not recommended.

However, being aware of what’s currently catching the eye of the mainstream can help you improve your brand and better communicate the right message to your audience.

Liquid Motion

The proper usage of liquid motion enables the motion graphics designer to add an invaluable organic feel to the design. Instead of following the pattern of having clean transitions and movements, liquid motion disrupts it by adding flow-like liquid across the screen while adding beautiful splashes of dense colors.

This enables a seamless transition and transformations into new and compelling shapes, while also delivering impressive visuals along the way.

The below video by InfoTechBuz is a brilliant example of how powerful liquid motion graphics can be.

Micro-Interactions

In continuation of the above, it’s worth pointing out that almost any motion design company looks to identify new and convenient ways to deliver a fluid user experience.

In this regard, interactions have definitely proven to be more than capable of achieving the above. We can see there’s a lot of buzz about micro-interactions and that an increasing number of proponents has started using them.

Micro-interactions are subtle animations created with the sole purpose of improving the user experience and help pin his attention to important objects.

Look at this simple example of a micro-interaction motion design by Sangmi Kim:

Naturally, this is just a very basic idea which aims to show you the concept of micro-interactions and how they can be used to intentionally navigate your user’s attention.

Dense Pastels

Pastel palettes are powerful. They invoke so much that it’s hard to encompass it into words. Their utility in motion graphics design is out of the question and is perhaps most strongly outlined by Apple. If you’ve used an iPhone with 3D touch, you’ve certainly seen this beautiful fish:

While it is, technically, a fish, you can see the beautiful job of using bright pastel palette. It creates a sense of elegance and calmness at the same time.

As soon as the animation takes place, you immediately see the gradual movement of the elements into a seamless and fluid motion.

Glitch Effects

A report by Adweek and Shutterstock outlined that glitch design has managed to enter almost every single aspect of branding, marketing, packaging, and, of course, motion design.

And when you think about it – it’s true. A broad range of different videos begins with a rather typical glitch effect such as a video stream which evokes a well-known static of your grandparents’ old TV.

The below video by Jebari Wooten perfectly exemplifies an introduction which takes advantage of motion graphics with a glitch effect.

The reasons for which it’s likely to stick around is because it manages to encapsulate two particularly sought after vibes: these of the future and the past.

Combination of 2D & 3D

As we said in the beginning, trends tend to be dictated by developments in the field of technology. Well, 3D technologies provide creatives with opportunities which would otherwise be close to impossible to achieve.

3D is likely to be something that we will continue to see across all industries, not just as a motion graphics trend.

However, we can definitely see motion design companies exploring brand new ways to combine 3D with 2D in order to create more complex visuals.

The following Google Cloud Navigation AI presentation outlines a successful usage of both 2D and 3D elements combined in a fluid motion to deliver a concrete point.

However, it’s also important to note that Augmented and Virtual Reality development is also something that’s likely to trend and, as such, we expect to see more work done in this regard as well.

Motion graphics play an important role in any contemporary website and design of some sort. Hence, it’s important to stay up to date with what’s trending and what’s hot.

Of course, there are plenty of other interesting concepts and trends to look forward to this year, but the above are likely to continue occupying the central stage spots.