How can you create better typography with motion design software?

1 Choose the right font

The first step to create better typography with motion design software is to choose the right font for your message, audience, and style. Different fonts have different personalities, moods, and associations, so you need to select one that matches your purpose and tone. For example, a serif font might convey a sense of elegance and tradition, while a sans serif font might suggest a modern and clean look. You also need to consider the readability, legibility, and compatibility of your font, especially if you are using multiple fonts or languages.

2 Adjust the spacing and alignment

The second step to create better typography with motion design software is to adjust the spacing and alignment of your text. Spacing refers to the distance between letters, words, and lines, and it affects the clarity and harmony of your typography. You can use tools like kerning, tracking, and leading to fine-tune your spacing and avoid gaps or overlaps. Alignment refers to the position and orientation of your text, and it affects the balance and hierarchy of your typography. You can use tools like grids, guides, and snapping to align your text to other elements and create a consistent layout.

3 Add contrast and emphasis

The third step to create better typography with motion design software is to add contrast and emphasis to your text. Contrast refers to the difference between elements, such as size, color, weight, and shape, and it helps to create visual interest and focus. You can use contrast to highlight important words, create hierarchy, and separate sections. Emphasis refers to the way you draw attention to specific elements, such as animation, effects, and sound, and it helps to create mood and movement. You can use emphasis to create rhythm, transitions, and interactions.

4 Follow the principles of motion design

The fourth step to create better typography with motion design software is to follow the principles of motion design. These are the basic rules and guidelines that help you create smooth and realistic animations, such as ease in and ease out, which means your animation should start and end slowly, accelerating and decelerating in between to mimic natural motion. Additionally, there is anticipation and follow-through, where your animation should prepare and react to the main action to create tension and continuity. Additionally, overlap and drag should be used, where different parts move at different speeds and directions to create fluidity and complexity. Lastly, squash and stretch should be employed, where your animation should deform and reshape according to the force and direction of the motion to create elasticity and weight.

5 Test and refine your typography

The fifth step to create better typography with motion design software is to test and refine your typography. This means that you should preview and evaluate your typography in different contexts and platforms, such as screens, devices, and browsers, to ensure that it works well and looks good. You should also get feedback from other people, such as clients, colleagues, and users, to improve your typography and fix any issues. You should also keep learning and experimenting with new techniques and tools, to expand your typographic skills and creativity.

6 Use the best motion design software

The sixth and final step to create better typography with motion design software is to use the best motion design software for your needs and preferences. There are many motion design software and tools available, each with its own unique features, advantages, and disadvantages. Popular options include Adobe After Effects, a powerful and versatile software for creating and editing motion graphics, visual effects, and animations; Cinema 4D, a professional and user-friendly software for creating and rendering 3D models, animations, and motion graphics; and Blender, a free and open-source software for creating and editing 3D models, animations, and motion graphics. Each of these programs offers a fast and intuitive workflow as well as support for various formats and plugins.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?