Beginner's Guide to Design & Motion
A free introduction to the world of animation and design
This free course hosted by Michael Jones introduces the foundational concepts of design and animation, getting you ready to take your next steps into the world of motion.
Class Start Date:
May 6, 2024
July 8, 2024
July 8, 2024
Course Length:
Session Duration:
2.5 hours
Instant Access! Start learning immediately.
100% Free! Start learning immediately.
This Course Bundle Includes:
2.5 hours
of video lessons,
guides, and access to our 24/7 motion community
podcasts, guides, and support
from our amazing team!
guides, and access to our
24/7 motion community!
podcasts, guides, and access to our 24/7 motion community!
podcasts, guides, community
and critique from pros!
WEEK 1
Tools of the Trade
Learn about the techniques, tools and tactics used by professionals to create effective visual designs and put them into motion.
Essential Concepts & Principles
An introduction to the WHAT and WHY of design & animation fundamentals like value, texture, color, contrast, staging, anticipation, timing, and more.
From Idea to Animation
Professional workflows are both explained and demonstrated, giving critical insights on how to begin bringing your ideas to life.
Learn the secrets of high-end work
Better than in-person training
School of Motion instant-access courses are unlike anything you've ever experienced. Along with world-class training, you'll also get access to tons of professional project files and a 24/7 network of likeminded artists, and more support than you'll know what to do with.
Over 20,000 artists have taken School of Motion courses, find out what all the hype is about.
School of Motion courses are unlike anything you've ever experienced. Along with world-class training, you'll also get 1-on-1 feedback from an industry pro, a 24/7 network of likeminded artists, and more support than you'll know what to do with.
Over 20,000 artists have taken School of Motion courses, find out what all the hype is about.
This instant-access course features
Exercises and project files for every lesson
Each course comes packed with free project files, assets, and additional material to keep you learning and growing long after the course ends. Our exercises are designed from real world briefs, so you’re learning the skills you need to excel on your next project or venture.
Permanent access to course materials
We all need a refresher now and again, which is why you’ll keep access to your course—and all the assets and project files—for the rest of your life. Come back to listen to exclusive interviews, review old lessons, and try out new techniques using your old assets.
Support from the School of Motion team
Reach out to our incredible support team at any time to answer questions about the material, or to help you find the best way to achieve your career goals. We are here to help.
This instant-access course features
Exercises and project files for every lesson
Each course comes packed with free project files, assets, and additional material to keep you learning and growing long after the course ends. Our exercises are designed from real world briefs, so you’re learning the skills you need to excel on your next project or venture.
Real-world examples and video training
We go above and beyond when producing our courses, making sure that the curriculum is presented in the right order, with the right examples, and using the best practices currently used in the industry. In short, you're learning to do things the way they're done in the real world.
Permanent access to course materials
We all need a refresher now and again, which is why you’ll keep access to your course—and all the assets and project files—for the rest of your life. Come back to listen to exclusive interviews, review old lessons, and try out new techniques using your old assets.
A world-wide artist community
You’ll gain instant access to our 24/7 motion design community, The Square. Here you can network with professional artists at every stage of their career. You’ll get to meet new friends, ask for help, and build your network.
This instant-access course features
Exercises and project files for every lesson
Each course comes packed with free project files, assets, and additional material to keep you learning and growing long after the course ends. Our exercises are designed from real world briefs, so you’re learning the skills you need to excel on your next project or venture.
Real-world examples and video training
We go above and beyond when producing our courses, making sure that the curriculum is presented in the right order, with the right examples, and using the best practices currently used in the industry. In short, you're learning to do things the way they're done in the real world.
Permanent access to course materials
We all need a refresher now and again, which is why you’ll keep access to your course—and all the assets and project files—for the rest of your life. Come back to listen to exclusive interviews, review old lessons, and try out new techniques using your old assets.
A world-wide artist community
You’ll gain instant access to our 24/7 motion design community, The Square. Here you can network with professional artists at every stage of their career. You’ll get to meet new friends, ask for help, and build your network.
What makes us different?
Cohort-Based Learning
Join artists from around the world on our custom learning platform. Never learn alone, as you’ll have immediate access to a forum of fellow students to share work, ask questions, and improve together.
Exercises and project files for every lesson
Each course comes packed with free project files, assets, and additional material to keep you learning and growing long after the course ends. Our exercises are designed from real world briefs, so you’re learning the skills you need to excel on your next project or venture.
Technical and creative support along the way
You’ll be assigned a Teaching Assistant with years of experience in your chosen course. They’ll provide technical and creative feedback to guide you through new skills, improve your techniques, and provide encouragement along your journey.
Verified credential upon course completion
Completing a course isn’t just about bragging rights. Once you’ve completed at least 70% of your work in a given course, you’ll earn a verified credential that can show current and future employers exactly what you’ve accomplished.
Permanent access to course materials
We all need a refresher now and again, which is why you’ll keep access to your course—and all the assets and project files—for the rest of your life. Come back to listen to exclusive interviews, review old lessons, and try out new techniques using your old assets.
A world-wide alumni community
You’ll gain instant access to our alumni platform, The Square. Here you can network with professional artists at every stage of their career. You’ll get access to new job opportunities and exclusive alumni events, such as meetups, virtual hangouts and reel reviews.
Meet your instructor
Michael Jones
Sr. Motion Designer
Michael Jones is the Senior Motion Designer at Hims Inc. He has a passion for all things design, animation and visual effects. He is also the founder of Motion Sound, an online sound design library built for motion designers.
School of Motion alumni work at
companies like these
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Our no-risk money back policy
We want to make sure you have a positive learning experience with us, so for any session based course you're enrolled in, you can request a refund any time within 30 days of purchase.
We want to make sure you have a positive learning experience with us, so for any session based course you're enrolled in, you can request a refund up until the end of Week 3 of the course
Registration Opens
April 1, 2024
Class Start Date:
May 6, 2024
July 8, 2024
July 8, 2024
Course Length:
Session Duration:
2.5 hours
Instant-Access! Start learning immediately.
100% Free! Start learning immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Beginner's Guide to Design & Motion is an instant-access course. All lessons are immediately available to you. The lessons include pre-recorded videos and helpful PDFs with additional examples. You can binge all of the content at once, or take your time and watch it a little at a time.
Yes! You’ll have lifetime access to all the course lessons and materials. Also, if we make any changes to Beginner's Guide to Design & Motion, you’ll automatically receive access to the latest version.
Beginner's Guide to Design & Motion is an instant-access course. You'll have the flexibility to watch all the course content on your schedule. There are approximately 2.5 hours of video content in this course.
Aside from your web browser, none! You'll see examples of designing and animating within Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and After Effects, but these are intended as examples to show concepts in practice, not as follow-along demos.
You will not recognize your work when class is over.
Our courses have been meticulously designed to simulate real-world situations so that you're learning best-practices from day one. You'll be challenged, supported, and celebrated by your fellow artists as you level-up in real-time.
Are you ready to take the next step in your career?
Registration Opens
April 1, 2024
Class Start Date:
May 6, 2024
July 8, 2024
July 8, 2024
Course Length:
Session Duration:
2.5 hours
Instant-Access! Start learning immediately.
100% Free! Start learning immediately.