Expression Session

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Unlock the Power of Expressions

Master expressions in After Effects

Expressions are a motion designer's secret weapon. They can automate repetitive tasks, build flexible rigs, and extend your capabilities far past what is possible with keyframes alone. If you've been looking to add this powerful skill to your MoGraph tool kit, your search is over — this class will show you how and, as importantly, why to use Expressions in your work.

What will you learn in Expression Session?

Expression Basics

Learn the common lingo and core principles.

Controls and Automation

Speed up your workflow.

Manage Complex Projects

Master managing the most complex projects.

Troubleshooting

Squash bugs and fix errors.

Professional Workflows

Write Expressions like the pros.

Build Flexible Rigs

Construct time-saving rigs.

Zack Lovatt and Nol Honig

Course Instructors

Between the two of them, Nol Honig and Zack Lovatt have a combined 30 years of experience in the field of motion design. As a freelance technical director for some of the biggest studios in the world, as well as a creator of popular tools for After Effects like Explode Shape Layers and Flow, Zack brings the technical expertise necessary for the subject of expressions. As the creative director for The Drawing Room, and Distinguished Teaching Award winner at Parsons School of Design, Nol brings his years of industry experience and teaching know-how to the table. The combination of their two skill-sets (often referred to as “Zol” by industry insiders) is a force to be reckoned with.

Clients Zack and Nol have worked with:

Course Format

Briefs that Feel Real

We've created the ultimate experience for motion designers who want to add Expressions to their skillset. Every project in this course is crafted to help you gain real-world skills used by motion designers everyday in After Effects. By the end of the course, you'll know how, why, and when to add Expressions to improve your workflow.

Share, Learn and Grow Together

School of Motion courses provide a one-of-a-kind experience. You’ll hang out (virtually, of course) with a circle of motion designers in a private Facebook Group. You’ll be inspired, encouraged and even critiqued by your fellow students and Teaching Assistants. You’ll have the support of a new and engaged group of friends to geek out with while reviewing the latest works created by your peers. You’ll learn how your friends approached their projects, with downloadable files. And you'll witness amazing works as they develop, keeping you inspired.

Technical and Creative Assistance from Professional Artists

Learning a new skill takes time, patience and, sometimes, an extra set of eyes. We've engaged professional motion designers with extensive Expressions experience to guide you throughout the course, assisting with any creative or technical questions that may arise.

You’ll regularly upload your work to our Homework Locker — and receive thoughtful, comprehensive and precise feedback and draw-overs on your work. Your TA's reviews will include insights on creating and revising code, helping elevate your work.

Technical and Creative Assistance from Professional Artists

Invaluable Insights from Industry Icons

Enrollment in Expression Session includes an exclusive podcast designed to inform, inspire and empower. This star-studded series features interviews with leading motion designers including Lloyd Alvarez, Caitlin Cadieux, Adam Plouff, and others.

Behind-the-Scenes Access

Each student adds their own creative spin to every assignment. If you see something you like (or don’t know how to pull off), you can download the student's project files from the Homework Locker. This is an opportunity you won’t get anywhere else, so take full advantage!

Course Schedule

Orientation

Meet your classmates, get comfy with the course format, and learn some basic Expression principles. You'll also have a challenge to complete, if you're up to it.

Time is on Our Sine

Learn how to control time and start setting up controls for your Expressions using looping, wiggling, and more.

Properties Management

Become proficient in using variables, working with properties, creating flexible rigs, and controlling your Expressions. Feel the power!

Focus Week: Game, Set, Math

During this Focus Week, catch up on course work and material — and discover that math is not that scary, after all.

Middle of the Code

Meet linear(), your new best friend, and take on the mapping of one set of values to another; you'll also get familiar with randomness.

Number Crunch

Focus on manipulating data, automating layout tasks, and building powerful rigs using all the skills you've acquired thus far.

Focus Week: Automation Station

During this Focus Week, catch up on course work and material — and learn about the automation options for motion designers.

Space: To Boldly Code

Delve into coordinate space transforms, and using markers with loops to trigger animations in your project.

Oh FUI!

It's the final countdown. Push your code capabilities to their limit to complete a challenging fantasy-UI project.

Extended Critique

During this final three-week Extended Critique period, catch up on coursework and material, and complete and submit your final project for critique.

And once you’ve reached the end?

At the end of the course, you are inducted into the Alumni Facebook Group where you can post your final projects, meet students from previous sessions, and continue to keep in touch with your new compadres. The networking that takes place in this group is priceless, and many students have gotten freelance work from the connections they’ve made in this course.

Have more Questions?

What's included with the course?

Expression Session is a one-of-a-kind virtual classroom experience for any motion designer who wants to add the power of Expressions to their workflow. The benefits extend long after the course concludes.