Shillington’s "Motion for Graphic Designers" course is redefining how graphic designers engage with motion design, offering a focused, practical, and inspiring approach to a skill that’s becoming essential in today’s creative industry. Born out of a clear gap in the market, the course was co-developed by John Palowski, Director of Curriculum at Shillington, with the aim of providing graphic designers a direct, accessible pathway into the world of motion—without requiring them to pivot entirely into a different field.
Unlike other motion design courses that often target animators or multimedia professionals, this program is carefully tailored for graphic designers who want to enhance their existing skill set. It equips students with a deep understanding of Adobe After Effects, starting from the basics and building toward a solid foundation in motion thinking. The goal is not necessarily to turn every student into a full-fledged motion designer, but rather to empower them with the tools, language, and mindset to integrate motion into their work seamlessly. Motion is no longer treated as an afterthought—it becomes part of the creative process from the beginning.
Amee D'Souza
One of the key strengths of the course lies in its structure. Classes are taught live by experienced instructors like Ed Baptist, with additional pre-recorded materials available for review. This hybrid approach acknowledges different learning styles and offers students the chance to digest complex material at their own pace. Lessons are hands-on, highly interactive, and intentionally diverse. There is no one-size-fits-all class; instead, students engage in exercises, critiques, and collaborative sessions that mirror real studio workflows. Each session builds both technical mastery and conceptual thinking, encouraging designers to tell stories with motion, not just animate assets.
Ed Baptist
The course goes far beyond teaching software. It emphasizes creative problem-solving, storytelling, and brand expression through movement. As students progress, they begin applying new skills to their own portfolio projects—often revamping past static work into compelling animated pieces. These transformations help them showcase their motion capabilities to potential employers or clients, giving them a competitive edge in a market where dynamic content is increasingly in demand.
What makes the course even more valuable is its emphasis on community. Students are encouraged to share work, give feedback, and learn from one another in a supportive environment. Feedback is delivered through multiple channels—live critiques, comments in Figma, recorded Loom videos—so learning becomes a continuous, multi-directional process. Teachers highlight that some of the most profound lessons come not just from receiving feedback, but from observing it on others’ work. This peer-to-peer engagement fosters a sense of camaraderie and mutual growth that’s often missing in solo online learning experiences.
Maja Siskova
Another standout feature is the course’s relevance to real-world careers. Whether students are freelance designers, in-house creatives, or studio professionals, the motion skills taught here can be applied immediately. Some participants even begin incorporating what they learn into client projects while still enrolled. The course also appeals to studio leaders who want to upskill their teams—having motion fluency in-house is more efficient and cost-effective than outsourcing. And for senior designers or creative directors, understanding motion principles allows for better communication with animators and more cohesive project management.
Maria Marks
The curriculum includes a mix of short, skill-specific exercises and longer, concept-driven briefs. One highlight is a title sequence assignment for a fictional TV show, where students must interpret brand values and narrative tone through motion. These types of challenges not only develop software proficiency, but also push students to think like creative directors—making deliberate, expressive choices that elevate design through animation.
From a soft skills perspective, instructors note a significant change in students over the 12-week journey. Learners become more confident, collaborative, and creatively bold. By the end, many have redefined what’s possible in their practice, expanding their creative identity to include motion without sacrificing their graphic design roots.
Matthew Grundy
Despite being delivered in a single time zone, the course attracts a global cohort—from the UK and Europe to Southeast Asia, Australia and North America. Its flexible structure and rich support system allow students to participate from diverse professional backgrounds and schedules. That willingness to adapt and support each other further strengthens the course’s dynamic, international community.
Shrenik Ganatra
In the words of its creators, this course isn’t about becoming an expert animator overnight—it’s about getting comfortable with a new language, building a strong foundation, and learning how to use motion as a powerful tool for design storytelling. With a thoughtful curriculum, dedicated mentorship, and a strong emphasis on collaboration, Shillington’s Motion for Graphic Designers course is helping creatives bridge the gap between static and motion, and giving them the confidence to take on the ever-evolving demands of the design industry.
William Noble
Shillington’s "Motion for Graphic Designers" course is redefining how graphic designers engage with motion design, offering a focused, practical, and inspiring approach to a skill that’s becoming essential in today’s creative industry. Born out of a clear gap in the market, the course was co-developed by John Palowski, Director of Curriculum at Shillington, with the aim of providing graphic designers a direct, accessible pathway into the world of motion—without requiring them to pivot entirely into a different field.
Unlike other motion design courses that often target animators or multimedia professionals, this program is carefully tailored for graphic designers who want to enhance their existing skill set. It equips students with a deep understanding of Adobe After Effects, starting from the basics and building toward a solid foundation in motion thinking. The goal is not necessarily to turn every student into a full-fledged motion designer, but rather to empower them with the tools, language, and mindset to integrate motion into their work seamlessly. Motion is no longer treated as an afterthought—it becomes part of the creative process from the beginning.
Mariposas en el estómago, Miguel Alonso
One of the key strengths of the course lies in its structure. Classes are taught live by experienced instructors like Ed Baptist, with additional pre-recorded materials available for review. This hybrid approach acknowledges different learning styles and offers students the chance to digest complex material at their own pace. Lessons are hands-on, highly interactive, and intentionally diverse. There is no one-size-fits-all class; instead, students engage in exercises, critiques, and collaborative sessions that mirror real studio workflows. Each session builds both technical mastery and conceptual thinking, encouraging designers to tell stories with motion, not just animate assets.
Ed Baptist
The course goes far beyond teaching software. It emphasizes creative problem-solving, storytelling, and brand expression through movement. As students progress, they begin applying new skills to their own portfolio projects—often revamping past static work into compelling animated pieces. These transformations help them showcase their motion capabilities to potential employers or clients, giving them a competitive edge in a market where dynamic content is increasingly in demand.
What makes the course even more valuable is its emphasis on community. Students are encouraged to share work, give feedback, and learn from one another in a supportive environment. Feedback is delivered through multiple channels—live critiques, comments in Figma, recorded Loom videos—so learning becomes a continuous, multi-directional process. Teachers highlight that some of the most profound lessons come not just from receiving feedback, but from observing it on others’ work. This peer-to-peer engagement fosters a sense of camaraderie and mutual growth that’s often missing in solo online learning experiences.
Maja Siskova
Another standout feature is the course’s relevance to real-world careers. Whether students are freelance designers, in-house creatives, or studio professionals, the motion skills taught here can be applied immediately. Some participants even begin incorporating what they learn into client projects while still enrolled. The course also appeals to studio leaders who want to upskill their teams—having motion fluency in-house is more efficient and cost-effective than outsourcing. And for senior designers or creative directors, understanding motion principles allows for better communication with animators and more cohesive project management.
Maria Marks
The curriculum includes a mix of short, skill-specific exercises and longer, concept-driven briefs. One highlight is a title sequence assignment for a fictional TV show, where students must interpret brand values and narrative tone through motion. These types of challenges not only develop software proficiency, but also push students to think like creative directors—making deliberate, expressive choices that elevate design through animation.
From a soft skills perspective, instructors note a significant change in students over the 12-week journey. Learners become more confident, collaborative, and creatively bold. By the end, many have redefined what’s possible in their practice, expanding their creative identity to include motion without sacrificing their graphic design roots.
Matthew Grundy
Despite being delivered in a single time zone, the course attracts a global cohort—from the UK and Europe to Southeast Asia, Australia and North America. Its flexible structure and rich support system allow students to participate from diverse professional backgrounds and schedules. That willingness to adapt and support each other further strengthens the course’s dynamic, international community.
Shrenik Ganatra
In the words of its creators, this course isn’t about becoming an expert animator overnight—it’s about getting comfortable with a new language, building a strong foundation, and learning how to use motion as a powerful tool for design storytelling. With a thoughtful curriculum, dedicated mentorship, and a strong emphasis on collaboration, Shillington’s Motion for Graphic Designers course is helping creatives bridge the gap between static and motion, and giving them the confidence to take on the ever-evolving demands of the design industry.
William Noble
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