Video content is more popular than ever before. Netflix has popularised the idea of binge-watching our favorite TV shows while video-sharing social platforms like YouTube and TikTok have seen the format reach new heights.
While more people are watching videos today, we’re also seeing more people creating them. This is due to both the availability and accessibility of modern video editing platforms and the ease at which they can be uploaded online and shared with the world. If you want to start making your own videos, making use of motion graphics can be a fantastic way to stand out from the crowd.
Let’s take a look at some of the best special stock motion graphics effects and discuss how they can be used in your videos.
1. Lower thirds
As the name suggests, lower thirds of motion graphics appear in the lower third section of your video. These play an important role; they can be used to convey key information without distracting the viewer from what’s happening in the center of the screen.
We see lower thirds of graphics all the time, often far more regularly than we realize. For example, when watching a news bulletin, the lower thirds of graphics are used for things like naming an on-screen speaker, summarising a current news story, or providing breaking updates from across the world. In the news, these lower-thirds graphics are referred to as chyrons.
If you’re an amateur video maker, chances are you’re not going to be tasked with editing news shows for terrestrial television. So, what else can lower thirds be used for?
On platforms like YouTube, growing a following of subscribers is important, and generating lots of comments and likes on your videos can help it perform better in search results and in recommended content. Lower thirds of graphics can be used as calls-to-action, encouraging viewers to subscribe to your channel, to like the video, or to comment and start a discussion among other viewers.
Lower-thirds graphics can also be useful if you’re making informative content like tutorials. They can be used to convey further information to your viewers and to deliver tips, tricks, and reminders, without obscuring the primary focus of the video itself.
2. Overlays
Motion graphics effects come in a huge variety of different styles, whether you’re looking for CapCut effects or Premiere Pro effects.
One type of motion graphic effect you’re going to come across is the overlay effect. As the name suggests, overlay effects are placed over the main section of the screen, unlike lower-thirds effects which are localized to the bottom of the screen.
What are overlay effects used for? This is a broad question, there is such a range of overlay effects out there, and each can be utilized to serve a different purpose.
Text overlays are among the most common types. These place text directly in the center of the screen and can be used for transitioning between scenes or to deliver vital information to the viewer.
Overlay effects can also include things like graphs, charts, and infographics. These are particularly common in corporate videos and in marketing material, they can be used to clearly and concisely convey complicated information in an engaging and informative way.
Using an overlay effect can also be an artistic choice. They can filter footage to make it look more cinematic, with added depth and grain, or to change the color balance to suit the mood and atmosphere of your video.
3. CapCut
CapCut is a video editing app made by TikTok parent company ByteDance. With over 200 million monthly users, it’s one of the fastest-growing apps in the world and is taking full advantage of the booming video creator marketplace.
CapCut offers deep editing functionality, but the focus is on encouraging users to edit fun, engaging videos quickly and to share these across social media. One of the best ways to make your videos more engaging and to help them stand out in an increasingly oversaturated digital landscape is to use CapCut motion graphics.
These can come in the form of small, animated figures that dance and move around, giving your content a playful, casual feel that will make your viewers feel happy and comfortable.
CapCut motion graphics can also include things like arrows and pointers. These can be particularly useful for information tutorial videos, where certain elements might need to be highlighted to help viewers follow the tutorial correctly.
4. Slideshows
Slideshows are perhaps the most basic form of motion graphics, but they still have a place in today’s world.
Slideshows are simple sequences of images. They can be used to tell a story, convey a message, or simply show off some exciting, eye-catching images. Much of the creativity in slideshows comes from the transition effects used as one slide moves to the next. However, be careful not to overdo it with these transitions, as this can detract from the content of your slideshow.
Conclusion
Motion graphics are an incredibly important part of video editing. Use this guide to learn all about the different types and how they can be used in your videos.
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