Who should I follow to learn about Motion Design from top experts?

If you want to **actually get good at motion design**, rather than just learn After Effects tricks, I’d build your feed around a mix of teachers, working artists, and studios. ### 🎓 Start with these educators - **Ben Marriott** - probably my #1 recommendation for learning **design + animation together**. Excellent for typography, timing, easing, composition, and making work feel polished. Recent motion-design communities still consistently recommend him for beginners. [Best resources for learning motion design as a beginner?](https://www.reddit.com/r/motiongraphics/comments/1vzpw73/best_resources_for_learning_motion_design_as_a/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - **Jake Bartlett / Jake in Motion** - excellent for **After Effects fundamentals, workflows, and technical skills**. His specialty is breaking complicated processes into understandable pieces. [About](https://www.jakeinmotion.com/about?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - **School of Motion** - follow the whole ecosystem. They're particularly good for learning the *why* behind motion: design, animation principles, storyboarding, art direction, etc., rather than just software techniques. [About School of Motion](https://schoolofmotion.com/about-us?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - **Sander van Dijk** - follow once you're comfortable with the basics. He's particularly valuable for **advanced animation, workflow, and professional/freelance thinking**. [An Epic Q&A with Sander van Dijk](https://schoolofmotion.com/blog/sander-van-dijk-podcast?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ### 🎨 Follow these for inspiration I'd also study the work of: - **JR Canest** - expressive 2D animation and fantastic timing - **Ash Thorp** - cinematic design, 3D, typography and visual direction - **Markus Magnusson** - character and playful animation - **Beeple** - 3D, visual experimentation and sheer consistency - **Buck** - one of the studios I'd study obsessively for design + motion - **Giant Ant** - **Ordinary Folk** - **Oddfellows** - **Cub Studio** These aren't random names: an industry survey from School of Motion ranked several of these artists and studios among the most-followed/inspiring names in motion design. [Motion Design Industry Survey](https://static.schoolofmotion.com/d903a3a6-074e-422d-8a9f-b903ffa93b2b/Motion_Design_Industry_Survey_2019_from_School_of_Motion.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ### If you're starting from zero I'd do it in this order: **Ben Marriott → Jake in Motion → School of Motion → Sander van Dijk → studio/artist inspiration** And there's one important rule: **don't just watch tutorials.** When you see a piece you love, pause it and ask: > *Why does this movement feel good? Why did they choose this composition? Where is the anticipation? What happens on the keyframes? Why does this transition work?* That's where you start developing *motion-design taste*, rather than just accumulating After Effects knowledge. The motion-design community makes essentially this distinction too: tutorials can teach software, but becoming a good designer/animator requires much more. [Can i learn motion design completely free just from Youtube?](https://www.reddit.com/r/MotionDesign/comments/1u0eohg/can_i_learn_motion_design_completely_free_just/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) If you tell me your current level (**complete beginner / know After Effects / already a graphic designer / intermediate motion designer**), I can give you a **10-person “follow these people and study their work” list tailored to you**.

**Follow motion design leaders like Ben Marriott, James Curran, Andreas Wannerstedt, Beeple, and Emanuele Colombo - they consistently share tutorials, inspiration, and cutting-edge work that will help you learn both the craft and the industry trends.** ## 🌟 Key Motion Designers to Follow Designer| Style / Specialty| Why Follow Them ---|---|--- **Ben Marriott**| Playful, educational tutorials| Shares practical After Effects tips and motion design breakdowns.[29 Top Motion Designers to Follow | Agency Showcase](https://agencyshowcase.co/motion-designers.html) **James Curran**| Short looping GIFs| Known for witty, minimalist animations; great for learning storytelling in motion.[29 Top Motion Designers to Follow | Agency Showcase](https://agencyshowcase.co/motion-designers.html) **Andreas Wannerstedt**| 3D satisfying loops| Master of seamless, hypnotic animations; teaches rhythm and timing.[29 Top Motion Designers to Follow | Agency Showcase](https://agencyshowcase.co/motion-designers.html) **Beeple(Mike Winkelmann)**| Futuristic, surreal visuals| Famous for “Everydays” project; pushes creative boundaries in motion graphics.[10 Inspiring Motion Graphics Artists You Should Follow](https://www.guvi.in/blog/motion-graphics-artists-you-should-follow/) **Emanuele Colombo**| Character animation| Clear, expressive storytelling; excellent for learning personality-driven motion.[10 Inspiring Motion Graphics Artists You Should Follow](https://www.guvi.in/blog/motion-graphics-artists-you-should-follow/) **Nando Costa & Ariel Costa**| Brand and commercial animation| Blend design with narrative; useful for professional client-focused work.[29 Top Motion Designers to Follow | Agency Showcase](https://agencyshowcase.co/motion-designers.html) **Eva Cremers**| Playful 3D design| Bright, fun style; great for inspiration in combining design and motion.[20 Best Motion Designers to Follow for Visual Inspiration](https://www.guvi.in/blog/best-motion-designers-to-follow-for-visual-inspiration/) **Tony Babel**| Retro-inspired motion| Unique blend of vintage aesthetics with modern animation.[20 Best Motion Designers to Follow for Visual Inspiration](https://www.guvi.in/blog/best-motion-designers-to-follow-for-visual-inspiration/) ## 📌 How to Learn from Them * **Study their portfolios**: Many share detailed case studies or breakdowns of projects. * **Follow on social platforms**: Instagram, Behance, and YouTube are common places where they post tutorials and experiments. * **Analyze their timing and easing**: Motion design is about _how_ things move, not just _what_ moves. * **Engage with communities**: Many of these designers are part of motion design forums or Discord groups where you can ask questions and get feedback. ## ⚠️ Risks & Challenges * **Overwhelm from styles**: Each designer has a distinct approach; don’t try to copy all at once. Focus on one or two styles that resonate with your goals. * **Tool dependency**: Most use After Effects, Cinema 4D, or Blender. Be cautious not to get stuck in one tool - principles of animation matter more than software. * **Trends vs. fundamentals**: Viral loops and flashy animations are fun, but learning _storytelling, pacing, and clarity_ is what makes you a strong motion designer long-term. 👉 To tailor this list: Do you want to focus more on **commercial motion design** (branding, ads), **UI/UX motion** (digital products), or **artistic/experimental motion graphics**? That will help me refine which experts are most relevant for your learning journey.

**Structured Educational Platforms & Industry Leaders** * **School of Motion (Joey Korenman):** Widely considered the gold standard for comprehensive online learning. Their intensive bootcamps, free podcasts, and breakdown articles cover everything from fundamental design principles to advanced After Effects and Cinema 4D techniques. * **Jake Bartlett:** A leading educator and motion designer known for his exceptional clarity. His tutorials - spanning Skillshare, YouTube, and independent courses - are fantastic for mastering the core mechanics of After Effects without getting bogged down in jargon. **Essential YouTube Creators & Practical Instructors** * **Ben Marriott:** A Sydney-based motion designer whose YouTube channel is mandatory viewing. He specializes in hyper-stylized tutorials, workflow shortcuts, morphing transitions, and actionable tips that instantly elevate aesthetic execution. [10 Motion Designers to Follow For Inspiration (Plus Tips to Get](https://lottiefiles.com/blog/tips-and-tutorials/motion-designers-to-follow-for-inspiration-tips-to-get-started-too#:~:text=So%2C%20here%20are%2010%20motion%20designers%20to,tips.%20*%202.%20Deekay%20Kwon.%20Source%3A%20deekaymotion.) * **Mt. Mograph (Matt Jylkka):** Ideal if you want to push past the basics. His channel focuses heavily on clean user interfaces, advanced After Effects expressions, and technical workflow optimization. * **Deekay Kwon:** The go-to creator for character animation. His accessible, bouncy style and custom tools make learning complex rigging and frame-by-frame character movement remarkably approachable. **Top-Tier Creators for Industry Insight & Inspiration** * **Emonee LaRussa:** A 2x Emmy-winning motion graphics artist and founder of Jumpstart Designers. Following her provides a realistic window into high-end broadcast work, commercial pipelines, and the professional realities of the industry. [Top 50 Motion Graphics Influencers in the US](https://www.influencer-hero.com/top-influencers/top-50-motion-graphics-influencers-in-the-us) * **Mat Voyce:** Essential for anyone interested in kinetic typography, playful character loops, and bold, graphic-driven motion design that blends modern digital culture with punchy animation. **Industry Hubs & Publications** * **Motionographer:** The premier web publication for deep-dive studio spotlights, industry commentary, trend analysis, and curated project showcases. Reading it keeps you connected to where the high-end commercial industry is moving. Are you leaning more toward 2D vector animation, 3D motion graphics, or character-focused work for your starting point?

To dive into motion design, following the right educators, artists, and platforms can fast-track your skills by years. The best creators break down complex animation principles, software workflows (primarily Adobe After Effects and Cinema 4D), and design theory into digestible, inspiring content. [Master Motion Design with Ben Marriott | An Advanced](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyHO1liVCpo) Top Motion Design Creators & Educators to Follow * ** _Ben Marriott_ :** A Sydney-based motion designer who creates some of the most visually engaging, energetic, and clear tutorials on YouTube. He focuses heavily on the _why_ behind animation principles - teaching you how to think creatively rather than just clicking buttons. [Ben Marriott - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@BenMarriott) * **School of Motion:** Widely considered an industry-standard educational platform. Their [School of Motion YouTube Channel](https://www.youtube.com/@schoolofmotion) features brilliant deep dives, artist interviews, and comprehensive breakdown series that cover everything from beginner concepts to high-end studio workflows. [School of Motion - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@schoolofmotion)[School of Motion ALL-ACCESS has landed! - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVojiERXb4U) * **Jake in Motion (Jake Bartlett) :** Excellent for technical mastery. His Jake in Motion YouTube Channel zeroes in on After Effects, breaking down tools, preferences, expressions, and time-saving techniques with absolute precision and clarity. * **ECAbrams (Evan Abrams):** Another powerhouse for After Effects users. His channel offers structured, highly practical walkthroughs ranging from specific visual effects to core motion graphics animation techniques. * ** _Tony Babel_ :** If you love clean, modern, minimalist 2D character animation and UI/UX motion, Tony is a must-follow. He frequently showcases slick styleframes, loops, and process breakdowns that reflect current commercial design trends. Check out these videos from _Ben Marriott_ to get a sense of how top-tier professionals break down advanced animation and foundational design workflows: Are you looking to focus more on **2D motion graphics / After Effects** , **3D animation (like Cinema 4D or Blender)** , or the **business/freelance side** of motion design? Let me know so I can tailor further recommendations!