Motion Graphics and Visual Effects

​Interested in creating the slick, quirky, and mesmerizing moving visuals you see everyday?
From commercials, live music performances, movie titles, TV shows, sports broadcasts, game UIs, and music videos, motion graphics is leading design through a multitude of industries. The Motion Graphics program was crafted from the input of industry leaders to take budding new motion designers to the next level. Taught by experienced instructors the program encourages both practical and experimental approaches to creating motion graphics.

The Motion Graphics courses train students to create visual effects and animated designs for film, broadcast, games, and the web using industry-standard tools and techniques. Students study graphic design principles, production fundamentals, animation, and effects pipelines and learn how to take a motion graphics presentation from concept to final output. 

Graduates from the program have been employed by:

  • Visual effects studios
  • Major television networks
  • Advertising agencies
  • Video game companies
  • Cartoon studios
  • Motion design boutiques
  • High-tech marketing departments

and more!

 What is Motion Graphics and Visual Effects?

With An ACC Motion Graphics and Visual Effects Education…

You Can Become a:

  • Motion Designer
  • Broadcast Designer
  • Film Title Designer
  • Cartoon Compositor
  • Visual Effects Artist
  • Style Frame Designer
  • Concept Designer

You Will Learn:

  • Conceptual Boarding
  • Graphic Design
  • Typographic Design
  • Video Compositing
  • 2D/3D Animation
  • Video Editing / Integration
  • Team-Based Workflows

You Will Be Trained In:

  • Adobe After Effects
  • Maxon Cinema 4D Studio
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe Premiere Pro
  • Trapcode Suite
  • Video Copilot Element 3D

Total program in-district tuition + fees = $5,815

Average Motion Designer salary = $67,457

Return on Investment

Austin is a blossoming city for motion graphics careers with international ad agencies, film studios, television networks, educational publishers, game companies, high-tech manufacturing, and a number of other companies that need motion design stationed here.

According to Glassdoor statistics in 2022, the average Austin Motion Designer makes $67,457 per year.

Screens are such a prominent part of our daily lives, and the demand for motion graphics is only getting larger. Get in on the ground-floor of this young industry by learning from seasoned professionals who will give you the skills and tools to be successful.

“As an employer of animators, I’m impressed by the mentorship and level of talent coming out of this program.”

Ron Pippin – Owner, Shiny Object

Advising

For program specific, course related, or industry questions, please email the Motion Graphics and Visual Effects program lead, Steven Mullins, at smullins@austincc.edu

Our Program & Courses

We offer both an Associate of Applied Science and a level 2 certificate.

You can see all of the courses required for both the certificate and the associate’s degree by clicking the button below. Email Deanna Whaley at dwhaley@austincc.edu if you’d like a copy of our advising worksheet and general information about our program.

For further information and descriptions about the courses please visit the College Catalog: Course Descriptions.

Alumni Spotlight: Lyon Graulty

Lyon began his adventure in the Motion Graphics program in 2012 with an ongoing background in music, art, and film. Like many students, Lyon initially took some classes out of order until he was able to get on-track. He was a disciplined student throughout the program and had a great balance of conceptual, design, and technical skill. By the second year of the program he really hit his stride and upon graduation in 2014, he was able to quickly find a contract that turned into a full-time job.

View his work below and visit the ACC Motion Graphics album on Vimeo to view more of his school and professional work.

Life In The Lab

ACC Motion Graphics students attend classes in a program that modeled after the experience of working in a real studio to best prepare them for a career in the industry. From project pitches, to critiques, to deadlines, to team-based projects, students become acquainted to the rigors and routines of life as a professional motion designer very quickly.

The curriculum and instructors come straight from the motion graphics industry and help insure that students are getting the most crucial and up-to-date knowledge that they can possibly get.

The Highland Campus is a state-of-the-art facility with all of the comforts and amenities to make daily life that much more comfortable. The Motion Graphics lab includes the latest hardware and software to ensure that graduates enter the workforce with knowledge of the very latest tools.

Where Are They Now?

Since the first class from the Motion Graphics program graduated in 2012, students have had great success finding employment. Our graduates are now motion designers in broadcast television, visual effects, cartoons, advertising, marketing, education, high-tech and just about every possible industry.

Many have gone on to do motion design for employers such as:

  • 36ixty Visuals
  • ​Acceptance Insurance
  • AMD
  • ESPN
  • Hack Studio
  • Impossible Engine
  • Microsoft
  • Powerhouse Animation
  • The Publicity Guy
  • Somnio Advertising
  • TEGNA Media
  • Tokyo Electron
  • ​Turner Studios
  • Zoticus
  • Contract/Freelance