Advanced Motion Methods
Advanced Animation Training in After Effects
In Advanced Motion Methods you'll learn how to structure animations according to geometric proportions found in nature, deal with complexity, create cool transitions, and learn tips that only a seasoned After Effects veteran can. This course is built for working professionals that are looking for mentorship to push themselves to add more to their compositions and push themselves to the next level.
Class Start Date:
August 7, 2023
July 10, 2023
July 10, 2023
Course Length:
Session Duration:
9 Weeks
3 Payments of
Instant Access! Start learning immediately.
100% Free! Start learning immediately.
This Course Bundle Includes:
9 Weeks
of video lessons,
guides, and access to our 24/7 motion community
podcasts, guides, and support
from our amazing team!
guides, and access to our
24/7 motion community!
podcasts, guides, and access to
our 24/7 motion community!
podcasts, guides, community
and critique from pros!
WEEK 1
Tips to improve your workflow.
Meet your classmates and get comfy with the course format. In the first lesson, Sander has a handful of workflow tips to help set you up for success with this course.
Sander's 5 Animation Methods.
Learn about the importance of creating an animatic before jumping into animating. You’ll explore structuring your animation to music, and how to time things for the most visual impact. We’ll also discuss moving objects with a purpose.
When to use different transitions.
How do you animate from one design to the next? It’s time to tackle transitions. One you’ve mastered simpler editorial transitions, you’ll explore more complex versions using the Blend Manifesto as an example.
Project organization tips.
When you’re working with complex files, organization can fall by the wayside and things can get out of hand very quickly. During the catchup week, we have some tips and tricks to stay organized and keep those files managed. We’ll also talk about changing aspect ratios and how to overcome the challenges that creates, which is becoming more common in the age of social media.
Managing complex animation.
This week, it’s time to tackle complex animations. Even better, we’ll show you how to make something that looks intense but isn't’ actually that difficult. These animations can be achieved through a variety of techniques that are simple when used alone, but put together can create some very complex movements. Then we’ll focus on animating things that are actually complicated, how to handle dealing with that complexity, and how to break things down into manageable chunks.
Dealing with imposter syndrome.
In this second Focus Week, we’ll give you actionable tips to help you overcome your fear of failure while you focus on getting your exercises completed.
Completing a large project.
In this final week, you’ll combine all of the knowledge you’ve gained in this course in one last big project. We’ll provide you with a brief and some boards created by Sara Beth Morgan to animate. Sander will guide you along the way in his own project, showing even more animation tips and tricks. You’ll gain access to over 20 hours of footage of Sander working on this final project in real time for those who really want to dive in deep on the techniques that he demonstrates. This final project is no joke.
Extended Critique Period
The final 2 weeks of class are Extended Critique. You can use this time to catch up, complete your final project, then turn it in for critique.
Learn the secrets of high-end work
Better than in-person training
School of Motion instant-access courses are unlike anything you've ever experienced. Along with world-class training, you'll also get access to tons of professional project files and a 24/7 network of likeminded artists, and more support than you'll know what to do with.
Over 20,000 artists have taken School of Motion courses, find out what all the hype is about.
School of Motion courses are unlike anything you've ever experienced. Along with world-class training, you'll also get 1-on-1 feedback from an industry pro, a 24/7 network of likeminded artists, and more support than you'll know what to do with.
Over 17,000 artists have taken School of Motion courses, find out what all the hype is about.
This instant-access course features
Exercises and project files for every lesson
Each course comes packed with free project files, assets, and additional material to keep you learning and growing long after the course ends. Our exercises are designed from real world briefs, so you’re learning the skills you need to excel on your next project or venture.
Permanent access to course materials
We all need a refresher now and again, which is why you’ll keep access to your course—and all the assets and project files—for the rest of your life. Come back to listen to exclusive interviews, review old lessons, and try out new techniques using your old assets.
Support from the School of Motion team
Reach out to our incredible support team at any time to answer questions about the material, or to help you find the best way to achieve your career goals. We are here to help.
This instant-access course features
Exercises and project files for every lesson
Each course comes packed with free project files, assets, and additional material to keep you learning and growing long after the course ends. Our exercises are designed from real world briefs, so you’re learning the skills you need to excel on your next project or venture.
Real-world examples and video training
We go above and beyond when producing our courses, making sure that the curriculum is presented in the right order, with the right examples, and using the best practices currently used in the industry. In short, you're learning to do things the way they're done in the real world.
Permanent access to course materials
We all need a refresher now and again, which is why you’ll keep access to your course—and all the assets and project files—for the rest of your life. Come back to listen to exclusive interviews, review old lessons, and try out new techniques using your old assets.
A world-wide artist community
You’ll gain instant access to our 24/7 motion design community, The Square. Here you can network with professional artists at every stage of their career. You’ll get to meet new friends, ask for help, and build your network.
This instant-access course features
Exercises and project files for every lesson
Each course comes packed with free project files, assets, and additional material to keep you learning and growing long after the course ends. Our exercises are designed from real world briefs, so you’re learning the skills you need to excel on your next project or venture.
Real-world examples and video training
We go above and beyond when producing our courses, making sure that the curriculum is presented in the right order, with the right examples, and using the best practices currently used in the industry. In short, you're learning to do things the way they're done in the real world.
Permanent access to course materials
We all need a refresher now and again, which is why you’ll keep access to your course—and all the assets and project files—for the rest of your life. Come back to listen to exclusive interviews, review old lessons, and try out new techniques using your old assets.
A world-wide artist community
You’ll gain instant access to our 24/7 motion design community, The Square. Here you can network with professional artists at every stage of their career. You’ll get to meet new friends, ask for help, and build your network.
What makes us different?
Cohort-Based Learning
Join artists from around the world on our custom learning platform. Never learn alone, as you’ll have immediate access to a forum of fellow students to share work, ask questions, and improve together.
Exercises and project files for every lesson
Each course comes packed with free project files, assets, and additional material to keep you learning and growing long after the course ends. Our exercises are designed from real world briefs, so you’re learning the skills you need to excel on your next project or venture.
Technical and creative support along the way
You’ll be assigned a Teaching Assistant with years of experience in your chosen course. They’ll provide technical and creative feedback to guide you through new skills, improve your techniques, and provide encouragement along your journey.
Verified credential upon course completion
Completing a course isn’t just about bragging rights. Once you’ve completed at least 70% of your work in a given course, you’ll earn a verified credential that can show current and future employers exactly what you’ve accomplished.
Permanent access to course materials
We all need a refresher now and again, which is why you’ll keep access to your course—and all the assets and project files—for the rest of your life. Come back to listen to exclusive interviews, review old lessons, and try out new techniques using your old assets.
A world-wide alumni community
You’ll gain instant access to our alumni platform, The Square. Here you can network with professional artists at every stage of their career. You’ll get access to new job opportunities and exclusive alumni events, such as meetups, virtual hangouts and reel reviews.
Meet your instructor
Sander van Dijk
Creative Director & Animator
Sander is an animator who loves propelling the Motion Design industry forward by cultivating the MoGraph community and building tools for After Effects, including Ray Dynamic Color and Texture. He’s also one of the co-founders of the überpopular conference, Blend. He is widely recognized as one of the top After Effects artists in the world. He believes that motion design is an incredible tool to communicate ideas and can be used for the betterment of society, so he chooses to work with clients and projects who help shape a better world. He hopes that by sharing his knowledge, he’ll be able to inspire creativity, individuality and confidence in other creatives.
School of Motion alumni work at
companies like these
.svg){kind=logo}
Our no-risk money back policy
We want to make sure you have a positive learning experience with us, so for any session based course you're enrolled in, you can request a refund any time within 30 days of purchase.
We want to make sure you have a positive learning experience with us, so for any session based course you're enrolled in, you can request a refund up until the end of Week 3 of the course
Registration Opens
June 24, 2023
Class Start Date:
August 7, 2023
July 10, 2023
July 10, 2023
Course Length:
Session Duration:
9 Weeks
3 Payments of
Instant-Access! Start learning immediately.
100% Free! Start learning immediately.
Join over 20,000 alumni around the globe
Frequently Asked Questions
Advanced Motion Methods is for people who are established animators and are looking for an extra level of polish. They know the graph editor, and they have strong After Effects chops, but they want more. These people are looking for more theory based training, where they'll be learning techniques to refine their work. They'll get an inside look into how Sander Van Dijk creates his animations, learning every step of his process. They'll learn about structuring an animation, choosing and implementing different transitions, and breaking down complex problems. Along with many other tips and tricks to speed up their workflow.
After Effects CC (16.0 or Higher)
Adobe Photoshop CC 2018 (19.1.5 or Higher)
Adobe Illustrator CC 2018 (22.1.0 or Higher)
Adobe Fonts (Included with Adobe CC Subscriptions)
Advanced Motion Methods is a 9-week course. You'll have the flexibility to watch the course content and complete your course work on your schedule. However, you can expect to commit at least 15 - 20 hours per week on course material. The video lesson are 1-2 hours in length. There are 8 assignments total. Assignments are typically assigned on Mondays and Thursdays with soft deadlines the next day. We have designated catch-up weeks built into the schedule so students have extra time to complete their assignments if needed. There is also an extended critique add-on for those that want more time with a Teaching Assistant after the 9-week course or need more time to complete assignments towards earning a credential.
Yes! Once you complete Advanced Motion Methods, you’ll have lifetime access to all the course lessons and materials, so you can revisit them whenever you like. Also, if we make any changes to Advanced Motion Methods following your session, you’ll automatically receive access to the latest version.
Please note: Video critiques change each session, so you’ll only have access to the video critiques during the session you're enrolled in. The written critiques you receive in your homework locker as well as the classroom content will also remain available to you forever!
You should have a few years of experience working on client projects in After Effects, including creating boards and then animating them. To get the most out of this course you will want to know how to easily navigate the After Effects interface, what different layer types are and how they function, be proficient in the graph editor, and understand the basics of expressions. You will also need an advanced understanding of the principles of animation and design. Unless you are very experienced, we strongly recommend taking Animation Bootcamp and Design Bootcamp before taking this course. Taking Expression Session before this course can be beneficial, but is not required.
For more on our 2D animation curriculum you can check out this article: A Guide to School of Motion Animation Courses and watch our Student Showcase video highlighting After Effects & Animation courses.
Advanced Motion Methods is a 9-week course. Lessons become available at a specific time each week but you can watch them and do your work whenever it is convenient for you. The lessons include pre-recorded videos, podcasts, PDFs and assignments with working files.
All student work is critiqued by our highly trained Teaching Assistants. School of Motion TA's are professional Animators with real life experience in the industry.
During the course you will be invited to a private classroom that contains all of the students and Teaching Assistants in your session. This is a great tool for connecting, asking or answering questions, sharing thoughts or insights, and winning cool contests!
Yes, if you complete, submit, and have 70% of your course assignments approved by your Teaching Assistant you will be eligible for a Course Credential through Credly. With your Credly Course Credential, you can share your accomplishments across your social networks, the blockchain, or to print out yourself.
You will not recognize your work when class is over.
Our courses have been meticulously designed to simulate real-world situations so that you're learning best-practices from day one. You'll be challenged, supported, and celebrated by your fellow artists as you level-up in real-time.
Are you ready to take the next step in your career?
Registration Opens
June 24, 2023
Class Start Date:
August 7, 2023
July 10, 2023
July 10, 2023
Course Length:
Session Duration:
9 Weeks
3 Payments of
Instant-Access! Start learning immediately.
100% Free! Start learning immediately.