If you are passionate about design and want to master the art of motion graphics, there are many resources and courses on the web.
However, free courses and classes are not so numerous, and I can say that not all of them live up to the quality and value of teaching.
For this reason, I’ve picked for you the 10 best free animation courses and classes available on the Domestika platform.
Read also:
What is the best animation course?
Here is the best free animation course that you can take to improve your motion graphic skills.
1. What is animation?
Free class for designers
Level: Beginner | Length: 32 lessons (8h 7m) | Created by: Caroline Kjellberg
In a world where we are constantly bombarded with digital content, it can be hard to stand out from the crowd. However, upgrading your skills by learning to animate your images can give you a dynamic edge that is sure to stop a viewer in their tracks.
Caroline Kjellberg, an experienced animator, shares an introduction to the history of animation in this What is Animation? free lesson, which provides an overview of different types of animation including 2D vector, 3D, and stop-motion.
After watching this lesson, you’ll have a better understanding of how animation can add interest and excitement to your content, making it more engaging and effective. If you’re looking for a way to grab your audience’s attention and keep them engaged, learning to animate is a great place to start.
2. Basics of Motion
Free class for motion designers
Level: Beginner | Length: 37 Lessons, (4h 6m) | Created by: RYLSEE
RYLSEE explains the basic principles of motion and how they can be used to create animations. He discusses how adding different effects and adjustments can make a motion graphic appear more seamless and realistic.
RYLSEE emphasizes the importance of understanding the basic principles of motion before diving deeper into animation. By understanding these principles, you will be able to create animations that are both aesthetically pleasing and accurate.
3. Types of Photograph Animation
Free class for photograph motion designers
Level: Beginner | Length: 18 lessons (1h 17m) | Created by: Andre Rucker
There are two main methods of photograph animation: stop-motion and post-animation. Stop-motion animation is created by physically moving an object in front of the camera, one frame at a time.
This method can be used with almost any type of object, including toys, clay figures, and everyday items. The advantage of stop-motion animation is that it can be produced relatively cheaply and does not require any specialized software or equipment.
The downside is that it can be time-consuming to set up each frame, and it can be difficult to achieve smooth movements. Post-animation, on the other hand, is created by the photography of individual pieces that are then moved digitally.
In this Type of Photograph Animation free course by Andre Rucker, you’ll learn about the different types of photograph animation, so don’t wait anymore and get your classes for free now!
4. Making the Script and the Storyboard
Free class for animation directors
Level: Beginner | Length: 23 lessons (5h 1m) | Created by: Victor Haegelin
Good storytelling is key to good animation. Before creating your motion graphics, it’s essential to outline the scenario in a storyboard. This step allows you to create an animation that follows a sequence of events and is unified in its ability to tell a story.
In this free Making the Script and Storyboard lesson, animation director Victor Haegelin teaches you how to define your animation project by crafting a script and storyboard.
Step by step, you will learn how to draw each frame by hand. By understanding the principles of storytelling, you can craft an engaging and lasting piece of animation.
5. Techniques in After Effects for Creating GIFs
Best free class for Adobe After Effects
Level: Beginner | Length: 18 lessons (2h 43m) | Created by: Alex Foxley
Animated Instagram stickers and GIFs have become an integral part of social media culture. They have become a new way to express ourselves without the use of words. Making your own stickers and GIFs is like contributing to this new digital language.
In this “Techniques in After Effects for Creating GIFs” free lesson, designer, illustrator, and animator Alex Foxley teach you how to create a GIF in After Effects. He starts with animations he’s already made and takes them apart in layers to show you how he made each individual one.
By the end of this lesson, you’ll know how to make your own simple animated GIFs in After Effects. This is a great skill to add to your design toolkit and one that will help you stand out on social media.
6. Animated Typography in After Effects
Best free class for animated typography
Level: Beginner | Length: 15 lessons (2h 32m) | Created by: Mat Voyce
Animated Typography in After Effects is a powerful instrument for conveying emotion and liveliness in your messages. By combing illustrations, typography, and animation, you’re able to transmit a wide range of feelings and ideas.
Whether you’re creating for a brand, business, or just as a personal project, animated typography is a great skill to add to your creative toolkit. In this free animated typography class, graphic and motion designer Mat Voyce teach you how to create kinetic typography.
You’ll learn how to storyboard, design keyframes, and animate your text to bring your words to life. So sign up today and start adding some animation to your next typographic project!
7. Animation for Typographic Logo Designs
Best free class for Psychedelic Effects
Level: Beginner | Length: 16 lessons (2h 36m) | Created by: Borja Holke
Good vibes only – that’s the message we’re trying to send with this psychedelic animation. In this free lesson, graphic designer Borja Holke teaches you how to create an animated logo for “Good Vibes”.
First, you’ll learn how to transform a simple text into the shape of waves. Then, you’ll animate it to scroll sideways in a loop. Finally, you’ll add a psychedelic touch by incorporating alternating colored backgrounds.
By the end of this free Animation for Typographic Logo Designs course, you’ll have created an animation that’s sure to send good vibes your way.
8. Animate in After Effect
Best free class for Psychedelic Effects
Level: Beginner | Length: 17 lessons (2h 33m) | Created by: Klarens Malluta
Klarens Malluta is a professional visual artist who specializes in creating abstract portraits using PNG animation. In this free lesson, Klarens teaches you how to create your own abstract portrait by combining animation with portrait photography.
The first step is to experiment with gradients and patterns in Photoshop, creating several variations of your portrait and saving them as PNGs. Then, you can animate your portrait in After Effects by adding movement and changing the colors and patterns.
By following Klarens’ Animate in After Effect course, you can create a unique and eye-catching animated portrait that will stand out from the rest.
9. Preparation for Animation
Best free class from
Level: Beginner | Length: 26 lessons (6h 8m) | Created by: Yukai Du
After you’ve created the individual frames for your animation, it’s necessary to assemble them in the correct order before adding any movement. This process is known as “timeline”. To timeline your frames, open up Photoshop and group the frames together in the sequence you want them to play.
Then, open up After Effects and import your layered Photoshop file. You can experiment with the different layers to create different effects, and then use the keyframe animation tools to add movement to each frame.
By following these steps in this Preparation for Animation: Photoshop Assets course, you’ll be able to create a smooth and professional-looking animation.
10. Connecting Objects and Expressions in After Effects
Best free class from
Level: Beginner | Length: 18 lessons (2h 52m) | Created by: Michael Tierney
Creating an animation in which you connect objects and text is a practical way to showcase a product and its features and its benefits.
It’s an effective tool to use for clients when they ask for information-specific motion graphics. In this Connecting Objects and Expressions Adobe After Effect free course, Michael Tierney teaches you how to create an animation connecting a product with its features.
He uses the example of connecting headphones to Bluetooth and battery life icons. You can use this technique to communicate any concept or detail that entails multiple parts.
The key is to use simple icons, minimal text, and photography so that your audience can easily follow along. This approach is sure to engage your viewers and leave them with a clear understanding of your message.
What is Domestika?
Domestika is a leading online platform that offers graphic design courses in multiple languages and at different levels. The courses are intended to help you grasp the entire spectrum of graphic design, starting from scratch and progressing to an advanced level. You can complete the courses online at your own pace and convenience.
The list of courses available on Domestika is extensive, but we have selected the 10 best Free Animation Courses that cover a wide range of applications and Motion Graphics styles.
These courses are taught by some of the most experienced and renowned professionals in the field, so you can be sure that you will receive high-quality instruction. In addition, the courses are reasonably priced and offer great value for money.
So if you are looking for top-quality free animation courses that will help you improve your skills and advance your career, Domestika is a great option to consider.
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Wrap Up
They say learning should be a lifelong habit and there are plenty of ways to keep your skill set sharp without spending a fortune. In this blog post, we’ve rounded up 10 free animation courses that will make you a pro in motion graphics – and they’re all from reputable sources.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, bookmark this page and check back often for more content like this. And if the design field is more your thing, follow our blog for some interesting finds!
