Guided Session

After Effects Kickstart

Master the After Effects interface and upgrade your animation skillset in just 8 weeks

Enroll in this Course

Start date

February 3, 2025

January 6, 2025

Start date

October 11, 2024

February 3, 2025

January 6, 2025

Can't make the date? Don't panic! We have other dates you can choose from.

8 Weeks

Master the After Effects interface and upgrade your animation skillset in just 8 weeks

Certificate on completion

Receive a SOM verified credential when you complete this course to help you with your career.

Beginner

This is a beginners' course, ideal for those new to the subject with little to no prior experience.

Course Overview

Dive into the fundamentals of motion design with our most popular (and recently updated) After Effects course. After Effects Kickstart is your secret weapon to dominate the world of animation. You'll plunge head first into the world’s most popular animation software, crafting dynamic visuals from day one. By the conclusion, you’ll be comfortable creating—and showcasing—your own AE creations.

You Get:

8 Weeks of Video Training, Podcasts, and PDF Guides

Personalized Critique on your work

Access to our 24/7 online Community

Verified Credential upon Completion of the Coursework

Pay in full

897

Make the full payment when you register, and you’re off to the races!

Pay in full

3 Payments of

299

Make one payment when you register, and then 2 more a month apart.

Pay in installments

Teams

Looking to purchase for a team?

Looking to purchase for a team? Get in touch for more information about our special Team Training options and volume discounts.

Alumni highlights

Course syllabus.

Orientation Week

Meet your classmates, get comfy with the course format, and then we’re getting to work. Nol will guide you step-by-step through your first animation in After Effects, helping you learn and master the basics.

The First Keyframe

Get totally familiar with the After Effects interface, and learn the fundamentals of keyframing, timing, and animating basic properties. The AE timeline will no longer be a mystery to you.

Typography and Audio

As this After Effects course continues, you’ll learn how to create and animate type, as well as animate and sync up your movements to audio. Ever wanted to create a lyric video? Now’s your chance.

Working with Artwork

This week we’re bringing in Photoshop and Illustrator. You'll learn to plan more complex animation, bring your PS and AI artwork to life, understand and use masks, perform color correction, and gain a basic understanding of effects.

Make Sweet Movement

Now that you know the basics of animating, you’ll learn more advanced animation and After Effects concepts that will take your work from beginner to pro. The graph editor makes an appearance here.

The Motion Design World

Explore the world and opportunities of motion design. You’ll get tips on project organization, streamlining your workflow, and improving your productivity in After Effects.

Shape Layers, Mattes, and More

Dive into the world of Shape Layers. Create artwork in AE using Shape Layers, Strokes, the Pen Tool and more. Use Track and Alpha Mattes, and explore different types of keyframes and motion paths.

Good Parenting Tips

You’ll master the After Effects parenting system, allowing you to create more complex rigs and movement. In addition, you’ll begin learning about the powerful expressions engine.

From A to B

Learn how to approach and execute eye-popping transitions in your work. As your animations get more complex, you’ll need to follow best practices to stay organized.

Putting it all Together

Watch and learn as Nol shows you exactly what it takes to animate a professional piece. Then, you’ll have your own opportunity to animate beautiful artwork.

Extended Critique Period

The final2 weeks of class are Extended Critique. You can use this time to catch up, complete your final project, then turn it in for critique.

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Meet your instructor.

Nol Honig

Director, Animator, Educator

Nol is an award-winning director and teacher who lives in New York City. In 2012 he was a lead animator for Barack Obama's presidential campaign. Since founding The Drawing Room in 2013, he has directed work for Netflix, Coca Cola, The History Channel, and The Philadelphia Museum of Art, among others, and served as design/animation lead for various clients including The New York Times, NBC Universal, and The Sundance Film Festival.

As a freelancer, he has worked at some of the best studios in the world including Elastic, Golden Wolf, Pentagram, Buck, and Block&Tackle. In 2017 he received a Distinguished Teaching Award for his work as an associate professor of motion graphics at Parsons School of Design, where he taught from 2001 until 2019. In 2022 he won a Silver Cube at the ADC Awards for his role as a director of the opening title sequence for the documentary series The Andy Warhol Diaries on Netflix.

Join over 20,000 alumni around the globe.

I recently started my dream job.

I recently started my dream job and I would have 100% never gotten here without taking the School of Motion courses that I did.

Ben-Soto

Motion Designer

I recommend it more than a traditional art school.

I'm just super thankful that School of Motion was right there to give me jam-packed lessons in a short amount of time with mentors and guides to help me along the way and it really laid the foundation of my career. I highly recommend it as an alternative to a traditional art school.

Antoinie Eugene

Motion Designer

I learned so much, so quickly.

Wow, this really changed things for me. I learned so much, so quickly. In fact, I learned all the things I didn't know that I didn't know. It was really good fun.

Bill Dunsmuir

Incredible experience...

I don't have the right words to explain how valuable School of Motion was for me. I went in skeptical because I took courses on other platforms and felt like I got little to nothing out of them. SOM was completely different. The aspect of community was there, the Teaching Assistant was extremely helpful and a sense of accountability was there, and most importantly the content and quality of the actual teaching was there.

Mike Kittredge

Creative Director, Design Team Lead

I landed a great job.

I'm a full-time motion graphics artist, in no small part because of Animation Bootcamp by School of Motion. I took the bootcamp in 2018 and landed a great job just months after.

Kate Collazo

Design and Animation Consultant

I enrolled in the course and my head exploded.

School of Motion's Animation Bootcamp is a game changer. Before that, I learned After Effects through YouTube tutorials, but I noticed that there was something missing from my work (and I didn't know what it was). A friend told me about School of Motion. I enrolled in the course and my head exploded.

Nate Riggs

Creative Content Producer

It completely changed everything for me.

I've been doing motion graphics and video editing for 20+ years. I took this course six years ago and it completely changed everything for me. I'm faster, I'm efficient, and I'm able to teach it to other people. That, and everything looks better!

Seth Hodel

Lead Video Editor

I learned a bucket load.

The course was amazing. The teachers were fantastic, always available. The community that I was able to connect with was insane because everyone was helpful and the feedback was great. I learned a bucket load of stuff about animation.

Ross Symons

Founder & Creative Director

It completely changed everything for me.

Jason Mileto

Lead Video Editor

The best learning experience I've ever had.

If anyone asks me "What's the best online course on the planet?", I'd say Animation Bootcamp. It's been the best learning experience I've ever had. One thing that really differentiates Animation Bootcamp from other online animation courses is critique...I loved it.

Meng Hsueh Lin

2D Animator

I have the position I have because of Animation Bootcamp.

In all honesty, I now have the position I have in the industry because of Animation Bootcamp and because of everything that I got out of School of Motion. Truly, I could not recommend SoM and this course enough.

Alyssa Coburn

Assistant Director of Content Strategy

Suddenly, my animation had that "wow factor".

It all came together to create an unbeatable learning experience. Animation Bootcamp took me from good to great. The techniques I learned, the principles I mastered...they all massively improved my work. Suddenly, my animation had that "wow factor". Whether you are just beginning or a seasoned pro, School of Motion has something transformative to offer.

Nicolae Ciobota

Editor and Motion Graphics

You get real critique!

I took Design Bootcamp. My favorite part was the interaction with the Teaching Assistant. That was the best part of the entire program, which is the ability to talk to someone about your work and your ability to get actual critique on your work. I learned so much about designing, specifically for animation.

Olamide Rowland

Motion Designer

Animation bootcamp changed my life.

This is not hyperbole... Animation Bootcamp changed my life. I now understood curves and how the graph and speed editors actually worked. I saw the value of shape layers instead of just using solids with masks. It totally changed the way I approached projects moving forward.

Zach Christy

Designer + Animator

School of Motion literally changed my life.

I'm a full time freelancer and I'm having to turn down work because I'm so busy! School of Motion literally changed my life.

Chip Nash

Motion Designer & Animator

I can't thank School of Motion enough!

I'm more confident, more relevant, more equipped, better connected and close to my goals since School of Motion entered my life.

Leigh Williamson

Illustrator & Animator

I switched from graphic design to motion graphics.

I've tried courses from other providers, but this was one of the most structured when it comes to learning After Effects and animation. It took me to a point where I switched from being a graphic designer to completely going into motion graphics.

Kash Bhatia

Motion Designer

It really built my confidence.

I took Cinema 4D Basecamp and it really built my confidence. Now, I'm on my fourth 3D product animation for a professional client. I'm also the Director of Motion Graphics at a design firm. I can't say enough good things about it!

Jared Schafer

Director of Motion Graphics

Reignited my passion for animation

School of Motion courses quickly reignited my passion for animation and helped me launch my career in an exciting new direction.

Deanna Reilly

Animator & Illustrator

I really got invested and it took me to the next level.

Animation Bootcamp was the beginning of my motion design career. I really got invested and it took me to the next level. A lot of the lessons pushed me in terms of what I was comfortable making in After Effects.

Isaac Sommers

Motion Designer / Animator

Great community support, great teachers and great lessons.

C4D Basecamp, like all School of Motion courses it had great community support, great teachers and great lessons and projects. It goes beyond just learning the tools and goes into 3D, designing, and animating.

Margaret Cumming

Director of Design

One of the most rewarding, most amazing courses that I've ever experienced.

Let me just tell you, man, Animation Bootcamp is the best. One of the most rewarding, most amazing courses that I've ever experienced. I just loved the one-on-one coaching that you get and the the community aspect of it.

Jeffrey Ordillo

Sr. Motion Graphics Production Artist

It took me from 0 to 1000.

Animation Bootcamp is one of the best classes I've ever taken. It didn't just take me from like 0 to 10 — or even 0 to 100. It took me from 0 to 1000 in terms of getting the animation skills I needed to boost my career. It got me using motion design in all of my projects.

Sherene Strausberg

Motion Designer

Just a few of your career prospects.

So, what makes us different?

Personalized Attention and Feedback

Enroll in a School of Motion course and receive personalized feedback directly from leading, industry-recognized designers and animators. Our classes stand out because you’re not just completing projects; you're getting tailored guidance from the best in the business, ensuring your work isn’t just finished—it’s polished.

Real-World Ready Skills

Each School of Motion course is crafted to mirror actual industry workflows, ensuring the skills you acquire are immediately applicable in professional environments. Dive into your daily creative projects with knowledge that seamlessly translates from the virtual classroom to real-world tasks.

Community and Connections

Dive into the vibrant School of Motion community, where you can interact, showcase your projects, and connect with both peers and top industry professionals. This platform isn't just about learning; it's a place to build relationships that enrich your skills and open up new career opportunities.

So, what makes us different?

Flexible Learning Structure

School of Motion stands out with its lifetime access to course materials, unlike many other platforms that limit your time. Learn at your own pace, revisit lessons as needed, and never feel the rush—your learning journey is entirely in your hands.

In-Depth Resource Access

Dive deep into your creative potential with School of Motion. Our self-guided courses not only provide comprehensive resources but also include exclusive project files and proprietary tools that you won’t find in other platforms’ offerings. Unlock the full spectrum of design and animation techniques at your own pace.

Progressive Skill Building

Each course at School of Motion is carefully designed to build your skills progressively, starting from the fundamentals and advancing to more complex concepts. This structured approach ensures you develop a solid foundation, setting you up for success as you tackle increasingly challenging techniques.

So, what makes us different?

Short-Term Intensive Learning

Dive into focused, high-impact learning with our workshops. These project-based workshops focus on a real-world project from a top artist, and are tailored to hone specific skills and techniques that are not only current but also in high demand. Perfect for professionals looking to quickly elevate their expertise.

In-Depth Resource Access

Workshops don’t just teach you how a project was made, it also lets you peek behind the curtain with exclusive project files and proprietary assets directly from the artist who created them. It’s like having your own world-class mentor.

Industry Tools and Techniques

Our workshops focus on the latest industry-standard tools and techniques, ensuring you stay ahead of the curve with the newest trends and practices. Gear up to master cutting-edge skills that keep you competitive.

So, what makes us different?

Open-Door Learning

Our free courses offer a welcoming introduction to motion design, giving you a taste of our teaching style and the quality of our courses. It's the perfect way for potential students to explore what School of Motion has to offer before diving into our paid options.

Broad Overview

Our free courses span a wide array of topics, offering a comprehensive overview that helps beginners identify their passion within motion design. Discover your niche and decide which areas you’d like to explore in depth.

Community Engagement

Discover the vibrant School of Motion community with our free courses. Learn how you can be a part of our ecosystem, connect with peers, and gain insights from a diverse range of talented artists. We’ve got your back on your creative journey.

After Effects Kickstart

Course Overview

You Get:

Alumni highlights

Course syllabus.

Meet your instructor.

Join over 20,000 alumni around the globe.

Video critique

Just a few of your career prospects.

So, what makes us different?

Personalized Attention and Feedback

Real-World Ready Skills

Community and Connections

So, what makes us different?

Flexible Learning Structure

In-Depth Resource Access

Progressive Skill Building

So, what makes us different?

Short-Term Intensive Learning

In-Depth Resource Access

Industry Tools and Techniques

So, what makes us different?

Open-Door Learning

Broad Overview

Community Engagement

FAQ