In this module, students are introduced to the foundational concepts of motion design and the role After Effects plays in modern post-production. This module sets the stage by demystifying the software’s purpose, exploring its relevance in video editing, VFX, and animation pipelines. Students will gain clarity on how After Effects differs from other Adobe tools like Premiere Pro or Illustrator, and how it fits into the broader Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem. By the end of this module, students will be equipped with a solid understanding of After Effects’ capabilities and how to begin their motion design journey.
In this comprehensive module, students will learn how to confidently navigate the After Effects interface while building familiarity with its most essential tools and functions. From understanding timelines and key layers to mastering the pen tool, shape tool, and text design features, students will begin to create basic animations and layered compositions. The module also explores working with vector paths, layer hierarchies, and the introduction of 3D layers for more advanced visual effects. By the end of this module, students will be able to create and manage multi-layered animations, import assets from Photoshop and Illustrator, and apply fundamental keyframe-based animation to build simple yet dynamic motion graphics.
This module focuses on the powerful video editing and composition capabilities of After Effects. Students will explore professional editing techniques such as seamless transitions, chroma keying with green screens, and motion tracking to integrate animated text and objects into live footage. Practical exercises will include speed adjustments, stabilisation, sky replacement, and creating cinematic overlays. The module also introduces foundational VFX techniques and prepares students to troubleshoot common issues before exporting polished final outputs. By the end of this module, students will be able to apply After Effects to enhance video content with professional-grade compositing, transitions, and stylised visual effects.
This module provides a deep dive into the essential techniques used in motion graphics, guiding students through both fundamental and intermediate animation skills. Beginning with path-based animation and looping principles, students will learn to create seamless visuals that can be reused across platforms. The module progresses into object morphing techniques, which teach how to blend and transition between shapes, logos, and design elements smoothly. Through practical projects, students will also create loading animations and liquid motion effects—ideal for app interfaces and branded assets. By the end of this module, students will have developed a versatile skill set to build captivating animations and polished motion graphics suitable for broadcast, social, and commercial design environments.
In this character-focused module, students will master the foundational skills required to bring illustrated characters to life using After Effects. The journey starts with prepping artwork files and converting them into riggable components. From eye animations and hair movement to crafting a range of facial expressions, students will learn how to express emotion and personality through layered animation. This module also covers mouth shapes for speech animation and walks students through two complete sets of facial expression designs. A dedicated section introduces Duik Bassel, a powerful plugin used for character rigging. By the end of this module, students will be equipped with the skills to animate expressive faces and prepare characters for fully choreographed scenes.
This comprehensive module takes students beyond the basics into fully orchestrated animated storytelling. It begins with lip-sync animation, where learners will practice aligning character speech to dialogue. Students will then construct detailed walk cycles, bicycle animations, and full-body movement sequences, enabling characters to interact convincingly with their environments. As students progress, they will develop complex animation sets—such as running sequences, multi-character scenes, and cinematic compositions. By the end of this module, students will be capable of producing sophisticated animated shorts that combine rigged character movement, environmental interaction, and scene-wide cohesion.
In the Introduction to 3D Space and Layering module, students will gain foundational knowledge of 3D motion design and how to work within After Effects’ 3D environment. The lessons begin with camera layer manipulation, exploring how to create realistic movement and simulate physical space. Students will then dive into dynamic lighting theory, shadow integration, and how to add dimensionality to layers using styles and effects. They will also learn how to bring their 3D scenes to life with Cinema 4D integration and advanced materials for atmospheric depth. By the end of this module, students will confidently apply 3D layering principles and lighting setups to design cinematic motion sequences.
The Typography in 3D Environments module focuses on advanced text animation within three-dimensional spaces. Students will learn how to seamlessly position text behind moving subjects, animate objects that interact with and pass through text, and use paths and masks to guide movement. Through the course of the lessons, they will explore line-based animation techniques and combine effects like blurs, glows, and track mattes to give text more realism and style. By the end of this module, students will have the creative tools to produce engaging 3D typography effects for professional projects.
In this module, students will apply everything they’ve learned to develop polished, cinematic animations. The lessons take them through creative techniques like freeze-frame edits, dolly zooms, sky transitions, and parallax illusions that bring scenes to life. Using layered compositions and camera control, students will animate complex scenes such as mobile apps, dynamic skies, and stylised detective desks. By the end of this module, students will have a rich portfolio of contemporary 3D animation projects and the skills to build visually impressive sequences in After Effects.
In this module, students will dive deep into constructing and animating geometric forms in three-dimensional space. Starting with a variety of form construction techniques across Sets A to C, learners will explore how to build visually accurate 3D objects using After Effects tools. The module continues with hands-on projects such as animating floating cubes and building a full sphere planet animation sequence over five structured parts. Students will then explore stylised techniques like creating neon-lit 3D shapes and applying them in extended animated sequences. Finally, the module culminates with a project focused on animating metallic logos within a 3D environment, bringing together the foundational techniques and visual styles introduced throughout the lessons.
This introduces learners to essential VFX workflows within After Effects, beginning with surface mapping and pattern integration techniques. Students will then be guided through Mocha AE, starting with basic tracking setups and advancing to intermediate workflows that include multiple tracking layers, masking, and object integration. The module concludes with advanced applications in Mocha, enabling students to master professional-grade tracking and compositing workflows to integrate VFX elements into live footage.
In this module, students will explore creative and cinematic distortion techniques. Beginning with facial morphing and distortion across two sets, learners will practice controlled deformation and stylisation for dramatic and surreal effects. The course then transitions into blockbuster-style effects, including the iconic “Thanos Snap” disintegration sequence and full-scene disintegration effects across multiple parts. By the end of this module, students will be able to design and execute advanced VFX shots that enhance storytelling with professional-quality visual transitions and transformations.
In this module, students will master the art of creating compelling and stylised visual effects focused on eye manipulation. Beginning with the eerie transformation of the Black Eyes Effect, learners will progressively explore horror-themed enhancements such as demonic eye animations and pupil distortions. Through multi-part lessons on Horror Eyes FX, students will apply colour grading, blending modes, and tracking techniques to deliver emotionally charged visuals. The module then moves into Iris Eye Effects, where students create vibrant sci-fi and fantasy eye glows using shape layers, masks, and particle effects. These lessons are designed to build a foundational skillset in stylised eye animation that elevates narrative intensity and visual storytelling in short films, trailers, or digital content.
In this module, students will explore high-energy visual effects commonly found in superhero films, action trailers, and music videos. The module begins with Creating Energy Powers, teaching students to layer visual assets, animate radial bursts, and simulate energy flows. Next, students will craft fiery textures and hand-tracking animations in Fire Hands Effect, followed by dynamic lightning arcs in Electricity FX. The course then introduces a layered workflow to simulate pulsating Glowing Veins, culminating in a finale where students combine learned techniques into a polished animation. This module empowers learners to apply professional-grade glow and energy simulations within After Effects, while emphasising creative direction, timing, and post-production polish.
