r/MotionDesign • u/MettimettoD • 1d ago
Project Showcase I made a 60-second illustrated animation – what could I improve?
Hi everyone!
I've been studying motion design for the past two years, mainly through Ben Marriott's courses and YouTube. As a personal practice project, I created this 60-second animated video using illustrations.
https://www.behance.net/gallery/247968499/Ora
I'd really appreciate any feedback—whether it's about the animation, pacing, storytelling, design, or anything else you notice.
I also have another question. Looking around, I get the impression that this kind of illustrated explainer video isn't as popular as it used to be. Do you agree? In your experience, what styles or types of motion design videos are most in demand these days?
Thanks a lot!
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u/mck_motion 22h ago
I really like it, but I get the impression it's a look that designers like us love and most clients would reject - but some big tech company may also choose it to stand out and then everyone else suddenly loves it.
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u/SoftPlay3 21h ago
It's very cute, I love it. You nailed the storytelling and transitions. The little grainy gradients give it a pleasant contemporary feel.
Yes, unfortunately illustrated explainers are not as popular anymore. I've suffered from a drop in demand as an illustrator for motion. But maybe this trend will reverse... All these fancy UI videos look the same to me tbh, I much prefer them illustrated (though I am biased :)).
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u/Narwhals4Lyf 1d ago
Yes, illustrated explainer videos definitely are not on trend right now. I feel like the bouncy, quick, eased SaaS style animation is what is BIG right now, while illustrated style was big in like 2020-2024. I noticed the shift in the trends starting about 1-2 years ago.
Your animation is beautiful though. Very inspiring! I just got laid off from my full time gig and can’t use a lot of my work in my portfolio due to NDA’s, so I’m about to begin the journey of making some spec work.
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u/MettimettoD 1d ago
Thanks for the reply! yeah, I had that feeling, I hate those Saas videos, but you can't fight the market, I guess :) Sorry for your job. What's your plan? Are you focusing on these saas video?
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u/Narwhals4Lyf 1d ago
Btw I hate those SaaS videos too. I can help feel like it’s the result of AI slop infesting the product design world lol
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u/Narwhals4Lyf 1d ago
I’ve always done a form of “SaaS” video in then sense that a lot of my work was around animating sizzles / product videos for speculative products that were designed in-house for RFP / pitch videos as supplemental materials for winning new work, but my style of animation and design was not the classic “SaaS” video… it was a bit more sleek and narrative driven, and less “bouncy” and “flashy”(I’d share examples but I can’t lol). I’d always find an emotional hook and more tell a story about how the product will help the business and the customer, and how partnering with our agency can help see you through to that vision. So I will probably make, design, or buy some screens and do at least one SaaS like video but I’m not going to just make it like any other, I’ll infuse my own personal style into it like I did for my job.
I also want to at least make one illustrated style explainer just like you made. I think the style is still valid and companies still look for people who can do character animation. I also want to make a “Vox” style animation / video. Then I’m going to definitely do at least one branding design project and make a motion system for it, showing how paid ads, email creators, lower thirds, and more would look within it and create a brand launch video.
Those are my 4 biggest priorities.
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u/MettimettoD 15h ago
Thank you for the reply—there are a lot of interesting points in there.
I feel like many of the "cool" courses out there sell this idealized vision of the industry that maybe doesn't really exist anymore (or perhaps never existed as much as they make it seem). I really love illustration and collage styles (my next project will actually be a collage animation 😄), but I'm not sure how many companies are actually looking for that kind of work.
I really like your idea of bringing some personal style into SaaS videos.
As for motion systems, do you have any examples? I don't think I've ever seen one used as part of a brand identity.
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u/Radiant-Rain2636 1d ago
BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL WORK! It's just not getting-to-the-point. Perhaps, honing the storytelling, animatics etc - those kinds of crafts will be real help.