The 10 Biggest Motion Graphics Mistakes That ALL Beginners Make

Motion graphics designers should avoid these common mistakes. This video breaks down the top 10 mistakes made in motion design and animation.

I've launched my first animation course!

►Please tag me on Instagram @ben_marriott_ if you've used any of the techniques from my videos so I can see what awesome things you create

I'm uploading new motion design & animation tutorials every Thursday! (Sometimes Monday too)

►Find me elsewhere!

►Music:
Massive thanks to madmomentsgo for providing that amazing music for my intro!

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
~ God bless Kevin ~

[BenMarriott]

Extra video this week! The regularly scheduled video one still happening on Thursday. What mistakes did you make when starting out?

[samazoid]

"10: not taking your time"
me, deadline in three days, barely started: hmmm... yes....

[mangoapple]

Im just gonna leave the principles of animation here

1. Squash and stretch
2. Anticipation
3. Staging
4. Straight ahead action and pose to pose
5. Follow through and overlapping action
6. Slow in and slow out (basically easing and using the scary graph editor)
7. Arc (things tend to move in arcs like limbs and when stuff is thrown)
8. Secondary action
9. Timing
10. Exaggeration
11. Solid drawing
12. Appeal

[jaejaejaey]

1. Collecting Plugins
2. Relying on Templates
3. Ignoring Design
4. Unorganized Projects
5. Foregoing Fundamentals
6. Fearing the Graph Editor
7. Always using Tutorials
8. Skipping Animatics
9. Limited References
10. Not Taking Your Time

[kaninepete]

I love using templates to “scrap for parts” just pulling out the pieces I need, and leaving the rest behind.

[melindeer]

oh my stars Ben if you could make a value graph editor tutorial i would be so happy, been using AE for years and I still can't wrap my head around it

[LeFoustica]

Ben, this is the first time I have ever commented on a YouTube video, so please accept my complements on your engaging style. Well done. I’m an old guy with no aspirations to design motion for a living, but you have helped me make art and challenge myself and for that I am grateful. Keep making weird stuff and teaching us to explore motion.
Thanks!

[LoganPinney]

Yes!!! So happy you added the template for all to use! Cheers boss!!! Sidebar, you rule Ben!

[juligvazquez]

03:58 Totally. When I learned more about the principles, I started learning how the curves work and the impact that made between my keyframes. On that moment, everything made sence!

[AndrewMarston]

I'm not sure I agree that every project doesn't need a lightsaber.

Otherwise, very helpful tips and made me realize some areas I could improve like spending more time in design and making animatics. Would love to see a video where you show an overview of the whole process of taking an initial concept to final animation. Seems like there might be steps I'm skipping or just flat unaware of.

[albalugoillustration]

Thank you so much for doing what you do! I just started with animation and actually almost quit at the start, but with your videos I started to feel more and more motivated! 🌻✨ They're SO helpful! 🌻✨🍃

[jerendraws]

Favorite YouTube channel by a long shot. Thanks for being helpful and always labeling your layers <3

[JUSTINBUISSON]

When n°4 came I was like YES THIS IS MY BEN

[anarmovsumov]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge, Ben. It'd be great to know more about animatics and how to integrate it in the workflow.

[LurksLessons]

It's reassuring to hear that I wasn't the only one fretting over purchasing Plexus, Trapcode Suite and other plugins to feel like I was now apart of the MoGraph club. Aside from doing 3D motion backgrounds that loop, I rarely use those plugins for my animation projects today. All of your topics were on point for I was able to relate to the majority of them. Well done!

[mrbuckets]

Addendum: Being overly agreeable and serving up a "Can-Do Attitude" when they have concerns or see red flags in the design or project timeline. Beginners may not notice all the brewing issues, but they definitely notice (and then sit on) a few, and nobody is happy down the road when they want to stick to the promise of big delivery and cannot, whether it's down to rookie mistakes or expectations may have been unrealistic from the start.

[Npolowy]

This was great. Simple refresh on the basics that we all forget, at any experience level.

[delusionalunicorn]

Always giving valuable tips, Ben. Thank you

[jippalippa]

11-Don't be envious.
I'm pertpetually consumed by envy (for other motion designers) and it's a horrible life...sucks the living energy out of you...

[mahiwagangpilipinas]

On point, honest, and useful. Thanks for sharing your experience with us, Ben. As for the templates, I don't use any, I just watch how they animate and try to make them myself.