Freelance flawlessly. The definitive Online Course on collaborative client process for Motion Designers & 3D Artists. From brief to delivery.
If you’re thinking of ditching the studio bubble for freelance, or want more direct client work, maybe even start your own Motion Design studio – this course is made for you.
GOING FROM GOOD TO GREAT
You don’t need another dude showing you how to create oddly satisfying abstract looping 3D art in Cinema 4D. There’s a lot of that out there already, online and offline, by all kinds of chumps.
This course is about deeper skills.
Skills that daily renders or personal projects can’t teach you.
Skills universities charging £50,000+ per degree are too cowardly to touch.
Skills you only get from working experience as a designer, producer, creative, and art director.
That’s the secret sauce that turns a good designer into a great one.
It’s what sets their motion apart, and keep their clients coming back.
It's all the business skills, creative skills, and management skills
you should have been taught, but wasn’t.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?
In this extreme sport version of an online Motion Design course I’ll take you through every step of a tight Motion Graphic Design Process.
You will learn how to transform your software skills into a rocket-powered career, or profitable business.
In 50+ lectures and 19 breakdown videos you will learn how to:
- Lead Motion Design projects of any scale
- Know what clients and agencies expect
- Break down and respond to briefs
- Deal with finances: Estimates, Quotes, Proposals, and Invoicing
- Overcome cost objections
- Create treatments, concept decks, and presentations that clients love
- Plan, structure, and manage projects
- Do proper pre-production: Styleframes, Scripts, Storyboards, Animatic
- And production: Previs, Roughcut, Proofs
- Handle and respond to feedback
In a matter of weeks you’ll learn things that took me a decade, hundreds of projects, lots of mistakes, luck & help to figure out. Because I didn’t have this course.
You’ll get the tools and confidence to work directly with clients and agencies remotely.
PART 1:
CORE COURSE
There are 5 main chapters in the core course. They follow the process of a typical Motion Graphic Design project. Lemme break it down for you.
01: Brief & Response
- Understanding & breaking down client briefs
- Responding to briefs
- Estimating & quoting projects
- Overcoming cost objections
- Preventing scope creep
- Creating Project Plans
12 Video Lectures
02: Management
-
Keeping your shit organised
(Shit = files, deadlines, deliveries, feedback, etc.) - Job naming & numbering
- Folder structuring
- Tracking time, deliveries & feedback
- Creating online project hubs
- Avoiding cold sweats
8 Video Lectures
03: Creative
-
The neuroscience of ideas
- Ideation tools & techniques
- Evaluating ideas
- Developing concepts
- Creating treatments / pitch decks / presentations
- Developing story & flow
- Analysing intensity arcs
- Creating Visual Scripts, Storyboards, Styleframes and Animatics
20 Video Lectures
04: Production
- Workflow from pre-production to final
- Previs and Roughcut
- Sending proofs
- Responding to feedback
- The feedback filtering effect
- Final deliveries
5 Video Lectures
05: AFTERGLOW
- Final deliveries
- Invoicing
- Debriefing
- Chasing payments
- Getting more work
- Publishing and promoting your project
6 Video Lectures
Plus: Every chapter has common issues
and how to solve them.
As well as links to references, assets, and further reading on subjects covered.
PART 2:
CASE STUDY
What’s a good process without a good project?
The imaginary watch brand NORR is about to release their flagship smartwatch carved from genuine Icelandic volcanic rock and simply titled “ROCK
”. Now they need some Motion Design magic to launch it...
It’s an impossibly big brief, a tight budget, and ridonculous requirements. And you’ve got front row tickets to the whole thing. From brief to delivery.
TRIAL BY FIRE
The theory from the lectures is about to get real. The NORR case study shows you exactly how to apply that theory in the chaotic and unpredictable tempest of a client project.
How do you flex your process muscles to deal with assets that are never supplied, changing directions, shortened deadlines or day-of-deadline changes?
The case study gives you 100% insight into my thoughts and choices during the project and why I make them. Yes, including mistakes and embarrassment.
It’s the Motion Design version of "Being John Malkovich".
Finances
All the hard numbers. The estimate, quote and invoice are created before your eyes.
Calls
Listen in on calls with the client. Awkwardness, fledgling friendships and all.
Feedback
Join me in suffering from feedback and changes throughout the project.
THOUGHT PROCESS
Take a seat in my brain-office and see the gears turn as we come up with solutions and ideas on the fly.
Proofs
From ugly duckling to beautiful swan. All stages of the project are there to point and laugh at.
Trial & Error
This isn’t just the sunny side. Even pros make mistakes and my pain is your gain.
The case study contains 299 minutes
of painfully honest
breakdown videos.
(A selection of brands and agencies I’ve worked with. Sorry to those I left out.)
Is it for you?
True, this course isn't for everyone. You need at least a basic level of technical skill. But if you have a decent set of Design or Animation skills and want to work with agencies, studios or clients, this online course will be right up your street.
If any of the peeps below sound like you, this course will be a perfect fit.
Freelancer
Ready to go freelance? If the same old studio life is starting to get boring, this course will turn you into a Titan. Go anywhere, lead any project, and make producers tremble with delight.
Graduate
Welcome to the real world, jackass. Did your University properly prepare you for the harsh reality of Motion Design life? Fear not. With this course you’ll be the most Senior Junior in the industry.
SOLO STUDIO
You’ve forgotten more about animation than the brats in the studio will ever learn. But things ain’t what they used to be. The rat-race just isn’t worth winning. You’d rather work from the comfort of your own home (or the beach) than spend your life in the stress of a studio.
Career Crusher
You’ve got a decent position, but that’s not enough. You want more responsibility, more pay, and maybe a title with the word “Director”. I see names like Buck, The Mill, and Savage & Civil in your future.
All-in-all the course contains:
- 50+ video lectures teaching the theory of process in Motion Design
- 200 page E-Book for for an easy search & find overview of everything from the lectures
- 19 case study videos of the NORR Watches project including Quotes, Concept Decks, Client Calls, Feedback, Mental Breakdowns, etc.
- 17 Documents & Templates to save you time with your projects
- 150GB+ of Source Files (C4D, EXR, WM, AEP, PDF) from the NORR Watches case study
- 21+ hours of time-lapses from the NORR Watches case study (from 500+ hours of footage)
I’m just a spacer, nobody loves me. I'm just a spacer, from a spacer family.
HOW TO BUY
Buy once, access forever. Choose your version of the course below, pick your payment method and boom! All the knowledge is yours to keep forever. Unlimited lifetime access.
BARE-BONES BASIC
or 12 monthly payments of $35 USD
+ VAT if applicable
Core course:
- 54 Lectures teaching the theory of Motion Design Process
- 200 page E-Book of everything in the lectures
Certificate of Completion
Dedicated Designer
or 12 monthly payments of $45 USD
+ VAT if applicable
Core course:
- 54 Lectures teaching the theory of Motion Design Process
- 200 page E-Book of everything in the lectures
Certificate of Completion
NORR Case Study:
- 19 breakdown videos
- 13 concept and process documents
- 40+ client proofs
Guides:
- Client Brief Guide
- Self-critique Guide
- Final Delivery QC Checklist
Assets, templates and trackers:
- Quote & Terms (Google Sheets)
- Project Plan (Google Sheets)
- Treatment / Concept Deck (Google Slides)
- Visual Script (Google Docs)
- Storyboard (Google Slides)
- Feedback Tracker (Google Sheets)
- Deliveries Tracker (Google Sheets)
- VT Countdown Clock Asset (After Effects)
- Folder Structure Preset
Master Motionographer
or 12 monthly payments of $105 USD
+ VAT if applicable
Core course:
- 54 Lectures teaching the theory of Motion Design Process
- 200 page E-Book of everything in the lectures
Certificate of Completion
NORR Case Study:
- 19 breakdown videos
- 13 concept and process documents
- 40+ client proofs
Guides:
- Client Brief Guide
- Self-critique Guide
- Final Delivery QC Checklist
Assets, templates and trackers:
- Quote & Terms (Google Sheets)
- Project Plan (Google Sheets)
- Treatment / Concept Deck (Google Slides)
- Visual Script (Google Docs)
- Storyboard (Google Slides)
- Feedback Tracker (Google Sheets)
- Deliveries Tracker (Google Sheets)
- VT Countdown Clock Asset (After Effects)
- Folder Structure Preset
NORR Master Source Files:
- 17 Cinema 4D scene files
- 100+ Textures
- 67GB+ Turbulence FD and X-Particles volcanic fluid sims
- 5 World Machine scenes
- 90GB+ CG Renders
- After Effects compositing files
21+ hours of time-lapses from the NORR project (from 500+ hours of footage)
Not sure?
Well, shit. How does 30 day polite money back guarantee sound?
A purchase like this should not be taken lightly. But if you’ve made it all the way down to this part of the page, I really think you’ll love the course. But just
in case, there’s a 30 day polite money back guarantee.
That means you get 30 days to dig through as much of the course as you can. If it’s not absolutely everything you hoped it would be, you’ll promptly get all the money back. Every last penny, cent, or yen will be returned to you, together with a personal apology from me. That’s the polite part.
FULL CURRICULUM
Course Curriculum
-
PreviewINTRO / Brief [Free Preview] (1:05)
-
PreviewParts of a Brief (5:04)
-
PreviewBreaking down a Brief (2:22)
-
PreviewWhen there is no Brief (2:40)
-
PreviewCommon Issues with Briefs (4:21)
-
PreviewINTRO / Response to Brief [Free Preview] (1:03)
-
PreviewElements of a Response (3:35)
-
PreviewEstimating Time and Money (4:54)
-
PreviewGiving a Quote (6:00)
-
PreviewDealing with Objections to Cost (3:30)
-
PreviewThe Project Plan (1:44)
-
PreviewCommon Issues when Responding to Briefs (0:46)
-
StartResources & reading
FAQs
Have a question that’s not on here? Send me an email [email protected]
or hit me up on Facebook or Twitter @MotionViking
.
What software do I need?
+
This course is not about software; it’s about collaborating with clients on real projects. It’s useful whatever your weapon of choice: Cinema 4D, Blender, After Effects, Maya, Houdini, 3DS Max, Lightwave. The process is still the process.
Any software I teach in the course is freely available online as part of the Google Suite. The only
exception is a tutorial on creating Intensity Arcs in After Effects. But I do my best to translate that to other software while going through it.
And, only get the “Master Motionographer” version if you’re a fan of Cinema 4D. All the extras in that version revolve around that. And to get full
use out of the source files, you’ll also need Turbulence FD, X-Particles and Arnold Renderer.
I’m not a Motion Designer. What will I get out of the course?
+
If you work with any type of moving pictures that involves a client this course will be absolute gold for you. Especially if you work with animation, and especially 3D. There are a lot of parallels with filmmaking and many other creative professions. A lot of the principles are the same. That’s why I called it “Process of Motion” and not “Process of 3D Animation”.
Only get the “Master Motionographer” version if you’re a fan of Cinema 4D. All the extras in that version revolve around that.
I use Blender or something, should I still get the course?
+
I would recommend the “Dedicated Designer” version of the course. It’s all about the process, and with a focus on working with clients and 3D. But nothing in there is specific to a certain 3D software.
All the extras in the “Master Motionographer” version are about C4D however. So if you’re curious about Cinema 4D it’s worth considering, but if not, I wouldn’t bother with that one.
How long is the course?
+
It’s actually up to you. This is an on-demand course, so you set the pace. The total runtime of all 73 videos is almost exactly 8 hours. If you watch 5 lectures per day, it’ll take about 2 weeks. But you could smash through it all in a workday if you don’t eat or take bathroom breaks. But I’m not sure that’s the best way to learn...
When does it start?
+
I’m ready when you are. This is an on-demand course. As soon as you enroll you’ll get access all the lessons and you'll be able to request access to the assets and templates.
How long do I have access?
+
Until death do us part. You’ve got lifetime access. Pay once, learn and use forever. You can take as long as you like, come back as often as you want.
Actually, I can do better. I guarantee you afterlife access too. If you come back as a ghost you’re welcome to keep watching the lectures and refreshing your memory.
What are the lectures like?
+
Some of the lectures are available as free previews in the full curriculum below. So you can have a look for yourself and see what you can expect.
What if I don’t like it?
+
I really think you will. But if you don’t, it’s okay to change your mind. I don’t want anyone to feel ripped off. See above for the 30 day polite money back guarantee. I stand by that. Even if you just don’t like the font I picked.
How will the assets and NORR source files be delivered?
+
Part of your course bundle will be a link to a Google Drive folder where you can request access.
Then you can browse, look at and pick files to download. It’s split into folders and not just a single megachonk of a 170gb download. But you can grab the whole thing at once if that’s how you roll.
What am I allowed to do with the NORR source files? What’s the license?
+
The source files from the NORR case study are licensed as CC BY-NC
. This means you can do whatever you want with them for personal use
. Use that shit in everyday renders, personal projects, artwork and other cool shit. Just don't use it in client work, and don't share the files themselves. And, if it’s reasonable, please credit “Assets from the Process of Motion by Daniel Danielsson” or something similar and link back to processofmotion.com or danieldanielsson.com
If you do use them for some cool shit, I’d like to see it too. Tag me (@MotionViking in most places) or sling a link my way.
Is NORR a real company? :O
+
They are a 100% real fake client. So no. They are an artificial client designed in a super-lab. Their only purpose in life? To show the best and worst sides of a client and give the process of motion a good run for its money.
Will this teach me how to find clients?
+
The course focuses mostly on keeping them. But there is a section on positioning yourself as a Motion Designer to attract clients.
How are the payments handled?
+
All payments are handled through the payment method you choose. They hold the payment for the duration of the 30 day polite money back guarantee. Only once those 30 days are up does the payment reach me.
Can I have a discount?
+
If you don’t think this course is worth the full price, I doubt a reduced price would help. Maybe the course isn’t right for you. Hang on to your dough and spend it on something you feel is more worth it.
Will this course work on mobile or tablet?
+
Oh heckers yea. This course is built with Teachable and is fully responsive. Androids, iPhones, Tablets, maybe even your 'smart' TV should be no problemo. Teachable even provide a free iOS app so you can learn “on the go” as advertisers love to say.
SPONSORS & Credits
MAJOR PROPS
I’d like to give a heartfelt thank you
to PixelPlow
and Arnold Renderer
who have sponsored the making of this course. Honestly, without them I don’t know know if it would’ve ever been finished.
ON-PAGE Icons from the Noun Project
Phone Icon by Adrien Coquet – Money by Adrien Coquet – Unlike by Sewon Park – Cogs by Rflor – Evolution by HeadsOfBirds
Daniel Danielsson, known to some as Tutoman, trading as Still Motion Limited.
Still Motion Limited is registered in England and Wales. Company number 10175035. VAT Number GB 246 5639 80