One of the specific CV challenges you may encounter in motion graphics is accurately tracking fast-moving objects within a complex scene. Our comprehensive guide offers step-by-step techniques and software recommendations that can help you overcome this issue, enhancing the precision and efficiency of your motion tracking.
- Design and format your professional motion graphics CV;
- Curate your key contact information, skills, and achievements throughout your CV sections;
- Ensure your profile stays competitive by studying other industry-leading motion graphics CVs;
- Create a great CV even if you happen to have less professional experience, or switching fields.
When writing your motion graphics CV, you may need plenty of insights from hiring managers. We have prepared industry-leading advice in the form of our relevant CV guides.
Structuring your motion graphics CV layout: four factors to keep in mind
There are plenty of best practices out there for your CV layout and design. At the end of the day, a clear format and concise CV message should be your top priority. Use your CV design to enhance separate sections, bringing them to the forefront of recruiters' attention. At the same time, you can write content that:- Follows the reverse chronological order in the experience section by first listing your most recent jobs;
- Incorporates your contact information in the header, but do skip out on the CV photo for roles in the UK;
- Is spotlighted in the most important sections of your CV, e.g. the summary or objective, experience, education, etc. to show just how you meet the job requirements;
- Is no longer than two-pages. Often, the one-page format can be optimal for your motion graphics CV.
Before submitting your CV, you may wonder whether to export it in Doc or PDF. With the PDF format, your information and layout stay intact. This is quite useful when your CV is assessed by the Applicant Tracker System (or the ATS) . The ATS is a software that scans your profile for all relevant information and can easily understand latest study on the ATS , which looks at your CV columns, design, and so much more.
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Use font size and style strategically to create a visual hierarchy, drawing the reader's eye to the most important information first (like your name and most recent job title).
The top sections on a motion graphics CV
- Professional Summary showcases your career focus and creative prowess, essential for standing out.
- Motion Graphics Experience details your specific work history in the field, demonstrating practical skills.
- Technical Proficiencies section highlights software mastery like After Effects, crucial for productivity.
- Portfolio Link provides direct access to your visual work, which is the core evidence of your talent.
- Education & Training lists your relevant academic background, supporting your technical knowledge.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your technical proficiency with industry-standard software like After Effects, Cinema 4D, and Adobe Creative Suite, demonstrating your capability to handle various motion design projects.
- Include a strong portfolio link at the top of your CV, as your visual work examples are essential in showcasing your style and skill set to potential employers.
- Detail any specialised experience in storyboarding, animation, or 3D modelling, as these skills are particularly relevant and can set you apart in the field of motion graphics.
- Emphasise collaborative projects and your ability to work within interdisciplinary teams, as motion graphics often requires coordination with other creatives and technical staff.
- Mention any awards, recognitions, or high-profile projects you've contributed to, as this can add prestige and proof of expertise to your CV.
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Tips and tricks on writing a job-winning motion graphics CV header
The CV header is the space which most recruiters would be referring most often to, in the beginning and end of your application. That is as the CV header includes your contact details, but also a headline and a professional photo. When writing your CV header:
- Double-check your contact details for spelling errors or if you've missed any digits. Also, ensure you've provided your personal details, and not your current work email or telephone number;
- Include your location in the form of the city and country you live in. If you want to be more detailed, you can list your full address to show proximity to your potential work place;
- Don't include your CV photo, if you're applying for roles in the UK or US, as this may bias initial recruiters' assessments;
- Write a professional headline that either integrates the job title, some relevant industry keywords, or your most noteworthy achievement.
In the next part of our guide, we'll provide you with professional CVs that showcase some of the best practices when it comes to writing your headline.
Examples of good CV headlines for motion graphics:
- Lead Motion Designer | 3D Animation Specialist | Adobe Certified | 8+ Years in Broadcast Design
- Senior Motion Graphics Animator | Typography Guru | UX/UI Expertise | MA in Visual Effects | 10 Years
- Junior Motion Graphics Artist | Video Editing Enthusiast | BSc Multimedia | Rising Talent | 2 Years Experience
- Mid-Level Motion Graphics Creator | After Effects Pro | Branding & Storytelling | 5 Years in Creative Agencies
- Senior Motion Graphics Strategist | Interactive Content Developer | VR/AR Experience | 12 Years Industry Leader
- Motion Graphics Generalist | Infographics & Data Visualisation | BA Honours | Freelance Success | 7 Years Experience
What's the difference between a motion graphics CV summary and objective
Why should it matter to you?
- Your motion graphics CV summary is a showcasing your career ambitions and your unique value. Use the objective to answer why your potential employers should hire you based on goals and ambitions. The objective is the ideal choice for candidates who happen to have less professional experience, but still meet some of the job requirements.
Before you select which one will be more relevant to your experience, have a look at some industry-leading CV summaries and objectives.
CV summaries for a motion graphics job:
- With over five years of dedicated experience in motion graphics design at a top-tier advertising agency in London, I possess advanced proficiency in After Effects and Cinema 4D, having led a successful rebranding campaign that increased client engagement by 40%.
- A seasoned graphic designer from Manchester with a decade of experience, now focusing on motion graphics, bringing a wealth of design acumen, a mastery of Photoshop and Illustrator, and a history of innovative branding solutions that resonate with diverse audiences.
- Transitioning from a successful career in video editing, I bring three years of storytelling expertise within the media sector, underpinned by deft skills in Premiere Pro and a passion for creating fluid, dynamic motion graphics that captivate and inform.
- After building a foundation in fine arts, I am now venturing into the world of motion graphics, aiming to leverage my strong composition skills, understanding of color theory, and hands-on experience with digital sculpting tools to produce visually compelling narratives.
- Keen to leverage my fresh perspective in motion graphics, I am eager to develop my existing knowledge of animation principles and harness industry-standard software tools to produce work that not only entertains but also delivers clear messages to the audience.
- With an educational background in 3D animation and a growing portfolio in motion design, I am passionate about joining an environment where I can cultivate my skills, embrace collaborative development, and contribute to visually engaging projects that push creative boundaries.
Narrating the details of your motion graphics CV experience section
Perhaps you've heard it time and time again, but, how you present your experience is what matters the most. Your CV experience section - that details your work history alongside your accomplishments - is the space to spotlight your unqiue expertise and talents. So, avoid solely listing your responsibilities, but instead:
- adverts' keywords and integrate those in your experience section;
- Use your CV to detail how you've been promoted in the past by including experience in the reverse chronological order.
Before you start writing your motion graphics CV experience section, dive into some industry-leading examples on how to structure your bullets.
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Designed and animated high-impact motion graphics for a variety of clients, tailoring visual styles to align with different brand guidelines and objectives.
- Collaborated closely with directors, editors, and producers on pre-production planning to ensure smooth integration of motion graphics into various multimedia projects.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously, consistently meeting deadlines without sacrificing quality, and always staying within the designated budget.
- Developed storyboards and animatics to effectively communicate motion design concepts and strategies to clients and team members before final production.
- Implemented cutting-edge animation techniques using Adobe After Effects, Cinema 4D, and other industry-standard software to create dynamic and engaging content.
- Conducted research on the latest trends in motion graphics to keep designs innovative and current, directly contributing to notable increases in client engagement.
- Regularly updated technical skills through online courses and workshops to remain at the forefront of motion design advancements.
- Maintained accurate documentation and file management to ensure all assets and project files are organised for team access and future updates.
- Leveraged creative problem-solving skills to overcome design challenges and deliver solutions that both met the brief and exceeded client expectations.
- Redesigned the main title sequence for an award-winning TV show, leading to a 20% increase in viewer engagement and social shares.
- Collaborated with the marketing team to create promotional motion graphics for 30+ national campaign spots, contributing to a 15% uptick in brand recognition.
- Streamlined the motion graphics workflow with new software implementation, improving the team's output by 25% while maintaining a high standard of quality.
- Developed interactive motion graphics for mobile applications, enhancing user experience and receiving an average user rating of 4.7 stars on the App Store.
- Mentored a team of junior motion graphic designers, improving team skill level and productivity by providing weekly training sessions.
- Led a project for a major rebranding initiative, creating 50+ motion graphic assets that were incorporated across all digital platforms.
- Produced over 60 educational motion graphic videos for an e-learning platform, resulting in a 35% increase in user engagement and course completion rates.
- Initiated a successful collaboration with scriptwriters and sound designers to enhance the storytelling aspect of motion graphics, leading to a 'Best Instructional Design' award.
- Implemented client feedback mechanisms to tailor motion graphic designs more closely to customer needs, resulting in a 50% drop in revision requests.
- Created dynamic data visualisation animations for a series of corporate reports that have been pivotal in securing investor funding rounds.
- Managed the production pipeline for motion graphics content on a weekly live-streamed event, consistently meeting tight deadlines and receiving positive audience feedback.
- Spearheaded the integration of VR technology into motion graphics production, elevating the company's portfolio and attracting high-profile clients in the gaming industry.
- Designed motion graphic elements for an international sports event that was broadcasted to over 10 million viewers, enhancing viewers' experience and comprehension of statistics.
- Initiated and led a workshop series on emerging motion graphics trends, keeping the creative team ahead of the curve and cementing the company's status as an industry innovator.
- Orchestrated the transition to 4K-video compliant graphics, ensuring all content was up to current broadcast standards and future-proofing the company's deliverables.
- Established the company's first dedicated motion graphics unit, increasing project capacity by 200% within the first year of operation.
- Collaborated closely with film editors to merge traditional cinematography with modern motion graphics, creating a unique visual style that became a signature for the studio's productions.
- Implemented a client review system that significantly accelerated the approval process for motion graphics work, cutting down project turnaround time by 30%.
- Designed animated infographics featured in a series of viral environmental awareness campaigns, leading to over 3 million views and a measurable increase in public engagement with recycling initiatives.
- Acted as a liaison between the graphic design team and video editors, ensuring brand consistency and narrative coherence across all multimedia outputs.
- Pioneered the use of 3D motion capture in our team's workflow, allowing for innovation in character animation and reducing production time for complex sequences by 40%.
- Spearheaded an inter-departmental initiative to create a unified visual language across the company's video content, aligning brand messaging and increasing audience retention by over 25%.
- Conducted extensive research and testing to establish a set of best practices for motion graphic design in educational content, boosting viewer comprehension and recall.
- Crafted motion graphics signage for over 500 screens in retail locations, enhancing customer navigation and contributing to a 12% increase in in-store sales.
Writing your CV without professional experience for your first job or when switching industries
There comes a day, when applying for a job, you happen to have no relevant experience, whatsoever. Yet, you're keen on putting your name in the hat. What should you do? Candidates who part-time experience , internships, and volunteer work.
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Describe how each job helped you grow or learn something new, showing a continuous development path in your career.
Hard skills and soft skills to showcase your unique skill set on your motion graphics CV
Did you know that your CV will mostly likely be assessed by recruiters based on skill alignment? And that means that the way you feature your key skills across different CV sections will play a crucial role in landing you that first interview. We recommend you add your:
- technical capabilities or hard skills in your CV experience, certificates, projects, etc. Use your past accomplishments to prove your technical capabilities. List up to a dozen different software or hardware in your dedicated skills section to match the job keywords;
- personal and communication skills or soft skills in your CV strengths, achievements, summary/ objective, etc. Soft skills are a bit more difficult to prove. How do you define your aptitude in active listening? So, instead of just listing the skill name, include a tangible metric to show your success.
On a final note, when you're in a hurry to create your profile, you may misspell a particular technology or soft skill. That's why we suggest you copy and paste the particular skill name (or keyword), directly from the job advert. This would also help you to pass any initial Applicant Tracker System (ATS) tests.
Top skills for your motion graphics CV:
Adobe After Effects
Cinema 4D
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Illustrator
2D Animation
3D Animation
Typography
Graphic Design
Storyboarding
Visual Effects
Creativity
Communication
Time Management
Problem Solving
Attention to Detail
Teamwork
Adaptability
Organisation
Project Management
Continuous Learning
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If you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.
Your university degree and certificates: an integral part of your motion graphics CV
Let's take you back to your uni days and decide what information will be relevant for your motion graphics CV. Once more, when discussing your higher education, select only information that is pertinent to the job (e.g. degrees and projects in the same industry, etc.). Ultimately, you should:
- List only your higher education degrees, alongside start and graduation dates, and the university name;
- Include that you obtained a first degree for diplomas that are relevant to the role, and you believe will impress recruiters;
- Showcase relevant coursework, projects, or publications, if you happen to have less experience or will need to fill in gaps in your professional history.
PRO TIP
If you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.
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Key takeaways
What matters most in your motion graphics CV-writing process is for you to create a personalised application. One that matches the role and also showcases your unique qualities and talents.
- Use the format to supplement the actual content, to stand out, and to ensure your CV experience is easy to comprehend and follows a logic;
- Invest time in building a succinct CV top one third. One that includes a header (with your contact details and headline), a summary or an objective statement (select the one that best fits your experience), and - potentially - a dedicated skills section or achievements (to fit both hard skills and soft skills requirements);
- Prioritise your most relevant (and senior) experience closer to the top of your CV. Always ensure you're following the "power verb, skill, and achievement" format for your bullets;
- Integrate both your technical and communication background across different sections of your CV to meet the job requirements;
- List your relevant education and certificates to fill in gaps in your CV history and prove to recrutiers you have relevant technical know-how.
