Captivate
After Effects for Graphic Designers Intermediate
Build animated titles, shape layers and text presets. 2-day intermediate course for graphic designers already working in After Effects.
Format
Live instructor-led
Hands-on, question-led sessions
Location
London NW10 or online
9 Station Terrace, NW10 5RT
Level
Intermediate level
Small groups, hands-on, expert-led
Upcoming dates
Booking for a team? Want a different date?
Get team trainingInvoice payment available · Prices subject to VAT
Who this course is for
This course is for graphic designers with foundational After Effects experience who want to develop more sophisticated motion graphics and animated typography skills for digital media projects.
Prerequisites
You should be comfortable with the fundamentals of After Effects, or have attended our After Effects Introduction course.
What you'll learn
Exploring intermediate animation techniques and effects, enabling you to create more sophisticated motion graphics for your projects.
How to use advanced keyframing, expressions and effects, empowering you to add complexity and nuance to your animations.
Understanding pre-compositions, parenting and motion tracking, helping you manage intricate designs and achieve seamless results.
How to integrate audio, video and external assets, enabling you to produce multimedia content for discerning audiences.
Exploring workflow optimisation and project organisation, helping you work more efficiently and meet tight deadlines.
How to troubleshoot common issues and refine your animations, helping you to deliver polished, professional-quality work.
Understanding best practices for exporting and sharing, enabling you to present your motion graphics confidently in any context.
Course outline
What you’ll cover
Optimising Settings and Preferences
- Media and Disk Cache
- Autosave
- Customising Export Settings
- Advanced layout tools
- Using Shy layers
Designing text animators
- Creating a bespoke Text animator
- Saving a bespoke text animator
Using advanced track mattes
- Using animated text as masks
- Using Track Mattes to create transitions
- Exploring blend modes
Using adjustment layers
- Masking adjustment layers
- Using the mask feather tool
Advanced Keyframe animation
- Using Graph Editor to customise key frame interpolation
- Understanding and using interpolation options
- Creating acceleration and deceleration in an animation
- Creating a bounce effect
- Linking parameters
Using basic expressions
- Loop
- Wiggle
- Time
Keyboard shortcuts
- Trimming and moving Layers
- Transform Parameters
- Workspace handles
- Frame advance
- Zooming on the Timeline
- Zooming in the Composition window
- Fit to window
- Playback
- Tools
- The Uber Key
- New Compositions
- Composition settings
Animating along Paths
- Animating text along a path
- Animating text along a path in 3D
- Animating objects along paths
- Auto Orient
- Time reverse key frames
- Time Reverse Layer
Source Text
- Using the source text control
- Linking Source Text
Additional Text Animations
- Outline Text draw
- Creating a text counter
- Offset effect
Drawing Text On
- Using Trim Paths and Track Mattes
- Using The stroke effect
Text distortion effects
- Shatter
- Bezier Warp
- Bulge
- CC Bender
- CC Flo Motion
- Griddler
- CC Lens
- CC Slant
- CC Smear
- CC Split
- CC Tiler
- Liquify
- Mesh Warp
- Ripple
- Sphere
- Transform
- Turbulent Displace
- Warp
- Wave Warp
Working in 3D
- Converting layers to 3D
- Working with the z-axis
- Z Positon
- 3D rotation
- 3D tools and views
- 3D Extrude
- Using 3D text animators
- 3D extrude of shapes
- 3D extrude of text
- Creating a spinning extruded logo
- Creating a spinning cube
- Creating a 3D rig using Null layers
- Adding lights
- Adding a camera
Particle Emitters
- Particle world
- Creating clouds of particles using different shapes and objects
- Animating the particles
Compiling your project
- Optimising project settings
- Rendering the composition
Exporting
- Video with Alpha channel
- Exporting Animated GIFs via Adobe Photoshop
Included
- Live expert-led instruction
- Practical exercises and workflow examples
- Live Q and A and troubleshooting with the trainer
- Follow-up support guidance
Frequently asked questions
Is this After Effects for Graphic Designers Intermediate course suitable for me?
This course is aimed at designers who have experience in After Effects or have already attended one of our After Effects training courses or who would like to further their knowledge of best practice in the use of After Effects. If you are have any questions about whether the course could meet your needs, please speak to our customer service team. They will be delighted to advise you.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion of my After Effects for Graphic Designers Intermediate course?
Yes, you'll receive a certificate of completion from Transmedia, demonstrating your knowledge and attendance on our After Effects for Graphic Designers Intermediate course. Our certificates note our Authorised Training Centre status.
How is the content taught throughout the After Effects for Graphic Designers Intermediate course?
Our After Effects for Graphic Designers Intermediate course is extremely interactive. You will be using After Effects throughout the day, working through examples and live projects under the guidance of our trainer, who will be supporting you through each step.
What is the recommended number of people for the class when I attend the After Effects for Graphic Designers Intermediate course?
For private classes in After Effects for Graphic Designers Intermediate, we recommend a maximum of 8 to 10 people from the same company in the class. Please ask our customer service team to help you find the right balance of people per class and the number of days training you need.
Should I attend the After Effects for Graphic Designers Intermediate course in person or live online?
For in-person courses at our London training centre, you will receive a warm personal welcome, your choice of the latest Mac or PC and morning and afternoon refreshments. If you prefer to attend remotely, rest assured that you will be taught live by the same experts that deliver our in-person courses, covering the same training content, using the same exercises and materials. A second monitor is recommended but not essential.
What support is available after I attend the After Effects for Graphic Designers Intermediate course?
We offer ongoing support to our After Effects for Graphic Designers Intermediate course attendees through email and by arrangement, phone calls. You are welcome to ask any questions on topics covered during training. Our trainer will always do their best to explain principles and help you with any issues you encounter.
Reviews
Just finished a bespoke course in Photoshop and AI. Learned an awful lot. My trainer was very knowledgeable and was very happy to answer lots of questions that I had throughout. Highly recommend.
Rachel P — June 2026
Gorgeous premises and lovely, knowledgeable team. I really enjoyed my course - the tutor was friendly and professional and happy to answer any questions and tailor the course.
Quadrotech — June 2026
The trainer was excellent. He kept the course interactive and engaging. The small sessions made it easy to get clarifications. The pleasant office is well situated, so easy to find and get to.
UNICEF — June 2026
Fantastic and super valuable training! Our trainer shaped the training fully to our needs, adapted, accelerated and deep diving when needed. I learned so much these past days with tangible examples.
Adobe — June 2026
The training was great, thank you. My trainer was very thorough with everything and I definitely left with new knowledge and skills. And thanks for sending the materials across.
Live Union — June 2026
Our trainer was great. Very knowledgeable and also flexible with adjusting to our very specific questions and scenarios. I learned loads and look forward to using my new Figma skills.
Adobe — June 2026
One of the better training sessions I've had in years. I highly recommend anyone who wants to learn more about Figma, but also any other Adobe Creative Cloud application, to take courses here.
Adobe — June 2026
I wish all training courses were run this well!
RPS Design — June 2026
The course was excellent - exactly to my company's needs. All questions were answered and concepts explained very clearly.
Hannah Griffiths — June 2026
First class - The trainer was extremely knowledgeable and answered all our questions.
MOD — June 2026
We found the course very useful and wished that we had more time. I was really impressed by our trainer's expertise in software that's being updated very frequently.
Baillie Gifford — May 2026
Very thorough course and enthusiastic trainer who was very helpful and responsive to individual needs.
NVIDIA — May 2026
Excellent training session with a knowledgeable instructor.
Gallagher — May 2026
Great course! Instructor went at a good pace and broke down complex functions into simple steps.
Adam W — May 2026
The trainer's knowledge was very strong and he was able to answer all my questions. Admin staff were very friendly and helpful.
VCCP — May 2026
Very helpful, informative training. Relaxed atmosphere and felt very comfortable asking questions.
The White Company — May 2026
Our trainer was very approachable and knowledgeable.
Bond Pearce — May 2026
Learnt so much - great training! Thank you
John R — May 2026
Probably the best course I have been on. Very thorough and entertaining.
Cancer Research UK — May 2026
10/10. Incredible knowledge, AMAZING hints and tips - Tony is a game changer, made everything so simple to understand but taught us so much that will really change the way we present!
Broadwick Studio — May 2026
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Need a bespoke course or group booking?
We train teams at their offices across London and the UK. Call us or email to discuss.