Motion Design
For Video Content Creation
Motion serves communication, not decoration. Every animation must guide attention and express intent.
The 4 Core Concepts
All motion design derives from these four ideas:
1. Intent → Strategy
Message + Emotion → Motion characteristics
What should the viewer feel? This determines material selection and personality.
2. Physics Model
Material + Weight + Force → Timing + Deformation + Easing
Material properties determine how objects move. Contains reference tables for durations, deformation, bounce, and easing curves.
3. Attention Flow
One focus at a time. Sequence everything.
Plan viewer focus flow. Contains stagger patterns, timing, and sequencing strategies.
4. Systematic Iteration
Broad strokes → Easing → Secondary → Polish
Don't perfect details before structure is right. Process for iterating from concept to polish.
Decision Framework
START: What's the message? ↓ INTENT: What should viewer feel? → Determines material personality ↓ PHYSICS MODEL: What material expresses that? → Material determines timing/deformation/bounce → Weight scales duration → Force determines easing ↓ ATTENTION: What's the viewing sequence? → Determines stagger patterns → Ensures one focus at a time ↓ PROCESS: Iterate systematically → Broad strokes → Easing → Secondary → Polish
Core Rules
- •One focus at a time - Never animate unrelated elements simultaneously
- •Intent first - Every animation serves the message
- •Material consistency - All elements of same material move similarly
- •Exits faster than entrances - 30-40% shorter duration
- •Respect physics - Unless intentionally stylized
Video-Specific Considerations
- •Work in frames, not just milliseconds (24fps, 30fps, 60fps)
- •Consider composition duration and pacing for full sequence
- •Think about viewer distance (mobile vs TV vs cinema)
- •Plan for audio sync when applicable
- •Account for export format constraints
Quick Reference
For detailed tables and patterns, see:
- •Material properties & durations: 2-physics-model.md
- •Stagger delays & patterns: 3-attention.md
- •Common animation patterns: 2-physics-model.md
- •Iteration workflow: 4-process.md