Adobe After Effects for UI/UX Designers from Udemy

Motion graphics animation has been around for a while, but only recently has it become a massively important tool for UX/UI designers. This course will teach you everything you need to know about Adobe After Effects for UX/UI animations and prototyping software designs using animation.

After Effects can be a bit of an overwhelming piece of software to learn, but luckily for you as a UX/UI designer, there are many parts of After Effects that you don't even need to know about or learn to be successful. I've cut out all the fluff in this course and just give you the absolute necessities to get the job done.

This course is not intended to be a UX/UI course, this is a full-on motion graphics animation course geared toward UX/UI designers. As such, you do need a base-level knowledge of UX/UI in order to have the necessary context to follow along.

Here are some things you'll learn:

- After Effects basics including the very important concepts of keyframing and easing

- How to export designs to After Effects and then set up those designs for animation

- How to plan animations for UX/UI designs

- How to animate and prototype an actual app inside of After Effects

- How to polish your animations for presentation

Along with all of the lectures provided in this course, you'll have access to the Adobe XD prototype app I use as an example throughout the course, the After Effects project file set up and ready to go, some app demoing assets, as well as an animation exercise to help familiarize yourself with basic After Effects concepts.

Get ready to become a UX/UI animation pro.

What's inside

Syllabus

Students will understand the basics of After Effects and will understand important concepts such as keyframing and easing.

Introduction

After Effects Basics

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Focuses on the essentials of After Effects, which allows UI/UX designers to quickly learn the software without getting bogged down in unnecessary features

Teaches keyframing and easing, which are fundamental animation techniques for creating smooth and engaging user interfaces

Covers exporting designs from Adobe XD, Sketch, and Figma, which are industry-standard tools for UI/UX design

Requires a base-level knowledge of UX/UI, which may exclude absolute beginners without prior experience in design principles

Includes an Adobe XD prototype app and After Effects project file, which provides hands-on learning and practical experience

Explores planning animations with shot listing and storyboarding, which are essential skills for creating effective UI/UX animations

Reviews summary

After effects for ui/ux design

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation in using Adobe After Effects specifically for UI/UX animation. Students particularly appreciate the practical, hands-on approach and the clear explanations of core concepts like keyframing and easing. Many found the course effective in cutting out unnecessary complexity, focusing only on what's relevant for designers. While generally well-received, some learners felt certain topics could benefit from more in-depth coverage or updated examples.

Requires prior UI/UX background.

"As stated, you really do need a base understanding of UI/UX principles to get the most out of this."

"It's not a UI/UX course; it's about using AE for UI/UX, so come prepared with that knowledge."

"The course assumes you know what an app prototype is and how UI tools work."

"Benefited greatly from already having experience in UI/UX design tools."

Assets aid learning and practice.

"Having the project files available was super helpful for practicing alongside the lectures."

"The provided assets and XD prototype file made it easy to follow the examples precisely."

"The animation exercise is a great way to solidify the basic concepts taught earlier."

"Access to the actual AE project file used in demos was very valuable."

Avoids unnecessary AE complexity.

"As promised, it really filters out the parts of After Effects that aren't relevant to UI/UX design."

"I didn't need to learn everything about AE, just the bits for motion design in UI, and this course delivers."

"It's great that it's tailored specifically for designers, saving time by omitting unrelated features."

"The course correctly assumes you only need specific AE skills for UI/UX and teaches just those."

Breaks down AE basics effectively.

"The explanations on keyframing and easing were very clear and easy to follow for a beginner."

"It does a great job of introducing the fundamental concepts of After Effects without being overwhelming."

"Understanding masking and parenting through the course examples really clicked for me."

"The basic AE concepts taught here are presented in a really digestible way."

Highly relevant techniques for UI/UX work.

"The course focuses on the practical application of After Effects for UI/UX, which is exactly what I needed."

"This course is extremely helpful for UI/UX designers wanting to add animation to their skillset."

"It shows you precisely how to apply AE concepts to real-world UI animations and prototyping."

"I appreciate how it cuts straight to the point, showing techniques directly applicable to design workflows."

Some topics could use more detail.

"While it's a good intro, I felt some sections could go a bit deeper into advanced animation techniques."

"Could use more examples of complex interactions or micro-animations."

"Some parts felt a little rushed; I wished there were more detailed explanations on certain effects."

"I got the basics, but felt like I needed external resources for more advanced workflows."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Adobe After Effects for UI/UX Designers with these activities:

Review Adobe XD/Sketch/Figma Basics

Show steps

Reviewing the basics of Adobe XD, Sketch, or Figma will help you better prepare your designs for animation in After Effects.

Browse courses on Adobe XD

Show steps

Open Adobe XD, Sketch, or Figma and review basic UI design principles.
Practice creating simple UI elements and exporting them.
Familiarize yourself with the software's export options.

Read 'The Animator's Survival Kit'

Show steps

Reading 'The Animator's Survival Kit' will provide a strong foundation in animation principles, which are essential for creating effective UI/UX animations in After Effects.

View Adventures in Animation: How I Learned Who I... on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of 'The Animator's Survival Kit'.
Read the chapters on timing, spacing, and easing.
Practice applying these principles to simple animations.

Practice Keyframing and Easing

Show steps

Practicing keyframing and easing techniques in After Effects will solidify your understanding of these fundamental concepts.

Show steps

Create a new After Effects composition.
Animate a simple shape moving across the screen using keyframes.
Experiment with different easing options to change the animation's feel.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Create a Short Animated UI Element

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Creating a short animated UI element will allow you to apply the concepts learned in the course to a practical project.

Show steps

Choose a simple UI element to animate (e.g., a button, a loading spinner).
Design the element in Adobe XD, Sketch, or Figma.
Import the design into After Effects and animate it.
Export the animation as a GIF or video.

Follow Advanced After Effects Tutorials

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Following advanced After Effects tutorials will expose you to more complex techniques and workflows.

Show steps

Search for tutorials on specific After Effects techniques (e.g., expressions, motion tracking).
Follow the tutorial step-by-step, paying attention to the instructor's explanations.
Adapt the techniques learned to your own projects.

Read 'Motion Graphics Design Academy'

Show steps

Reading 'Motion Graphics Design Academy' will give you a broader understanding of motion graphics and how to apply them to UI/UX design.

View After Effects Apprentice, Third Edition: Real... on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of 'Motion Graphics Design Academy'.
Read the chapters relevant to UI/UX animation, such as animation principles and compositing.
Experiment with the techniques described in the book.

Animate an Existing App Prototype

Show steps

Animating an existing app prototype will provide a real-world challenge and allow you to showcase your skills.

Show steps

Choose an app prototype from Adobe XD, Sketch, or Figma.
Identify key interactions and animations to enhance the user experience.
Animate the prototype in After Effects, focusing on smooth transitions and engaging effects.
Present the animated prototype to others for feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Adobe After Effects for UI/UX Designers will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

User Interface Designer

A user interface designer focuses on the visual elements users interact with, and this course directly strengthens those capabilities. A user interface designer should know how to use the tools of their trade, and Adobe After Effects is one of those tools. By learning the essentials of After Effects, including keyframing, easing, and project setup, this course ensures that the user interface designer can create compelling and smooth animations that enhance the user experience. An understanding of exporting designs from tools like Adobe XD, Sketch, and Figma, as covered in the course, will greatly assist the user interface designer in their work. The course's targeted approach, focusing on the necessary aspects of After Effects for UX/UI, makes it particularly valuable for a user interface designer aiming to integrate motion graphics into their designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Interface Designer

User Experience Designer

The user experience designer seeks to optimize interactions, and this course helps to make such interactions more engaging. A user experience designer might find it useful to understand how to plan and execute animations within applications. This course helps the user experience designer prepare designs for animation, export them from tools like Adobe XD, Sketch, and Figma, and set up After Effects projects. The course's emphasis on the essentials of After Effects, such as keyframing and easing, helps the user experience designer prototype interactive experiences. The skills imparted in this course allow the user experience designer to polish animations for presentation, enhancing their ability to communicate design concepts effectively. This course is designed specifically for UX/UI designers, ensuring it's a relevant and efficient learning experience for a user experience designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer

Motion Graphics Designer

Motion graphics designers create visually engaging animations, and this course hones skills in that field. The course focuses on the essentials of After Effects, including keyframing and easing. Motion graphics designers will find the content on exporting designs from tools like Adobe XD, Sketch, and Figma particularly useful. They'll also learn how to set up After Effects projects and plan animations effectively, as well as how to export animations. The hands-on approach, including access to example project files and animation exercises, helps motion graphics designers familiarize themselves with After Effects. This course is geared towards UI/UX, so motion graphics designers can see how their skills can be applied to that field. This course is designed to provide the absolute necessities to get the job done, making it relevant in the work of a motion graphics designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Motion Graphics Designer

Interaction Designer

An interaction designer focuses on creating intuitive and engaging experiences, and this course enhances that ability by focusing on animation. This course would help improve the work of an interaction designer, who can leverage motion graphics to enhance user interfaces. The course's instruction in planning animations, exporting designs from tools like Adobe XD, Sketch, and Figma, setting up After Effects projects, keyframing, and easing, helps an interaction designer create seamless transitions and engaging microinteractions. The focus on polishing animations ensures that an Interaction Designer can create high-quality, presentable demos. For an Interaction Designer, the course offers a targeted approach to learning After Effects, focusing on the aspects most relevant to interactive design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interaction Designer

Web Designer

Web designers create engaging online experiences, and this course adds a new level of interactivity through motion graphics. The course teaches the essentials of After Effects, including keyframing and easing, as well as instruction in exporting designs from tools like Adobe XD, Sketch, and Figma, will greatly assist the web designer in their work. Web designers benefit from learning how to set up After Effects projects and plan animations effectively. Web designers can polish animations for presentation, enhancing their ability to communicate design concepts effectively. The targeted approach of this course, focusing on exactly what the web designer needs to know about After Effects, makes it highly beneficial.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer

Mobile App Designer

Mobile app designer create engaging application interfaces, and this course adds a new level of interactivity through motion graphics. The course teaches the essentials of After Effects, including keyframing and easing, which will greatly assist the mobile app designer in their work. Mobile app designers benefit from learning how to set up After Effects projects and plan animations effectively. Mobile app designers can polish animations for presentation, enhancing their ability to communicate design. The targeted approach of this course provides the absolute necessities to get the job done, making it highly beneficial for a mobile app designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mobile App Designer

Animator

Animators bring designs to life, and this course helps them focus on UX/UI applications in particular. This course may be useful to animators who want to work on UX/UI animation. The course will provide instruction in After Effects basics, instruction in keyframing and easing, and instruction in exporting designs from tools like Adobe XD, Sketch, and Figma. Also, the course will provide instruction in how to set up After Effects projects and plan animations effectively. The hands-on approach, including access to example project files and animation exercises, may help animators familiarize themselves with After Effects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animator

Digital Designer

Digital designers create visual concepts for digital media, and this course empowers them to incorporate motion graphics into their designs. This course may be useful to the digital designer who uses After Effects, since the course will provide instruction in After Effects basics, including keyframing and easing, and instruction in exporting designs from tools like Adobe XD, Sketch, and Figma. Also, the course will provide instruction in how to set up After Effects projects and plan animations effectively. The polish on animations for presentation are helpful to digital designers, enabling them to communicate design concepts effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Designer

Product Designer

Product designers are responsible for the user experience of a product, and this course equips them with motion graphics skills to enhance those experiences. This course may be useful to product designers, allowing them to improve the UX/UI of their products. The course will provide instruction in After Effects basics, including keyframing and easing, and instruction in exporting designs from tools like Adobe XD, Sketch, and Figma. Also, the course will provide instruction in how to set up After Effects projects and plan animations effectively. The animations for presentation would be useful to product designers, enhancing their ability to communicate design concepts effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer

Frontend Developer

A frontend developer implements the user interface of websites and applications, and this course empowers them to add dynamic animations. This course may be useful to frontend developers. The course will provide instruction in After Effects basics, including keyframing and easing, and instruction in exporting designs from tools like Adobe XD, Sketch, and Figma. Also, the course will provide instruction in how to set up After Effects projects and plan animations effectively. The approach of this course, focusing on exactly what the user needs to know about After Effects, may make it valuable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Frontend Developer

Graphic Designer

Graphic designers create visual concepts, and this course helps expand their toolkit with motion graphics capabilities. Graphic designers may find this course to be useful in improving UX/UI. The course will provide instruction in After Effects basics, including keyframing and easing, and instruction in exporting designs from tools like Adobe XD, Sketch, and Figma. Also, the course will provide instruction in how to set up After Effects projects and plan animations effectively. The polish on animations for presentation are helpful to graphic designers, enabling them to communicate design concepts effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic Designer

Art Director

Art directors oversee the visual style and images of a project, and this course provides them with the skills to incorporate motion graphics into their vision. This course may be useful to the art director who wants to improve their UX/UI. The course provides instruction in After Effects basics, instruction in keyframing and easing, and instruction in exporting designs from tools like Adobe XD, Sketch, and Figma. Also, the course provides instruction in how to set up After Effects projects and plan animations effectively. The targeted approach of this course, focusing on exactly what the user interface designer needs to know about After Effects, may make it beneficial for the art director.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Director

Marketing Specialist

Marketing specialists promote products and services, and this course helps them create more engaging and visually appealing marketing materials. The course may be useful to marketing specialists because the course will provide instruction in After Effects basics, instruction in keyframing and easing, and instruction in exporting designs from tools like Adobe XD, Sketch, and Figma. Also, the course will provide instruction in how to set up After Effects projects and plan animations effectively. The polish on animations for presentation would be useful to marketing specialists, enabling them to communicate design concepts effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Specialist

Digital Marketing Manager

Digital marketing managers oversee online marketing campaigns, and this course equips them with the knowledge to incorporate motion graphics into their strategies. The digital marketing manager may find this course to be useful in improving UX/UI. The course will provide instruction in After Effects basics, instruction in keyframing and easing, and instruction in exporting designs from tools like Adobe XD, Sketch, and Figma. Also, the course will provide instruction in how to set up After Effects projects and plan animations effectively. The targeted approach of this course, focusing on exactly what the user interface designer needs to know about After Effects, may make it beneficial for the digital marketing manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Marketing Manager

Instructional Designer

Instructional Designers create learning experiences, and this course can help them create more engaging and interactive educational materials. The instructional designers may find this course to be useful in improving UX/UI. The course will provide instruction in After Effects basics, instruction in keyframing and easing, and instruction in exporting designs from tools like Adobe XD, Sketch, and Figma. Also, the course will provide instruction in how to set up After Effects projects and plan animations effectively. The targeted approach of this course, focusing on exactly what the user interface designer needs to know about After Effects, may make it beneficial for instructional designers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Adobe After Effects for UI/UX Designers.

ADVENTURES IN ANIMATION

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Comprehensive guide to animation principles and techniques. It covers everything from basic timing and spacing to more advanced topics like character animation and acting. While not specific to UI/UX, understanding these core animation principles will greatly enhance your ability to create compelling motion graphics in After Effects. This book valuable resource for anyone serious about animation.

Adventures in Animation: How I Learned Who I...

Hardcover

The After Effects Apprentice

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Provides a comprehensive overview of motion graphics design principles and techniques, with a focus on using Adobe After Effects. It covers a wide range of topics, including animation, compositing, and visual effects. While it may cover more than what's strictly necessary for UI/UX animation, it offers a deeper understanding of the software and its capabilities. This book is useful as additional reading.

After Effects Apprentice, Third Edition: Real World...

Paperback

Adobe After Effects for UI/UX Designers

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Reviews summary

After effects for ui/ux design

Activities

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