How I found the “invisible” major called motion design

Throughout high school, I was certain I wanted to be a 2D animator. Animating my characters in Toon Boom Harmony was something I did every day after school. I found joy in inbetweening and toggling between frames. The smoothness just felt right to me.

When I started searching for colleges that offer 2D animation, I realized how many studios actually employ and need 2D animators. I knew that I either needed to be a storyboarder or try 3D animation. After trying Maya, ZBrush, and Blender, I realized 3D wasn't something I wanted to pursue, and storyboarding didn't feel right to me.

During my college search, I found Ringling, but I was immediately disappointed to see they only offer computer animation (and that it was such a hard place to get to by plane!). It was the last college on my list. I discovered their motion design program and applied just as a safety. I had no intention of going. However, my admissions counselor at Ringling kept reaching out to me (and increasing my scholarship), so I finally went on a campus visit. The second I stepped onto the motion design floor in the academic center, I knew this was where I belonged. There was this gut feeling that if I went, I’d be a great designer and animator, and I'd be able to create.

Motion design combined the 3 things I love: design, animation, and music! I knew that if I got a degree from this school, I would be employed and an amazing designer.

2 years later, I’m a sophomore motion designer. I would be lying if I told you it's been easy or that everything comes naturally. Designing is a huge challenge for me. That's what makes it fun. I didn't expect to love bringing static designs to life with movement so much.

Motion design is everywhere: title sequences, app transitions, the logo that animates before a video starts. Most people never notice it, which is probably why I didn't find it until I was looking for something else. If you love design, animation, and music and none of the usual paths feel right, the major you're looking for might be one you haven't seen yet.