MOTION XP: MASTERCLASS
I recently completed an accelerated workshop
designed to strip away filler and zero in on what truly drives great animation.
Over the span of just 2.5 hours, I worked through a complete project start to finish, applying advanced motion design techniques while also digging into the reasoning behind each choice.The focus wasn’t just on how to animate, but why—understanding context, intent, and the creative decisions that elevate motion from functional to memorable. The course emphasized building a professional workflow that balances speed with precision and efficiency with creativity. This experience reinforced my approach to motion: work smarter, design with intent, and let technical systems support beautiful, polished results.
BEHIND THE SCENES
This was one of the most technical pieces I’ve ever worked on in After Effects. On the surface, it plays as a smooth, polished animation—but behind the scenes, it’s packed with keyframes, nulls, controllers, adjustment layers, displacement maps, and mattes all working together to bring it to life.
Color was handled entirely through layered systems—gradients, mattes, adjustment layers, and effects combining to create a sense of depth and flow. Displacement maps added movement and texture, while glass-like refractions and reflections gave the final piece its dimensional, high-end finish.
What I love about this project is that all of the complexity disappears in the final render. The rigging, layering, and technical problem-solving fade into the background, leaving behind something that feels polished, vibrant, and effortless. It’s a piece that shows not just what I can make, but how I can build the systems underneath to make it scalable, flexible, and truly refined.
