4 Types of Transition in Motion Graphics

Published in

Muzli - Design Inspiration

5 min readJan 29, 2018

Motion graphics are utilized in explainer videos, branding packages, title sequences, UI / UX and other mediums. It combines with graphic and animation, including text, infographics or voice-over if necessary, to describe a relatively complex concept in a concise and interesting way.

Transition is broadly used to make the storytelling fluent and natural. It helps the audience to receive the information immediately and understand the core concept in it, not only making the visuals with highly ornamental and fascinating but also enhancing the connection between the scenes and improving the fluency of the narrative. Without transitions, the audience’s thinking would be interrupted. Their understanding or experience would be impacted badly. So, transition plays a vital role in motion graphics. This transition pack is essential to make your work stunning.

There is a huge variety of transitions in motion graphics. Summarizing the ideas is very helpful to improve work efficiency and optimize workflow. The following is 4 types of transition in motion graphics I concluded.

1. Shape Transition:

How shape transition works is animating in the shape to fill the entire screen and turning the scene to the next one when animating out. The function of shape is like a curtain in the stage. When the previous scene is over, the curtain is pulled down until the scene behind is switched. Shape transition can be used in any scenario, so it is a relatively omnipotent method.

a. Geometry Shape Transition:

Geometry shapes include the ellipse, rectangle, diamond, and polygon. Thousands of combinations can be created by blending the motion of position, rotation, scale, and opacity.

b. Organic Shape Transition:

The motion of organic shapes, including fluid, smoke and explosions, is very dynamic, which can be a huge plus to make the visuals compelling.

https://vimeo.com/93013242 by Panop Koonwat

2. Mask Transition:

Similar to shape transition, mask transition is regarding shape as mask to reveal the next scene. It is concise and efficient since the transition is basically completed before the mask is fully animated in.

3. Camera Movement Transition

This type of transition is accomplished through camera movement. Camera movement includes dolly in, dolly out, pan, tilt, truck and pedestal. The camera movement in motion graphics is relatively free. Since we are discussing the transitions in motion graphics (2D), the camera movement is not limited by perspective. A camera does not have to be created to finish the transition. We can animate the layers to make it look like camera movement transition. Compare to realistic camera movement, the camera movement in this type of transition is more exaggerated and powerful. We can even animate Z rotation if needed. Next, check the features and usage of each camera movement transition with the examples.

a. Dolly In Transition:

Dolly in a part of the current scene, showing a new scene that exists in the previous one but different from it.

https://vimeo.com/217528645 by Demo Duck

b. Dolly Out Transition:

Dolly out from a part of the scene to show the whole scene. Sometimes there is a huge contrast between starting frame and ending frame, and the audience’s curiosity can be effectively mobilized when the whole scene is not fully displayed.

https://vimeo.com/89474000 by Rafael Morinaga

c. Truck / Pedestal Transition:

Trucking is moving the camera horizontally left or right. A pedestal is moving the camera vertically up or down. The usage of both are the same, by moving the camera horizontally / vertically to finish the transition, so they are divided into one kind.

https://vimeo.com/202960536 by Oliver Sin

There is a type of truck transition is often used in concretized scenes, using an object to cover the boundary between scenes and successfully build the transition.

d. Pan & Tilt Transition:

The feature of panning and tilting is both can expand the field of vision and have a strong sense of space. Mixing the shape transformation with the x, y rotation of 3D layers can achieve that. We can also use 3D software like Cinema 4D to realize the expected effect when necessary.

https://vimeo.com/167977290 by Mark Lazeski

e. Comprehensive Camera Movement Transition:

The integrated use of a variety of camera movement transitions is very extensive since it’s more free and diversified to display different shots and space.

https://dribbble.com/shots/2666221-Slide-into-Second-Base by Cub Studio

4. Transforming Transition:

Transforming transition is a typical type of transition in motion graphics and animation. It can effectively make the visuals stunning and attract the audience’s attention. It’s a part of showcasing the designer’s imagination and wisdom. How to use transforming transition? Transforming from the object in the previous scene to the one in the next scene. Using the similarities, which can be shape, color or meaning, of objects between scenes is the principle.

Conclusion:

Transition is an integral part of motion graphics. The excellent transition should be imperceptible, integrating smoothly into the overall visual style, connecting perfectly with each scene and presenting in an intriguing way to the audience.

In the end, here is a great example of transition.