Titles & Motion Graphics
Typography for Video
Choose readable fonts at appropriate sizes for the target screen (a title readable on a desktop preview may be illegible on mobile), and hold text on screen long enough to read twice — a common beginner mistake is titles that vanish before they're readable.
Simple Keyframe Animation
Animate a title's position, scale, or opacity over time using keyframes — a starting value, an ending value, and the software interpolating between them — the foundation of all motion graphics work.
Export & Delivery
Export Settings by Platform
YouTube, Instagram, and a client-delivered master file each have different optimal resolution, aspect ratio, bitrate, and codec settings — exporting one generic file for every platform produces compromised quality somewhere.
Final Quality Check
Watch the fully exported file (not the timeline preview) start to finish on the actual target device before calling a project complete — export bugs like audio sync drift or dropped frames are invisible in the editor but obvious in the final file.
The Complete Delivered Edit
Add an animated title sequence to your Phase 3 graded-and-mixed sequence, then export it correctly for two different platforms (e.g., YouTube 16:9 and Instagram 9:16 vertical), verifying both exported files play back correctly with synced audio.
Success criteria: The title animation uses at least 2 keyframed properties and holds on screen long enough to read comfortably twice. Both platform exports use appropriate resolution and aspect ratio for their target. Both final files are verified to play with correctly synced audio and no dropped frames.
Phase 4 Practice Exercises
12 exercises to build skill through direct application.
Font Readability Test
Create 3 title cards with different fonts and sizes, testing each for readability at a typical viewing distance from a phone screen.
- Typography testing
- Readability assessment
- Platform-appropriate sizing
Title Hold Duration Practice
Time how long it takes to comfortably read 5 different title texts twice, setting each title's on-screen duration accordingly.
- Duration calibration
- Reading speed awareness
- Viewer-centered timing
Position Keyframe Animation
Animate a title moving from off-screen to a final position using position keyframes, checking smooth interpolation.
- Position keyframing
- Motion animation basics
- Smooth interpolation
Opacity Fade Keyframe
Animate a title fading in and out using opacity keyframes, checking the timing feels natural rather than abrupt.
- Opacity keyframing
- Fade timing
- Natural animation feel
Scale Keyframe Practice
Animate a title scaling up from small to full size on entrance, combined with the position or opacity animation.
- Scale keyframing
- Combined property animation
- Layered motion design
YouTube Export Settings
Export a test clip using YouTube-recommended settings (resolution, bitrate, codec) and verify the output specifications.
- Platform export knowledge
- YouTube-specific settings
- Technical delivery accuracy
Instagram Vertical Export
Reframe and export the same clip for Instagram's 9:16 vertical format, checking important content isn't cropped out.
- Aspect ratio conversion
- Vertical reframing
- Cross-platform adaptation
Audio Sync Verification
Export a test file and watch it fully, specifically checking audio remains synced to video from start to finish.
- Sync verification
- Export quality control
- Technical error detection
Dropped Frame Check
Review an exported file for any dropped or stuttering frames, comparing playback smoothness to the timeline preview.
- Frame drop detection
- Playback quality assurance
- Technical review skill
Device Playback Test
Play a finished export on an actual phone or tablet (not just the computer), checking real-world playback quality.
- Real-device testing
- Practical delivery verification
- End-user perspective check
Full Title Sequence Build
Build the complete milestone title sequence with position, scale, and opacity keyframes combined into one polished animation.
- Full motion graphics build
- Multi-property animation
- Polished title sequence
Milestone Dual-Export Dress Rehearsal
Export the complete milestone sequence for both target platforms exactly as it will be assessed, verifying both files.
- Performance readiness
- Full milestone simulation
- Capstone delivery demonstration