Master in Motion Graphics Design

Audiovisual creators need to understand and develop a command of the tools that enable them to represent their ideas. Tools which can be used to construct unforgettable messages and complete projects that can capture the attention of the viewer. 3D motion and animated graphics have established themselves as two of the most attractive and functional solutions for constructing the discourse of these new digital windows to the world.

The Master’s in Motion Graphics Design provides comprehensive training that enables students to become proficient in tools and techniques, while acquiring knowledge of the media and formats and developing analytical capacity, idealisation and formalisation. Through a predominantly practical approach (exercises and projects are developed with guidance from specialist tutors), this master's degree employs project methodologies such as design thinking, agile development, resources, and professional management and production processes.

The Master's in Motion Graphics Design (60 ECTS) is obtained by completing two postgraduate degrees, for 30 ECTS each. These postgraduate degrees may be completed in the same academic year, or in different years. All postgraduate courses that are part of a master's degree can be taken independently.

Postgraduate Degree in Motion Design

Module 1 – Technologies

In the first module of the course, knowledge and handling of composition and editing tools (After Effects and Final Cut) are developed and expanded to provide training in the use and command of said tools as a fundamental support for the construction of the audiovisual narrative.

• Operational fundamentals.
• Capturing, editing and exporting formats.
• Compositing and animating texts, images and effects.
• Integrating image and sound.
• Designing and resolving the production process.
• Strengthening the use of the tools and advanced resources.

Module 2 – Audiovisual culture

This module analyses the main references of audiovisual culture – from the general precedents in the history of contemporary art to specific references in the field of design and disciplines like film, TV and new media – by analysing the different styles and trends to anticipate their application in the execution of projects.

• From paper to the screen. From the Avant-garde to Saúl Bass.
• Credits: film, television and new formats.
• Fundamental principles of on-screen typography.
• The classic audiovisual language and the new immersive narratives XR: AR / VR / MR.
• AI as an information search engine and content generator.

Module 3 – Metaphor workshop

The main objective of this workshop is understanding and analysing various metaphorical devices, developing the use and mastery of these as a resource for narrative and representation in animated graphic exercises.

• The metaphor in the history of art and communication.
• Art and Narrative resources. Metaphors and Visual tricks.
• Creation and development of an animated graphic proposal placing emphasis on the use and command of metaphor.
• Project methodology and production process.

Module 4 – Narrative workshop

The purpose of this block is to analyse different narrative styles, training in the use and mastery of their structures and their application in animated graphic exercises.

• Fundamental principles of audiovisual narrative.
• Narrative resources and structures.
• Pace and editing.
• Creation and development of an animated graphic proposal placing emphasis on the use and command of narrative structure.
• Project methodology and production process.

Module 5 – Audio workshop

This workshop will expand students’ knowledge of sound, developing the use and command of its components – music, voice-overs and effects – as a critical part of the construction of the audiovisual narrative.

• What sound is and how it is expressed in space-time.
• Sound in narrative: relationship between signifier and signified.
• The audio track: music, voice-overs and effects.
• Technical resources: microphones, mixing desk and effects room.
• Creation and development of an animated graphic proposal with emphasis on the use and mastery of sound.
• Project methodology and production process.

Module 6 – Postgraduate Final Project

As the Postgraduate Final Project, and based on the requirements of a “guest client” (a company or collaborating entity), work will be completed that, like a real commission, forces students to tackle a professional creation and production process. This will be executed according to the iterative design model, with a view to achieving real conclusions and results that fulfil the established objectives.

Development phases

• Research.
• Definition.
• Ideation.
• Formalisation.
• Communication.

Postgraduate Degree in Motion 3D

Module 1 – Technologies

This module focuses on and develops knowledge and skills for the operation of 3D modelling and animation tools (Cinema 4D), while delving deeply into the use and mastery of digital editing and composition as a fundamental support for building narrative and audiovisual experience.

• Operational fundamentals.
• Modelling and animation.
• Texturing and rendering.
• Integrating the digital composition.
• Designing and resolving the production process.
• Strengthening the use of the tool and advanced resources.

Module 2 – Audiovisual culture

This module covers the principal references in contemporary audiovisual culture from the perspective of the digital space, analysing styles and trends along with the application of 3D motion for the development of new projects.

• On-demand content vs. traditional cinema/TV.
• From linear narrative to message fragmentation.
• Interactivity and sequential content.
• New immersive XR technologies: AR / VR / MR.
• AI as an information search engine and content generator.

Module 3 – Animation workshop

Based on an analysis of the basic concepts of animation, this workshop primarily aims to cover the creation and development of a stop-motion piece to help build awareness of three-dimensional space and light as well as the fundamentals of animation.

• Basic principles of animation.
• References and resources.
• Creation and development of an animated graphic proposal placing emphasis on the use and command of stop-motion animation.
• Project methodology and production process.

Module 4 – Typography in the space workshop

A workshop that aims to develop an understanding of the benchmark typographies within the audiovisual field and their behaviour in space/time, analysing references and styles through multi-screen works and applications.

• Typography as an element of communication. Fundamentals and main examples and trends. Expressive possibilities.
• On-screen typography. References, examples, behaviour and restrictions.
• On-screen typography: Functional and emotional aspects
• Kinetic typography: Typographic storytelling in the media.
• Uses of motion graphics in typographic design.
• Creation and development of an animated graphic proposal placing emphasis on the use and command of typography in space/time.
• Project methodology and production process.

Module 5 - Communication Workshop

The aim of this workshop is to analyse the basics of audiovisual communication and promotion of a brand, and to train in the use and mastery of representation codes and their application through 3D motion graphics exercises.

• Fundamental principles of audiovisual identity.
• Representation resources and narrative structures.
• Rhythm and editing.
• Creation and development of a proposal for an animated graphic identity with emphasis on the use and mastery of visual and sound metaphors,
• Project methodology and production process.

Module 6 - Creation and production techniques

This module has a double objective. On the one hand, the imaginative construction of an attractive and persuasive discourse for the development of a piece of personal creation. On the other hand, to solve the problems of production with real images on set and their digital integration using 2D and 3D representation, and chroma key as a technical requirement. It therefore includes two workshops: CV Abstraction and Camera/Lighting.

• CV abstraction workshop: This is a fundamentally practical workshop, but as a reinforcement to the development of the exercise, references and theoretical contents will be analysed.
• Camera/Lighting workshop: The main objective of this workshop is to learn the basics of cinematographic language -from the shot to the sequence-, the basic principles of lighting and the use of a video camera.

Module 7 - Final Postgraduate Project

As a Final Postgraduate Project, and based on the request of a ‘guest client’ - a company or collaborating entity - a project is developed which, in the form of a real commission, aims to confront the student with a process of creation and professional production. This is carried out following the iterative design model in order to obtain real conclusions and results that achieve the established objectives.