Master in Motion Graphics Design

Audiovisual creators need much more than just inspiration: they need to master the tools and resources that enable them to transform their ideas into striking visual experiences—tools that capture the viewer's attention, evoke emotions and convey memorable messages.

In this context, 3D motion and animated graphics have established themselves as two of the most powerful and versatile languages for communicating in new digital windows.

The Master's Degree in Motion Graphics Design offers comprehensive training that combines technique, creativity and critical thinking, allowing students to master the tools, understand the media and develop their analytical, conceptual and formal skills. In addition, the programme incorporates the reflection on and application of Artificial Intelligence in contemporary pre-production and audiovisual creation processes, fostering an innovative and responsible approach to emerging technologies.

With a highly practical approach, this master's degree—structured into two consecutive postgraduate degrees, Motion Design and Motion 3D—offers a comprehensive journey through the universe of motion design. The first degree lays the foundations of motion graphics and consolidates mastery of 2D animated graphics; the second takes a leap to an advanced level, exploring the expressive and technical possibilities of 3D motion.

Throughout the whole programme, exercises and projects are developed under the guidance of specialised teaching staff, applying project methodologies such as Design Thinking and Agile Development, and training in real production processes that reproduce the workflow of the professional environment.

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.

The programme is divided into eight modules for each of the postgraduate degrees that comprise it, which are developed in project workshops, tool classes and audiovisual culture capsules, and concludes with a Master's Final Project (MFP) that is presented before a panel of professionals from the sector.

Posgrado en Motion Design

Module 1 – Contexts of animated graphics

This first module presents specific references in the field of audiovisual design, analysing communication formats—styles and trends—and their potential applications in the development of motion graphics projects.

• From paper to screen: From the Avant-garde to Saul Bass.Film and series credits.
• Fundamental principles of on-screen typography.
• Audiovisual language and immersive XR narratives: AR / VR / MR.
• AI as a research tool, content generator and representation resource in audiovisual pre-production processes.

Module 2 – Fundamentals of audiovisual production

The objective of this first tool module is to learn and apply the basics of composition and the principles of digital animation with After Effects.

• Image formats, video, codecs and compression.
• Interface, tools and workspace organisation.
• Project and composition creation and management.
• Types of layers, properties and organisation.
• Basic animation: keyframes, interpolations and animation curves.
• Preview, export and output formats.

Module 3 – Animated graphics in audiovisual content identity

In this workshop-style module, the aim is to learn about and analyse rhetorical figures as a narrative resource and apply metaphors to audiovisual content identity projects: films, series, festivals and video games.

• Rhetorical resources in the history of art and communication.
• Visual and narrative resources: metaphors and visual tricks.
• Production styles: rhythm and editing.

The workshop includes the creation and development of an animated graphics proposal with an emphasis on the use and mastery of metaphor, applying project methodology and professional production processes.

Module 4 - Audiovisual and animated graphics production

This module provides in-depth knowledge and skills in the use of the digital composition and animation tool After Effects and complementary software.

• Layer animation.
• Spatial animation.
• Advanced interpolations.
• Transparencies and masks.
• Integration with Photoshop and Illustrator.
• Transparency masks and blending modes.
• Application and control of effects.
• Video editing.

Module 5 - Animated graphics as a narrative resource

This module offers a workshop focused on exploring and analysing different narrative styles, with the aim of training participants in the use and mastery of their structures and their application in animated graphics.

• Fundamental principles of audiovisual narrative.
• Sequential narrative structures.
• Representation and production resources.
• Production styles: rhythm and editing.

The workshop includes the creation and development of an animated graphics proposal with an emphasis on the use and mastery of narrative structure, applying project methodology and professional production processes.

Module 6 – Audio design in audiovisual production

This workshop-style module delves into the knowledge of sound and the acquisition of skills for using its components—music, voiceovers and effects—as an essential part of constructing audiovisual narrative.

• What sound is and how it is expressed in space-time.
• Sound in narrative: the relationship between signifier and meaning.
• The audio track: music, voiceovers and effects.
• Technical resources: microphones, mixing desk and effects room.

This workshop includes the creation and development of an animated graphics proposal with an emphasis on the use and mastery of sound in a motion graphics piece, applying project methodology and professional production processes.

Module 7- Advanced production and post-production

In this module, projects are developed combining animation and visual effects, integrating professional post-production workflows and techniques.

• 3D compositions: three-dimensional space in After Effects.
• 3D layers.
• Lights and cameras.
• Trajectories and nulls.
• Rendering and final output.
• Application of advanced workflows.

Module 8 – Postgraduate Final Project

As a Postgraduate Final Project, based on the demand of a collaborating client, a project is developed that simulates a real professional commission, with the aim of enabling the student to undertake a complete creation and production process, putting into practice and validating their knowledge, as well as their creative, reflective, technical and methodological skills.

This is carried out following the iterative design model in order to obtain real conclusions and results that meet the established objectives, taking into account the following development phases:

• Research. Selection of a topic, research and analysis.
• Definition. Conceptualisation of a narrative proposal, both visually and auditorily.
• Ideation. Structuring and writing of the content to be explained. And synthesis in storyboards of the development of the piece.
• Formalisation. Checking the rhythm and effectiveness of the solution with animatics. And creation of a final sequence in motion graphics.
• Communication. Presentation and defence of the project; final result and documentation of the process.

Postgraduate Degree in Motion 3D

Module 1 – Fundamentals of 3D Design

This module aims to introduce and establish the fundamentals of 3D graphics and a comprehensive understanding of the interface, tools, and work processes in Cinema 4D.

• Configuration and working environment.
• Scene structure and organisation.
• 3D modelling with objects, splines, deformers and generators.
• Keyframe animation and curve control (F-Curve).
• Lighting and cameras: fundamentals and advanced techniques.
• Materials, texturing and final rendering.

Module 2 – Basic principles of animation

In this workshop-style module, the basic principles of traditional animation are presented and applied as a starting point for understanding digital animation.

• Basic principles of traditional animation.
• Techniques and models.
• References and resources.

The workshop includes the creation and development of an animated graphics proposal with an emphasis on the use and training of stop motion techniques.

Module 3 – 3D production and animation

This module delves deeper into animation techniques, applying MoGraph tools to develop dynamic scenes and advanced visual design compositions.

• Introduction to the MoGraph system.
• MoGraph objects.
• Text creation and animation.
• Animation control with fields and decay.
• Field attributes and blending modes.
• Application of MoGraph effects.

Module 4 – Typography in space

This workshop-style module explores and analyses references, styles and trends in motion typography and its application in audiovisual space and time.

• Fundamentals of typography as a visual communication tool.
• On-screen typography: references, behaviour and expressive possibilities.
• Functional and emotional aspects of typographic design in motion.
• Kinetic typography and audiovisual narrative.
• Typographic design in three-dimensional space.

The workshop includes the creation and development of an animated graphics proposal with an emphasis on the use and mastery of typography in space, applying project methodology and professional production processes.

Module 5 – 3D graphic experimentation workshop

This module investigates the expressive potential of 3D graphic and iconographic elements, experimenting with the design of shapes, materials and all the components necessary for their animation and integration into the audiovisual space.

• Iconographic design and visual communication: references and trends.
• Representation resources and visual metaphors.
• Modelling of graphic and iconographic proposals in 3D space.
• Application of colour, light and materials.
• Animation and integration into three-dimensional audiovisual space.

The result is an animated graphic proposal emphasising the use and mastery of visual metaphors and 3D resources, applying project methodology and professional production processes.

Module 6 – Advanced production techniques

In this module, designed as a practical workshop, students develop a personal audiovisual piece that integrates the representation of a protagonist figure in a three-dimensional space using animation and digital composition techniques.

• Analysis of visual and conceptual references.
• Development of visual and conceptual discourse.
• Pre-production: Scripting and audiovisual structure:
  • Shots and composition of the sequence.
  • AI as a resource in the pre-production process.
• Production: Filming with live action:
  • Lighting techniques on set.
  • Professional cameras and recording devices.
• Post-production: Video and 3D integration.

The workshop includes the creation and development of an audiovisual proposal of personal identity, combining 3D digital environments and resources with live action; applying project methodology and professional production processes.

Module 7 – Advanced 3D dynamics and effects systems

This module introduces and consolidates the fundamental principles of 3D dynamics systems for the creation and control of physical simulations. It will address different aspects that allow for the understanding and application of advanced dynamics in animation and visual effects projects.

• Fundamentals and operation of dynamics systems.
• Creation and development of physical simulations.
• Differences between rigid bodies and soft bodies.
• Generation of movement with motors and forces.
• Simulation of fabrics and particle systems.
• Advanced dynamics: gases and fluids.

Module 8 – Postgraduate Final Project

As a Postgraduate Final Project, based on the demand of a collaborating client, a project is developed that simulates a real professional assignment, with the aim of enabling the student to undertake a complete creation and production process, putting into practice and validating their knowledge, as well as their creative, reflective, technical and methodological skills.

This is carried out following the iterative design model in order to obtain real conclusions and results that meet the established objectives, taking into account the following development phases:

• Research. Selection of a topic, research and analysis.
• Definition. Conceptualisation of a narrative proposal; visually and auditorily.
• Ideation. Structuring and drafting of the content to be explained. And synthesis in storyboards of the development of the piece.
• Formalisation. Checking the rhythm and effectiveness of the solution with animatics. And creating a final sequence in 3D motion.
• Communication. Presentation and defence of the project; final result and documentation of the process.