History of motion graphics: Why is it important to human storytelling?

As humans, we’ve always relied on visual imagery to tell stories. The earliest examples of this come from cave paintings at Bhimbetka in India and others around the world. Prehistoric man was infatuated by pretty much everything around him. And so he drew wild animals, plants, pottery, and more. 

Fast-forward to today's animated films that use motion graphics; visual storytelling has come a long way. However, no matter how primitive or advanced the medium has been, the goal has always remained the same – to communicate ideas, emotions, and experiences.

Motion graphics have become the dominant tool for storytelling. You can see it everywhere, from social media to movies to television ads and outdoor digital advertising. 

But what is motion graphics? Motion graphics can be summed up simply as graphics in motion.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a simple movement from A to B or a complex set of movements; the animation will still be called motion graphics.

Human storytelling throughout history

Like we discussed at the beginning of the blog, cave paintings have been the earliest forms of human storytelling. From the Lascaux and Chauvet caves in France to the Sulawesi caves in Indonesia, humans have used cave paintings as form of storytelling since their ancient beginnings.

Another version of storytelling was how the ancient Egyptians communicated. Hieroglyphs were how Egyptians communicated with each other. Although it is basically a script, it used sound, word, and idea symbols; it was the native language of what was once the grand Egyptian civilisation.

The story of motion graphics really started to take shape in the 1800s. Flipbooks, probably, became the first devices to transform hand-drawn images and objects into movements through sequential drawings. And it wasn’t until cinematography came into the picture.

The Pioneers of Motion Graphics

The term 'motion graphics' was for the first used by American animator John Whitney. However, the pioneering work by animator and filmmaker Norman McLaren and graphic designer and filmmaker Saul Bass is considered legendary today. 

Norman McLaren is credited with film animations like Loops and Boogie-Doodle in the 1940’s. While Saul Bass worked on title sequences for films like The man with the Golden Arm (1955) and Psycho (1950)

Motion graphics and the Television Era 

When televisions became a necessity of every household, motion graphics exploded onto the scene. TV networks made motion graphics mainstream by producing commercials and title sequences to captivate audiences. Studios dedicated to producing animated graphics and visual effects began springing up.  

A significant part of this was the shift of advertising from purely print and OOH to television commercials. The earliest TV commercials simplistic animated logos. Legends like Saul Bass made sizable to TV advertising by blending graphic design with fluid motion.

The digital landscape of motion graphics

The use of motion graphics today transcends platforms. It is widely used across social media for brand storytelling and advertising, creating impact for brands. Across thousands of websites and apps, motion graphics have helped provide interactive experiences for users, making brands stand out from the competition.

The impact of motion graphics on storytelling

Motion graphics are primarily used to communicate complex ideas. They turn complex concepts into engaging visuals, which makes information easier to understand.

Humans consume visuals quickly. The brain processes interactive information quickly and as a result, motion graphics naturally draw attention.

Each movement, colour, typography and sound in motion graphic videos is designed to evoke the emotion of the viewers. This way, they end up building experiences that sit in the memory of the audience long after they’ve seen it. 

This makes motion graphics more useful for information retention. This is especially true when compared to static images. According to a survey, viewers retain 95% of the information when they watch a video, compared to 10% retention from text.

That information is vital when using motion graphics videos to support the learning process. If we refer to another survey, visual content such as motion graphic videos achieves e-learning retention rates between 25% to 60%. This statistic explains why visual storytelling today is such a vital part of learning.

The future of storytelling is still moving

Motion graphics videos are no longer optional formats for brands. Brands that invest in motion graphics often communicate more effectively. By putting out engaging visual content, they fulfil the expectations of audiences.

Digital communication has evolved from static visuals to dynamic visual experiences, and motion graphics will remain a definitive tool for educating, inspiring, and connecting with audiences.