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The shift is already here
I've been watching AI make its way through just about every corner of creative work. Graphic design, copywriting, development, web design. It was really only a matter of time before it landed in motion too.
At this point, it’s not a surprise! Especially since the barrier to entry for motion design has been coming down for a while now. Tools like Jitter made it possible for creatives like me, people who aren't traditional animators, to learn motion design and start delivering it for clients within a couple of months. Last year, I taught a group of creatives how to use Jitter and their reaction was one of my favorite moments. They were genuinely excited about what was possible for them.
And now with AI video generation tools entering the picture, motion design is expanding even further. It's not just about animating anymore. It's becoming another layer of the creative skillset, one that blends direction, storytelling, and knowing how to work alongside these tools to get the best results.
If AI is pushing the barrier even further down, what does that mean for creatives?
Where AI changes the game
Here is what stands out to me about this shift. It's not just about making things faster (although it does that). It's about changing where we spend our time as creatives.
When production gets easier and faster, the skills that matter most become the ones AI can't replicate. Understanding the brand. Knowing what story the motion needs to tell. Making sure the animation feels intentional and consistent and of course thinking about the user's experience.
The role shifts from pixel-pushing and building frame by frame to being the art or creative director. And I think that's honestly the more interesting part of the work!
What this looks like in practice
Let me give you a real example. Jitter released a feature called AI Brainstorm that lets you apply an animation based on mood. You pick from options like playful, bold, soft, elegant, or cinematic, and it generates an intro animation for you.
I used this on a recent client project, a logo sub-mark animation. Normally the exploration phase would have eaten the most time. Manually trying different approaches, tweaking, comparing. But this AI brainstorm let me explore multiple directions quickly. I tried a few moods, made my adjustments, and presented the client with options in a fraction of the time.
Was the output groundbreaking? No. But it didn't need to be. It gave me a stronger starting point to refine from. And that is exactly where AI is most useful right now. Not replacing the creative decisions, but speeding up the parts that slow us down. And the designers who get comfortable with that shift early are going to be in a really strong position.
Stay in the loop
🛠️ Tools to Check Out
Jitter AI Brainstorm - Generate animation ideas from mood in seconds. Try it on a project and see how it fits your workflow.
🔗 jitter.video/changelog/2025-11-25-ai-brainstormRunway - AI-powered video generation, motion tracking, and stylized effects for motion designers. 🔗 runwayml.com
📖 Articles Worth Reading
"11 Motion Design Trends for 2026" by Envato - Great breakdown of how AI workflows, analog aesthetics, and hybrid creativity are shaping the year ahead. 🔗 elements.envato.com/learn/video-motion-design-trends
"Unpacking the State of Motion Design in 2025" by School of Motion - Long but worth it. Key takeaway: AI has made taste the most valuable skill a motion designer can have. 🔗 schoolofmotion.com/blog/eoy2025
Stay ahead of the curve
If you're reading this and thinking "okay, but what do I actually do with this information?" here are some real steps you can take this week.
If you're just starting out in motion design:
Pick one tool (I'd recommend Jitter) and commit to learning the basics. Don't worry about mastering everything. Start with presets, get comfortable with the timeline, and build from there.
Try AI features early. The sooner you understand what AI can and can't do well, the better you'll know when to lean on it and when to do the work yourself.
Study brands you admire and pay attention to how they use motion. That eye for what feels right is the skill that will matter most going forward.
If you're already working in motion design:
Experiment with AI tools on a low-stakes project. Use Jitter's AI Brainstorm on an exploration phase and see if it changes how you approach ideation.
Start thinking of yourself as a creative director, not just a producer. Practice articulating why an animation should move a certain way, not just how to build it.
Build your strategic skills alongside your technical ones. Brand strategy, storytelling, UX thinking. These are the skills that keep you irreplaceable.
For everyone:
Stay curious and keep experimenting. The tools are going to keep changing. The creatives who treat this as an ongoing learning process (not a one-time adjustment) are the ones who will thrive.
The barrier to motion design will keep getting lower. But the value of knowing how to use it well? That's only going up. 💡
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