Adobe After Effects Training: Beginner

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Ready to take your video content to the next level? With this beginner level After Effects course, you’ll learn the fundamental concepts of creating dynamic motion graphics and visual effects to take your videos from ordinary to extraordinary. Don’t settle for simple and boring video content. Unlock the power of motion graphics and visual effects.

LOCATION

London
or Online

DURATION

2 days
10am – 4pm

LEVEL

Beginner

Cost

(ex VAT)

Company: £375
Self-funding: £315
Online: £275

Adobe After Effects Training: Beginner

LOCATION

London
or Online

DURATION

2 days
10am – 4pm

LEVEL

Beginner

Cost (ex VAT)

Company £375

Self-funding
£315

Online £275

Overview of the course

If you’re looking to take your video content to the next level, our two-day beginner level After Effects training course is perfect for you. Designed for beginners with little to no experience in After Effects, this course will teach you how to create visually stunning motion graphics and animations that will bring your video content to life.

Throughout the course, you’ll learn the fundamental concepts of working with layers, masks, and effects. We will guide you through creating keyframe animations, creating infographics animations, using text animation presets, and exporting your projects for different platforms. You’ll also learn how to import and organise different types of media files, giving you the foundational knowledge needed to create your own projects.

Our Adobe Certified instructors are proven experts in Adobe After Effects and will show you how to use the software’s interface to create compelling motion graphics and visual effects. With hands-on experience and expert guidance, you’ll be able to create stunning animations and effects in no time.

Join our two-day beginner level After Effects training course and start creating dynamic animations that will impress your audience and enhance your video content. With the essential tools and features you’ll learn in this course, you’ll have the foundational knowledge to take your video content to the next level.

Dates

Next Course Date: 23 October, 2023

This course runs over two consecutive days. The next available start dates are listed below.

Upcoming dates:

23 October, 2023
11 December, 2023

If the training dates listed here don’t suit your schedule, let us know and we can arrange a private / tailored training course for you where we can customise both the content and the dates of the course.

To find more about our Tailored Training courses, click here

Course outline

Here is what you will learn on this After Effects course in more detail. Click the topics to explore what is covered in each section.

Introduction to After Effects

Understanding the basics of motion graphics
Some useful terminology
Welcome Screen
Tools and Panels of After Effects

Importing Assets

Bringing in still images, illustrations and video files
Working with layered Illustrator and Photoshop files
Different file types and options
Creating compositions

Basic Animation Concepts

Layer transform properties (Opacity, Position, Rotation, Anchor Point and Scale)
Timing and Keyframing animations
Working with Motion Paths to create an animation
Orienting layers to their directions of travel

Motion Sketch

Creating a custom animation path by using the Motion Sketch Panel
Changing the orientation of layers
Smoothing the path for better animations
Speeding up / Slowing down an animation created with Motion Sketch

Motion Blur

Making layers look more natural by adding Motion Blur
Motion Blur settings
Working with the correct Shutter Angle
Motion Blur quality options

Parenting Layers and Pre-composing

Understanding the relationships between layers
Using the Pick-Whip to link layers to each other
Grouping layers by Pre-composing
Some useful switches and modes

Working with Effects

Understanding how effects work
Introduction to some basic effects
Adjusting effects parameters
Re-ordering effects
Enabling / Disabling effects

Working with Masks

Creating a simple mask to hide or show a certain part of the layer
Working with custom shape tools to create masks
Creating a custom shape by using the Pen Tool
Handles and Bezier curves of masks
Mask properties such as Feather, Expansion, Path and Opacity

Adjustment Layers

Understanding how Adjustment Layers work
Creating and using Adjustment Layers
Advantages and limitations
Masking Adjustment Layers to limit an effect

Text Animation

Working with text layers
Using the animation presets to create a quick text animation
Typing and animating text on a custom path
Keyframing the source text
Masking text layers

Motion Tracking

Understanding how Motion Tracking works
Using the correct track points
Attaching graphics and text elements to a video clip
Applying the tracking data to another layer
Considerations

Exporting

Understanding the Render Queue and its properties
Working with different file formats
Using the correct codecs
Exporting for different platforms such as web, social media, film and TV

Work Samples

Here are a few examples of the kind of work you can expect to be able to create after completing this After Effects course. Click the thumbnails to see more.

Working with Selections

You will learn how to create accurate selections so that you can isolate a subject from the background.

Adjustment Layers

Instead of applying an adjustment to the entire image, you will learn how to do this selectively by using adjustment layers.

Retouching Skin

One of the most common uses of Photoshop is Skin Retouching. You will learn the best practices to ensure your image looks natural.

Working with Layers

Layers allow you to create complex compositions with endless possibilities. You will learn the ins and outs of how layers work.

Advanced Selections

Creating accurate selections mean that you can remove any background. Learn how to create perfect selections around hair and more.

Typography

Text is a crucial element in any design. Learn the foundations of typography and create a professional looking poster.

What's included?

Together with this course, you also get the following benefits at no extra cost.

Course Certification

At the end of your After Effects training, you will receive a certificate of completion which you can use to demonstrate your competence in using Adobe After Effects. Your certificate will be approved by one of our Adobe Certified Instructors

Lifetime Support

After your training, you will have access to our technical email and phone support for a lifetime (yes, you read that right). You can contact us with any technical questions related to what you have learned on your After Effects course.

Course Notes

As well as the training files you create during the course, you will also be given exercise files and notes that you can take away with you. Because, let’s admit, nobody enjoys going through a software manual that is hundreds of pages long.

Training Videos

After attending a classroom or online After Effects training course, you will have free access to our extensive online training video library for seven days. All of our online training videos are produced by our instructors in partnership with digidemy.com

Free Class Retake

Once you complete your After Effects course, you can come back and attend the same training session for free within 24 months. This is particularly useful to fill some gaps in your knowledge or just to refresh your skills and get a little more practice.

Course Recording

During the course, you will be able to record the training sessions so you can refer to it whenever you need to in the future. These recordings will be yours to keep forever and they will be an invaluable resource for your continued learning after the training.

Offers

We want to provide you with the best possible Adobe After Effects training experience. That’s why we have a number of offers to make the whole training process more manageable.

Money-Back Guarantee

If you are not truly satisfied with your Adobe After Effects training course, neither are we. Let us know on the first day of the course and we will go the extra mile to make things right. If you are still not happy, we will refund 100% of your money.

Early Bird Discount

Book this course three months in advance and receive a 15% discount.

Group Bookings

If you book two people to attend the course on the same dates, you get a 5% discount. For three people the discount is 10% and for four or more people it is 15%.

Schools and Non-profits

If you work for an educational or non-profit organisation, you get a 15% discount.

Instalment Plans

We understand that it may not always be very easy to pay for your Adobe After Effects training upfront. That’s why we offer a payment plan, which allows you to spread the cost of your training over 3, 6 or 12 months with 3%, 5% or 10% interest.

Want to learn more than one software?

This After Effects course is also included in the following bundles. If you'd like to learn more than just After Effects, be sure to check out our bundles below.

Video Bundle

If you want to create high end videos, then this bundle is for you. It includes the After Effects and Premiere Pro training courses.

View Bundle

Motion Graphics Bundle

Want to learn how to create animated graphics? This bundle consists of After Effects, C4D, Photoshop and Illustrator.

View Bundle

Reviews

Watch what our students had to say about their experiences after attending this After Effects training course

FAQ

Couldn’t find the answer to you question? These might help.

Where does the classroom training take place?

Our address is: 3 Laybourne House, Admirals Way, London, E14 9UH.

We are located only a couple of minutes’ walk from both the Canary Wharf (Jubilee Line) and the South Quay DLR Stations.

What time does the course start / finish?

The course starts at 10am and runs until 4pm with a lunch break and a couple of short coffee breaks throughout the day.

How big are the classes?

We usually have between 4-6 students per class. So it is a very small group, which means you get a lot of individual help and attention.

What's the booking procedure?

When you decide which course and dates you would like to attend, you simply fill the contact form on this page, or get in touch with us by using the chat button. Upon receiving your request, we will raise an invoice and send it to you for payment.

Once we receive the payment, your place on the course gets confirmed and you receive the joining instructions.

When do I need to make the payment?

Payment needs to be made at least 10 days prior to the first day of your course. Until we receive your payment, your place on the course is not confirmed and if the course gets fully booked, we might ask you to wait until the next available date.

How can I pay for my course?

You can pay for your training course via BACS (direct bank transfer), by using any credit or debit card including VISA, Mastercard or AMEX. You can also pay by using PayPal.

Do I need to bring anything with me?

We provide the workstations, notepads, light snacks, biscuits, coffee, tea and chocolate (lots of it!) during the course, so you don’t need to bring anything along.

Can I use my own laptop on the training?

If you feel more comfortable using your own computer, you certainly can. Just make sure you let us know ahead of the course, so we can prepare a workstation for you to connect your laptop.

Can I use my own files during the course?

If you are attending a public scheduled training course with other students, then you would be following a pre-determined outline. This is to ensure that everyone benefits from the training. However, if you would like to use your own files during the course (perhaps you are working on a project that you’d like to use as a case study), check out our Tailored Training page.

How does the online training work?

Overview: Instead of travelling to our London studios, you can join the course remotely as an online student. You will be joining a classroom training session which takes place at one of our training centres with real instructors and students without leaving your home or office. You will have the opportunity to interact with your instructors during the live sessions, ask questions, follow demonstrations, hear and see your fellow students just like you would if you were physically here. It’s exactly like being in a classroom, without the cost of travel and accommodation. Plus the cost of the online training is lower than the traditional classroom training courses.

The platform: Our online courses run either on Zoom or Teams. During the training hours, you need to be in front of your computer and follow your instructor’s monitor as the demonstrations take place. You will then practice what you’ve learned on your own computer. Along the way, you will be able to interact with your instructor, ask questions as well as take part in discussions during the training. If you get stuck, your instructor can take control of your mouse and show you the right way of completing a specific task.

Prerequisites: Almost all modern computers nowadays will have sufficient technology for the live training courses. However, to ensure you get the most out of your online training experience, there are a few things to keep in mind. In order to attend one of the InDesign courses as an online student, you need to have a decent broadband connection (a connection that’s good enough for a traditional HD video call will suffice). You will also need a pair of headphones or speakers as well as a microphone. Although not compulsory, you are advised to have a dual-monitor setup. Ideally, you would be following your instructor from one monitor and use the other monitor to practice the tools you are taught. As an alternative, you can use a single monitor and switch between the online session and your software. You will need to have either the full version of the software you are learning or we can send you a link to download a free trial for a limited period.

Can I postpone my booking to another date?

Yes – as long as you give us 10 days’ notice, you can postpone your course to another date without any charges. For full details on cancelation and postponing, please refer to our T&Cs.

Still unsure? Use the contact form below to get in touch.

Book / Enquire

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Related Courses

You might want to check out some of our other related courses from the links below

If you’re interested in learning how to create stunning visual effects, animations, and motion graphics, our Adobe After Effects beginner-level training course is perfect for you. Designed for those who are new to the world of visual effects, this course will provide you with the foundational skills you need to get started with one of the most powerful tools in the industry.Read More

Our experienced instructors have a deep understanding of the software and the industry. They bring their practical experience and knowledge to the classroom, providing personalized guidance and support to help you get the most out of your training. We understand that everyone has different learning styles and preferences, which is why we offer both in-person and online learning options.

In the course, you’ll learn the fundamentals of After Effects, from importing files to creating simple and complex visual effects and animations. You’ll become familiar with the interface and navigation of the software and learn how to create a composition, work with layers, masks, and keyframes, animate layers with position, scale, and rotation properties, and work with effects. You’ll also explore how to animate text and create eye-catching titles and lower thirds, and learn how to render and export your projects for various platforms, including social media, websites, and television.

Throughout the course, you’ll work on several practical projects that will enable you to apply the techniques and concepts you’ve learned. By the end of the course, you’ll have developed the skills to create animated titles, logos, and intros, as well as simple and complex visual effects.

At Docklands Media, we’re proud to offer our Adobe After Effects beginner-level training course in both in-person and online formats. Our in-person courses are held at our state-of-the-art facility in London Canary Wharf, where you’ll have access to industry-standard equipment and software. Our online courses provide you with the same quality of instruction, interactive learning tools, and live instruction, but with the convenience of being able to attend from anywhere in the world.

Docklands Media stands out from the competition for several reasons. We provide practical, hands-on instruction that is geared towards real-world applications. Our courses are designed to give you the skills you need to start working in the industry right away. We have a team of experienced instructors who bring their practical experience and knowledge to the classroom, and we offer a supportive learning environment where you can ask questions, get feedback, and learn from others.

Overall, our Adobe After Effects beginner-level training course is perfect for anyone who wants to start creating stunning visual effects, animations, and motion graphics. Whether you’re interested in pursuing a career in the industry or just want to explore your creative side, our course will provide you with the skills you need to get started. Sign up for our course today and take the first step towards building your skills and creating amazing visual content.