20 After Effects Video Tutorials You Need to Watch

In the ever-evolving world of digital design and motion graphics, mastering Adobe After Effects can significantly elevate your creative projects. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, staying updated with the latest techniques and trends is crucial. To help you navigate the vast array of resources available, here’s a list of 20 After Effects tutorial videos you absolutely should watch. These handpicked tutorials cover a wide range of topics used in motion graphics and visual effects, ensuring you gain practical knowledge and inspiration to enhance your video editing prowess. Dive in and discover the tools and tricks that will transform your workflow and push your creative boundaries.

1. Learn After Effects in 10 Minutes! Beginner Tutorial

New to After Effects? Check out this fun, simple, and informative video from Ben Marriott. In just 10 minutes, you’ll get a basic understanding of how to create a simple animation — from importing assets to exporting the final video. If you’re familiar with Adobe Premiere Pro, you’ll notice similar features, especially in the export settings.

2. After Effects Layout and Workspace – After Effects Basics Tutorial Series

To understand how the software works, this video from Motion Nations provides a detailed breakdown of After Effects’ interface. It also demonstrates how to organize your workspace to best fit your workflow.

3. EVERYTHING About Keyframes in 4 Minutes! (After Effects Tutorial)

Now that you’ve learned the basics, you’re ready to explore animation. Keyframes are the backbone of After Effects animations, allowing you to animate your design elements. This tutorial shows you how to create smooth animations in just 4 minutes.

4. The Graph Editor Explained – MASTER Keyframes in After Effects

Here’s where things get more advanced. Elevate your animations with Bezier keyframes using the graph editor. It may seem daunting at first, but this video will help you become a graph editor pro in no time.

5. AE Genius \ Text Animators

You’ve probably seen cool text animations and wondered how they’re made. This is the right video to get started. Text animators give you a wide variety of options for creating dynamic text animations.

6. Getting Started with Motion Graphics: Shape Layers

Shape layers are the backbone of motion graphics. Keyframe Academy provides an in-depth explanation of how to use them, along with helpful tips and shortcuts.

7. The Best Adobe Illustrator to After Effects Workflow — Tutorial

Did you know you can improve your motion graphics workflow by importing Adobe Illustrator files? This tutorial from Motion Design School shows you how to prepare your Illustrator designs for After Effects.

8. How to Use Parenting and Null Objects | After Effects Tutorial for Motion Graphics

The Parent tool and Null layers are essential features for creating animations in After Effects. As Kyle explains in the video, they allow you to link multiple layers together and animate them as a group.

9. 5 Awesome Masking Effects in After Effects

Masking is a versatile tool in After Effects, allowing you to do everything from removing to adding objects. This video by SonduckFilm showcases multiple effects you can achieve with masks.

10. Custom Logo Animation in After Effects | Nature Leaf Animation

Ready to animate a logo? Remember to apply the 7 Design Principles and use appropriate colors to create a logo that attracts your audience. This tutorial by Sheikh Sohel showcases how to create a nature-inspired logo animation using various After Effects techniques.

11. 2D Character Rigging | Puppet / Null Objects | After Effects Tutorials

Rigging is essential for character animation. This tutorial by Nijat Ibramhil demonstrates how to combine the Puppet tool and Null layers to rig and animate a 2D character.

12. After Effects Basics VFX Tutorial

Motion graphics isn’t all After Effects can do. This fire effect tutorial from Black Mixture introduces basic VFX techniques that can be applied to more advanced effects.

13. Create a 3D Scene from a Single Photo in After Effects | In-Depth Parallax Tutorial

One of the coolest features of After Effects is its 3D layer capability. This parallax tutorial by MDMZ shows you how to turn a 2D photo into a dynamic 3D environment using simple techniques.

14. How to Motion Track in After Effects (4 Easy Ways)

Motion tracking allows objects to follow real-world movement in your footage. This tutorial by Full Time Filmmaker covers four different ways to motion track in After Effects.

15. Rotoscope Secrets That Nobody Wants You to Know

Rotoscoping is widely used in VFX but can be time-consuming. Thankfully, After Effects has a Roto Brush tool that simplifies the process. This tutorial shows you how to use it efficiently.

16. Compositing Basics in After Effects

RocketStock’s video covers compositing fundamentals. Using a range of effects, you’ll learn how to add objects, apply color correction, and create cinematic visuals from basic footage.

17. My Secrets to Smooth Speed Ramps in After Effects

Speed ramping is a trendy effect that enhances motion in your videos. Shoota Time’s tutorial shows how to create smooth speed ramps using Time Remapping — making your footage more dynamic.

18. Learn After Effects Expressions for Beginners

Expressions are a programming language within After Effects that allow you to automate animations. This beginner-friendly tutorial by Alli and Will walks you through the basics to get started.

19. 5 Particle Effects You Should Know in After Effects

Particle effects can add visual interest and atmosphere to your videos. This tutorial shows how to create five different particle effects using After Effects.

20. Top 30 Best Effects in After Effects

You’ve made it to the final video! While not a deep-dive tutorial, this overview by Black Mixture showcases 30 of the best effects in After Effects — a great way to explore new tools and get inspired.

Conclusion

As you embark on your journey through these 20 After Effects tutorial videos, remember that each offers a unique opportunity to refine your skills and expand your creative horizons. These tutorials are designed to equip you with the knowledge needed to produce stunning motion graphics and video content. Embrace the learning process, experiment with new techniques, and let your creativity flourish. With dedication and practice, you’ll find yourself pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in After Effects — leading to more dynamic and captivating projects. Start creating, and may your newfound skills inspire your next great creation!