Kinetic typography in After Effects (Template)

There is a lot of hype around kinetic typography these days. In this article, we’ll talk about what this means and how to create a simple typography animation even if you’re just a beginner. Of course, we’ll be using After Effects, but we won’t be using any third-party plugins.

So let’s get started,

What is kinetic typography in after effects?

Essentially, kinetic typography is animated text. This is a very special technique in animation, where you combine motion to make your ideas come to life. 

What is the purpose of kinetic typography? 

The primary purpose of kinetic typography is to evoke a feeling or capture an emotion. This is achieved by combining animation and text. The purpose of an animated video is to engage its viewers. When a text gets added to the motion, it looks too dull if it is still. This is why animators typically ‘move’ the text and animate it. This is how you get great kinetic typography that engages viewers and glues the audience to the screen.

How to create kinetic typography in after effects?

Creating typography in After Effects is not that hard to make. You won’t need any third-party plugins most of the time, and you can create very creative animations even if you’re just a beginner. There are a couple of techniques you can use. Let us show you some of them. 

Technique 1: Create a shape from Text 

Once you create your text layer, you can quickly turn it into a shape layer. That would allow you to move and transform the shape of the letter and characters.

Here’s how to do that:

Step 1: Create a text layer
Step 2: Right-click on it
Step 3: Select Create>Shape from Text

When you do that, you’ll see a shape layer, instead of a text layer in After Effects. You can start adding keyframes to create beautiful animations.

Technique 2: Create a mask from Text

The other option is to turn your layer into a mask. That way, you’ll again have the flexibility to move and adjust the characters and letters. However, this time, you’ll be doing this with a mask instead of a shape.

Here’s how to do that:

Step 1: Create a text layer
Step 2: Right-click on it
Step 3: Select Create>Mask from Text.

When you do that, you’ll see a shape layer instead of a text layer in After Effects. You can start adding keyframes to create beautiful animations.

Create simple kinetic typography in After effects

Now let us show you how to use the first technique to create a cool, short, kinetic typography animation in After Effects.

Step 1: Create a text layer

First, create your text layer and turn it into a shape ( check technique one above) 

Step 2: Guides

Add your guides by clicking on the guide panel and dragging the line in a way that aligns with the letter. The guides will help you create your animation and make sure all the letters and characters are aligned.

Step 3: Keyframes

Start adding keyframes for the path, and create a beautiful motion. 

Step 4: Graph Editor

Open the Graph editor and adjust it, so the motion is smooth

Step 5: Repeat

Repeat the same process with the other characters, based on your unique vision. 

Conclusion

Kynetic typography is a great way to bring your text to live. You can follow the techniques above to create your own beautiful motions.

If you need any help, you can download our Free template and practise your kynetic typography skills. 

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