Aspect Ratio
Aspect ratio is a fundamental concept in video and motion graphics that describes the proportional relationship between the width and height of a screen or image. Think of it like a TV or movie screen's shape - whether it's more square-like (4:3, like older TVs) or wider (16:9, like modern TVs). When someone lists this on their resume, it shows they understand how to properly format videos and graphics for different platforms, such as social media, television, or cinema. It's similar to knowing how to properly size photos for different uses, but specifically for moving images and animations.
Examples in Resumes
Created motion graphics in multiple aspect ratios for social media platforms
Adapted corporate videos from aspect ratio 16:9 to vertical format for Instagram
Managed aspect ratio conversions for multi-platform video campaigns
Typical job title: "Motion Graphics Designers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Motion Graphics Designers
Online Communities
Professional Networks
Learning Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you approach adapting content for multiple aspect ratios across different platforms?
Expected Answer: A senior designer should discuss their workflow for planning shoots or animations that need to work in multiple formats, mention how they protect important visual elements across different crops, and explain how they manage efficient delivery for multiple platforms.
Q: How do you handle aspect ratio requirements when working with legacy content?
Expected Answer: Should explain approaches to converting older footage to new formats while maintaining quality, including techniques for filling empty spaces and making creative decisions about cropping or scaling.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What are the standard aspect ratios for different social media platforms?
Expected Answer: Should know common ratios like 16:9 for YouTube, 1:1 for Instagram posts, 9:16 for Stories/TikTok, and explain how to optimize content for each.
Q: How do you ensure text and graphics remain visible across different aspect ratios?
Expected Answer: Should discuss safe areas for text placement, scaling considerations, and how to design flexible layouts that work across multiple formats.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is aspect ratio and why is it important?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain that aspect ratio is the relationship between width and height of video/images, and why it matters for different viewing platforms and devices.
Q: What are the most common aspect ratios used today?
Expected Answer: Should know basic ratios like 16:9 for HD video, 9:16 for mobile video, and 1:1 for square social media content.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of common aspect ratios
- Ability to export videos in different formats
- Knowledge of social media platform requirements
- Simple video editing and resizing
Mid (2-4 years)
- Efficient multi-format content creation
- Advanced composition techniques
- Cross-platform content optimization
- Motion graphics adaptation for different ratios
Senior (4+ years)
- Complex multi-platform campaign management
- Technical direction for aspect ratio requirements
- Team workflow optimization for multiple formats
- Strategic planning for multi-format content
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unfamiliarity with standard video dimensions
- No knowledge of platform-specific requirements
- Unable to explain how to adapt content for different screens
- Lack of experience with multi-format delivery
- No understanding of safe areas for text and graphics
Related Terms
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