Kinetic Typography

Term from Motion Graphics industry explained for recruiters

Kinetic Typography is the art of making text move in engaging ways, like what you see in movie titles, commercials, or social media videos. It's when words don't just sit still on the screen but dance, flow, and transform to help tell a story. Think of it as animated text that makes reading more exciting and memorable. Motion designers use this technique to make words more impactful than they would be if they were just static on a page. It's particularly popular in marketing videos, opening credits for TV shows, music videos, and online content.

Examples in Resumes

Created engaging Kinetic Typography sequences for major brand commercial campaigns

Developed Kinetic Type animations for social media content reaching over 1M views

Led Motion Typography design for corporate video presentations

Produced award-winning Animated Typography for TV show opening credits

Typical job title: "Motion Designers"

Also try searching for:

Motion Graphics Designer Kinetic Typography Artist Motion Typography Designer Animation Designer Video Effects Artist Digital Motion Designer Visual Effects Designer

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: Can you describe a complex Kinetic Typography project you managed from concept to delivery?

Expected Answer: Look for answers that show experience in project planning, client communication, creative problem-solving, and team leadership. They should explain how they handled timeline, budget, and creative decisions.

Q: How do you ensure your typography animations remain readable while being creative?

Expected Answer: The candidate should discuss balancing artistic expression with clear communication, timing considerations, and how they test their work for legibility across different devices and viewing conditions.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What factors do you consider when choosing fonts for a Kinetic Typography project?

Expected Answer: Should mention readability, brand guidelines, emotion/mood of the project, technical limitations, and how different fonts behave when animated.

Q: How do you time typography animations to match audio or music?

Expected Answer: Should explain basic principles of timing, rhythm, and techniques for syncing text with sound, including use of audio waveforms and beat marking.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What software do you use for creating Kinetic Typography?

Expected Answer: Should be able to name common industry software like After Effects and describe basic animation tools and features they use for text animation.

Q: Can you explain the difference between regular typography and Kinetic Typography?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding that Kinetic Typography adds movement and timing to convey emotion and emphasis, versus static text design.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic text animation techniques
  • Understanding of typography principles
  • Familiarity with animation software
  • Simple motion graphics creation

Mid (2-4 years)

  • Advanced animation techniques
  • Audio sync capabilities
  • Project timeline management
  • Strong design principles application

Senior (4+ years)

  • Complex animation project management
  • Team leadership
  • Client relationship management
  • Advanced creative direction

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No portfolio or motion examples to show
  • Lack of knowledge about basic animation principles
  • No experience with industry-standard software
  • Poor understanding of timing and pacing in animation
  • Unable to discuss typography basics