Join the waitlist for my new After Effects course 🎬 + February Update


👋 Welcome to the latest edition of my monthly motion design newsletter, where I bring you fresh tutorials, a sneak peak of what’s coming soon, a handy tip, and a random recommendation!

🥳 New

I’ve been so busy working on a new beginner After Effects course, that I’m late on this newsletter (sorry!). I’m also trying to get back on track with consistent YouTube videos…here’s the first one:

​Which Animation Software Should You Learn in 2026​

video preview​

You probably already know I’m a bit biased towards After Effects, but I recognize that what software you should learn depends on what you want to create. After Effects is not always the best tool for the job. That’s what I try to honestly demo in this video.

Even if you know what software you want to learn, the video is full of inspirational clips from top-notch studios and artists. For more of that, I'm sharing my Notion database of motion design/animation studios and artists.

🤫 Sneak Peak

I'm working on a brand new, beginner-friendly After Effects class! By the end of this course, you'll be able to create animations like this one:

video preview​

If you're interested in ultimately creating science animations or explainer videos, this class is definitely for you. It will also be perfect for any After Effects beginner who needs a solid path to learning the essential skills to become a professional motion designer.

Waitlist members will get early access, plus a special launch discount. 🎉

⚡ Quick Tip

When using the Pen tool in Adobe Illustrator, hold command/Ctrl after clicking a point to temporarily switch to the Direct Selection tool. This lets you adjust points on the fly without constantly switching tools.

This also works when using the Eye Dropper tool. Holding command/Ctrl temporarily switches back to the Direct Selection tool so you can quickly select other shapes to color.

👉 Random Recommendation

I, like everyone else, have been thinking a lot about how AI is going to affect what I do for a living. I’ve been listening to the podcast, The Last Invention, which gives a great big-picture view of the history and potential future of AI. While it’s not specific to motion design, I find learning more about AI in general interesting and helpful, so thought you might too (no affiliation here!).

If you have thoughts/questions/concerns about AI and motion design, I’d love to hear! Just reply to this email.

Megan Friesth

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Hi! I'm Megan Friesth.

I’m an explanimator–I write, illustrate, and animate educational animations. I’m a self-taught motion designer, striving to help you learn motion design–mostly After Effects–more efficiently than I did. Sign up for my monthly newsletter which includes tutorials, classes, and quick tips.

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