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Are static brands a thing of the past?

Let’s be honest: static logos and layouts can only get you so far. If your brand isn’t moving, it’s missing out. Motion Design is the secret ingredient that makes people stop scrolling, pay attention, and actually remember you.

Think of motion as brand identity with a pulse. It’s what takes your logo, your type, your visuals and brings them to life.

So what is motion design?

The line between animation and motion design is blurry to say the least. Animation has always been about narrative and storytelling. Motion design takes the same craft but applies it to branding: logos, typography, UI, ads, events.

Animation often uses characters to drive storylines, whereas motion tells stories through brand assets. A wordmark that bounces. A logo that unfolds. A product demo that doesn’t just explain but shows why it matters.

From Hitchcock to TikTok

Motion isn’t new, it’s just evolved with every screen we look at.

In the 1950s, Saul Bass’ film titles for Hitchcock showed how type in motion could set the mood before a film even started. Fast-forward to MTV idents, Nickelodeon logos, and the real-time sports graphics that make games easier (and more engaging) to follow.

Now? We live in a world of Reels, TikToks, splash screens, and digital billboards. Motion is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s the absolute baseline.

Why motion matters (a lot)

Here’s the thing: people don’t just see motion. They feel it. It hits home in a different way. And that’s what makes it such a powerful brand tool.

  1. It tells stories. Humans are wired for narrative. Motion unfolds over time, making even the simplest animation feel like a mini-story.

  2. It boosts engagement. In crowded feeds, movement is what makes people pause. And the data’s clear: video consistently outperforms static content.

  3. It sticks. People remember 95% of a message they watch in motion. They remember just 10% when they read it. Enough said.

 

How much motion does your brand really need?

Not every brand needs a cinematic universe of animations. But every brand needs a plan. We like to think about it in three levels:

  • Level 1: Animated assets. Logos, symbols, key typography. Simple, flexible, and easy to plug into anything.

  • Level 2: Motion systems. Rules that define how your brand moves. Is it playful? Smooth? Precise? These traits become your grammar for every animation.

  • Level 3: Motion toolkits & guidelines. For brands living across screens and events, clear rules and toolkits keep everything consistent and scalable.

 

Where motion comes to life

Motion isn’t just for ads. It shows up everywhere:

  • Logo reveals (Netflix’s “tudum” intro is a masterclass).

  • UI/UX interactions (hover effects, checkouts, swipes—those tiny touches that make digital products feel human).

  • Product videos (explaining complex ideas in simple, visual ways).

  • Retail + events (screens that turn physical spaces into immersive brand worlds).

Wherever people see your brand, motion is the element that makes it memorable.

Motion done right (and wrong)

Here’s the truth: bad motion is worse than no motion. Random spins, flashy transitions, or just “making things move for the sake of it” will only cheapen your brand.

Good motion, on the other hand, is intentional and considered. It’s rooted in strategy. It’s designed to scale. And it always makes your brand feel more human and relatable.

Is your brand ready for movement?

If your brand is still living in the static world, now’s the time to start building motion into your identity. Start small, build systems, and think long-term.

Because in a screen-saturated world, the brands that move with purpose are the ones people remember.

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