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A Beginner’s Journey with Adobe After Effects

Before each live online session, Tech Training will provide a Zoom link for live online classes, along with any required class materials.

Join us for this engaging workshop, where you will explore the essentials of Adobe After Effects. By the conclusion of the class, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to create compelling animations and visual effects.

JD Beltran

JD Beltran

JD Beltran is a photographer, artist, filmmaker, writer, and journalist. Her photographic and artistic practice explores expanding the concept of visual storytelling. For over a decade, her award-winning work has investigated storytelling through the blending of traditional artistic practices with novel materials, concepts, and technology.
Program Description

Embark on a creative adventure with our immersive two-day workshop designed for beginners eager to explore the magic of Adobe After Effects! Over 12 hours, you will dive deep into this versatile motion graphics and visual effects software, building a solid foundation to bring your ideas to life.

From navigating the interface and working with layers to crafting captivating animations using keyframes and applying dynamic effects, you will engage in hands-on practice and practical exercises that empower your creativity. You will also discover the ins and outs of rendering and exporting your projects.

Learning Objectives
  • Familiarity with the After Effects interface and tools.
  • Ability to create and manipulate layers effectively.
  • Techniques for creating basic animations and applying effects.
  • Understanding the process for rendering and exporting projects.
     
Topic Outline

Day 1: Dive into the World of After Effects

Welcome and Introduction

  • Overview of the course objectives and structure.
  • Discussion of the endless possibilities with Adobe After Effects.

Getting Started with After Effects

  • An overview of the After Effects interface and features.
  • Navigating the workspace and understanding panels.
  • Tips for customizing your workspace for efficiency.
  • Essential navigation shortcuts to enhance your workflow.

Working with Layers and Compositions

  • Discover how to create and organize compositions.
  • Understanding the relationship between layers and how to work with them.
  • Importing and managing media assets (images, videos, audio).
  • Basic transformations: position, scale, rotation, and opacity.

Introduction to Keyframes and Animation

  • An overview of keyframes and the timeline for creative storytelling.
  • Step-by-step guidance on creating simple animations.
  • Exploring animation easing and foundational animation principles.
  • Techniques for effectively previewing your animations. 
     

Day 2: Bringing Your Creations to Life

Applying Basic Effects and Presets

  • An exploration of effects and presets in After Effects.
  • Techniques for applying and customizing effects (such as blur and color correction).
  • Working with text layers and creating engaging text animations.
  • Introduction to masks and shape layers for stunning visual effects.

Rendering and Exporting Projects

  • Step-by-step instructions for setting up optimal render settings.
  • Exporting compositions using Adobe Media Encoder seamlessly.
  • Understanding export formats and settings tailored to your projects.

Q&A and Wrap-Up

  • Recap of key concepts covered throughout the workshop.
  • Open floor for participant questions and clarifications.
  • Access to additional resources and tutorials for continued exploration.
  • Share your feedback and reflections as we conclude the workshop.

Materials Needed:

  • Notepad and pen for note-taking.
  • Media assets for practice (provided by the instructor and available for download beforehand).
Prerequisites

As this is a live online training session, you must have Adobe After Effects installed on your computer. 

A free trial is available at https://www.adobe.com/products/aftereffects/campaign/pricing.html. 

Credits
  • 12 Professional Development Units (PDU)
  • 1.2 Continuing Education Units
  • 12 Professional Development Hours
  • Stanford Technology Training Program Certificate of Completion Awarded

Custom training workshops are available for this program

Technology training sessions structured around individual or group learning objectives. Learn more about custom training

University IT Technology Training sessions are available to a wide range of participants, including Stanford University staff, faculty, students, and employees of Stanford Hospitals & Clinics, such as Stanford Health Care, Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley, Stanford Medicine Partners, and Stanford Medicine Children's Health.

Additionally, some of these programs are open to interested individuals not affiliated with Stanford, allowing for broader community engagement and learning opportunities.