Don’t miss the chance to apply for The National Film and Television School’s motion graphics and titles design course

Thinking about a career in the booming industry of motions graphics or titles design? The National Film and Television School (NFTS), in partnership with Sky, have opened applications for its Motions Graphics and Titles Diploma. The course combines practical experience with technical training to grow eager learners into leading industry innovators. The full-time, one-year diploma provides on-site industry experience with a variety of TV shows, films and digital experts alongside intensive courses in Photoshop, After Effects and Cinema 4D, supplying students with the essential skills and industry contacts necessary for new career opportunities in the film and television sector.

The role of a motion graphics and titles designer within film and television involves creating brands and designing concepts that could be rolled out across any kind of broadcasting channel, from your favourite TV series, film or social media campaign. With applications closing on 12 November, this NFTS course is open to those who have a degree in graphic design or a strong interest expressed through their folio and creative experience.

Munira Ali and Shirin Ebrahimi are two recent graduates from the NFTS course with entirely new career prospects since completing the diploma. Speaking to It’s Nice That, Munira explains, “I landed my new job through the course. The course leader set up a show for our graduating class which exhibited our showreel – my new boss saw my work there and now we work together.” Munira discovered the course through It’s Nice That’s last post on NFTS and praises it for its “focus on preparing the students ready for work in the industry”, equipping the participants with “all the necessary skills and knowledge” through multiple industry visits and live projects.

Another recent graduate is Shirin Ebrahimi who was working as a video editor for ten years at the BBC before she embarked on the NFTS course to expand her skills. In an interview with It’s Nice That, Shirin tells us how the course has been critical to her advancing future career.

It’s Nice That: Why did you decide to enrol in the NFTS diploma?

Shirin Ebrahimi: As a video editor, I was looking for a course to improve my motion design skills to be able to use it in my day-to-day work. I was looking to move into a career in motion graphics design because it was always my passion to do animation. I was looking for a practical course but also wanted to work on live projects and this course is tailored to both these needs.

INT: What valuable skills did you learn on the course?

SE: My design and technical abilities greatly improved throughout the course. The variety of projects was amazing and I learned a new skill with each new project. One day a week was dedicated to working on our technical skills with the Adobe creative suite and we often had visiting tutors who helped us with niche subject matters like learning how to successfully storyboard narratives.

INT: How did the tutors support your creative practice?

SE: We had three amazing tutors – Mark Chaudoir, Hugo Hansell and Rosie Holtom – who all taught us different skills. As well as being tutors, they also work professionally in the industry and give a good insight into how workflow is practiced in the industry. To receive critique and feedback every day for each project helped improve my work a great deal, but most importantly, I began to trust my abilities and gained confidence in my work.

INT: What were your industry highlights while studying on the course?

SE: We had a month-long internship in Sky Sports’ creative department designing a title sequence for one of the programmes. It was a memorable experience to work on a real project at their pace. The creative team were so helpful mentoring us throughout this project and I learnt a lot like how to pitch an idea and then present it.

INT: How has the course impacted on your life since you’ve graduated?

SE: Since graduating, I’ve been working as a freelancer on many great projects for established brands such as Coca Cola and Jo Malone London. One of my latest works for Coca Cola was featured on the Piccadilly lights billboard for Pride London and another series was shared on social media. Hopefully one day I’ll have my own design studio. The variety of projects I worked on during the course prepared me to take on different paths; I’ve worked in advertising and I’d also like to work in film — and now I have the skillset to do both. With my new skills, there are many more opportunities to work on different projects that need motion and titles graphics as well as editing.