If you’re completely new to motion design and ready to dive into the world of animation, this course is the perfect starting point. Taught by designer and motion graphics expert Hongshu Guo, this beginner-friendly course walks you through everything you need to know to open After Effects with confidence and start creating animations from scratch.
Beginner's Guide to Adobe After Effects: Core Tools & Setup
Beginner's Guide to Adobe After Effects: Core Tools & Setup
This course is part of Special Effects Specialization
Instructor: Skillshare
Included with 
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll gain
Details to know
Shareable certificate
Add to your LinkedIn profile
Recently updated!
July 2025
Assessments
3 assignments
Taught in English
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This course is part of the Special Effects Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
- Learn new concepts from industry experts
- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
- Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
- Earn a shareable career certificate
There are 3 modules in this course
Start your After Effects journey by getting familiar with the interface and essential tools. In this module, you'll explore how compositions function within a project, learn how to navigate core panels like the timeline and project window, and customize your workspace for a smoother workflow. You’ll also get hands-on with basic animation properties—like position, scale, and opacity—to bring simple objects to life.
What's included
4 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt
An organized workflow is key to working efficiently in After Effects. This module teaches you how to set up new projects, import and move assets confidently within compositions, and keep everything tidy with smart file structures, naming conventions, folders, and labels. These foundational skills will help you stay focused and creative as your projects grow in complexity.
What's included
3 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Now it’s time to dive deeper into animation. You’ll learn to create and refine keyframes to control timing and transitions, and explore how combining core properties—like position, opacity, and scale—can produce clean, professional motion graphics. Through guided examples and a hands-on project, you’ll build your confidence in creating simple yet polished animation sequences.
What's included
4 videos1 assignment1 peer review1 discussion prompt
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
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Frequently asked questions
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
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