Motion Graphics, Branding, Career journey Allison Clark Motion Graphics, Branding, Career journey Allison Clark

Animation Smackdown 🤯

Animation Smackdown | Breaking it down with you on my animation ‘free-fall’ I was having with this “beat”— when lyrics attack! 🎧 through the School of Motion Kickstart courses.

Breaking it down with you on the animation ‘free-fall’ I was having with this “beat”— when lyrics attack! 🎧

The breakdown

I took the liberty of including the still compositions below so you can see what the original graphic format looked like. There is something you should consider when planning to convert still graphics to motion—you should make sure that the pre-comps are interesting as well, like a poster or infographic, this styling will follow through the animation, so you need to consider the communication style in these. Also, consider what the thumbnail of the final media might be. With that in mind, remember some social media channels do not allow you to choose your thumbnail such as LinkedIn. (YouTube does, so that is something to consider)

Remember, this gives you a starting point to talk about how a storyboard or flow might shape up, for instance, would your brand be ok for the words to flow onto the screen at different times, or are you looking to emphasize elements over time? Do you want the wording or specific phrases on the screen for the entirety of the animation? There are many directions to take your creative work, but your motion design project may be dependent on the media channels that are useful for you, leading to your final creative direction.


Still compositions a.k.a. pre-comps

Yeah I've got a matte you can track
Key frames are on the attack
You need a pre-comp to handle
All of the layers I stack

Some considerations 🤔

  1. Final size and format of final media should always be considered during planning.

  2. Where the imagery will live (advert, social media, will it live on LinkedIn, or will it be evergreen on YouTube)?

  3. Will the final channel(s) allow you to upload thumbnails, or will the platform do the picking?

If you would like to hear about more ways animation can improve your branding and communications, check out my LinkedIn post. Happy animating!


Continuous learning | Enrolled in JavaScript Programming, part of the Meta Front-End Developer Certificate | School of Motion Courses including Kickstart and Animation Bootcamp


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Branding, Networking, Testimonials Allison Clark Branding, Networking, Testimonials Allison Clark

Vibing and Tribe-ing

Building a strong professional network is essential for career growth, and testimonials from colleagues can be a powerful way to showcase expertise and credibility. In this post, I share some of the kind words I’ve received from industry peers, along with key insights from the book Linked while job searching and building unique networking strategies. I have included a quick tip or two, helping professionals enhance their LinkedIn profile and job seeker strategy. Whether you are job seeking, growing your personal brand, or strengthening your professional connections, these insights can help you stand out. Read more and swipe through the testimonials!

Linking up with colleagues can be a reminder of how much growth, gratitude, and camaraderie have shaped your journey!

Why testimonials are powerful & how they work for you:
    They validate your skills.
    They reflect your work ethics.
    They build trust with future employers & clients.
    They capture your impact.
    They strengthen your brand.

Over the past few weeks, I have had time to reflect on the incredible experiences and relationships I have built throughout my career. One of the most rewarding aspects of my work has been collaborating with teams and peers who continually inspire, challenge, and bring out the best in each other. We have delivered magnificent products, solved problems in elegant form, mastered managing from afar, and journeyed together (literally) across the world to create experiences that elevated industry expectations and delighted top-tier customers.

I’m incredibly grateful for the kind words shared by colleagues and industry leaders—words that reinforce the passion I bring to my work every day. Their support not only fuels my drive to keep exploring but also reminds me why I love what I do.

A strong professional network isn’t just about connections—it’s about proof. Testimonials serve as tangible evidence of not just your expertise, but also your character. Here’s why they matter:

  1. They validate your skills – A well-crafted testimonial highlights real-world examples of your abilities in action, from problem-solving to leadership.

  2. They reflect your work ethic – What people say about you speaks volumes about your reliability, collaboration style, and dedication.

  3. They build trust with future employers and clients – Social proof is powerful. Whether you are job hunting or growing your business, endorsements provide a third-party perspective on your strengths.

  4. They capture your impact – Sometimes, it’s hard to articulate our own accomplishments. Testimonials showcase the influence you’ve had on teams, projects, and company culture.

  5. They strengthen your brand – Beyond resumes and portfolios, testimonials add a personal touch that differentiates you from others in your field.

    Building a strong professional network is essential for career growth, and testimonials from colleagues can be a powerful way to showcase your expertise and credibility.

As I look toward my next opportunity, I remain committed to strategic storytelling, brand elevation, and impactful communication—delivering results with creativity, precision, and a people-first approach.

To those who have supported me along the way—thank you! If you or someone in your network is looking for a seasoned creative director, brand strategist, or communications expert, let’s connect. I’d love to bring my expertise to a team that values vision, clarity, collaboration, and innovation.

Have you received or given a great testimonial recently? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear how testimonials have helped you!


📕Book nook corner: Lately, I have been reading the book Linked: Conquer LinkedIn. Get your dream job. Own your future.’ and picking up valuable insights on job searching, networking, and building authentic professional relationships. One key takeaway? Your next opportunity often comes from the strength of your network—not just who you know, but how well you engage and nurture those connections. Think about it, who knows you better than the gal sitting next to you for 8 hours a day!

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