Motion graphics is a discipline within animation and design that applies movement and visual effects to graphic elements - text, shapes, icons, illustrations, and abstract forms - to communicate information, create visual interest, or enhance media production. Unlike character animation which focuses on bringing characters to life, motion graphics typically treats graphic and typographic elements as the primary subjects of animation.

The field spans a wide range of applications including title sequences for films and television, animated logos and brand identities, explainer videos, data visualization and infographics set to motion, broadcast graphics for news and sports, user interface animations, and social media content. Motion graphics artists work primarily in tools like Adobe After Effects, Cinema 4D, and similar software, using keyframe animation, procedural effects, and expressions to bring static designs into motion. The discipline blends graphic design principles - typography, composition, color theory - with animation timing and motion design sensibility.

In AI-assisted creative workflows, motion graphics elements can be generated or enhanced using AI tools and then composited with AI-generated video footage. Text animations, abstract visual effects, and graphic overlays created through traditional motion graphics software can be layered over AI video content in post-production, with the combination of AI-generated footage and motion graphics allowing creators to produce polished, branded content efficiently.