Motion Explains Anything Easier: by making change visible

Explaining anything — a process, a system, or a product — is hard.

Static text and images ask audiences to imagine what happens between the frames. Motion design removes that friction by making change visible. Instead of guessing, viewers see how something works, evolves, or transforms in real time.

That’s why motion graphics aren’t just engaging — they’re scientifically proven to be more effective for explanation.

What the research Says

Across learning science, cognitive psychology, and instructional design, research consistently shows that animation is especially powerful when the goal is to explain change, process, or behaviour.

• Animations are superior when learning involves understanding change

  A peer-reviewed study published in InstructionalScience demonstrates that animations outperform static images when learners need to understand the specifics of change — such as direction, timing, speed, or sequence.

  The study by Springer (Instructional Science) concludes that static visuals place a higher cognitive burden on viewers, who must mentally infer movement, while animations explicitly show how change unfolds.

• Learning from animations is more successful when change matters

  The same research is widely cited under the title: “When learning from animations is more successful than learning from static pictures: learning the specifics of change.”

  The findings published by Academia.edu are clear: when understanding change is the learning goal, animation leads to significantly better comprehension and accuracy than static imagery.

• Animations support deeper learning and knowledge transfer

  A large meta-analysis published on ScienceDirect reviewed decades of research comparing animated and static visuals. The results show that animations often lead to better learning outcomes — especially when explaining dynamic systems or processes.
  This matters for brands because it shows animation doesn’t just help people watch — it helps them understand and apply information.

Why This Matters for Marketers & Brands

For brands, explanation equals trust. If people don’t understand what you do, how it works, or why it matters, they won’t engage.

Motion graphics allow you to:

• Visualise complexity clearly — Processes, systems, and workflows become intuitive when change is animated.
• Show function, not just appearance — Animation demonstrates behaviour, interaction, and transformation — not just design.
• Improve retention and confidence — Audiences understand faster, remember longer, and feel more confident acting on what they’ve seen.

Real-World Applications

1. Explainer videos — Show how a product, service, or platform works step by step.
2. Social media content — Turn static data into animated stories that show impact.
3. Internal communications — Help teams grasp new processes or organisational change quickly and clearly

Tips for Using Motion to Explain Anything

1. Animate, don't decorate — Movement should always serve a propose.
2. Social media content — Turn static data into animated stories that show impact.
3. Internal communications — Help teams grasp new processes quickly and clearly.

The Bottom Line

When your goal is to explain anything, motion design isn’t just a creative choice — it’s a strategic one.

Backed by research from Instructional Science, ScienceDirect, Academia.edu, and leading universities, animation is proven to help audiences understand change more clearly, with less effort, and greater confidence.

Question for you: What’s the most complex idea your brand could finally make clear with motion?

Want to explain your brand message more clearly?

Move with Grace.