After Effects ACP

This course will enhance your digital skills in the competitive job market.

Key details

Location

Online

Course overview

This course offers comprehensive training in Adobe After Effects, the industry-leading software for motion graphics and visual effects. Designed for beginners and intermediate users, the Adobe After Effects ACP course covers essential topics, including keyframing, compositing, and animation techniques.

Participants will learn how to create stunning visual effects, work with 3D elements, and produce professional-quality videos. The curriculum combines theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on projects to provide a well-rounded learning experience. Upon completing the course, participants will have the opportunity to sit the Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) certification exam.

Tuition fees per individual: £690*

Available online courses

04 February to 25 March, Weekly, Tuesday evenings, 18:00 – 21:00
30 June - 3 July, daily, 09:00 - 16:00

Book course

*If you're a student or staff different fees apply. Please visit our dedicated student and staff areas for specific information.

Course details

Upon completing this course, you will have a comprehensive understanding of Adobe After Effects, from basic interface navigation and layer management to advanced techniques such as motion tracking, compositing, and 3D animation.

You will develop expertise in keyframe animation, masking, and rotoscoping, enabling you to create professional title sequences, animate logos, and deliver high-quality visual effects projects.

How you'll learn

Our online short courses are delivered through Microsoft Teams, ensuring a seamless learning experience. Each session starts with a live broadcast from the tutor to introduce the topic and guide you through the resources. Our online short courses include various learning methods such as videos, quizzes and exercises. The tutor remains available online for real-time support, making learning effective and enjoyable. Our blended teaching approach combines live and pre-recorded content, providing flexibility to learn at your own pace.

What is Adobe After Effects?
Getting started, creating compositions in After Effects
Importing assets: video and Images
Creating text and solid layers
Animation pre-sets
Exporting – create into a MP4

Colour and creating shapes
Animation from the start
Useful and important keyboard shortcuts
Other types of animation in the layer
Introduction to masks and 3D layers
Creating and animating light layers

Type on path - how to animate text along a path for dynamic text animations
Preparing an Adobe Illustrator file for After Effects
Importing an Adobe Illustrator file into After Effects
Layer management: techniques like pre-composing and parenting to organise complex animations and streamline your workflow
Layer visibility tools: hide, solo, and visibility eye shortcuts to manage complex projects efficiently

Working with speed in animation
Blending modes – creating video effects
Creating moving masks with rotoscoping
Creating impressive masks with track matts

Animated painting with the brush tool
Animating with masks as shapes using the pen tool
Learning about anchor points
Keying (Green screen)
Colour correction and grading
Adjustment layer
Puppet tool
More detail of puppet tool
More effects

3D camera layer
Tracking camera
Camera and null objects
Editing video layers
Guides - grid – preferences
Time

Time
Typography
Project management
Working with the essential graphics panel
Audio effects
Animated handwriting

This will be a revision project session preparing for the ACP exam

Key information

Engaging content
A variety of different ways to learn
Clear guidelines to work through the practice exercises
Constructive feedback from tutors on your submitted work
Technical assistance from your tutors

This course will be delivered online via Microsoft Teams.

After the end of the course will take the Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) exam. On passing the ACP exam will earn you the Adobe Certified Associate accreditation. You'll receive a digital badge for social media platforms like LinkedIn and a digital certificate.

The ACP certification validates expertise in Adobe After Effects, enhancing career prospects and boosting professional credibility. It instils confidence, serves as tangible proof of skills, and provides a competitive edge in the job market. Overall, the ACP certification supports career advancement and professional growth in digital creativity.

You will need access to a laptop/desktop computer (Mac/PC) with Adobe After Effects Installed.

If you don't have an Adobe licence, consider the following options from Adobe:

Free one-week trial from Adobe
One-month single application subscription for £32.98* per month, cancel anytime
Annual application licence for £262.51* or monthly for £21.98* (early cancellation fees apply)
Subscribe to all Creative Cloud apps under the same types above but for all the Adobe Creative cloud apps

Please visit the Adobe website to find out more.

*prices are correct as of 10 September 2024

There are no entry requirements for this Adobe After Effects course and previous experience is not necessary, however, you should be confident in the use of IT generally.

Susannah Travis - Course Lead

Susannah is the Digital Skills Team Lead, delivering a range of courses. With over a decade of experience in teaching Adobe and Microsoft applications, she specialises in both individual training and tailored group sessions. Her aim is to enable students to achieve a high level of digital literacy, enhancing their work and everyday lives.

Find out more

Read our short course terms & conditions