Motion design graduate degree offered at Logan campus starting summer 2026
The Utah State University College of Arts & Sciences is offering a new graduate degree aimed to prepare designers for a growing and specialized field in digital media. Beginning this upcoming summer semester, students can enroll in a master’s in motion design program designed to blend traditional graphic design training with animation and motion-based media.
The program is structured as a three-semester degree completed over the course of one year. Faculty say the accelerated format allows students to expand their technical abilities without committing to a multi-year graduate program.
There exists one other master’s degree of motion design program in the country. However, faculty described the program at USU as unique.
Ryker Kimball, graphic design professional practice assistant professor at USU, described motion design as a natural extension of graphic design that focuses on movement rather than static visuals.
“It’s kind of like graphic design, but it’s graphic design that moves,” Kimball said. “Usually when I explain to people, I explain using examples of animated logos or commercials. You see a lot of motion design in commercials or title intros for movies.”
Unlike character animation commonly associated with film studios, motion design is used heavily in advertising, branding and digital media. Kimball said the field also extends into emerging technologies such as 3D product visualization.
“It’s more advertising-focused, so it’s animating logos, typography, and it actually bleeds into 3D as well,” Kimball said.
Kimball explained the degree was created to address a gap in the design industry. Many professionals specialize in either animation or graphic design, but few are formally trained in both.
Mike Daines, USU professor of graphic design, said studios and agencies often struggle to find designers who can merge strong visual design principles with motion expertise.
“They are looking for motion-capable people who are also really good designers, but it’s kind of a unicorn,” Daines said. “Usually people are either really good at animation or they’re really good at design because both of them take a lot of study and a lot of practice.”
Daines said the program emphasizes typography, branding systems and design foundations while teaching students how those elements function in motion.
“There’s a lot of motion applications in broadcast, in advertising, in branding that would benefit from someone who has that skill set in graphic design,” Daines said.
The curriculum is geared primarily toward students with undergraduate degrees or professional experience in graphic design who want to expand their capabilities. Kimball explained the program is not intended for experienced animators but for designers seeking to add motion skills to their portfolios.
“Applicants don’t have to be graphic design graduates, but that definitely helps,” Kimball said.
“It’s more for people who don’t have any experience in motion design but have a strong foundation in graphic design.”
Faculty expect strong employment outcomes for graduates because of industry demand and the program’s specialized focus.
“I hope to see students ready for the job industry, and I hope placement rate is very high,” Kimball said. “Knowing graphic design and motion design, it was relatively easy for me to find jobs and get job offers.”
Daines emphasized the degree adds a competitive advantage without replacing the strength of traditional design education.
“Any expansion of your skill set will make you more marketable,” Daines said. “It is this niche that is in high demand but really low supply.”
The program will admit 10 students each year. While many applicants are expected to come from USU, the program is open to students nationwide.
Kimball said the program also aims to help students adapt to a rapidly evolving creative industry by encouraging flexibility and continuous learning.
“I think this program will expose them to more software and get them more comfortable learning new tools to be more creative,” Kimball said. “In this age of AI, our creativity and vision and taste for things is going to be more important than our ability to master tools.”
Faculty say the combination of design fundamentals and motion expertise positions graduates for roles in advertising agencies, branding studios and digital media production.
“This streamlined yearlong program teaches students everything that took me years to learn on my own,” Kimball said.