Michael Ugwuzor is a talented 2D/3D motion designer and freelance animator based in Nigeria. With a passion for teaching and mentoring, he has trained over 500 aspiring motion designers, helping them break into the industry. Michael’s journey began in graphic design, driven by his desire to elevate the Nigerian design scene by addressing common design flaws.
Over time, he transitioned into motion design, recognizing both his natural talent and the industry’s need for skilled professionals. He has worked with renowned brands like Interswitch and Financial Sense and continues to expand his expertise, recently delving into 3D motion design to stay ahead in the evolving creative landscape.
In this exclusive conversation, Michael Ugwuzor shares his journey from graphic design to becoming a 2D/3D motion designer and freelance animator. He discusses his passion for mentoring the next generation of designers, having trained over 500 individuals to date, and reflects on the key moments that shaped his career.
Michael also provides insights into the challenges and opportunities in the Nigerian design scene, the importance of continuous skill development, and his experiences working with top brands like Interswitch and Financial Cents.
Can we get to know you?
My name is Michael Ugwuzor, a 2D/3D motion designer based in Nigeria. I work as a freelance animator and also mentor individuals entering the motion design space. To date, I’ve trained and guided over 500 to 600 aspiring designers in this field.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with various brands and businesses, both locally and internationally, including notable names like Interswitch and Financial Sense.
My journey began as a graphic designer, driven by a desire to correct the design errors I frequently noticed, especially within the Nigerian design scene. I started learning to improve these mistakes, and over time, what began as a passion during my university days evolved into a full-fledged career.
Eventually, I transitioned from graphic design to motion design after realizing two things: first, I had a natural aptitude for it, and second, there was a noticeable gap in the industry due to the lack of motion designers. More recently, I expanded my expertise into 3D motion design, as I recognize the industry’s shift and the need to continuously develop my skill set to keep pace with the changing world.
Tea or coffee? What fuels your creativity?
Coffee is how I usually start my day. It gives me a boost of energy and helps me feel more focused and ready to work. Everything just becomes a lot clearer after that first cup.
Can you share your journey into motion graphics design and what initially drew you into this field?
My journey in design began in 2014-2015 when I started experimenting with design at home, driven by my frustration with poorly executed designs I saw around Lagos. I didn’t have the tools at the time, so I borrowed my friends’ laptops to learn Photoshop through YouTube tutorials, often working late into the night.
During my university days, I became proficient in graphic design, creating flyers, banners, and viral campaigns under the name CSC Designs. I even organized an award show recognizing student talent in various creative fields. After graduating, I quickly landed my first job in design, and during my NYSC, I won a national design contest hosted by President Muhammadu Buhari.
I moved to Abuja, where I worked on various projects and discovered my passion for fintech design. After gaining experience in the financial services sector, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and I transitioned into teaching design while also focusing on motion graphics. This shift led me to join Upwork, where I secured multiple clients.
I eventually worked with notable brands like Interswitch as their primary motion designer before transitioning to a U.S.-based financial accounting software company. Now, I’m fully freelance, collaborating with several fintech companies on launches and various motion design projects. This journey has been an incredible learning experience, filled with growth, new skills, and amazing connections.
Can you walk us through your creative process, from concept to final animation?
When brands and businesses reach out to me for motion design projects, the first step is to figure out what the client wants. Some have scripts and guidelines ready, while others only have a vague idea. I typically arrange a meeting or chat to clarify their vision. For clients without resources like scripts or voiceovers, I handle those aspects, from writing scripts to hiring voiceover talent if needed.
Understanding the client’s direction and gathering their input is essential to avoid unnecessary revisions. I also identify the key decision-maker to ensure smooth feedback. Once I have the necessary details, I create a storyboard using Figma, allowing the client to track the progress. I present a rough version of the animation, including basic sketches, transitions, and voiceovers, so they can provide feedback on the direction early on.
After approval, I finalize the designs, working with tools like Blender, Photoshop, and Figma to bring the animation to life. Throughout the process, I keep the client involved to ensure the design aligns with their brand identity. I then deliver a polished version with proper transitions, fonts, colors, and synced animations, minimizing revisions and delivering results that exceed expectations while saving time. This process ensures that I meet the client’s needs effectively and efficiently.
What software or tools do you rely on most for your work?
As a motion designer, my primary tool is Adobe After Effects for animation. However, design software plays a crucial role in the process, as you need to create the designs before animating them. Once the designs are perfected, they are imported into After Effects for animation, ensuring high-quality results. My secondary tools include Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma, and Blender (for 3D animations). Additionally, I sometimes use Premiere Pro for video editing and Audition for voiceover work. Occasionally, I use tools like InShot to repurpose content for social media, but After Effects remains the core of my workflow, with design software supporting the process.
How do you handle creative blocks or periods when you’re struggling to come up with new ideas?
Yes, I do experience burnout sometimes. When that happens, I make it a point to step away from the desk. If I’ve been sitting in front of the PC for too long and ideas stop flowing, it can feel like I’m a terrible designer. To break that feeling, I hit the gym, hang out with friends, play games like PlayStation or GTA, or just take my mind off work. I used to visit places like the bar beaches—like Good Beach—to clear my head. I believe that creative block often stems from exhaustion or juggling too many projects at once. It’s like having too many tabs open, or in After Effects terms, your system’s cache fills up and needs to be cleared.
I distract myself to empty my mind, and when I’m working on a project that needs immediate creativity, I research what others have done. Platforms like Pinterest and Dribbble are great for that. I find inspiration from other people’s work and create my own version, which usually helps. If I’m still stuck, I simply shut down the PC, rest, and return refreshed, ready to dive back in with renewed energy.
What’s the most exciting project you’ve ever worked on and why?
I can’t say there’s one project that stands out as the most exciting because each one has its own story. However, while I was working at Interswitch, there was a memorable project led by a passionate manager for an event called Life 6.0—a fitness event. She was deeply invested in the event’s success but was unsure about its publicity, the turnout, and how everything would come together. She worked tirelessly with everyone to ensure all was on track.
My role was to create animations for screens, promotional materials, and billboards. Up until that point, I hadn’t worked on projects for billboards, so it was a new and exciting challenge for me. It was particularly thrilling because I love projects that allow me to showcase my talent to a larger audience. I worked on various designs and animations featuring different fitness instructors, all under a tight deadline.
On the day of the event, more tasks popped up that needed quick attention, but the experience was rewarding. Seeing my work come to life on screens and billboards was incredibly satisfying. The team worked together seamlessly, and there were high fives and compliments like, “I saw the work you did—amazing! I’d love to collaborate again.” The sense of teamwork, the positive feedback, and witnessing people’s reactions to my work on the main stage made it a truly special experience.
If you weren’t a motion graphics designer, what career do you think you would be in?
That’s a great question. When I was building my career, some of the opportunities we have now didn’t exist as much. For example, I might have gotten into virtual reality or the gaming industry because those areas really intrigued me. For financial reasons, I also considered real estate and thought about becoming involved in that field—maybe as an investor or something similar. However, looking back, I don’t think I would have found the same level of fulfillment in anything else compared to what I’m doing now.
What’s your favorite tech gadgets or two that you can’t live without?
Okay, so, um, I would. I would say my phone
If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Okay, teaching myself how to build better relationships and network properly would be a priority if I could go back. Early on, I found myself in excellent places, starting school at 15 and finishing by 20. During my involvement with the Buhari project, I noticed that many people consistently checked in with one another and maintained regular contact. Choosing not to adopt this practice, I believe, has influenced my current position in life. Many opportunities, including some of the best jobs I have now, came through recommendations and friendships that I’ve maintained.
If you had to choose one color palette for the rest of your career, which colors would you choose?
I currently lean towards blue and orange. Some days I feel more like blue, and other days I lean towards orange. Recently, though, I’ve been moving towards red. The reason is that red attracts attention. I’ve noticed that on platforms like YouTube, incorporating red can be effective in capturing users’ attention and making your content stand out. So, if I were to shift from my usual blue and orange, I would choose red solely for its ability to drive attention.
If you could design a motion graphics intro for any TV show, past or present, which would it be?
Revamping some of Nigeria’s media assets, particularly NTA, is something I’m truly passionate about. I envision a transformation akin to the dynamic presentations on CNN or BBC, featuring 3D graphics that highlight sports, music, television, and more, all seamlessly integrated with their logos. Such modernization for NTA would not only stand out but also reflect a high standard in media, garnering widespread appreciation. That’s what I would love to change, as I think Nigerians would truly value it.
Finally, can you share a book or podcast, or resources that have significantly influenced your career growth?
Okay, so my personal career growth has been quite different from many others. When I first entered the industry, there weren’t many people like me creating tutorials and resources in my language. I had to figure out a lot of things on my own, as there wasn’t much available to help me. Because of this, I decided to start creating my own resources. On my YouTube channel, I periodically share animation and design tutorials—showing how things are done in After Effects, Photoshop, and other tools—so others can learn from what I’ve experienced. I aim to be the person I wish I had when I was starting out.
YouTube is the second largest search engine after Google, with a wealth of tutorials and resources for almost anything you want to learn—whether it’s breathing techniques, walking, or more complex skills. It’s a great place to start with the basics and gradually move to more advanced topics without needing to pay for courses. However, if you want to accelerate your learning, paid courses can provide structured mentorship and help you avoid spending years figuring things out on your own.
It’s a pleasure talking to you.
Thank you for having me.
