The holidays are upon us. If you have no idea what you want for Christmas, here are some ideas.

The Gist



If you had to read one book on learning to draw, this would be it. This thing is straight out of the 70’s, but the techniques are still groundbreaking. Rather than focusing on the usual tropes of “how to draw hands” amd “learning perspective”, this book walks you through extensive exercises that literally train your brain to draw what you see. What makes Drawing on the Right Side so different from other art books is that it relies heavily on the cognitive science and solid amounts of research.



How it Applies to Motion Design



For any motion designer looking to improve their illustration chops, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain is essential. But this book goes beyond just drawing - it trains you to analyze the world around you and find a way to translate that into art. This can be applied to all mediums within motion design, including both 2D and 3D.



The Gist



Will motion design eventually be outsourced to cheaper countries? Will companies like Upwork and Fiverr threaten the future of design as we know it? Is the creative industry on the verge of collapse? A lot of these questions pop up frequently in conversations about the motion design industry. Linchpin is the best book I have ever read on these topics.



Rather than focusing on the worst case scenario, Linchpin shows you how to leapfrog these issues and become indispensable to your clients or employer.



Godin argues that the path to becoming indispensable is through solving difficult problems, exercising your creativity, and becoming a leader. These three skills are rare and valuable. And if you have rare skills, your job will be much harder to outsource or automate.



How it Applies to Motion Design



Understandably, there can be a lot of anxiety in the motion design community about what the future holds. Linchpin provides a strong case that creatives will thrive in the coming years. For anyone working in motion design, this book is a must if you want to learn how to set yourself apart and have a long term career.



The Gist



For anyone struggling to finish a personal project, send that one last email, or hit the gym between projects, The Power of Habit is a must-read. Using multiple case studies, Charles Duhigg breaks down the process of forming habits: habits are triggered by cues, which lead into a routine, and the routine culminates in a reward. Habits don’t trigger unless a cue triggers them.



How it Applies to Motion Design



Working in motion design is demanding. You have to stay on top of the latest software updates, tackle deadlines, and hopefully fit in some personal time as well. Forming solid habits is critical to juggling all of these things at once.



The Gist



George Lois is arguably one of the most influential creatives who shaped the course of advertising as we know it today. Damn Good Advice is filled with insightful, bite-size pieces of wisdom. Lois covers everything from working with clients, dealing with feedback, and making work that’s meaningful. Most importantly, Lois goes to extensive lengths to argue that you should stand up for those that are marginalized and only do work for clients that make the world a better place.



How it Applies to Motion Design



Being a skilled motion designer is more than just knowing the software. You have to become good at conceptual thinking, telling a story, and conveying a message. This book will help you do all of these. And again - it’s critical for motion designers to think about who they choose to work with and how it impacts the world around them.



This one is a given, but I’ll include it here anyway. Even if you’re not freelance at the moment, every motion designer should own a copy of the Freelance Manifesto. This book is filled with so much data and tactical information on how to get ahead in motion design. It includes everything from finding your first clients to managing payments and staying on top of your schedule. Better yet, it shows you how to take advantage of the freelance lifestyle. If you’ve been eyeing this book, go buy it now my dudes.

