The History

Of Motion
Graphics

By
James Barnes
 Chapter One
Motion graphics are a series of graphics
which have been added together using ani-
mation technology to record or edit photo-
graphic or video footage. Motion graphics
are often combined with audio to achieve a
multimedia outcome but can also be used
on their own as a visual media.

The official beginning of the art form is very

much still disputed but it is possible that
motion graphics can be tracked back in its
basic form as far as the early 180 AD. The
art form has continued to be improved up
until the present day and is still being ex-
plored for exciting new ways to use motion
graphics in everyday life.
 Chapter Two

The first example of motion graphics was from the inven-

tion of the Zoetrope in China around the time 180 AD.
The Zoetrope was invented by the inventor Ting Huan. It
was created using a light which was hung over a lamp.
On the sides of the lamp several illustrations of animals
and men in different positions were painted in black and
white and then while the device rotated, it would appear
that the illustrations where moving. The images where
viewed through 26 slatted holes which were spread equal-
ly around the outside of the device which looked down on-
to the images. The outside of the device was painted black
to let people concentrate and the illuminated images in-
side. When the device was spun at a fast enough, the hu-
man eye was able to see the series images inside the slats
as if it was a continues movement.
When the device was spun at a fast
enough, the human eye was able to see
the series images inside the slats as if it
was a continues movement.

This form of motion graphics was later

modernised in the 1830’s by the British
mathematician William George Horner.
He took the original idea from Ting
Huan but strengthened the invention so
it could be sold to the public. He im-
proved the invention by adding basic
colours and improved illustrations.