Kinetic Typography Studio Moves with the Times

The studio’s title, “Kinetic Typography,” evokes a sense of motion and emotion for GDES students past and present. Simply stated, it’s type in motion—students animating letterforms to captivate an audience, sparking laughter, wonder or inspiration. Words whose definitions are expressed graphically, such as the letters in “stretch” being pulled apart like an elastic band, offer a glimpse into the creative work produced in Kinetic Typography.

Windham has kept the dynamic studio in motion for 12 years, helping students push their creative limits and develop motion design skills.

“This course was born from my passion for motion graphics and design and my desire to explore how type can transcribe static forms to communicate through movement,” Windham stated. “From its inception, Kinetic Typography has aimed to bridge traditional graphic design and the dynamic possibilities of motion, offering students a unique perspective on storytelling, meaning-making and typographic expression.”

An Evolving Studio

The Kinetic Typography studio, originally called Type in Motion, was conceptualized, she says, in response to the growing importance of motion in visual communication.

“The course began with foundational exercises in sequencing, keyframes and composition, focusing on how motion shapes meaning,” Windham said. “Over time, it has evolved to incorporate both digital and analog tools, including augmented reality, collage, photography, printmaking and even coding. A project called ‘Print to Motion’ that began in Kinetic Typography is now even being taught in another course in the curriculum, assuring students gain more experience with motion graphics before graduating.”

While students often come into the class with strong design skills, the idea of animating type can initially feel intimidating. Windham eases the transition with smaller projects before moving to more complex assignments. She emphasizes the importance of storyboarding, hands-on experimentation and a balance of artistic expression and technical precision.

“The ‘Power of Words’ project tasks students to create compelling statements and explore visual storytelling through type and sound,” she explained.

“Another assignment,” she continued, “called ‘Time + Light + Space + Sound,’ challenges students to develop an animation promoting a creative professional, blending custom typography with audio and custom photography or imagery.

“Smaller assignments like ‘Shape Permutations’ and ‘Kinetic Characters’ encourage experimentation with grid systems and abstraction, fostering a deep understanding of motion principles. These assignments allow students to articulate complex ideas through movement. Kinetic Typography is an experimental elective course— a space for trying new ideas and techniques.”

Award-Winning Creativity

Over the years, those who have completed the Kinetic Typography studio have earned their share of awards, from prestigious Graphis awards to recognition in various national design competitions. Eddie Carmona ‘16’s “X Games Rallycross Promo” and Heidi Kieffer ‘19’s “Sundance Festival Animation,” created in the ‘Print to Motion’ part of Windham’s studio, both earned Gold awards in respective Graphis New Talent Annual competitions.

“Heidi’s studio group was tasked with creating some of the first ‘Print to Motion’ assignments, a cross-promotional project I developed that demonstrates how print can be connected to motion in a dynamic way,” Windham stated. “Heidi used footage from a festival’s previous year to play into a new concept for the next year. For her concept, she created a tri-fold postcard that would arrive in the mail with a QR code for an app download. Scanning the trigger image with the app would play the video she created. Doing a cross-promotional piece like that can really build confidence in one’s ability to craft an experience for an audience. This was one of the early tests of the augmented reality (AR) apps we use today.”

A Pivotal Experience

For many students, Windham’s studio has been transformative. Avery Dove ’18, a Graphic Designer/Motion Designer for Copperwing Design and SIGD Advisory Council member, credits Windham’s Kinetic Typography studio with shaping his career.

“I took it as an elective and didn’t put a whole lot of thought into how it may impact my future, but that was a pivotal studio for me,” Dove shared. “If it weren’t for that studio, I wouldn’t have ended up at Copperwing, as they were looking for an additional motion designer at the time. Who knows where I’d be if I had taken another elective!”

A Kinetic Future

As the studio moves into its second decade, Windham remains committed to inspiring the next generation of designers to think beyond the static and embrace the kinetic. Recent updates include integrating generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools to explore emerging trends in animation. Future iterations will likely delve deeper into interactive media, augmented reality (AR), perhaps virtual reality (VR) and other cutting-edge fields.

“The studio is focused on motion and meaning,” she said. “Our program is constantly evolving projects within studios to ensure students remain at the forefront of design innovation.”

As technology advances, Windham emphasizes the growing role of motion in all areas of design. The ability to blend typography with motion allows designers to craft compelling narratives that resonate with audiences in new and exciting ways.

“Kinetic Typography is not just about making type move—it’s about communicating words, thoughts, and in a way, giving type a voice,” Windham stated. “The future of design lies in how we can use motion to tell more dynamic, interactive and immersive stories. I’m excited to see where our students go with these skills as they enter the professional world.”

Beyond technical skills, Windham believes Kinetic Typography, in step with the variety of studios offered in Graphic Design, prepares students to adapt to a range of industries, from branding and marketing to advertising and creative direction.

“These skills can be applied in so many ways,” she explained, “whether it’s creating eye-catching presentations, impressing clients or standing out in a competitive field.

“I want our students to graduate as the best of the best—savvy, well-rounded designers who, in addition to their many valuable skills, deeply appreciate the role of motion in communication. They are bold and daring enough with their tools and techniques to bring their visions of type in motion to life in a professional setting.”

More motion graphic projects by our students can be seen on Auburn Graphic Design x Motion Design on Vimeo.