Motion Graphics | Saskatoon, SK | Chris Kaptein

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About Me

Tell me about yourself

I am a motion graphics artist based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Born and raised here, but spent six years in Asia where I met my two loves: my wife, and After Effects. Now, back in Canada, I am a father, full-time / freelance graphic designer / web developer. I enjoy jogging, watching cartoons and playing with After Effects and Cinema 4D.

How would you describe your style?

This isn't a question I neccesarily liked to be asked, since my favorite thing to do it to try all kinds of different styles. I've done everything from minamalist text animations to wild-and-crazy eye-bleaching effects. But my default setting can be described as "chunky"... "exciting"... "shiny"..."macho"..."loud"..."polished"

I like to fill the frame, without being busy. I like to incorporate 3D elements and really give the project some depth. My projects have to pop and they have to stand out. Basically, I like to play!

Why are motion graphics so important?

Properly designed motion graphics have the abilty to take a video presentation to a whole new level. It's that extra polish that adds the professionalism you need to stand out from the rest. It's like turning a bowl of ice cream into a chocolate sundae. Just a little bit of extra work can make a huge difference.

If branding is something that you care about, then you definitely need a designer to carry your brand into your video. Don't get me wrong, a video editor can easily throw your logo into a project and call it branded. But a motion graphics designer can bring lasting impact to your video.

The example I like to use is car commercials. Almost every car commercial puts the manufacturer's logo at the end of the ad. Do they just slap on a jpeg and call it a day? No way! They make it shiny and metallic and reflective macho and tough and... alive! It's not just a logo, it's part of your brand identity, and it is what will leave a familiar, lasting impact to your viewers.

What is your experience and skillset?

I've been creating motion graphics for broadcast television since 2005. I've done a wide variety of projects from show openers to corporate explainer animations to advanced logo reveals. I've built a number of complete broadcast packages that include openers, lower thirds and bumpers. Recently, I've started doing animations for sporting events that are shown on the big screen during games. For example, an animation plays when the home team scores a goal, or when they want the crowd to cheer louder, etc.

My software of choice is Adobe After Effects and Maxon Cinema 4D. For me, using this software is more like playing than working! I'm addicted to design! I'm also proficient in Adobe Photoshop,Illustrator and Premiere; essential tools for the design workflow.