Adobe After Effects: introduction to visual effects
Course Overview
This beginner-friendly course introduces visual effects and motion graphics using Adobe After Effects, ideal for learners with little or no experience. You will explore the interface, create compositions, and work with layers, masks, text, shapes and keyframe animation. Through practical sessions, you will learn compositing, colour correction, green screen, rotoscoping and exporting. Creative approaches such as digital collage and visual storytelling are also explored. Teaching is step-by-step and supportive, building confidence as you develop skills. The course concludes with a personal project that brings together your techniques, supporting progression into creative media at WM College in Camden.
Location: Crowndale Road, Camden
Who is this course for and what will I learn?
This course is for adult Beginners/ Some experience aged 19+ who want to develop visual effects and motion graphics skills using Adobe After Effects.
It is suitable if you:
- Have an interest in video editing and visual storytelling
- Want to enhance your film or content projects
- Are exploring careers in media, design or post-production
- Have some editing experience or want to build on basic skills
You should have basic computer skills for this course. Some experience with video editing or Adobe software is helpful but not required. You will be taught on Mac computers, and your tutor will guide you step by step. You will also complete an Individual Learning Plan during the course.
On this course, you will learn how to:
- Create and manage compositions in After Effects
- Animate text, images and video layers
- Apply visual effects and transitions
- Use masks, keying and compositing techniques
- Integrate After Effects into video editing workflows
- Export and organise projects for professional use
It is suitable if you:
- Have an interest in video editing and visual storytelling
- Want to enhance your film or content projects
- Are exploring careers in media, design or post-production
- Have some editing experience or want to build on basic skills
You should have basic computer skills for this course. Some experience with video editing or Adobe software is helpful but not required. You will be taught on Mac computers, and your tutor will guide you step by step. You will also complete an Individual Learning Plan during the course.
On this course, you will learn how to:
- Create and manage compositions in After Effects
- Animate text, images and video layers
- Apply visual effects and transitions
- Use masks, keying and compositing techniques
- Integrate After Effects into video editing workflows
- Export and organise projects for professional use
How will I learn?
You will learn through practical sessions at WM College in Camden, London. Lessons include demonstrations, guided exercises and individual project work. You will develop your skills through hands-on tasks and creative briefs. Your tutor will provide regular feedback and support to help you build confidence and progress at a steady pace.
You do not need to bring specialist equipment for this course. WM College provides access to Mac computers and Adobe After Effects during sessions. You may wish to bring a notebook and a storage device to save your work. If you want to practise outside class, your tutor can recommend suitable Adobe software options, but this is optional.
Most equipment and software are provided during lessons.
You may choose to access Adobe Creative Cloud at home to continue practising outside class. Students may be eligible for discounted subscriptions. Any additional costs are optional and will be explained clearly by your tutor.
You do not need to bring specialist equipment for this course. WM College provides access to Mac computers and Adobe After Effects during sessions. You may wish to bring a notebook and a storage device to save your work. If you want to practise outside class, your tutor can recommend suitable Adobe software options, but this is optional.
Most equipment and software are provided during lessons.
You may choose to access Adobe Creative Cloud at home to continue practising outside class. Students may be eligible for discounted subscriptions. Any additional costs are optional and will be explained clearly by your tutor.
Assessment and next steps
Assessment is continuous and based on practical activities and project work. You will complete creative tasks that demonstrate your ability to apply visual effects, animation and compositing techniques.
You will receive feedback through peer review and from your tutor, both verbally and in writing. Assessment supports your learning and helps you develop confidence in your technical and creative skills.
By the end of the course, you will:
- Develop practical skills in Adobe After Effects, including editing, compositing and animation workflows
- Create visual effects and motion graphics using layers, masks, keyframes and AI-supported tools
- Apply post-production techniques to produce short edited sequences, including sound, text and effects
- Explore AI creatively and critically within film and media production
- Produce a final individual project combining editing, animation, sound and AI-generated elements
There is no required work outside class. You may choose to practise your skills between sessions. Your tutor will provide guidance if you want to develop your work further outside the classroom.
After completing this course, you can progress to more advanced video editing, motion graphics or visual effects courses at WM College, including Adobe Premiere Pro or specialist media production courses.
You may apply your skills to content creation, filmmaking, animation or freelance creative work. This course provides a strong foundation for building a portfolio and exploring opportunities in post-production and digital media.
WM College also offers careers advice and guidance to support your next steps, including help with portfolios, CVs and progression into creative industries.
You will receive feedback through peer review and from your tutor, both verbally and in writing. Assessment supports your learning and helps you develop confidence in your technical and creative skills.
By the end of the course, you will:
- Develop practical skills in Adobe After Effects, including editing, compositing and animation workflows
- Create visual effects and motion graphics using layers, masks, keyframes and AI-supported tools
- Apply post-production techniques to produce short edited sequences, including sound, text and effects
- Explore AI creatively and critically within film and media production
- Produce a final individual project combining editing, animation, sound and AI-generated elements
There is no required work outside class. You may choose to practise your skills between sessions. Your tutor will provide guidance if you want to develop your work further outside the classroom.
After completing this course, you can progress to more advanced video editing, motion graphics or visual effects courses at WM College, including Adobe Premiere Pro or specialist media production courses.
You may apply your skills to content creation, filmmaking, animation or freelance creative work. This course provides a strong foundation for building a portfolio and exploring opportunities in post-production and digital media.
WM College also offers careers advice and guidance to support your next steps, including help with portfolios, CVs and progression into creative industries.
What additional support can I get?
You may be eligible for fee reductions or one of our bursaries, please check the Information and Advice section of our website to find out more.
Teachers are supported to ensure their materials are inclusive to meet learners’ needs. Provision of assistive equipment is available and access support can be provided through reasonable adjustments, subject to an interview with the ALS team and/or the Disability Officer. Digital Learning support is available in the Learning Centre.
We offer free support with finding a job, including 1-1 support with job applications, creating a CV or improving your interview skills, as well as advice about progression opportunities. Visit the website for more information or to book an appointment with our Employability Coach.
There are regular cross-college events, external speaker visits, exhibitions, and opportunities for you to get involved in college life. Look out for adverts around the college, iLearn or sign up to Our Newsletter via the website.
Teachers are supported to ensure their materials are inclusive to meet learners’ needs. Provision of assistive equipment is available and access support can be provided through reasonable adjustments, subject to an interview with the ALS team and/or the Disability Officer. Digital Learning support is available in the Learning Centre.
We offer free support with finding a job, including 1-1 support with job applications, creating a CV or improving your interview skills, as well as advice about progression opportunities. Visit the website for more information or to book an appointment with our Employability Coach.
There are regular cross-college events, external speaker visits, exhibitions, and opportunities for you to get involved in college life. Look out for adverts around the college, iLearn or sign up to Our Newsletter via the website.
Tutor Profiles
Francesco Felletti
Video Post Production and ICT tutor
Francesco Felletti is a multidisciplinary artist and educator. His background spans motion design, film, and art. His art practice combines video, installation, and socially engaged approaches.
Francesco teaches a range of creative and digital skills courses, including Essential Digital Skills (Entry Level to Level 1), video editing, VFX, motion graphics, and AI in film and video. He teaches several creative software, such as Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, InDesign, Photoshop, and Canva.
In his classes, he creates a supportive and relaxed learning environment where learners feel comfortable experimenting, building confidence, and developing their own personal projects.
MA Fine Art – Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London
BA Arti Multimediali e Tecnologiche – Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma
Artist residencies including XYZ Grays Inn Road and PAUSE/FRAME at The Koppel Project (Wiggle Room duo)
Exhibited and screened work across London, including Tate Modern (Offprint), Hypha Studios, BOTH Gallery, LUX Moving Image, and Lethaby Gallery
Co-creator of Wiggle Room, a collaborative practice exploring space, art labour, and public interventions
Motion design work for Sony Music Italia, Universal Music Group, and Eagle Pictures, alongside experience in theatre production at Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, contributing to live performances directed by artists including Sofia Coppola, Damiano Michieletto, Gianluigi Toccafondo, and Giorgio Barberio Corsetti.
www.fellettifrancesco.com
Video Post Production and ICT tutor
Francesco Felletti is a multidisciplinary artist and educator. His background spans motion design, film, and art. His art practice combines video, installation, and socially engaged approaches.
Francesco teaches a range of creative and digital skills courses, including Essential Digital Skills (Entry Level to Level 1), video editing, VFX, motion graphics, and AI in film and video. He teaches several creative software, such as Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, InDesign, Photoshop, and Canva.
In his classes, he creates a supportive and relaxed learning environment where learners feel comfortable experimenting, building confidence, and developing their own personal projects.
MA Fine Art – Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London
BA Arti Multimediali e Tecnologiche – Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma
Artist residencies including XYZ Grays Inn Road and PAUSE/FRAME at The Koppel Project (Wiggle Room duo)
Exhibited and screened work across London, including Tate Modern (Offprint), Hypha Studios, BOTH Gallery, LUX Moving Image, and Lethaby Gallery
Co-creator of Wiggle Room, a collaborative practice exploring space, art labour, and public interventions
Motion design work for Sony Music Italia, Universal Music Group, and Eagle Pictures, alongside experience in theatre production at Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, contributing to live performances directed by artists including Sofia Coppola, Damiano Michieletto, Gianluigi Toccafondo, and Giorgio Barberio Corsetti.
www.fellettifrancesco.com
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