The terms “motion design” (or “motion graphics”) and “animation” are not mutually exclusive. A project can be described as both animation and motion design without damaging the integrity of either term.

Just as a hand-painted work of graphic design might also be a work of illustration or a VFX-laden film starring photoreal CG creatures might be construed as animation, motion design and animation can overlap to such a degree that distinctions between them become difficult.

This is good. We celebrate it, and we hope that The Motion Awards showcase a wide array of possibilities that have hitherto not had a dedicated spotlight.