Adobe After Effects ACP

Program Overview

After Effects ACP

This course will enhance your digital skills in the competitive job market.

Key details

• Location: Online
• Tuition fees per individual: £690*
• If you're a student or staff different fees apply. Please visit our dedicated student and staff areas for specific information.

Course overview

This course offers comprehensive training in Adobe After Effects, the industry-leading software for motion graphics and visual effects. Designed for beginners and intermediate users, the Adobe After Effects ACP short course covers essential topics, including keyframing, compositing, and animation techniques.

Participants will learn how to create stunning visual effects, work with 3D elements, and produce professional-quality videos. The curriculum combines theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on projects to provide a well-rounded learning experience. Upon completing the course, participants will have the opportunity to sit the Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) certification exam.

How you'll learn

Our online short courses are delivered through Microsoft Teams, ensuring a seamless learning experience. Each session starts with a live broadcast from the tutor to introduce the topic and guide you through the resources. Our online short courses include various learning methods such as videos, quizzes, and exercises. The tutor remains available online for real-time support, making learning effective and enjoyable. Our blended teaching approach combines live and pre-recorded content, providing flexibility to learn at your own pace.

Session one

• What is Adobe After Effects?
• Getting started, creating compositions in After Effects
• Importing assets: video and Images
• Creating text and solid layers
• Animation pre-sets
• Exporting – create into a MP4

Session two

• Colour and creating shapes
• Animation from the start
• Useful and important keyboard shortcuts
• Other types of animation in the layer
• Introduction to masks and 3D layers
• Creating and animating light layers

Session three

• Type on path - how to animate text along a path for dynamic text animations
• Preparing an Adobe Illustrator file for After Effects
• Importing an Adobe Illustrator file into After Effects
• Layer management: techniques like pre-composing and parenting to organise complex animations and streamline your workflow
• Layer visibility tools: hide, solo, and visibility eye shortcuts to manage complex projects efficiently

Session four

• Working with speed in animation
• Blending modes – creating video effects
• Creating moving masks with rotoscoping
• Creating impressive masks with track matts

Session five

• Animated painting with the brush tool
• Animating with masks as shapes using the pen tool
• Learning about anchor points
• Keying (Green screen)
• Colour correction and grading
• Adjustment layer
• Puppet tool
• More detail of puppet tool
• More effects

Session six

• 3D camera layer
• Tracking camera
• Camera and null objects
• Editing video layers
• Guides - grid – preferences
• Time

Session seven

• Time
• Typography
• Project management
• Working with the essential graphics panel
• Audio effects
• Animated handwriting

Session eight

• This will be a revision project session preparing for the ACP exam

Key information

• What to expect:
  • Engaging content
  • A variety of different ways to learn
  • Clear guidelines to work through the practice exercises
  • Constructive feedback from tutors on your submitted work
  • Technical assistance from your tutors
• Location: This course will be delivered online via Microsoft Teams.
• Certificates and digital badges: After the end of the course will take the Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) exam. On passing the ACP exam will earn you the Adobe Certified Associate accreditation. You'll receive a digital badge for social media platforms like LinkedIn and a digital certificate.
• Computer or software requirements: You will need access to a laptop/desktop computer (Mac/PC) with Adobe After Effects Installed.
• Entry requirements: There are no entry requirements for this Adobe After Effects course and previous experience is not necessary, however, you should be confident in the use of IT generally.

Susannah Travis - Course Lead

Susannah is the Digital Skills Team Lead, delivering a range of courses. With over a decade of experience in teaching Adobe and Microsoft applications, she specialises in both individual training and tailored group sessions. Her aim is to enable students to achieve a high level of digital literacy, enhancing their work and everyday lives.

How to apply

• Tuition fees per individual: £690*
• If you're a student or staff different fees apply. Please visit our dedicated student and staff areas for specific information.
• To apply for this course, make your selection from the available dates below, this will take you to an event page where you will be able to book yourself onto the course via the Book now link.

Upcoming Short Courses

• ACA After Effects_main image
  • Fri 20 Jun 2025
  • 30 June to 03 July 09:00 – 16:00 | Price:£690
• ACA After Effects_main image
  • Mon 04 Aug 2025
  • 04, 03, 04, 06 August 09:00 – 16:00 | Price:£690

Explore our ACP courses

• ACP Adobe Acrobat Pro
• Adobe Express ACP
• Premiere Pro ACP
• Photoshop ACP
• InDesign ACP
• Illustrator ACP