Movable Typography
with
Clinton Van Arnam
From early film titles to modern kinetic identities, moving typography has shaped visual culture for over a century.
This class positions motion as a continuation of that lineage — a space where typographic history, emerging technologies, and contemporary practice intersect. Students develop a grounded understanding of how motion principles evolve from tradition, and how they can be applied in today’s design landscape.
Students can expect three hours of in-class lecture, critique, and guided project work each week, along with an additional minimum of three hours of independent homework outside of class to complete assignments and prepare weekly exercises.
Learning goals
- Understand the fundamentals of procedural workflows in After Effects
- Learn to apply procedural thinking
- Develop custom tools and toolkits using native AE features and expressions
- Work non-destructively with flexible, scalable setups
- Get comfortable using small bits of code to simplify complex tasks
Some prior experience with After Effects is recommended, but not strictly required. Beginners are welcome as long as they feel comfortable learning new software and keeping pace with weekly assignments.
Required Materials
- laptop running AfterEffects
- reliable internet connection
- free Zoom app
- Discord app
This class will meet over Zoom for 10 consecutive weeks. Students will be invited to a Discord group for file and resource sharing. Class size will be limited to 14 people to allow for enough time for feedback.
Registration will open on January 6, 2026.
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About Clinton Van Arnam
Clinton Van Arnam is a graphic designer, motion artist, and educator based in Brooklyn, NY. His practice is rooted in typographic rigor and an abiding curiosity for emerging technologies. A student of process, Clinton explores generative and systems-driven approaches to design, with a particular focus on motion and temporal typography.
Clinton is the Creative Director at WXY, a design and planning studio dedicated to shaping the public realm through the built environment. He also teaches motion graphics and web interaction at Parsons School of Design. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from UCLA in Design Media Arts and a Master of Fine Arts from RISD in Graphic Design.
Alongside his studio leadership, Clinton works with select clients on identity systems, motion graphics, and technology-driven design projects. Past collaborators include Apple, Nike, Hyundai, and other organizations working at the intersection of culture, design, and emerging media.