The Motion Meetup is a friendly monthly get-together in Vienna where motion designers meet, share insights and learn from each other. What started with just a handful of people has evolved into a fun and relaxed event in a bar where everything revolves around motion design. It's the perfect place to meet like-minded people, share ideas and feel part of the motion design community in Austria. We had the chance to talk with Katharina Petsche and Vera Mayrhofer, the hosts of Motiondesign Austria about the meetup, their work and the joy of experimentation.
#1 What inspired you to become part of the Motion Meetup?
Vera: I was dragged along, there were only four people at the beginning. And it was just nice and it kept getting bigger and bigger and new people kept joining. Unfortunately, the founder of the meetup had to give it up and since Kathi and I were always there, we took it over. We just think that there should be platforms to discuss all kinds of topics related to motion design that aren't covered at universities. Right down to which plugins are used.
Kathi: And it's super exciting to see what's going on in the Motion Design scene here in Vienna. Our community is quite small, but it still happens quite often, that new faces find their way to us. We're always excited to welcome new people to our Motion Design meetup.
#2 What do you particularly love about motion design?
Kathi: I produce mainly explainer videos with the goal of presenting complex topics in a clear and accessible way. I am always impressed by the many possibilities motion design offers to make even the most abstract subjects both understandable and entertaining.
Vera: In motion design, everything is included in terms of multimedia. You can be anything, a filmmaker, cameraman or camerawoman and are responsible for audio and image design. And motion design can also be anything – film, explanatory video, art and much more. You can be very creative and experimental.
#3 How does your creative process work? What inspires you in your work and how do you turn this inspiration into concrete projects?
Kathi: Ideas often begin to take shape during the initial client briefing. Once I know what message I want to convey in the video, the first visuals start forming in my mind. This is followed by research, brainstorming, and the development of the concept and storyboard—often the most exciting stage of the process, as it offers the greatest room for creative exploration.
Vera: It's also very exciting to see which customers you end up with and whether you can do things that you've always wanted to do. I always see it as an additional plus point if the project not only pursues economic goals, but also fulfills a deeper purpose, be it through social projects, support for children, educational offers, such as museums, or similar projects with added social value.
#4 What are the biggest challenges in your projects?
Kathi: As a self-employed, my work isn't limited to motion design—I also handle tasks like budgeting and project calculations. Even with years of experience in video production, accurately estimating the scope and scale of a project remains a challenge.
Vera: I feel the same way. Another challenge is always the fear that clients will reject the proposals. Especially with larger projects, which are more challenging and therefore more exciting, the demands are higher and you are forced to develop something new. However, creativity is often difficult to control and then I worry that I won't come up with anything when I need to. There's only one thing that helps: To get away from the computer, away from the project. Take a break. But a really good break. Not just a little break, but doing something completely different. Switch off your brain. Sleep over it. Look at it again with a fresh eye. That helps me every time.
Kathi: Exactly. I often come up with completely new ideas later on—or when I know a deadline is approaching. Somehow, it always works out in the end.
#5 What do visitors talk about most at the Meetup? And what would you like to see happen next?
Vera: We usually meet in a bar and there's no fixed program, everyone just brings something with them. Anyone who wants to can come along. It's about bonding, connections, networking and friendships. We exchange ideas about customers, trends, prices, techniques and what style we have. We help each other. We are always happy to see new faces.
Kathi: We discuss the situation in Austria and the challenges we face in our daily work. Beyond the creative topics, we often touch on business-related challenges, such as managing client relationships and explaining the production process. These conversations are a great opportunity to share insights and grow together.