Reddit reviews Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects: Essential and Advanced Techniques, 5th Edition, Version CS5

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Augmented-Reality-Spaces-Techniques-Mapping/dp/8895315340
Pretty good read on projection mapping.

http://www.amazon.com/Creating-Motion-Graphics-After-Effects/dp/0240814150
I have not read this book, but after effects is a very useful program for video design.

Not sure why my reply wasn't sent via my Alien Blue app, but basically I'm talking about picking up a reference book for After Effects if that's what you are focusing on. Chris and Trish Meyer make a great book called Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects.

It doesn't have the most glamourous projects in the book, but more importantly they go very in depth on every aspect of the program. Andrew Kramer ends up showing you a "one trick pony" way of doing things. He's crazy talented, but you will indeed look like a hack if you only recreate what he's created already. As a professional if you came to me with results based on his tutorials and you were looking for a job, I would not even consider hiring you.

If you are "higher than average" creatively that's a good start. But have you taken Typography courses? Graphic Design courses? Do you know Photoshop and Illustrator extremely well? If yes to all then you should do pretty damn well with AE. Can you teach yourself on your own? Sure. But you have to have a strong design and typography background to be great in motion graphics. The computer skill level doesn't really mean much. Anyone can learn the tools inside of After Effects given enough time and motivation. It's the eye for good design, good typography, and the highly creative and imaginative that make great motion graphics/VFX artists. Some might argue that VFX and Motion Graphics are two different beasts, and I would agree. VFX often times does not involve typography or graphic design at all. It's more about being photorealistic and making people believe that there were no effects added. Matte paintings, match moving, rotoscoping, etc would all be VFX specific skills. Motion Graphics however would involve animating many individual elements to create an animated piece of graphic design and/or typography. I think you'll find however that many guys have become generalists with AE, meaning they do a bit of everything. Personally I started in VFX then gradually went more into the realm of motion graphics. It's all about what you love.

I'll shut up now. I'll just geek out forever about this.

http://www.amazon.com/Creating-Motion-Graphics-After-Effects/dp/0240814150

I agree with the comments here, some effects are more intensive and useful than others. Some books have comprehensive lists like what you are looking for. Check out something like Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects: Essential and Advanced Techniques, 5th Edition, Version CS5 https://www.amazon.com/dp/0240814150/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_jVpWCbS8WJ5Y5. This is an older one, but has a list with examples and breakdowns.

http://www.amazon.com/Creating-Motion-Graphics-After-Effects/dp/0240814150/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417902112&sr=8-1&keywords=Creating+Motion+Graphics+with+After+Effects

I believe the first one I read was Classroom in a Book for CS4 https://www.amazon.ca/After-effects-cs4-classroom-book/dp/2744023256

This one is next on my list to read https://www.amazon.ca/Creating-Motion-Graphics-After-Effects/dp/0240814150

I get used ones off Amazon because if I'm new to the program, it doesn't matter whether I learn the CS4 version or not. I got really indepth with Illustrator so I needed the updated book for that.

Best After Effects book ever. Taught myself AE using an older edition of the book. Still use it as a reference after almost 10 years.

http://www.amazon.com/Creating-Motion-Graphics-After-Effects/dp/0240814150/ref=pd_sim_b_6

i start small and try this for a xmas gift for myself:

http://www.amazon.com/Creating-Motion-Graphics-After-Effects/dp/0240814150/ref=sr_1_sc_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324180919&sr=1-2-spell

seems beginner friendly.

edit: oh. o_O or

this: http://www.amazon.com/After-Effects-Photoshop-Animation-Production/dp/0782144551/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324180919&sr=1-1


looks very much like one of those wow books. it says cs2 though.

arrgh. too much books.

I purchased this book when I started using After Effects. It helped me get out of the "frustrated" phase of learning AE pretty quickly.

http://www.amazon.com/Creating-Motion-Graphics-After-Effects/dp/0240814150/ref=pd_sim_b_4

I've heard good things about Trish and Cris Meyer's book

A quick google also found me this, which looks promising

Hope this helps!

http://www.amazon.com/Effects-Visual-Compositing-Studio-Techniques/dp/0321934695

http://www.amazon.com/Creating-Motion-Graphics-After-Effects/dp/0240814150/