Exercise 4 · Variable-Font Type in Motion

Project 1 · Branded Vector Explainer · Week 4 · Kinetic Typography 2.0 · ~60 min

Practice goal: Stack text animators and keyframe variable-font axes so type morphs weight and width live.

Set up: New project. A variable font installed (e.g., a Google variable font exposing Weight/Width).

Steps

1. New comp Main; create a text layer with a variable font.
2. In the Character panel (or Properties) find the variable-font axis sliders (Weight, Width, …).
3. Keyframe the Weight axis light → bold across ~1 s for a morphing reveal; Easy Ease.
4. Add a Text Animator ▸ Position; use the Range Selector Offset to sequence characters on.
5. Stack a second animator (Scale, Blur or Tracking) so multiple properties move per character.
6. Animate a second axis (Width) subtly for extra life.
7. Ease the Range Selector (Advanced ▸ Shape, Ease High/Low) so characters hand off smoothly.
8. Time the type to a beat/voiceover reference; add a readable hold.
9. Add a mask or shape wipe for a clean in/out.
10. Assemble with your explainer scenes and grade for consistency.
11. Save & render.

Free tutorials & references

• Variable Fonts Make Reveals Easy (2026) — YouTube
• Variable Font Kinetic Type — YouTube
• Variable Fonts Are a Game Changer — YouTube

Done when

Type animates on per-character with stacked animators and morphs weight/width via keyframed variable-font axes — eased, timed to a beat, never outlined.

Files

Pittman_Ex04_VariableType.aep → render Pittman_Ex04_VariableType.mov · versions Pittman_Ex04_VariableType_001.aep

This drill is your in-class activity for the week (worth 2 points) and ladders directly into the project.