YouTube is a valuable learning platform for creative media producers. Whether you are starting a career in graphic design, an experienced motion graphics professional or a filmmaker looking to explore the potential of AI, YouTube offers tutorials, opinion and advice from industry professionals. One of the key advantages of YouTube is the rapid response of content creators to emerging technologies such as Generative AI, delivering the type of immediacy and detail that help creatives stay ahead of the curve. Many professionals within the fields of design, video and photography freely share their expertise, offering tutorials, behind-the-scenes insights, and industry trends—all accessible from a single video platform. There is such a wealth of useful content on YouTube that compiling useful videos would generate an almost endless list. This article aims to provide a short list with example of the best YouTube channels that every creative media professional should consider in their development journey.
Graphic Design
Satori Graphics offers high-quality tutorials focused on graphic design basics, current industry trends and creative styles. With so many different subjects from logo design to colour theory to Adobe software hints and tips, there is something for all professionals in the industry. Other notable channels include The Futur and Will Paterson.
Motion Design
Ben Marriott produces high-quality Adobe After Effects tutorials for his YouTube channel. These are designed to help motion designers master animation techniques. He covers the fundamentals of motion design in an easy-to-understand manner as well as advanced techniques. Other useful channels to explore include Evan Abrams and School of Motion.
Generative AI
Curious Refuge presents the latest news and updates from the world of AI, predominantly the use of Generative AI in video production and photography, including the use of Midjourney, Runway, Kaiber and Luma Labs Dream Machine to name a few. For a more broad coverage of Generative AI see Matt Wolfe. Theoretically Media is also worth a look.
UI/UX and Web Design
Flux Academy is a resource for web designers and UX/UI designers. The channel covers software from Figma to Framer to Adobe Illustrator as well as design techniques, hints and tips and web design trends. DesignCourse covers similar topics whilst providing a unique take on learning software, developing techniques and understanding design trends.
Traditional Animation
Toniko Pantoja’s channel provides a wealth of knowledge and experience from the founder of Brushtail Works Studios. He provides guidance and assistance for animators looking to develop and establish their animation style whilst also highlighting common challenges. A useful companion to this channel is Draw Like A Sir which focusses upon drawing characters.
Film Making
Watching videos from the Standard Story Company is both entertaining in terms of delivery and informative. Topics include videos on writing compelling stories, finding locations for your next shoot or producing short films within a specific genre. StudioBinder is another channel worth exploring, particularly for its ‘Advanced Filmmaking Techniques’ series.
Photography
Whilst it is possible to find videos on the basics of digital photography, many photography channels lean towards individual expression, style and advanced techniques. Mango Street provides a useful array of topics including editing in Adobe Lightroom, creating images with your iPhone and lighting techniques. The Photographic Eye is also worth a look.
Character Animator
Finally, lets take a look at Adobe’s Character Animator software with Okay Samurai’s detailed guide. This channel provides a wealth of inspirational examples, guidance and tutorials on how to get the best from Adobe Character Animator along with a few other Adobe software hints and tips. See Simcoemedia’s Character Animator music video.
