If you’ve ever watched a show, movie, or commercial with words on the screen, you’ve likely seen lower thirds at work. But what is a lower third? And how can you create them effectively, while maintaining aesthetic integrity? A slick design with strategic font and color choices will add a layer of professionalism to your project. Here are some tips on how to make that happen, including tutorials and templates for lower thirds in After Effects.
The lower third identification graphic, better known as just the lower third, is an area of the screen that is commonly used to display contextual information, such as a person’s name, a location, or some other pertinent information.
Lower Thirds: A lower third is a combination of text and graphical elements placed in the lower area of the television screen to give the audience more information. It doesn’t necessarily have to occupy the “lower third” of the screen, but that’s where it gets its name. They might seem trivial, but their necessity is clear when they’re used poorly or missing altogether which can confuse the audience.
When might be a good time to use lower thirds? If you’re filming a documentary, or any other interview-type program, keeping track of all of the subjects can get confusing without lower thirds.
If the show, company, or film has a certain tone or aesthetic, it’s good to keep the lower third design “on brand.” All of the elements of the lower third should work together to add to the visuals, not distract from them.
