Design Better Podcast: Bonus Episode with Champ Bennett on Scalable Motion Design

Release Date: June 4, 2025

In this engaging bonus episode of Design Better, co-hosts Eli Woolery and Aarron Walter sit down with Champ Bennett, the CEO and co-founder of Capsule. The conversation delves deep into the realms of motion design, the entrepreneurial journey behind Capsule, and the evolving landscape of video creation in modern enterprises. Sponsored by Wix Studio, this episode offers valuable insights for both design enthusiasts and seasoned professionals aiming to enhance their creative workflows.

1. Champ Bennett's Entrepreneurial Journey

Background and Early Influences

Champ Bennett begins by sharing his childhood passion for music and technology, influenced by his musician mother and executive father. "I was just obsessed with both music and technology," Champ recalls (00:00). His early encounters with computers ignited a lifelong fascination with creative tools and software development.

Transition from Designer to Developer

Initially aspiring to be a designer, Champ found himself embracing web development due to industry demands. "I'm a self-taught engineer, but really in my heart a designer," he states (02:19). This duality shaped his unique approach to building tools that bridge design and technology seamlessly.

Founding Capsule

After years in the agency world, Champ and his co-founder recognized a significant gap in enterprise video creation. The COVID-19 pandemic further underscored the necessity for scalable video solutions as their previous business was heavily impacted (02:19). This led to the inception of Capsule, aiming to democratize video creation within large organizations.

2. Understanding Capsule: Making Motion Design Accessible

Simplifying Complex Tools

Eli Woolery praises Capsule for its user-friendly approach, contrasting it with "arcane tools like After Effects" (00:27). Champ echoes this sentiment, emphasizing Capsule's design philosophy: "The power of After Effects. But all you need to know how to do is fill out a form, you just type some stuff in and upload some assets and we promise it's going to look great" (12:33).

Balancing Customization and Ease of Use

One of the core challenges Champ discusses is striking the right balance between offering customization and maintaining simplicity. "It's all about the system that you build and you can do so many different things. It's very extensible" (27:04). Capsule achieves this by allowing users to create components akin to Lego blocks, enabling both novice and experienced creators to produce professional-grade videos effortlessly.

3. Motion Design Systems and Their Role in Branding

Implementing Motion Design Systems

Champ elaborates on how Capsule integrates motion design systems into broader design frameworks. "Motion design systems are a relatively new thing," he notes (24:02). By treating motion graphics as scalable components, Capsule facilitates consistent and efficient video production across large teams.

Ensuring Brand Consistency

Maintaining brand integrity while democratizing video creation is a pivotal focus. "It's hard to make a video that at least graphically looks really bad," Champ asserts (30:42). Capsule not only ensures visual consistency but also collaborates with creative teams to refine content, ensuring that every video aligns with the company's brand narrative.

4. Navigating the Market and Business Strategy

Identifying the Right Market

Champ highlights the importance of targeting the right market segment. "Focusing on teams of people who desperately want to use video to communicate at work, but they're bottlenecked by one or two people" (15:56). This strategic focus differentiates Capsule from the plethora of generic video editing tools available.

Lessons from Entrepreneurship

Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, Champ underscores crucial lessons such as avoiding dependency on external platforms for growth and the significance of building strong, resilient business foundations. "Market is almost as important as a good product, if not more so," he emphasizes (15:47).

5. Fundraising and Storytelling

The Art of Fundraising

Champ shares his evolution in fundraising, emphasizing the shift from focusing solely on design aesthetics to crafting empathetic and compelling narratives. "Design is a lot more about empathy for the person that's experiencing the thing," he explains (17:53).

Effective Pitching Techniques

In discussing pitching strategies, Champ reveals a unique approach of incorporating pauses to foster interaction and conversation. "The best thing you could do is pause, take a breath, and just don't say anything," he advises (20:31). This technique not only engages the audience but also humanizes the pitch, fostering deeper connections.

6. The Future of Video in Enterprises

Empowering Non-Video Creators

A significant theme is the empowerment of non-video professionals within organizations to create impactful content. "Why can't a salesperson make great video? Why can't marketers?" Champ questions, highlighting the untapped potential in various departments (08:12).

AI and Human-Centric Video Creation

The integration of AI in video tools is another focal point. While acknowledging the rise of AI-generated content, Champ emphasizes the irreplaceable value of human touch in storytelling. "There’s an authenticity to feeling a connection with another person," he states (41:07).

Scaling Storytelling Across Teams

Champ envisions Capsule as more than just a tool; it's a partner in transforming companies into "video first" organizations. By providing dedicated support and collaboration, Capsule ensures that video storytelling scales effectively while maintaining quality and consistency (34:06).

7. Practical Insights and Future Collaborations

Building Custom Motion Design Systems

In anticipation of collaborating with the podcast hosts to design a custom motion design system, Champ outlines the process of understanding use cases, designing tailored components, and deploying the system effectively. "We will help you discover what the use cases are and prioritize them," he explains (35:50).

Evolving Video Creation Trends

Reflecting on the rapid advancements in video creation tools and generative AI, Champ remains optimistic about the future. "It's a really fun time to be building a creative tool," he shares, highlighting the limitless possibilities that lie ahead (45:07).

Conclusion

This insightful episode offers a comprehensive look into the challenges and innovations in motion design and video creation within enterprises. Champ Bennett's experiences and perspectives provide invaluable guidance for organizations striving to harness the power of video to enhance communication and storytelling. Whether you're a design professional or an entrepreneur, the strategies and philosophies discussed in this episode are poised to inspire and inform your creative endeavors.

Notable Quotes:

• "I'm a self-taught engineer, but really in my heart a designer." — Champ Bennett (02:19)
• "The power of After Effects. But all you need to know how to do is fill out a form..." — Champ Bennett (12:33)
• "Design is a lot more about empathy for the person that's experiencing the thing." — Champ Bennett (17:53)
• "There’s an authenticity to feeling a connection with another person." — Champ Bennett (41:07)
• "It's a really fun time to be building a creative tool." — Champ Bennett (45:07)

For more insights and to explore Capsule, visit capsulevideo.com or follow Champ Bennett on Twitter @youknowchamp.