The Rising Popularity of Video Templates: An Inspiring Example from Elon Musk’s Recent ‘X’ Logo Reveal
If you’ve been on the internet recently, you’ll have noticed that Elon Musk announced Twitter was rebranding to ‘X’.
What you may not have noticed was that the video he posted with the ‘X’ logo was made with a video template created by an Envato Elements author.
The Author behind this item is Libra_Studio aka M. Batuhan. Based in Konya, Türkiye, 25 year old Batuhan works in animation and has been creating items for Elements since 2019. Batuhan created the glitch video template used in the ‘X’ rebrand video 5 years ago.
I was very surprised when I saw it on my Twitter homepage, [but] I was happy that a project I designed 5 years ago was used in the video shared by Elon Musk.
Libra_Studio Envato Author
The post has clocked up over 100M views and counting. That puts it ‘in line with the top viewing numbers for Super Bowl ads’ says Ben Leong, Envato Community Manager. That’s some quality exposure for the video template created by Libra_Studio! And, notes Ben, ‘without the hefty price tag you’d pay for a Super Bowl ad’.
This example is testament to the growing recognition and adoption of video templates by high-profile brands.
It also highlights the pride and satisfaction that comes from seeing your work being used by a notable brand, even after years have passed since its creation.
Above: three of Libra_Studio‘s glitch templates.
Why are video templates so popular with big brands?
Video templates have gained immense popularity in recent years. This is partly due to the way they speed up the creative process for brands.
Video templates provide a convenient solution by offering pre-designed layouts and elements that can be easily customized for specific projects. From logo reveals and title sequences to motion graphics and transitions, video templates help creators save time and deliver stunning results.
As it becomes more and more important for brands to react in timely ways to emerging trends, this becomes even more valuable.
By embracing trends early, creators can seize exciting opportunities to showcase their talent and the brands they work for. It also means they’re more likely to see their work reach wider audiences—just like the skilled designer behind the glitch video template used by Elon Musk!
What kind of video templates are most popular?
In any given month, our top 5 most popular video templates will almost always include different variations of the ‘retro’ look and feel. It might make you feel old, but these days the aesthetic of the 90s and 2000s is considered retro!
At any given time, the industry seems to always have one specific version of ‘retro’ that’s being used everywhere. The last few years have been dominated by 80s themed shows, fashion, design and animation…it seems almost logical that as the 80s trend fades, the retro movement is heading into the 90s. It’s nice seeing work that takes the 90s aesthetic but elevated by blending more modern design practices.
Mark Brodhuber Video Content Specialist, Envato
Some of our most popular video template items on Elements are transition packs. These, like this one by Premiumilk or this one by vcgmotion provide customers with plenty of choice and flexibility.
We also see customers responding well to eye-catching video titles, intros, and logo reveals.
And of course, there’s the trend that has taken the world by storm: glitch!
What is ‘Glitch’?
Batuhan describes himself as a big fan of the ‘glitch trend’—but what does that mean? And why was this the kind of template that ended up in the hands of Elon Musk?
For those unfamiliar, a ‘Glitch’ effect involves intentionally distorting or manipulating video footage to create a visually striking and retro aesthetic.
These effects can include flickering, color distortion, pixelation, and other visual artefacts associated with technical glitches.
But why are they so popular? There are a couple of reasons. Glitch effects add a unique and eye-catching element to videos, making them stand out in a crowded digital landscape. But the main reason they’re so effective is that they break away from polished, ultra-modern visuals and lean into our growing desire for nostalgia. They’re reminiscent of simpler times: VHS tapes, dial-up internet, and 90s / 2000s aesthetics.
The use of video templates in high-profile projects, such as Elon Musk’s ‘X’ rebrand, demonstrates the growing appeal and demand for these resources.
Envato Elements and other similar platforms provide an invaluable space for authors to showcase their skills and contribute to the success of remarkable projects, both big and small. As the popularity of video templates continues to soar, it’s clear that they will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of visual content creation.
Have your items been used by famous brands, films or by well-known people? We want to hear about it!
Let us know by emailing us at [email protected].
To hear from other video template Authors, check out our interviews with agungugang and videologio.
