Unleash the Power of Professional Animation: Elevate Your Visual Storytelling

If you’re interested in hiring a professional animator or want to get a professional animation produced, you’re in the right place! Video Igniter’s comprehensive guide to creating professional animations teaches you everything you need to know about how to work with animators to create a custom animated video. In this guide, you’ll learn:

✅  The benefits of hiring a professional animation team.

✅  What to expect during the production process.

✅  What to look for when hiring a professional animator.

✅  How long it takes to make a professional animation.

✅  What it costs to make a professional animation.

✅  And tips to lower your production cost.

Let’s dive in!

Examples of Professional Animations You Can Get From Video Igniter

Video Igniter can create any kind of 2D or 3D animated video for you. Check out the example videos below.

To start your project contact us, schedule a call with our production team or request access to our new pricing page.




Are you looking for an example of a different style of animation? Send us a message to let us know what kind of animation example you want to see and we will follow up with relevant production samples.

 

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Animation Team

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Animation Team

Quality and Expertise

Professional animators possess the skills, experience, and technical know-how to deliver high-quality animations that make your animation stand out.

Enhanced Brand Identity

Professional animation teams can help you establish a unique brand identity through consistent visual storytelling and cohesive animations.

Engaging and Memorable Content

Professional animators create animations that captivate audiences, leaving a lasting impression and drive brand recall. They can also help bring fresh ideas, unique perspectives, and innovative techniques to create visually stunning animations that internal teams struggle to conceive.

Professional Animation Engaging and Memorable Content

Tailored and Customized Approach

Professional animators work closely with clients to understand your goals, target audience, and brand aesthetics, resulting in animations that align precisely with your vision and brand identity.

Time and Efficiency

Working with professionals saves time and ensures a streamlined production process, allowing businesses to focus on their core objectives.

Professional Animation Time And Efficiency

What to look for when hiring a professional animator?

Portfolio & Production Samples

Before hiring a professional animator, the first thing you want to look at is their animation portfolio. Check to see if they’ve produced videos with a similar visual style or level of detail that you want to feature in your animated video. If you don’t see relevant examples, feel free to get in touch with the animator to see if they have production examples in their archives to share with you.

Professional Animation Portfolio

Communication & Collaboration

Ask your producer what their communication and collaboration style is like. Look for a production partner that keeps you in the loop when your feedback is needed to ensure your video achieves the desired outcomes.

Testimonials

Be sure to check for testimonials to see if the animation company provides professional customer service to their clients.

Professional Animation Testimonials

Price

Get a quote for your animation to see if it works with your production budget.

Revisions

Review the production terms for your project. How many revisions are included? Some studios only include 1-2 rounds of revisions in the price they quote you. Video Igniter’s projects include unlimited revisions for most projects.

Project Timeline

Professional Animation Project Timeline

When does your project need to be completed by? Professional animations take weeks or months to create. If you have a short deadline, ask if your production partner offers rush delivery animation to speed up the creation of your animation.

What is the production process like to create a professional animation?

After you’ve selected a professional animator for your project, here’s an overview of what you can expect during the animation process:

Kick Off Call / Questionnaire

What is the production process like to create a professional animation

Production starts with a and or a questionnaire to help us learn:

✅  Who is your target audience?

✅  What key talking points do you want to convey?

✅  What action do you want viewers to take after they finish watching your animation?

✅  What visual style do you want to use for your professional animation?

Script

Professional Animation Script

Download Video Igniter’s Free Script Writing Template

We use the information from the kick off call / questionnaire to develop a script that conveys your key talking points to your target audience in a way that resonates with them.  You will receive the first draft of the script so that you can provide feedback and request edits. Our writing team will incorporate your revisions and share the updated script with you to request further edits or approve for production.

Storyboard

Professional Animation Storyboard

Download Video Igniter’s Free Storyboard Template

Now it’s time to turn your script into a storyboard. A storyboard is like a blueprint for your animation. It provides clear documentation to the illustrators and animators so they know what to create for each part of your script. You will receive a draft of the storyboard to review and request edits. After we integrate your revisions, you will get another opportunity to review the storyboard and request edits or approve the document for production.

VoiceOver

VoiceOver

You will receive several voiceover auditions for your professional animation. Give them a listen and let us know which one you prefer. Then, we’ll oversee the recording of the full voiceover. You will get an opportunity to review the full voiceover and request edits. Once the voiceover is approved, we’ll secure the broadcast license so that you can legally use the audio recording in your video.

Soundtrack

Soundtrack

Our team will select multiple soundtracks that compliment your animation. Give them a listen and let us know which option(s) you prefer. Then, we’ll purchase the broadcast license(s) so that you can legally use the music in your video.

Illustration

You will receive multiple pieces of concept art from our art director. Let us know which concept you prefer and whether or not you want to make any refinements to the visual style before approving that concept art.

Professional Animation Illustrations

Then, our illustration team will use the approved art as a style reference to create all of the details for your video. You get an opportunity to review the art and request edits before approving the all of the illustrations for production.

Animation

Professional Animation Animator

Now that everything is approved, we can create your professional animation. After we finish our work, we’ll send you the first draft to review. We recommend reviewing it with your internal team and members of your target audience. Organize everyone’s feedback and send it to us. We will incorporate your revisions and then render out the final draft of your video.

How much does a professional animation cost?

How much does a professional animation cost

Professional animation budgets range widely. Here are a few data points:

✔️  You can get high quality animated videos produced for $3,000-$10,000 for a 2D, 60 second animation.

✔️  3D animation can cost 2-4x more.

✔️  Commercial animation for TV ads can easily cost $25,000 or more for a 30 second spot.

✔️  Pixar-quality animation costs over $1,000,000 per minute to create.

✅  Get a quote for your animated video.

How long does it take to make a professional animation?

How long does it take to make a professional animation?

Most short, 2D animated videos (30-120 seconds) can be produced in 2-8 weeks. 3D animated videos take 2-4x more time to produce. Long animated videos and animated video series take months or years to produce.

Want to figure out how long it will take to make your professional animation? Send a message to our production team or request access to our price sheet.

How to save money when making a professional animation?

How to save money when making a professional animation

1). Write the script for your video instead of hiring the professional animation team to create it for you. Download our free scriptwriting template.

2). Create the storyboard for your video instead of hiring us to create it for you. Download our free storyboard template.

3). Use free (legal) music from Incompetech or Facebook’s sound collection.

4). Record your own voiceover for free.

5). Consider using stock assets like icons, photos, clip art and 3D models to save time and money.

Types of Professional Animation for Different Business Goals

Professional animation can take many forms, and the best approach depends on what you need the video to accomplish. Instead of choosing an animation style simply because it looks impressive, consider how the visual approach supports your message, audience, and distribution channel.

Explainer Animation

Professional explainer animation is useful for simplifying products, services, processes, or ideas that may be difficult to communicate with traditional video. Animated diagrams, illustrations, characters, interfaces, and visual metaphors can demonstrate concepts that would otherwise require expensive filming or complicated demonstrations.

Explainer videos are commonly used on websites, landing pages, sales presentations, and product pages where viewers need to understand an offering quickly.

Motion Graphics

Professional motion graphics combine graphic design, typography, shapes, icons, illustrations, and animation to create visually engaging content. This style can be particularly effective when a project needs to communicate statistics, data, product features, business concepts, or brand messaging without relying heavily on character animation.

Motion graphics can also be combined with live-action footage, screen recordings, photographs, and other visual elements.

Product and Demonstration Animation

Animation can demonstrate how a physical or digital product works without requiring a camera crew or physical prototype. A professional animation team can visualize a product from different angles, show internal components, demonstrate functionality, or illustrate a process that would be difficult to film.

This makes animation useful for product launches, technology companies, software businesses, manufacturers, and organizations introducing new products.

3D Professional Animation

3D animation creates depth, perspective, lighting, materials, and camera movement that can provide a highly detailed visual presentation. It can be used for product visualization, architectural concepts, scientific explanations, technology demonstrations, commercials, and other projects where three-dimensional presentation adds value.

A professional 3D animation can also show perspectives that aren’t possible with conventional photography, such as moving inside a product or revealing its internal components.

Where Can Professional Animation Be Used?

One advantage of professional animation is its flexibility across different marketing and communication channels. The same core production can potentially be adapted into multiple pieces of content rather than being used only once.

Websites and Landing Pages

Animation can help explain a product or service to website visitors who may not be familiar with the company. A concise animated video can communicate key information while supporting the written content on a landing page.

Social Media

Professional animation can be adapted into shorter clips for social platforms. Instead of publishing an entire long-form video, a company can create multiple short segments focused on individual ideas, features, statistics, or messages.

Advertising

Animated content can be used in digital advertisements, social ads, promotional campaigns, and commercial spots. Because animation does not require every visual to be captured with a camera, creative concepts can be built around visual environments and ideas that would be difficult or expensive to film.

Internal Communications and Training

Professional animation isn’t limited to external marketing. Businesses can use animation for employee onboarding, training, internal announcements, process documentation, compliance education, and software instruction.

Animated training content can make abstract information easier to visualize and can provide a consistent presentation that organizations can reuse for multiple groups of employees.

How to Make Professional Animation More Effective

The visual quality of an animation is only one part of a successful production. Strong professional animation also depends on making deliberate decisions about the viewer’s experience.

Keep the Visuals Focused on the Message

Adding more animation does not automatically make a video more effective. Every visual element should contribute to the information being communicated. Excessive movement, unnecessary visual details, or complicated scenes can compete with the message instead of supporting it.

Design for the Audience

A professional animation intended for executives may require a different visual approach than one designed for consumers, children, technical professionals, or employees. Consider the audience’s existing knowledge of the subject and use visual language that makes the information easy to understand.

Establish a Consistent Visual System

Colors, typography, illustration styles, icons, transitions, and other visual elements should work together. A consistent visual system helps the finished animation feel like part of the organization’s overall brand rather than an unrelated piece of content.

Plan for Sound-Off Viewing

Many videos are encountered in environments where viewers may not immediately hear the audio. Important information should therefore be understandable through the visuals and on-screen text when appropriate. Captions can also make animated content more accessible and useful in situations where sound isn’t available.

Create Multiple Versions From One Professional Animation

A professional animation can often provide more value when it is planned as a collection of reusable content rather than a single finished video.

For example, a 90-second marketing animation could potentially be adapted into shorter social media clips, a vertical version for mobile platforms, a square version for social feeds, short advertisements, presentation content, or individual sections for a website.

It is useful to discuss these potential versions with your production team before animation begins. Designing for multiple formats from the beginning can reduce the need for expensive changes later.

Professional Animation and Brand Consistency

For companies producing videos regularly, establishing a recognizable animation style can be especially valuable. Rather than creating every video from scratch with an unrelated visual approach, organizations can develop recurring design elements that carry from one production to the next.

These elements might include a particular illustration style, color palette, typography, character designs, icon system, transitions, or approach to motion. Maintaining these visual conventions can make videos feel connected even when they cover different subjects.

This is particularly useful for companies producing animated content for product launches, educational campaigns, social media, sales enablement, or ongoing customer communications.

What Files Should You Receive From a Professional Animation Company?

Before production begins, ask what will be included in the final delivery. In addition to the finished video, some projects may require additional versions or assets.

Potential deliverables can include:

  • A high-resolution master video
  • Versions formatted for different platforms
  • Shorter promotional clips
  • Captions or subtitle files
  • Voiceover and audio files
  • Still images or thumbnails
  • Project artwork or selected source assets
  • Different video resolutions or aspect ratios

The exact deliverables depend on the project, so establish these requirements before production starts. If you expect to reuse the animation in future campaigns, discuss that requirement with your production partner as well.

Questions to Ask Before Starting a Professional Animation Project

A few additional questions can help ensure that the final production fits your long-term needs:

  • Which video formats and resolutions will be delivered?
  • Can the animation be adapted for vertical and square platforms?
  • Will captions or subtitles be provided?
  • Can short clips be created from the finished animation?
  • What audio and voiceover licensing is included?
  • Can the artwork be reused in future videos?
  • What happens if the company needs a new version later?
  • Are there additional costs for alternate versions?
  • Who owns the completed creative assets?
  • Can the animation be localized into other languages?

Answering these questions early can prevent unexpected costs and make it easier to use your professional animation across your marketing and communications strategy.

Ultimately, professional animation is more than producing a visually impressive video. The strongest productions combine thoughtful visual design with clear communication, appropriate formatting, audience considerations, and a plan for how the finished content will be used. By considering these factors before production begins, businesses can get more value from their animation investment and create content that continues to serve a purpose long after the initial video is published.

Professional Animation Production Resources

These articles are popular among people researching and reading about professional animation production options:

Still have questions about professional animation?

Do you have a question about professional animation that wasn’t addressed in this FAQ? Use this form to send us your question and we’ll follow up with an answer. We’ll also post the question and answer to this page so other people can benefit from the knowledge.

Still have questions?

What is Video Igniter Animation?

Video Igniter Animation is an online animated video production service. By working with our team online, you can get your custom animated video produced faster and for less than hiring a brick and mortar animation studio.

Watch our explainer video on our home page to learn more about how we can help you create an animated video. For examples of the kinds of animation our team can produce, check out the demo reel below:

 

Looking For A Professional Animation Company In The U.S.?

Video Igniter is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

Professional Animation Testimonials

Don’t just take our word for it – these testimonials highlight Video Igniter’s reliability, creativity, flexibility and ability to deliver animations that exceed expectations. When you choose Video Igniter Animation, you can rest assured that you are working with a trusted and reputable studio.

“Video Igniter were very easy to work with and the entire process for creating and suggesting edits was seamless and stress-free. I would work with them again and would recommend to others looking to create a modern and stylish explainer video.”

Clair Simpson – VP Marketing, Repool.com

“I run a video production company and outsource animation. The team at Video Igniter did a great job in taking the concept I very crudely drew out and making it into a beautiful animation. The review process was easy and their turnaround time was very quick. I’d def recommend them if you’re looking for an animation project.”

Pat Henderson – Founder, Path8 Productions

“Video Igniter offered us the critical combination of creative value, clear communication, and patience with stakeholder feedback. We ended up with truly high-quality design assets for our video series largely due to the extra level of commitment — and the right balance of efficiencies with flexibility in the process when called for.”

Larry Schlessinger – Sr. Creative Program Manager, Amazon Web Services

“Video Igniter came to us with a number of creative and engaging ideas and were able to create an exciting, impactful video in a short period of time. And the best part was that it cost much less than other options of similar quality. The video they made is a great marketing tool for us.”

Alex Raymond – Founder, Kapta Systems

 

Success Stories & Testimonials

Get in touch to start creating your professional animation!

Schedule a call to discuss your animated video project.

Get a quote for us to create your animated video.

Request access to our newest price sheet.

Create your Video Igniter account, fill out a creative brief for your video and we’ll begin production as soon as we receive your production deposit.

contact us

Unleash Your Creativity with the Perfect Animated Video Creator

If you’re looking for an animated video creator to help you create a custom animated video, you’re in the right place! Video Igniter’s guide to animated video creators teaches you everything you will need to know including:

  • How to find the right animated video creator for your project.
  • What does it cost to work with an animated video creator?
  • How long does it take to create an animated video?
  • What is the production process like?
  • How to save +$1,000 when hiring an animated video creator?
  • And more!

Let’s dive in!

What Can You Create With Video Igniter’s Animated Video Creator?

First, let’s take a look at the kinds of videos you can create with Video Igniter’s Animated Video Creator. Video Igniter can create any kind of 2D or 3D animated video for you.

Check out our animation portfolio here. Request access to our demo reels and price sheet here.

Contact us or schedule a call to start making your video.





Are you looking for an example of a different style of animation? Send us a message to let us know what kind of animation example you want to see and we will follow up with relevant production samples.

 

How to use Video Igniter’s Animated Video Creator?

1. Make Contact ✅

Reach out to us to get a quote for your animated video project or .

2. Project Kickoff

How to use Video Igniter’s Animated Video Creator

To get your project started, we’ll have a kick off call and or send you a questionnaire to help us learn about your project and goals. We want to learn things like:

✅ What do you want to communicate in your video?

✅ Who is the target audience for your video?

✅ What do you want to accomplish with your video?

✅ What visual style do you want to use for your video?

3. Script

Animated Video Creator Script

Download Video Igniter’s Free Script Writing Template

Now that we understand what you want to accomplish and communicate with your animated video, our team will develop the script for your video. When the first draft is ready, you will receive a copy to review so that you can share your feedback. Our script creator will review your notes and integrate your revisions. Then, you will get another opportunity to review the script and approve it for production.

Need more edits? There’s no need to worry about going over budget. Video Igniter’s standard rates include unlimited revisions – meaning we will continue to revise each piece of your video (script, storyboard, voiceover, soundtrack options, illustrations & animation) until you mark it as approved.

4. Storyboard

Animated Video Creator Storyboard

Download Video Igniter’s Free Storyboard Template

Next, we will turn your script into a storyboard. The storyboard is the blueprint for your animated video. It tells our animated video creators what to make for each part of your video.

You will be presented with an early draft of the storyboard. Give it a detailed review and let us know what revisions you want us to make. After we incorporate your edits, you will receive the updated storyboard to review and approve.

5. VoiceOver

VoiceOver

You will receive multiple voiceover auditions for your video. Give them a listen and let us know which option(s) you prefer. We will hire the selected voiceover artist to record the full voiceover for your animated video. Then, you will get an opportunity to review the full voiceover and request revisions before you approve the recording for production.

6. Soundtrack

Soundtrack

You will also receive several soundtracks to preview for your video. Our team will select several soundtracks that can be used to enhance the presentation of key moments in your video. After you select your preferred audio track(s) our team will purchase the broadcast license for that music so that we can legally use the music in your animated video.

7. Illustrations

Animated Video Creator Concept Art

Video Igniter’s art director will review your branding and storyboard to develop custom concept art for your animated video. Give the concepts a review and let us know which visual concept you like best for your video. You can also collaborate with our art director to refine the visual concept until all the details are dialed in.

Animated Video Creator Illustrations

After you approve the visual concept for your video, our team of illustrators will create all of the custom art for your animated video. Give the illustrations a detailed review and let us know what changes you want us to make. We’ll integrate all of your revisions and let you review the art again to make sure everything looks great before we create your animated video.

8. Animation

Animated Video Creator Animations

As soon as your storyboard, illustrations, and voiceover are approved, Video Igniter’s animated video creator team starts animating your video. You will receive the first draft of your animated video as soon as it’s ready to review. Give it a detailed review with your internal team and members of your target audience. Collect everyone’s feedback and share it with us. We will incorporate your revisions and then render out the final draft of your animation.

What does it cost to use Video Igniter’s animated video creation service?

What does it cost to use Video Igniter’s animated video creation service

Video Igniter’s animated video creator can cost as little as a few hundred dollars up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. It all depends on the cost, complexity and deadline for your video. Most animated videos can be created for $1,000-$10,000. You can request access to our current price sheet here. Or you can contact us to get a quote for your video.

How long does it take to create a video with Video Igniter’s Animated Video Creator?

How long does it take to create a video with Video Igniter’s Animated Video Creator

Video Igniter’s animated video creator is designed to help speed up and streamline the production experience. For most projects, Video Igniter can cut your production timeline in half!

If you want to produce a 60-second animated video, most 2D animations can be created in 3-6 weeks. 3D animated videos take 2-4x more time to produce.

Contact us to figure out the production timeline for your video. You can also .

Need to speed up production to get your video made faster? Video Igniter also offers rush delivery animation.

How can I save money when using Video Igniter’s Animated Video Creator?

How can I save money when using Video Igniter’s Animated Video Creator

Looking for ways to make animation more affordable? Here are a few tips to help you save over $1,000 off of your production budget:

1). Write the script for your animated video. Instead of hiring your animated video creator to write your script for you, download our free script writing template and write the script yourself. It can save you over $500 off your production budget and we can still review your script to make sure it’s ready for production.

2). Create the storyboard for your animated video. You can hire our animated video creator to make your storyboard for you, or you can save over $500 by downloading our storyboard template and creating the storyboard yourself. Don’t worry, you don’t need any artistic ability to create a storyboard.

Animated Video Creator Create Your Storyboard

3). Use free, legal music in your animated video. It typically costs $50-$400 to license most stock soundtracks so that you can legally use them in your video. You can forego this production cost by using free music from Facebook’s sound collection or Incompetech.

4). Consider using stock assets. Instead of hiring your animated video creator to make your video 100% from scratch, ask them if there are ways they can potentially reduce your production budget by using pre-created assets like icons, clip art and 3D models.

Animated Video Creator Use Icons

5). Record the voiceover for your animated video. Bet you didn’t know that it’s possible to record professional quality voiceovers for free, without having to pay for expensive equipment or fancy software. Check out 1:31 in this video to learn how you can save $100-$300 by recording your own voiceover at home.

How to find the right animated video creator for my project?

How to find the right animated video creator for my project

If you’re exploring the internet for other animated video creators (freelance animators & traditional American animation studios), here are some things to keep in mind when evaluating your options:

1). Review their portfolio. Check to see if they have 2D or 3D videos that are similar to the level of quality you expect for your video. It isn’t necessary for them to have an exact visual match for the production style you want; just gauge the overall quality of their work.

It’s also important to review the story-telling capabilities of these videos; pretty moving pictures are useless if they aren’t good at conveying the key message(s) to the video’s target audience.

Animated Video Creator Portfolio

2). Get a quote. Contact the animated video creator to see how much they charge to make a video like the one you want. If needed, negotiate production terms to see if you can get a more favorable rate.

3). Check on the production timeline. Ask how long it typically takes to create a video like the one you want.

4). Check for testimonials and don’t hesitate to request references – it’s the best way to verify that the animated video creator is able to create the kinds of content their clients desire.

Animated Video Creator Testimonials

5). Ask how many revisions are included. Some animated video creators only include 1-2 rounds of revisions in the production budget and charge extra if you request additional revisions. Video Igniter offers unlimited revisions for most projects so that your project won’t go over budget.

What Does an Animated Video Creator Actually Deliver?

When hiring an animated video creator, it is important to look beyond the finished video. A professional animation project can produce a collection of creative assets that may be useful long after the original video is completed.

Depending on the project, deliverables can include the final animated video, source artwork, character designs, illustrations, graphics, voiceover recordings, music, sound effects, and different versions of the finished animation. Before production begins, ask the animated video creator what is included in the final delivery and which files you will receive.

Choosing Between an Animated Video Creator, Freelancer, Studio, or Online Tool

The term “animated video creator” can describe several different types of services. An online animation tool may allow you to build a video yourself using templates and pre-existing assets. A freelance animator can provide a more customized result, while an animation studio can provide access to multiple specialists working on the same project.

The right option depends on how much customization and creative support your project requires.

DIY animation software can be useful for simple projects where speed and control are more important than custom artwork. A freelancer may be a good choice for a smaller project requiring a specific animation skill or visual style. An animation production company can be useful when a project requires scriptwriting, illustration, storyboarding, voiceover, animation, sound design, project management, and multiple rounds of creative review.

If your video needs a completely original visual identity, custom illustrations, complex animation, or multiple production specialists, a professional animated video creator may provide more value than a template-based tool.

What Should You Prepare Before Hiring an Animated Video Creator?

You do not need to have every creative decision figured out before contacting an animated video creator. However, having a few basic details prepared can make it easier to determine what type of animation you need.

Start by identifying the primary purpose of the video. Is it intended to explain a product, generate leads, train employees, introduce a company, advertise a service, demonstrate software, or educate an audience?

Next, consider the audience. A video created for potential customers may require a different tone and visual style than an internal training video. Understanding who will watch the animation can help the creator make better decisions about pacing, terminology, humor, graphics, and character design.

It is also helpful to collect examples of videos you like. You do not need to find an example that looks exactly like your desired animation. Several different examples can communicate preferences about color, pacing, illustration, camera movement, character design, typography, or overall tone.

Finally, determine where the finished video will be used. A website, YouTube channel, social media campaign, presentation, trade show display, and paid advertisement may each require different versions of the same animation.

Think About Video Versions Before Production Begins

One of the advantages of digital animation is that a finished project can often be adapted for multiple uses.

For example, a company could create a primary 16:9 animated video for its website and then produce shorter or differently formatted versions for social media. A long-form product video could potentially be divided into several shorter clips covering individual features.

Planning these versions before production begins can make the process more efficient. An animated video creator can design scenes with future cropping, editing, and repurposing in mind rather than trying to retrofit the finished video later.

Common versions may include:

  • 16:9 widescreen video for websites and YouTube
  • 1:1 square video for certain social platforms
  • 9:16 vertical video for mobile and short-form content
  • Short promotional clips
  • Video advertisements
  • Presentation versions
  • Short product or feature demonstrations

Creating multiple versions from the same production can help a business get more value from its original animation investment.

Consider Accessibility When Creating Animated Videos

Accessibility should also be considered when producing an animated video. Not every viewer will watch a video with sound, and some viewers may have difficulty hearing narration or reading small text.

Adding accurate captions can make animated videos more useful to a wider audience. Important information should also be communicated visually rather than relying exclusively on audio.

Text should be large enough to read on the intended screen size, and important visual information should remain on screen long enough for viewers to understand it. Avoid overcrowding scenes with too much text or information at once.

An animated video creator can also help determine how narration, graphics, captions, and visual movement can work together so that the message remains understandable without relying on a single communication method.

Localization and International Animated Videos

Businesses that operate in multiple countries should consider localization before an animated video is produced.

Simply translating the voiceover may not be enough. Different languages can require different amounts of screen time, which can affect the timing of animation. Text displayed within graphics may also need to be replaced, and cultural differences can influence characters, imagery, humor, colors, and other creative decisions.

If you know that an animation will eventually be translated into multiple languages, tell your animated video creator at the beginning of the project. The animation can then be designed with localization in mind.

This can make it easier to create additional language versions without rebuilding the entire video.

Plan for Future Content

An animated video does not have to be a one-time creative asset. Businesses can develop a visual system that makes future animated content easier to produce.

For example, a company could create a recurring character, a consistent illustration style, reusable backgrounds, branded motion graphics, or a library of custom assets. Future videos can then build on these existing elements instead of starting from scratch.

This approach can be particularly useful for companies producing educational videos, product updates, employee training, social media content, or ongoing marketing campaigns.

When interviewing an animated video creator, ask whether the creative assets can be reused for future projects and what is included in the final delivery. Understanding this upfront can help you make better long-term decisions about your animation investment.

Questions to Ask an Animated Video Creator Before Hiring Them

Before selecting an animated video creator, ask questions that go beyond price and production time.

Consider asking:

  • Will the animation be completely custom or based on templates?
  • Who will manage the project and communicate with our team?
  • What animation styles can you produce?
  • Can you create both 2D and 3D animation?
  • Can you work with our existing brand guidelines?
  • What files will we receive when the project is complete?
  • Can the animation be adapted for different aspect ratios?
  • Can you create additional versions for social media or advertising?
  • Can you provide captions or localized versions?
  • Can the artwork or characters be reused in future videos?
  • Who owns the final creative assets?
  • How will feedback and approvals be handled?

The answers to these questions can reveal important differences between animated video creators that may not be obvious from a portfolio alone.

The best animated video creator is not necessarily the one offering the lowest price or the most impressive visual effects. Look for a production partner that understands your audience, communicates clearly, creates visuals that support your message, and can deliver an animation that remains useful beyond its initial launch.

Still have questions about animated video creators?

Do you have a question about animated video creators that wasn’t addressed in this FAQ? Use this form to send us your question and we’ll follow up with an answer. We’ll also post the question and answer to this page so other people can benefit from the knowledge.

Still have questions?

What is Video Igniter Animation?

Video Igniter Animation is an online animated video production service. By working with our team online, you can get your custom animated video produced faster and for less than hiring a brick and mortar animation studio.

We can help you create any kind of 2D animated video or 3D animation you can imagine. Check out our animated video portfolio!

Do you want to create an animated cryptocurrency video or an animated blockchain explainer video that explains how your technology works? We can help with that too.

Need help syndicating your animated video? Ask us about video promotion!

Watch our explainer video on our home page to learn more about how we can help you create an animated video. For examples of the kinds of animation our team can produce, check out the demo reel below:

 

Looking For An Animated Video Creator In The U.S.?

Video Igniter is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

Animated Video Creator Success Stories & Testimonials

Don’t just take our word for it – these testimonials highlight Video Igniter’s reliability, creativity, flexibility and ability to deliver animations that exceed expectations. When you choose Video Igniter Animation, you can rest assured that you are working with a trusted and reputable studio.

“Video Igniter were very easy to work with and the entire process for creating and suggesting edits was seamless and stress-free. I would work with them again and would recommend to others looking to create a modern and stylish explainer video.”

Clair Simpson – VP Marketing, Repool.com

“I run a video production company and outsource animation. The team at Video Igniter did a great job in taking the concept I very crudely drew out and making it into a beautiful animation. The review process was easy and their turnaround time was very quick. I’d def recommend them if you’re looking for an animation project.”

Pat Henderson – Founder, Path8 Productions

“Video Igniter offered us the critical combination of creative value, clear communication, and patience with stakeholder feedback. We ended up with truly high-quality design assets for our video series largely due to the extra level of commitment — and the right balance of efficiencies with flexibility in the process when called for.”

Larry Schlessinger – Sr. Creative Program Manager, Amazon Web Services

“Video Igniter came to us with a number of creative and engaging ideas and were able to create an exciting, impactful video in a short period of time. And the best part was that it cost much less than other options of similar quality. The video they made is a great marketing tool for us.”

Alex Raymond – Founder, Kapta Systems

 

Success Stories & Testimonials

Get in touch!

Schedule a call to discuss your animated video project.

Get a quote for us to create your animated video.

Request access to our newest price sheet.

Create your Video Igniter account, fill out a creative brief for your video and we’ll begin production as soon as we receive your production deposit.

contact us

The Power of Character Animation: Bringing Your Story to Life

Do you want to make a custom animated video with animated characters in it? If so, you’re in the right place! Video Igniter’s guide to character animation teaches everything you need to know about how to work with professional animators to create an animated video with custom animated characters in it. We cover topics like:

✅ How To Create Custom Animated Characters?

✅ How Long Does It Take To Create A Video With Animated Characters?

✅ What Does It Cost To Make A Video Character Animation?

✅ How Can I Save Money When Making A Video With Animated Characters?

And more!

Character Animation Example Videos

Video Igniter can create any kind of 2D or 3D animated video for you. Check out the example videos below.

To start your project contact us, schedule a call with our production team or request access to our new pricing page.

Character Animation Demo Reel

 

Character Animation Portfolio Examples





Are you looking for an example of a different style of animation? Send us a message to let us know what kind of animation example you want to see and we will follow up with relevant production samples.

 

What is character animation?

What is character animation

Character animation plays a pivotal role in storytelling by giving characters a voice and enabling them to connect with the audience on an emotional level. Through the subtle nuances of movement, expressions, and interactions, characters come alive and become relatable, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the narrative. Character animation adds depth and dimension to stories, making them more captivating and memorable.

Character Animation Across Industries

Character animation has found its relevance in a multitude of industries, including marketing, entertainment, and education. In marketing, animated characters can serve as brand mascots or spokespersons, to help convey brand messages and create a strong brand identity. In the entertainment industry, character animation brings fictional or historical figures to life, enhancing the storytelling experience in animated films, television shows, and video games. Character animation can also be a powerful educational tool to help make complex concepts more accessible and engaging for learners of all ages.

How To Create Custom Animated Characters?

Kick Off Call / Questionnaire

How To Create Custom Animated Characters

Production begins with a kick off call to learn more about:

✅ Who your target audience is?

✅ What you want to convey in your animation?

✅ What visual style you want to use for your animation?

✅ What do you want people to do when they’re done watching your animation?

✅ What do you want your character look like and act like?

Concept Art

Now that we have a better understanding of the story you want to tell, our art director can develop custom art for your animation.  This is an opportunity to develop the visual concept and character design for your video.

After you review the concepts, let the art director know which visual style you prefer. Then, you get an opportunity to collaborate with the art director to refine the visual style until you love it.

Script

Character Animation Script

Download Video Igniter’s Free Script Writing Template

Our team will develop the script for your animation. We will share an early draft of the script with you to collect your feedback. Then, we’ll integrate your feedback into the script and send you a polished version of the script to review and approve for production.

Storyboard

Character Animation Storyboard

Download Video Igniter’s Free Storyboard Template

The next step is to turn your script into a storyboard. The storyboard is like the blueprint for your animated video. It provides specific instructions for the illustrators and animators so that they understand what to create and how to make it move in sync with your video script. We will share the first draft of the storyboard with you and give you time to review it and provide feedback. We will integrate your feedback and send the storyboard back to you to review and approve for production.

VoiceOver

VoiceOver

You will receive multiple voiceover auditions to review. Give them a listen to hear how they lend their voice, emotion and energy to the words in your script. After you select the chosen voiceover talent, we will oversee the recording of the full voiceover and coach the voice talent through the pronunciation and energy needed for each scene of your animation. You get the opportunity to review the full voiceover and request revisions before approving the final draft for production.

Soundtrack

Soundtrack

Our sound team will select several soundtracks that we feel will enhance the presentation of your animation. After you select your preferred soundtrack(s), we will purchase the broadcast rights so that you can legally use the music in your video.

Illustrations

Character Animation Illustrations

After your concept art and storyboard are approved, our art team will create all of the illustrations for your video. You get the opportunity to review all of the art and request revisions before approving the art for production.

Animation

Character Animation Animator

Now that the art is approved, our team can add rigging to the characters in your video and animate them in sync with the voiceover narration. As soon as the first draft is ready, we will render it out and share it with you to preview it with your team. After you collect everyone’s feedback, send us your revision requests. We will integrate your edits and send you the final draft of your character animation.

Tips for Creating Compelling Character Animation:

Creating compelling character animations requires a solid understanding of illustration and motion design. To create engaging character animations, focus on storytelling and character development. Craft relatable characters with consistent personalities and motivations. Align their design, behavior, and actions with the brand’s values for consistent branding.

What does it cost to create an animated video with characters?

What does it cost to create an animated video with characters

Character animation contributes to a video’s production cost because of the extra time it takes to design and animate humans and other characters using realistic, smooth motion. As a general rule of thumb, a 60-second 2D video with character animation can usually be produced for $1,500-$10,000. Bare in mind, if the animation uses very intricate motion design, the cost can easily go over $10,000 per minute. 3D character animation costs 3-6x more for most projects. To put things in context, Pixar animated films cost over $1,000,000 to produce each minute of animation.

How long does it take to create a character animation?

How long does it take to create a character animation

It depends on the length of the animation and the complexity of the animation style. Short, simple 2D character animations (30 seconds-2 minutes) can be made in 2-8 weeks. Fancier 3D, Pixar-style character animation takes months or years to produce.

to discuss the project timeline for your character animation.

Types of Character Animation and When to Use Them

Types of Character Animation and When to Use Them

Character animation can take many different forms. The best approach depends on the goals of your project, the personality of the characters, the animated video style of your brand, and where the finished video will be used. Understanding the different types of character animation can help you choose an approach that looks professional while supporting your message.

2D Character Animation

2D character animation is one of the most versatile options for marketing videos, explainer videos, advertisements, educational content, social media, and internal communications. Characters are created in a two-dimensional visual environment and can be designed in virtually any artistic style.

A 2D character might be simple and graphic, highly detailed and illustrated, cartoon-like, realistic, or somewhere in between. Because the artwork can be customized to match an existing brand identity, 2D character animation is a popular choice for companies that want something more distinctive than stock animation.

2D animation can also be particularly effective when the goal is to communicate an idea quickly. A character can demonstrate a product, react to a problem, interact with graphics, or guide viewers through a process without requiring a live actor or physical production location.

3D Character Animation

3D character animation creates characters that exist within a three-dimensional environment. Characters can be viewed from different angles and can interact with realistic lighting, environments, objects, and camera movements.

This type of animation is useful when a project requires a more dimensional or cinematic appearance. 3D characters can be particularly effective for product demonstrations, technology companies, games, entertainment projects, advertisements, and videos where the physical relationship between characters and objects is important.

One advantage of 3D character animation is that a character can potentially be reused in future scenes or productions. Once a character has been modeled, textured, rigged, and prepared for animation, the same underlying asset can be used to create additional content.

Motion Graphics With Character Elements

Motion Graphics With Character Elements

Not every character animation needs to look like a traditional cartoon. Characters can be incorporated into motion graphics using simplified illustrations, silhouettes, icons, geometric shapes, or other graphic elements.

This approach can be useful for businesses that want the personality of characters without making the characters the sole focus of the video. For example, an animated person could interact with charts, UI screens, product illustrations, text, or other visual elements.

Combining character animation with motion graphics can create a polished visual style that works especially well for corporate marketing, technology, SaaS, financial services, and educational content.

Common Character Animation Techniques

There are several different techniques animators can use to make characters move.

Rigged Character Animation

Rigged Character Animation

Rigged characters are constructed with a digital skeleton or control system that allows animators to manipulate different parts of the character. Instead of redrawing the character for every frame, an animator can control the arms, legs, head, body, and other elements using a rig.

Rigging is especially useful for projects that require repeated movements or multiple scenes featuring the same character. It can also make it easier to maintain visual consistency throughout a longer animation.

Frame-by-Frame Animation

character animation Frame-by-Frame Animation

Frame-by-frame animation involves creating individual poses or drawings that are played sequentially to produce movement. This technique provides animators with a high degree of artistic control and can produce distinctive movement that would be difficult to achieve with a standard character rig.

Frame-by-frame animation can be a good choice when a project calls for a hand-drawn appearance, exaggerated motion, unusual character behavior, or a highly customized animation style.

Facial Animation and Lip Sync

A character’s face can communicate information without dialogue. Changes in the eyes, eyebrows, mouth, and head position can make a character appear surprised, confused, excited, concerned, confident, or skeptical.

When characters speak, lip synchronization can also help make the animation feel more believable. The animator matches mouth shapes and facial movements to the recorded voiceover so the character appears to be naturally speaking the dialogue.

How to Design an Effective Animated Character

How to Design an Effective Animated Character

A successful character should be recognizable even before the viewer understands what the character is saying. Shape, proportions, color, clothing, facial features, and movement can all contribute to a character’s identity.

Consider what makes the character visually different from other characters in the same video. Distinctive silhouettes and exaggerated features can make characters easier to recognize, particularly when videos are viewed on mobile devices or at smaller sizes.

Character design should also reflect the character’s role. A customer, employee, doctor, teacher, executive, technician, or fictional mascot may each require a different visual treatment. The character’s appearance should support the message rather than distract from it.

For branded content, consistency is particularly important. Colors, clothing, accessories, logos, and other visual details can reinforce the company’s identity without turning the character into an advertisement.

Where Character Animation Can Be Used

Where Character Animation Can Be Used

Character animation is not limited to traditional animated videos. Businesses can use animated characters across a wide range of content formats.

Examples include:

  • Explainer and product videos
  • Social media advertisements
  • Website videos
  • Digital advertising
  • Training and onboarding videos
  • Educational videos
  • Internal communications
  • Product demonstrations
  • Presentation videos
  • Brand campaigns
  • Event and conference videos
  • YouTube content
  • Mobile and web app tutorials

Characters can also be designed as reusable brand assets. A company may develop a recurring character or mascot and use that character across multiple videos, campaigns, presentations, and digital channels. This can create greater visual consistency and help audiences become familiar with the brand over time.

How to Choose the Right Character Animation Style

How to Choose the Right Character Animation Style

There is no single character animation style that is right for every project. Start by considering the audience, message, distribution channel, and personality of the brand.

A simple 2D style may be appropriate when the priority is communicating information clearly and efficiently. A highly detailed 3D style may be better when realism, depth, or cinematic presentation is important. A stylized or unconventional approach may be more effective when the goal is to create something memorable or visually distinctive.

It is also important to consider how the animation will be used after the initial production. If a character will appear in multiple videos, choosing a style and production method that supports future reuse can provide additional value.

Ultimately, the strongest character animation is not necessarily the most complicated. The goal is to choose a visual approach that makes the message easier to understand, gives the audience a reason to pay attention, and creates a memorable connection between the viewer and the story.

Character Animation Production Resources

Character Animation Production Resources

These articles are popular among people researching and reading about making videos with character animation:

Still have questions about character animation?

Do you have a question about character animation that wasn’t addressed in this FAQ? Use this form to send us your question and we’ll follow up with an answer. We’ll also post the question and answer to this page so other people can benefit from the knowledge.

Still have questions about character animation

What is Video Igniter Animation?

Video Igniter Animation is an online animated video production service. By working with our team online, you can get your custom animated video produced faster and for less than hiring a brick and mortar animation studio.

Watch our explainer video on our home page to learn more about how we can help you create an animated video. For examples of the kinds of animation our team can produce, check out the demo reel below:

 

Looking For An Animated Video Company In The U.S.?

Video Igniter is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

Success Stories & Testimonials

Don’t just take our word for it – these testimonials highlight Video Igniter’s reliability, creativity, flexibility and ability to deliver animations that exceed expectations. When you choose Video Igniter Animation, you can rest assured that you are working with a trusted and reputable studio.

“Video Igniter were very easy to work with and the entire process for creating and suggesting edits was seamless and stress-free. I would work with them again and would recommend to others looking to create a modern and stylish explainer video.”

Clair Simpson – VP Marketing, Repool.com

“I run a video production company and outsource animation. The team at Video Igniter did a great job in taking the concept I very crudely drew out and making it into a beautiful animation. The review process was easy and their turnaround time was very quick. I’d def recommend them if you’re looking for an animation project.”

Pat Henderson – Founder, Path8 Productions

“Video Igniter offered us the critical combination of creative value, clear communication, and patience with stakeholder feedback. We ended up with truly high-quality design assets for our video series largely due to the extra level of commitment — and the right balance of efficiencies with flexibility in the process when called for.”

Larry Schlessinger – Sr. Creative Program Manager, Amazon Web Services

“Video Igniter came to us with a number of creative and engaging ideas and were able to create an exciting, impactful video in a short period of time. And the best part was that it cost much less than other options of similar quality. The video they made is a great marketing tool for us.”

Alex Raymond – Founder, Kapta Systems

 

Success Stories & Testimonials

Get in touch!

Schedule a call to discuss your animated video project.

Get a quote for us to create your animated video.

Request access to our newest price sheet.

Create your Video Igniter account, fill out a creative brief for your video and we’ll begin production as soon as we receive your production deposit.

contact us

The Power of Instagram Animation: Boosting Engagement with Custom Animated Videos

If you want to learn how to create highly engaging video for Instagram, you’re in the right place! Video Igniter’s comprehensive guide to creating Instagram animations will teach you how to create custom animated videos that capture your audience’s attention and more!

✅ Learn how to make high converting animations for Instagram.

✅ Learn the benefits of using animation on Instagram

✅ Learn what the production process is like

✅ Learn much it costs to make animations for Instagram

✅ and more!

Let’s dive in…

Benefits of Using Animation on Instagram

Filming a video on your phone and posting it online has never been easier – so why do companies want to spend the time and money to create custom animated videos to post to their Instagram and social media channels?

Increased Engagement

Instagram Animation Increased Engagement

Animated content achieves higher engagement rates compared to live action content. Social media content is primarily static images and live action videos. On the rare occasion an animated video enters your feed, it stands out visually. People are more likely to stop and watch the intro of your video to see if they’re interested – and for those who stick around, the eye-candy animated visuals make viewers more likely to keep people watching your video longer.

Increased Retention

Not only does animation help viewers stay engaged longer, it also helps viewers understand and retain the information longer. By displaying animated visual metaphors alongside a narrative voiceover, you can help viewers increase the comprehension and retention of your key message(s).

Enhanced Brand Identity

Benefits of Using Animation on Instagram

Animation enables brands to visually communicate in ways that photos, text and live action videos can not convey. Sophisticated motion design can be used to convey playfulness and different emotions that help convey the delivery of your brand’s key messages.

Types of Instagram Animation

There are many styles of animation that you can create to capture attention on Instagram. Here’s an overview of the top 3 most popular kinds of animations that are posted on Instagram:

2D Animation

2D animated videos can be used to bring illustrations, characters and ideas to life! Whether you’re using animation to explain something new or entertain your visitors, colorful 2D images in continuous motion stand out in the ocean of live action content and give your video a longer chance for viewers to stick around and watch the rest of your video.


 

Stop Motion Animation

Stop motion animations capture attention on Instagram because they bring inanimate objects to life in delightful and unique ways. Seeing objects move in playful ways is enough to get people to pause mid-scroll to engage and take in your creative content.

Stop motion animations are created by displaying a scene or an object, taking a photo, then moving the object slightly before taking another photo. This process is continued taking dozens of photos for each second of animation. Then, the images are stitched together into a video to create the illusion of an object in motion.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lego Cooking (@legocookingasmr)

Cinemagraphs

Cinemagraphs blend motion with static images. In most cases, a photo has animation applied to a few sections of an image to create the illusion that the image is a video. By blending beautiful static images with subtle motion, you create beautiful moving photographs.

Why Choose Video Igniter To Make Your Instagram Animation?

Video Igniter was established in 2011 and has worked with agencies, production companies, big names like T-Mobile, Amazon, Linkedin, & DocuSign and startups from around around the world to craft custom animated 2D and 3D videos to help support every business goal you can imagine. Here are the top reasons our customers love working with Video Igniter to create animations for their Instagram, their homepage, and beyond!

Why Choose Video Igniter To Make Your Instagram Animation

Customization and Originality

There’s a growing number of online animated video maker services out there but Video Igniter is the only online animated video maker that enables you to create 100% custom animated videos. Even if you have zero video production experience.

Simply explain what you want to create and Video Igniter’s online app walks you through the entire production process. You’ll receive notifications when it’s time for you to provide feedback on your script, storyboard, voiceover, illustrations and the animation.

Using original animated visual styles is going to help your Instagram animation stand out and deliver your key talking points in a captivating fashion.

Animation Expertise

After working with hundreds of agencies, production companies, startups & brands from every industry, we’ve crafted a well oiled animation production team capable of producing any kind of animated visual story you can imagine. Whether you’re looking to create a 2D animation or a 3D animation for your Instagram, we have the artistic and technical skillset on our team to bring your vision to life!

Check out our animation portfolio and contact our team to discuss the specifics of your animated video project.

Instagram Animation Animation Expertise

Storytelling and Branding

Need help crafting the story and visual branding for your Instagram animation? Video Igniter’s professional writing team is ready to help you create a fun or professional audio/visual narrative to convey your key talking points in a way that resonates with your target audience.

Streamlined Production Process

Video Igniter’s streamlined online project management system enables us to provide a smooth and organized production experience. That means you’ll get your video produced faster and for less than hiring a brick and mortar animation studio.

How To Make An Instagram Animation

How To Make An Instagram Animation

Here’s a quick overview of the production process for an Instagram animation so that you can anticipate what’s coming up during each stage of the production process.

Kick Off / Questionnaire

Instagram Animation Kickoff

Production starts with a kick off call and or a questionnaire to help us learn:

✅ What are your project goals?

✅ Who is the target audience for your Instagram animation?

✅ What visual style do you want to use for your animation?

✅ What do you want to communicate?

Concept + Script

Instagram Animation Script

Download Video Igniter’s Free Script Writing Template

Now that we understand what you want to communicate, our team will develop a script for your Instagram animation. If your animation isn’t going to include a voiceover, we will develop a brief outline of what we intend to show in your video. You get an opportunity to review the script/concept and provide feedback. We will integrate your notes and send you the updated script/concept to approve.

Storyboard

Instagram Animation Storyboard

Download Video Igniter’s Free Storyboard Template

Next we will turn your script into a storyboard. A storyboard is a visual blueprint for your animation that includes instructions for the illustrators and animators so that they understand what to create for each section of your script.

We’ll share the first draft of the storyboard with you to get your feedback. We want to ensure the storyboard includes enough information so that the production team knows how much detail to include within their animation. Share your notes with us and we will incorporate your edits. You get final approval of the storyboard before we move forward with production.

VoiceOver (Optional)

VoiceOver

Most Instagram animations include voiceovers – but not all of them. If your animation includes a voiceover we will send you several voiceover auditions to review. Let us know which one you prefer. Then we’ll oversee the recording of the full voiceover. You get an opportunity to review the audio and request edits before approving it for production.

Soundtrack

Soundtrack

Music is a great way to add more energy and to frame the emotional tone of your animation. We’ll select a handful of soundtracks that will enhance the presentation of your Instagram animation and let you choose your favorite. Then we’ll purchase broadcast license so that you can legally use the music in your animation.

Side Note: facebook.com/sound provides a large library of free music that can be used in videos produced for Facebook and Instagram.

Illustrations

Instagram Animation Illustrations

After your storyboard is approved, our art director will develop custom concept art for your Instagram animation.

Let us know which concept you prefer. You can also collaborate with our art director to refine your preferred concept until the details get dialed in.

Then, we’ll create the rest of the illustrations for your Instagram animation. You get the opportunity to review all the art and request revisions before approving the illustrations for production.

Animation

Instagram Animation Animator

Now that everything is approved, we can animate your Instagram video. We’ll send you the first draft as soon as it’s ready to review. We recommend sharing it with your internal team and members of your target audience. Collect everyone’s feedback and send it to us. We’ll incorporate your edits and render out the final draft for you to use.

How to make an effective animation for Instagram

It’s easy to make pretty moving animations for Instagram – but if you want to ensure your Instagram animation helps support your business goals, we recommend you take the following tips into consideration:

1). Ensure the storytelling in your Instagram is tailored to speak directly to the needs of your target audience. Keep the message simple and clear to make it easier to convey.

2). Make sure your Instagram animation uses an animation style that is appropriate for your target audience. Childish-looking cartoons don’t play well for C-suite executives. If you want to explain how something mechanical operates, it might be worth while to create a detailed 3D animation to show what you really want to convey.

How to make an effective animation for Instagram

3). Optimize the design of your Instagram animation for mobile viewing. Do you anticipate most viewers will see your video in their Instagram feed or stories or reels? Pick your viewing experience and design your animation to fit within the square, horizontal or vertical window. One of the great strengths of animation is that it’s feasible to slightly redesign your Instagram animation so that you can have a version of your video that plays well in each of these aspect ratios.

4). Don’t forget to include a Call To Action (CTA) at the end of your animation. When people get drawn in to what you have to offer, be sure to provide them direction for what to do next to learn more or how they can get your product/service.

Instagram Animation CTA

What does it cost to make an animation for Instagram?

60 seconds of custom animation tends to run between $1,500-$25,000 for most animated videos. If you want to produce shorter videos for Instagram, your production budget will be lower; however making a video that is half the length doesn’t automatically mean the cost will be 50% of the price of a 60 second video.

What does it cost to make an animation for Instagram

It’s worth mentioning that American animation studios are weary of taking on short animated content that’s 10 seconds or less because they still require a lot of time and attention so the production budget may feel outsized given the length of the content. That being said, if you want to make a bunch of short animated clips, can make the most of your production budget by bundling multiple videos together into a single video (i.e. make 6 videos that are 5 seconds each, 3 videos that are 10 seconds each, etc). When production wraps up, just slice the video file into separate video files. Producing content this way helps to streamline the project management aspects of your video project and can help lower production costs.

Get a quote for your Instagram animation(s) or request access to our current price sheet.

How long does it take to make an Instagram animation?

How long does it take to make an Instagram animation

Most animated content for Instagram can be made in 2-6 weeks – depending on the complexity of the animation and whether or not script writing & storyboarding are factored into the project timeline. 3D animated videos may take a few more weeks to produce.

To get a production timeline for your Instagram animation, contact us with details about your project goals and deliverables.

Instagram Animation Best Practices for Brands

Creating an effective Instagram animation isn’t only about making something visually interesting. Brands also need to think about where the animation will appear, how viewers consume content, and what action they want people to take afterward. A well-designed animated video can become a reusable marketing asset that supports multiple stages of the customer journey.

Instagram Reels Animation

Instagram Reels Animation

Instagram Reels are a natural format for animated content because they provide a large vertical viewing area and are designed around short-form video. Animated Reels can be used to introduce a product, explain a concept, showcase a new feature, promote an event, share educational information, or create entertaining branded content.

When creating animation for Reels, design the composition specifically for vertical viewing rather than simply placing a horizontal video inside a vertical frame. Important text, logos, characters, and other visual elements should remain comfortably inside the central viewing area.

The first few seconds are particularly important. Start with a visual or statement that immediately communicates why someone should keep watching. Instead of beginning with a long company introduction, consider starting with a question, surprising fact, problem, or visually compelling moment.

Animated Instagram Stories

Animated Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories provide another opportunity to use animation for marketing. Because Stories are displayed vertically and are often consumed quickly, animated graphics can help communicate information without requiring a large amount of text.

Brands can use animated Stories to announce promotions, introduce new products, highlight customer testimonials, explain services, promote an upcoming event, or direct followers toward another destination.

Consider creating a series of short animated Story slides rather than trying to communicate an entire message in one screen. Each slide can introduce one idea and naturally lead the viewer to the next part of the story.

Animated text, transitions, illustrations, icons, and branded graphics can also make otherwise simple Story content more visually engaging.

Design Instagram Animations for Sound-Off Viewing

Design Instagram Animations for Sound-Off Viewing

Not everyone will watch an Instagram video with the sound turned on. People may be scrolling in a public place, at work, or in another situation where they don’t want audio playing.

For this reason, an effective Instagram animation should still communicate its most important message visually. If the video contains narration, consider adding captions or incorporating important keywords into the animation itself.

This doesn’t mean every animated video needs to contain large amounts of text. In fact, too much text can make a video difficult to follow on a smartphone. Instead, identify the few words or ideas that are essential to understanding the message and emphasize those visually.

Music and sound effects can still play an important role in creating emotion and energy, but the animation shouldn’t completely depend on audio for the viewer to understand its purpose.

Maintain Consistent Branding Across Animated Content

Maintain Consistent Branding Across Animated Content

One advantage of custom animation is the ability to build a recognizable visual language for your brand. Rather than treating every Instagram video as an isolated piece of content, establish visual elements that can be reused across multiple animations.

Your brand’s colors, typography, illustration style, character designs, transitions, icons, and other graphic elements can help viewers recognize your content as they scroll through their feeds.

Consistency is particularly useful when producing a series of Instagram animations. For example, a company could create a recurring educational video series where every episode uses the same general visual style while introducing a different topic.

This approach can make content production more efficient while creating a cohesive appearance across your Instagram profile.

Repurpose One Animation Into Multiple Instagram Assets

Repurpose One Animation Into Multiple Instagram Assets

A single custom animation doesn’t necessarily have to become just one Instagram post. With some planning, you can create multiple pieces of social media content from the same production.

For example, a 60-second animated video could potentially be edited into several shorter clips. Individual scenes could become standalone posts, Story content, or short educational clips. A particularly useful section could also be turned into a short looping animation or GIF.

You can also create different versions of the same animation for different audiences or marketing campaigns. Changing the introduction, ending, branding, or CTA may allow an existing animation to serve a different purpose without requiring an entirely new production.

Planning for content repurposing before production begins can make your animation investment more valuable.

Use Animation to Explain Complex Products

Use Animation to Explain Complex Products

Instagram is often associated with entertainment and lifestyle content, but animation can also be particularly useful for companies selling complex products and services.

Software companies, technology companies, financial services, healthcare organizations, manufacturers, and other businesses can use animation to simplify concepts that would be difficult to demonstrate with conventional video.

For example, an animated sequence can show what happens inside a software platform, illustrate an abstract process, visualize data, or demonstrate how a physical product works from an angle that would be difficult to film.

Instead of trying to explain every feature, focus each Instagram animation on one specific concept. A series of focused videos can often communicate complex information more effectively than one video attempting to explain everything at once.

Measure Your Instagram Animation Performance

Measure Your Instagram Animation Performance

After publishing an Instagram animation, use performance data to determine whether the content is accomplishing its intended purpose.

Useful metrics can include views, watch time, completion rate, shares, saves, comments, profile visits, link clicks, and conversions. The most useful metric depends on the objective of the animation.

For example, an educational animation may be successful if people save and share it, while a promotional animation may be intended to drive profile visits or website traffic.

Pay particular attention to audience retention. If viewers consistently stop watching near the beginning, the opening may need to be more compelling. If viewers watch most of the video but rarely take the desired action, the messaging or CTA may need to be revised.

Testing different versions of your Instagram animation can also provide useful insights. You could experiment with different opening hooks, visual styles, captions, video lengths, or calls to action to determine which approach resonates with your audience.

Create an Instagram Animation Series

Create an Instagram Animation Series

Instead of relying on a single animated post, consider developing a recurring series. A consistent series gives your audience a reason to recognize and return to your content.

For example, a technology company could create weekly animated tips, while a software company could produce a series of short videos explaining individual features. A consumer brand might use animation to tell an ongoing story across multiple posts.

A series also gives your production team an opportunity to establish reusable characters, backgrounds, transitions, templates, and visual assets. Once the visual system has been established, producing additional episodes can become more efficient.

The most successful Instagram animation strategy doesn’t necessarily require every video to be completely different. A recognizable format combined with fresh topics can help a brand build consistency while continuing to provide new information to its audience.

Ultimately, the goal of Instagram animation should be to combine attention-grabbing visuals with useful messaging, recognizable branding, and a clear purpose. When animation is created specifically for the way people consume Instagram content, it can become much more than an attractive social media post—it can become a reusable marketing asset that helps educate, entertain, and move viewers toward the next step.

Animation Maker Production Resources

These articles are popular among people researching and reading about animation makers:

Still have questions about making animations for Instagram?

Do you have a question about Instagram animations that weren’t addressed in this FAQ? Use this form to send us your question and we’ll follow up with an answer. We’ll also post the question and answer to this page so other people can benefit from the knowledge.

Still have questions?

What is Video Igniter Animation?

Video Igniter Animation is an online animated video production service. By working with our team online, you can get your custom animated video produced faster and for less than hiring a brick and mortar animation studio.

We can help you create any kind of 2D animated video or 3D animation you can imagine. Check out our animated video portfolio!

Watch our explainer video on our home page to learn more about how we can help you create an animated video. For examples of the kinds of animation our team can produce, check out the demo reel below:

 

Looking For An Instagram Animation Company In The U.S.?

Video Igniter is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

Success Stories & Testimonials

Don’t just take our word for it – these testimonials highlight Video Igniter’s reliability, creativity, flexibility and ability to deliver animations that exceed expectations. When you choose Video Igniter Animation, you can rest assured that you are working with a trusted and reputable studio.

“Video Igniter were very easy to work with and the entire process for creating and suggesting edits was seamless and stress-free. I would work with them again and would recommend to others looking to create a modern and stylish explainer video.”

Clair Simpson – VP Marketing, Repool.com

“I run a video production company and outsource animation. The team at Video Igniter did a great job in taking the concept I very crudely drew out and making it into a beautiful animation. The review process was easy and their turnaround time was very quick. I’d def recommend them if you’re looking for an animation project.”

Pat Henderson – Founder, Path8 Productions

“Video Igniter offered us the critical combination of creative value, clear communication, and patience with stakeholder feedback. We ended up with truly high-quality design assets for our video series largely due to the extra level of commitment — and the right balance of efficiencies with flexibility in the process when called for.”

Larry Schlessinger – Sr. Creative Program Manager, Amazon Web Services

“Video Igniter came to us with a number of creative and engaging ideas and were able to create an exciting, impactful video in a short period of time. And the best part was that it cost much less than other options of similar quality. The video they made is a great marketing tool for us.”

Alex Raymond – Founder, Kapta Systems

 

Success Stories & Testimonials

Get in touch about creating your Instagram animation!

Schedule a call to discuss your animated video project.

Get a quote for us to create your animated video.

Request access to our newest price sheet.

Create your Video Igniter account, fill out a creative brief for your video and we’ll begin production as soon as we receive your production deposit.

contact us

Animation for Website: How To Create A High Converting Animated Video For Your Website

If you want to learn how to make a high-converting animation for a website, Video Igniter’s comprehensive guide to website animations will teach you everything you need to know including:

✅ How to make an animation for a website

✅ What it costs to make an animation for a website

✅ How long it takes to make an animation for a website

✅ Tips for making sure your website’s animation convert users

✅ and more!

Examples of Animations Video Igniter Can Create For Your Website

Video Igniter can create any kind of 2D or 3D animated video for you.  You can request access to our new production rates.

To start making your video, contact us or schedule a call with our production team.



Are you looking for an example of a different style of animation? Send us a message to let us know what kind of animation example you want to see and we will follow up with relevant production samples.


 

What kinds of animations can you make for your website?

Animated Explainer Videos

What kinds of animations can you make for your website

The most popular kind of animation that companies make for websites are called “Animated Explainer Videos” or “Explainer Videos” for short. Explainer videos are designed to take a big, new or complicated idea and break it down into its individual components to make it easier to explain the new information to people. Using animated visuals to compliment a voiceover narration further simplifies the teaching process and helps people learn and retain the information longer.

Animated Videos For Your Homepage

Many companies create promotional and educational animated videos for their website’s homepage. Using animation on your homepage creates a colorful, engaging first impression to welcome visitors to your website and teach them what you have to offer.

Website Landing Page Animation Videos

Animation For Website Website Landing Page Animation Videos

Adding videos to your landing pages and sales pages helps increase conversions and sales. By providing rich media content on your sales pages, you empower leads and clients to educate themselves before making a purchasing decision or contacting your sales team.

Customer Service Animations

Creating animated customer service videos that answer common questions your leads and customers ask enables your company to provide high quality customer service while saving on customer support costs. Instead of answering the same questions again and again, creating and sharing concise educational videos that show customers how to address their questions ultimately enables them to solve problems faster with fewer customer support followups.

Animated Product Demos For Your Website

Including animated tutorial videos within the user experience of your website enables customers to learn how to use your service/app faster.

Animated GIFs

Including animated GIFs on your website delivers a polished visual flair that enhances the perception of your brand and helps keep people on your website longer.

How to make an animation for your website?

After you contact Video Igniter about your video project, here’s what you can expect during the production process:

Website Animation Kick Off Call / Questionnaire

How to make an animation for your website

Production begins with a kick off call and or a questionnaire to learn:

✅  Who your target audience is

✅  What problems they experience

✅  How your product/service addresses those issues

Script

Animation For Website Script

Download Video Igniter’s Free Script Writing Template

Once we understand who your target audience is and what sorts of problems they face, our team develops a script that is designed to communicate to your audience that you:

✅  Understand the problems they experience

✅  Understand how to solve the challenges they experience.

When the first draft of your script is ready, we will send it to you to review. We will incorporate your feedback and send the updated script back to you to review and approve.

Budget Saving Tip: Instead of hiring Video Igniter to write the script for your video, download our script writing template and draft it yourself! We’ll help you review your script before we proceed with production to ensure it follows all of our best practices for high-converting website videos.

Storyboard

Animation For Website Storyboard Diagram

Download Video Igniter’s Free Storyboard Template

The next step is to create the storyboard for your website animation. A storyboard is like a visual blueprint for your animation. Each page includes a sentence from your video’s script, a rough visual mockup of what the scene will look like, and instructions to explain how everything will move during that visual.

You get an opportunity to review the storyboard to ensure it contains enough detail for the illustration and animation teams to know what create in each scene. We’ll incorporate your revisions and send you an updated version of the storyboard to review and approve for production.

Budget Saving Tip: Instead of hiring Video Igniter to create your storyboard, download our storyboard creation template and guide and create the storyboard yourself. No artistic skills needed – we’ll take care of making sure your animation looks great!

VoiceOver

VoiceOver

You will receive several voiceover auditions to consider for your project. Once you select your preferred voiceover talent, we will oversee the recording of the full voiceover. You get an opportunity to review the voiceover and request edits before approving the voiceover for production. After the voiceover is approved, we will secure the broadcast rights for you to use their voice in promotional media campaigns.

Soundtrack

Soundtrack

You will also receive several soundtrack options for your video. Give them a listen and let us know which option you prefer. After you select a soundtrack for your website animation, we will procure the broadcast license so that you can legally use the music in your video.

Illustrations

Animation For Website Illustrations

Our team will develop custom concept art for your website’s animation. After you select your preferred visual concept, you have the opportunity to collaborate with our art director to refine the visual style until you absolutely love it! Then, we’ll create all of the illustrations for your animation. You get an opportunity to review them and request edits before approving the illustrations for production.

Creating Your Website’s Animation

Animation For Website Animator

Now that the storyboard, voiceovers, soundtrack and illustrations are approved, it’s time to animate! We’ll send you the first draft as soon as it’s ready to review. We recommend circulating the video among your marketing & leadership teams to collect everyone’s feedback. Bonus points if you can preview the video with members of your target audience to get their feedback as well! Once you’ve collected everyone’s feedback, send it to us. We will incorporate all of your edits and render out the final draft of your animated video.

Tips for creating a high-converting animation for your website

Compelling Intro + Hook

Your website’s animation should begin with a compelling intro or hook that is relevant and interesting for your target audience. Focus on the problem they experience and then introduce how your company can come in to solve their problem and make their life easier.

End with a call to action (CTA)

Tips for creating a high-converting animation for your website

What do you want people to do when they’re done watching your website’s video? Contact your sales team? Download an app? Create a free account? What ever it is, say it! Your whole video should create interest within your target audience so that by the time they reach the end of your video, they want to know how they can get your product or service. When they get to that point, be specific and tell them what to do next!

Use a visual style that is relevant for your target audience

Aesthetics matter. If you’re developing a financial service product for Fortune 500 companies, use a sleek, clean & modern visual style for your video. Using a childish cartoon-style animation could decrease the perception of your product/service for your specific audience. When you hire Video Igniter to create your website’s animated video, we develop multiple custom art concepts and give you an opportunity to pick your favorite style. Then you get to refine the details with our art director to ensure the visual style is fine tuned for your target audience.

Test different thumbnails

Animation For Website Test different thumbnails

The thumbnail for your website’s animation is the first impression people are going to get of your video. That’s why it’s important to develop multiple thumbnails for your video and test to see which one gets people to click play most often.

A/B Test different intros and Endings

In addition to testing different thumbnails, it’s worthwhile to test variations of your intro and the CTA at the end of your video. Testing different intros / hooks for your video enables you to see which messaging strategy gets people to watch your video longer. Testing different calls to action at the end of your video enables you to see which CTA is more likely to get people to take action when they’re done watching your video. By A/B testing different thumbnails, intros and endings for your video, you can dramatically increase the conversion rate of your website’s animated video.

What does it cost to make a website animation?

What does it cost to make a website animation

Production costs can range widely when you create an animation for a website. In general, expect to pay $1,500-$15,000 for a 60 second, 2D animated video. 3D animated videos tend to cost 2-4x more to produce.

How long does it take to make an animation for a website?

How long does it take to make an animation for a website

Most 2D website animations can be produced in 3-6 weeks – assuming your video is between 30 seconds and 2 minutes in length. 3D animated videos take 2-4x more time to produce. If you need to speed up production to finish your video before a deadline, we offer a rush delivery production option.

Website Animation Best Practices: Performance, SEO, Mobile & Accessibility

Creating an effective animation for your website involves more than producing an attractive video. You also need to consider how the animation will affect website speed, mobile users, accessibility, search visibility, and the overall user experience. A well-planned website animation should enhance your website rather than distract from its primary purpose.

Optimize Website Animation for Page Speed

Optimize Website Animation for Page Speed

One of the most important considerations when adding animation to a website is performance. Large video files, uncompressed GIFs, and complex animations can increase page load times, particularly for visitors using mobile devices or slower internet connections.

Whenever possible, optimize your website animation before publishing it. Compress video files while maintaining an acceptable level of visual quality, use modern video formats when appropriate, and avoid unnecessarily large files. You can also use a poster image or thumbnail so visitors see a visual preview before the video begins playing.

If an animation is not immediately visible when someone lands on the page, consider loading it only when it becomes relevant to the visitor. This can help prevent animations lower on the page from unnecessarily consuming resources before the visitor reaches them.

The goal isn’t simply to make your animation look good. Your animation for your website should load efficiently and work alongside the rest of the page without creating a frustrating experience.

Design Website Animations for Mobile Devices

Design Website Animations for Mobile Devices

A website animation that looks great on a desktop computer may not work as well on a smartphone. Mobile visitors have less screen space, may have slower connections, and often interact with websites using touch rather than a mouse.

Before publishing an animation, preview it on multiple screen sizes. Make sure text remains readable, important visual elements aren’t cropped, and the animation doesn’t require users to interact with tiny buttons or controls.

If your animation contains narration, remember that many mobile visitors may initially have their sound turned off. Adding captions or on-screen text can make the core message understandable even when the audio isn’t playing.

Shorter animations can also work particularly well on mobile landing pages. If visitors can understand the main value proposition in a few seconds, they are more likely to continue exploring the website.

Make Your Website Animation Accessible

Make Your Website Animation Accessible

Accessibility should be considered when creating any type of website content, including animated videos. Don’t assume that every visitor will be able to see, hear, or interact with your animation in the same way.

For videos containing important spoken information, provide captions or a transcript. Captions make your content accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing and also allow visitors to understand your video when they cannot listen to audio.

Avoid using animation as the only way to communicate critical information. Important pricing, product details, instructions, or calls to action should also be available as regular HTML text on the page.

It’s also worth being cautious with rapidly flashing or excessively distracting visual effects. Animation should support the user’s experience rather than make the page difficult or uncomfortable to navigate.

Use Animation Where It Supports the Customer Journey

Use Animation Where It Supports the Customer Journey

Not every page on your website needs an animation. The most effective placement depends on what you want visitors to accomplish.

For example, an animation on a homepage can introduce your company and explain what you do. A product page animation can demonstrate how a product works. A landing page video can address objections and explain why someone should take the next step.

You can also use animation deeper in the customer journey. An animated tutorial can help a new customer learn how to use your product, while an animated FAQ video can answer common questions after someone becomes a customer.

Think about the question the visitor is trying to answer on each page. Then create an animation that helps answer that question as quickly and clearly as possible.

Choose the Right Type of Website Animation

Choose the Right Type of Website Animation

There are several ways to add animation to a website, and the right approach depends on your objective.

An animated explainer video is useful when you need to explain a complicated product, service, process, or concept. A short product demonstration can show visitors how something works without requiring them to read a long explanation.

Motion graphics can be useful for presenting statistics, processes, timelines, or other information visually. Animated GIFs can work well for simple visual demonstrations or decorative elements, although large GIF files can create performance issues.

For some websites, interactive animation may make more sense than a traditional video. Interactive animations allow visitors to click, scroll, hover, or otherwise control what happens on screen. This can be particularly useful for product interfaces, software demonstrations, interactive infographics, and educational experiences.

The key is to select the animation format based on the communication goal rather than choosing a format simply because it looks impressive.

Measure the Performance of Your Website Animation

Measure the Performance of Your Website Animation

After publishing your animation, measure whether it is actually helping your website achieve its goals.

Depending on where the animation appears, useful metrics can include video plays, video completion rate, average watch time, click-through rate, conversions, form submissions, and sales. You can compare these results against pages or versions that don’t use animation to better understand its impact.

For example, if an animated video appears above a lead-generation form, you could measure whether visitors who watch the video are more likely to complete the form. If an animated product demonstration appears on a sales page, you could monitor whether visitors who engage with the animation are more likely to purchase or contact your sales team.

Analytics can also reveal where visitors stop watching. If a significant percentage of viewers leave during the first few seconds, your introduction may need improvement. If most viewers watch the entire video but don’t click your CTA, the problem may be with the offer or call to action rather than the animation itself.

Ultimately, the best animation for a website is one that combines strong visual communication with a fast, accessible, mobile-friendly user experience and a clear business objective.

Still have questions about making an animation for your website?

Do you have a question about creating an animation for your website that wasn’t addressed in this FAQ? Use this form to send us your question and we’ll follow up with an answer. We’ll also post the question and answer to this page so other people can benefit from the knowledge.

Still have questions?

What is Video Igniter Animation?

Video Igniter Animation is an online animated video production service. By working with our team online, you can get your custom animated video produced faster and for less than hiring a brick and mortar animation studio.

We can help you create any kind of 2D animated video or 3D animation you can imagine. Check out our animated video portfolio!

Watch our explainer video on our home page to learn more about how we can help you create an animated video. For examples of the kinds of animation our team can produce, check out the demo reel below:

 

Looking For A Website Animation Video Production Company In The U.S.?

Video Igniter is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

Website Animation Success Stories & Testimonials

Don’t just take our word for it – these testimonials highlight Video Igniter’s reliability, creativity, flexibility and ability to deliver animations that exceed expectations. When you choose Video Igniter Animation, you can rest assured that you are working with a trusted and reputable studio.

“Video Igniter were very easy to work with and the entire process for creating and suggesting edits was seamless and stress-free. I would work with them again and would recommend to others looking to create a modern and stylish explainer video.”

Clair Simpson – VP Marketing, Repool.com

“I run a video production company and outsource animation. The team at Video Igniter did a great job in taking the concept I very crudely drew out and making it into a beautiful animation. The review process was easy and their turnaround time was very quick. I’d def recommend them if you’re looking for an animation project.”

Pat Henderson – Founder, Path8 Productions

“Video Igniter offered us the critical combination of creative value, clear communication, and patience with stakeholder feedback. We ended up with truly high-quality design assets for our video series largely due to the extra level of commitment — and the right balance of efficiencies with flexibility in the process when called for.”

Larry Schlessinger – Sr. Creative Program Manager, Amazon Web Services

“Video Igniter came to us with a number of creative and engaging ideas and were able to create an exciting, impactful video in a short period of time. And the best part was that it cost much less than other options of similar quality. The video they made is a great marketing tool for us.”

Alex Raymond – Founder, Kapta Systems

 

Success Stories & Testimonials

Get in touch about creating an animated video for your website!

Schedule a call to discuss your animated video project.

Get a quote for us to create your animated video.

Request access to our newest price sheet.

Create your Video Igniter account, fill out a creative brief for your video and we’ll begin production as soon as we receive your production deposit.

contact us

Hire Our Motion Graphics Designer For Your Animated Video Project

Do you want to hire a motion graphics designer but aren’t sure how to get started? You’re in the right place! Video Igniter produces animated videos and motion graphics and you can hire our professional motion design team to create custom motion graphics for your next video project. In this guide we’ll explain what the production process is like, how long it takes to create custom motion graphics, what to expect in terms of costs, and more!

Let’s dive in…

Examples Of Motion Graphics Video Igniter Can Create For You

Video Igniter can create any kind of 2D or 3D animation for you. Check out the example videos below.

To start your project contact us, schedule a call with our production team or request access to our new pricing page.




Are you looking for an example of a different style of motion graphic? Send us a message to let us know what kind of animation example you want to see and we will follow up with relevant production samples.

 

Benefits of Hiring Video Igniter’s Motion Graphics Designers

Benefits of Hiring Video Igniter’s Motion Graphics Designers

Video Igniter’s production team is comprised of professional illustrators, animators, motion graphics designers, storytellers and sound engineers that collaborate to produce professional quality animations and motion graphics for startups, agencies, video production companies and big names like T-Mobile, Amazon, Linkedin and more!

Here are some of the benefits our clients get when they work with one of our motion graphics designers instead of hiring your own full time in-house motion graphics designer:

The right talent for the right project.

Our team of motion graphics designers can create any kind of 2D or 3D animated motion graphic you can imagine. The lone designer you hire for your team may not have all the skills necessary to produce all the types of content you want to create. When you start a project with Video Igniter, we ensure the motion designer assigned to your project has relevant design experience to craft the visual style you envision.

On-Demand-Talent = Annual Cost Savings

Rather than hiring a year-round motion graphics designer, you can collaborate with one (or more!) of our motion graphics designers on an as-needed basis. Whether you’re just creating one short animation or a library of hundreds of motion graphics, our team can scale to meet your production needs.

What does it cost to hire a motion graphics designer?

What does it cost to hire a motion graphics designer

If you want to hire a full time or freelance motion graphics designer, expect to pay $35-$75+ per hour. When you hire Video Igniter’s motion graphic designers to help you create your video, we charge based on the length of the content we’re producing for you.

Check out our pricing page and demo reels to see how much it costs to hire a motion graphics designer for varying levels of production quality.

How long does it take to make a video with a motion graphics designer?

How long does it take to make a video with a motion graphics designer

Simple motion graphics that are created and overlaid on top of existing video footage can be made in as little as a few hours or a few days. However, in many cases, it can take a week or two to do all the design and prep work to ensure the motion graphics designer is creating the right content and doing so in a way that visually compliments your brand.

If you want to hire a motion graphics designer to create a complete animated video, expect it to take 2-5 weeks to create a 60 second custom animated motion graphic. Motion graphics that include 3D animation can take 2-4x more time to produce.

What is the production process like working with a motion graphics designer?

What is the production process like working with a motion graphics designer

Here’s a quick overview of the production process so that you can anticipate what’s involved with creating a custom animated motion graphic:

1). Kickoff Call / Questionnaire

Motion Graphics Designer Kickoff Call Questionnaire

Production begins with a phone call and or a questionnaire to help us learn:

✅ Who your target audience is?

✅ What visual style you want to use for your motion graphic?

✅ What do you want to convey with your motion graphic?

2). Script / Outline

Motion Graphics Designer Script

Download Video Igniter’s Free Script Writing Template

Now that we have a better understanding of the motion graphic you want us to create, our motion graphic designer will draft a script or an outline that describes what we’re going to create. If your motion graphic is purely visual, there will be no script, just visual descriptions of what we plan to create. If your motion graphic will also have a voiceover, we will draft a script for you to review.

Share your feedback with us and we will revise your script / outline until you are thrilled with it.

3). Storyboard

Motion Graphics Designer Storyboard

Download Video Igniter’s Free Storyboard Template

Once the script/outline is locked in, our motion graphics designer will create a storyboard. A storyboard is a visual blueprint for your motion graphic that explains to the illustrator and animator what they’re supposed to create.

Give the storyboard a detailed review and ensure it includes enough detail for the production team to understand what needs to be included in the visuals for each scene.

We’ll incorporate your feedback and continue to work with you to refine the storyboard until it’s perfect.

4). VoiceOver (Optional)

VoiceOver

Not all motion graphics include a voiceover so this step may be omitted. If a voiceover is needed for your motion graphic, we will share some voiceover auditions for you to review. Let us know which voiceover artist resonates with you. Then we’ll oversee the recording of the full voiceover.

You get an opportunity to review the voiceover and request revisions until you love the recording.

5). Illustrations

Next, the motion graphics designer will develop custom concept art for you to review.

Motion Graphics Designer Illustrator

Let the motion graphics designer know which concept you like best. Then you can collaborate with them to refine the visual concept to dial in the details until they’re perfect.

Once the concept art is locked in, we will create all of the rest of the custom graphics for your motion graphic. You get an opportunity to review the graphics and request revisions before approving the art for production.

6). Soundtrack (Optional)

Soundtrack

Not all motion graphics include soundtracks so this step may be omitted. If your motion graphic is going to include background music, we will select a few options and share them with you to review. Let us know which soundtrack you prefer and we’ll license it for use in your animated motion graphic. If you aren’t in love with any of the soundtrack options, let us know why and we’ll source new options for you to consider.

7). Animation

Motion Graphics Designer Animator

Now that everything is approved, the motion graphics designer can animate your project! You will receive the first draft as soon as it’s ready to review. Share the draft with members of your internal team (and ideally members of your target audience). Send everyone’s feedback to us. We’ll incorporate your revisions and render out the final draft of your motion graphic.

What Does a Motion Graphics Designer Do?

What Does a Motion Graphics Designer Do

A motion graphics designer combines graphic design, animation, typography, visual storytelling, and video production to create moving visual content. Instead of designing graphics that remain static, a motion graphics designer considers how those graphics should move, change, transition, and interact with other elements over time.

Motion graphics can range from a few animated text elements added to existing footage to a completely custom animated video. Depending on the project, a motion graphics designer may animate logos, typography, illustrations, icons, charts, diagrams, interfaces, photographs, product imagery, or other visual assets.

The goal is not simply to make graphics move. Effective motion design uses movement to direct attention, establish visual hierarchy, communicate information, and make content easier to understand.

Common Uses for Motion Graphics Design

Businesses use motion graphics in many different types of video and digital content. A motion graphics designer can create visual content for marketing, advertising, presentations, social media, websites, internal communications, and other applications.

Animated Logos and Brand Elements

Motion graphics can turn a static logo or brand element into an animated visual. An animated logo can be used at the beginning or end of a video, in social media content, presentations, advertisements, websites, and other branded communications.

Motion designers can also create animated versions of other brand elements, such as typography, icons, patterns, transitions, and graphic layouts. Developing these elements as a cohesive system can help maintain consistency across multiple pieces of video content.

Data Visualization and Infographics

Data Visualization and Infographics

Motion graphics are particularly useful when a project needs to explain numbers, statistics, processes, or relationships between different pieces of information.

Instead of displaying a large amount of information on a static slide, an animated infographic can introduce information gradually. Charts can build over time, numbers can change on screen, and individual elements can be highlighted as the narration explains them.

This approach can make complex information easier for viewers to follow because the animation controls what information appears and when it appears.

Animated Presentations

Animated Presentations

A motion graphics designer can also transform traditional presentation content into animated video. Slides containing charts, diagrams, headlines, product information, or other graphics can be animated to create a more dynamic viewing experience.

This can be useful for companies that want to turn sales presentations, conference presentations, investor information, or educational material into videos that can be distributed beyond the original live presentation.

Social Media Motion Graphics

Social Media Motion Graphics

Social media platforms are another common application for motion graphics design. Short animated graphics can be used to introduce products, highlight statistics, promote announcements, explain concepts, or create branded content.

When creating motion graphics for social media, consider the way people consume content on mobile devices. Large visual elements, concise messaging, strong contrast, and movement that communicates quickly can help the video work effectively when viewers are scrolling through a feed.

It is also worth considering whether the content will be viewed with sound turned off. Captions and visual communication can help the message remain understandable without relying entirely on narration.

Motion Graphics Designer Skills to Look For

Motion Graphics Designer Skills to Look For

If you’re hiring a motion graphics designer, reviewing technical skills alone isn’t enough. Look for someone who combines design ability with an understanding of animation and communication.

Important skills can include graphic design, typography, composition, color theory, animation principles, visual storytelling, video editing, and timing.

Experience with software used for motion design can also be relevant. Depending on the project, a motion graphics designer may work with applications such as Adobe After Effects, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Cinema 4D, Blender, or other specialized animation and video tools.

However, software proficiency doesn’t necessarily indicate whether a designer is right for a particular project. A strong portfolio can provide more useful evidence of whether a designer’s visual style and technical abilities match your requirements.

How to Evaluate a Motion Graphics Designer’s Portfolio

How to Evaluate a Motion Graphics Designer's Portfolio

A portfolio should show more than visually impressive animation. When reviewing a motion graphics designer’s work, look at how effectively the designer communicates information through movement.

Pay attention to the relationship between typography, imagery, transitions, timing, and sound. Consider whether the animation feels intentional or whether elements are moving simply for the sake of movement.

It can also be helpful to look for examples similar to your own project. Someone may produce excellent character animation but have limited experience with corporate infographics, product demonstrations, UI animation, or data visualization.

Ask to see a variety of completed projects when possible. This can help you determine whether the designer can adapt their approach to different brands, audiences, and communication goals.

What to Give Your Motion Graphics Designer Before Production

What to Give Your Motion Graphics Designer Before Production

Providing useful information at the beginning of a project can help your motion graphics designer understand what needs to be created.

Useful materials may include your brand guidelines, logo files, existing graphic assets, product screenshots, photographs, video footage, reference examples, campaign information, and any existing messaging.

It can also help to explain where the finished motion graphic will be used and who will watch it. A graphic designed for a conference presentation may have different requirements from one created for a mobile social media advertisement.

If you have examples of motion graphics you like, share them with the designer and explain what you like about them. Identifying specific characteristics—such as typography, pacing, transitions, color, or visual style—can be more useful than simply saying that you want the project to “look similar.”

Motion Graphics Design and Video Editing

Motion Graphics Design and Video Editing

Motion graphics design and video editing are related but distinct disciplines. A video editor primarily works with existing footage, arranging shots and audio into a finished sequence. A motion graphics designer creates or animates visual elements that may not exist as traditional camera footage.

Many projects require both skills. For example, a marketing video may combine live-action footage with animated titles, charts, product callouts, transitions, logos, and other graphic elements.

Understanding this distinction can help you determine what type of creative professional you need. If your project consists primarily of existing footage that needs to be assembled, a video editor may be appropriate. If the project requires custom animated graphics, typography, illustrations, or visual effects, a motion graphics designer may be an important part of the production team.

When Should You Hire a Motion Graphics Designer?

When Should You Hire a Motion Graphics Designer

Consider hiring a motion graphics designer when static graphics are not enough to communicate your message or when you want to add movement and visual storytelling to existing content.

Motion graphics can be especially useful for explaining complicated information, presenting data, demonstrating software features, introducing a brand, creating advertising content, and producing short-form digital content.

The right motion graphics designer should be able to translate your message into visuals while making deliberate decisions about movement, timing, composition, and visual hierarchy. Rather than treating animation as decoration, an experienced motion designer can use movement as another tool for communicating your ideas.

Motion Graphic Designer Production Resources

These articles are popular among people researching and reading about motion graphics designers:

Do you have a question about motion graphics designers that wasn’t addressed in this FAQ? Use this form to send us your question and we’ll follow up with an answer. We’ll also post the question and answer to this page so other people can benefit from the knowledge.

Still have questions?

What is Video Igniter Animation?

Video Igniter Animation is an online animated video production service. By working with our team online, you can get your custom animated video produced faster and for less than hiring a brick and mortar animation studio.

We can help you create any kind of 2D animated video or 3D animation you can imagine. Check out our animated video portfolio!

Watch our explainer video on our home page to learn more about how we can help you create an animated video. For examples of the kinds of animation our team can produce, check out the demo reel below:

 

Looking For An Motion Graphics Designer In The U.S.?

Video Igniter is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

Success Stories & Testimonials

Don’t just take our word for it – these testimonials highlight Video Igniter’s reliability, creativity, flexibility and ability to deliver animations that exceed expectations. When you choose Video Igniter Animation, you can rest assured that you are working with a trusted and reputable studio.

“Video Igniter were very easy to work with and the entire process for creating and suggesting edits was seamless and stress-free. I would work with them again and would recommend to others looking to create a modern and stylish explainer video.”

Clair Simpson – VP Marketing, Repool.com

“I run a video production company and outsource animation. The team at Video Igniter did a great job in taking the concept I very crudely drew out and making it into a beautiful animation. The review process was easy and their turnaround time was very quick. I’d def recommend them if you’re looking for an animation project.”

Pat Henderson – Founder, Path8 Productions

“Video Igniter offered us the critical combination of creative value, clear communication, and patience with stakeholder feedback. We ended up with truly high-quality design assets for our video series largely due to the extra level of commitment — and the right balance of efficiencies with flexibility in the process when called for.”

Larry Schlessinger – Sr. Creative Program Manager, Amazon Web Services

“Video Igniter came to us with a number of creative and engaging ideas and were able to create an exciting, impactful video in a short period of time. And the best part was that it cost much less than other options of similar quality. The video they made is a great marketing tool for us.”

Alex Raymond – Founder, Kapta Systems

 

Motion Graphics Designer Success Stories & Testimonials

Get in touch about hiring a motion graphics designer!

Schedule a call to discuss your animated video project.

Get a quote for us to create your animated video.

Request access to our newest price sheet.

Create your Video Igniter account, fill out a creative brief for your video and we’ll begin production as soon as we receive your production deposit.

contact us

Animation Maker – How To Use Video Igniter To Create Custom Video Animations

Are you looking for an animation maker to help you create a custom animated video? You’re in the right place! Video Igniter is an online animated video production service that enables you to get your idea, script or storyboard turned into a custom animated 2D or 3D video. In this article we’ll explain what Video Igniter’s animation maker service is like, how to use it, what it costs to use, how long it takes to make a custom video and tips to help you save money on your production budget.

Let’s dive in!

Examples Of Videos You Can Make With Video Igniter’s Animation Maker?

Video Igniter can create any kind of 2D or 3D animated video for you. Check out the example videos below.

To start making your animation contact us, schedule a call with our production team or request access to our new pricing page.







Are you looking for an example of a different style of animation? Send us a message to let us know what kind of animation example you want to see and we will follow up with relevant production samples.


 

What is Video Igniter’s Animation Maker Service?

What is Video Igniter’s Animation Maker Service

Video Igniter is a professional animation team that you work with online to make custom animated videos. Collaborating with our team to make a animation online enables us to provide faster service and reduce your production costs. Video Igniter’s online production dashboard streamlines your production experience and helps you keep production organized so that you always know what’s happening and what’s coming up next.

Benefits of Video Igniter’s Animation Maker Service

Faster Production

Benefits of Video Igniter’s Animation Maker Service

Video Igniter’s online animation maker platform streamlines your production experience by making it faster for you to review project assets and share feedback with our production team.

No video production experience needed

You don’t need to have any video production experience to use our animation maker to create custom animated videos. If you can describe the video you want, our team will guide you through the entire production experience and check in with you whenever we need your input.

Make any kind of video you can imagine (2D & 3D)

Make any kind of video you can imagine (2D & 3D)

Video Igniter’s animation maker production team is capable of making any kind of custom animated video you can imagine. All you have to do is describe the video you want. We’ll assemble the ideal team to craft each part of your animated video. No need to shop around for different producers for different projects; we have all the talent you need under one roof.

We start where you are

Whether you have a script, storyboard or just the idea for an animated video, our team can pick up production wherever you are in the production process. We can help you turn your idea into a script and then a storyboard – or we can take your storyboard and immediately dive into production.

On demand production capacity

No need to hire a freelancer or a full time animator. Video Igniter’s production team is available to start production 24/7. Get in touch with us to discuss your project and get the ball rolling.

Scale up to meet your production needs

Want to make 1 video? How about 50? Regardless of how large or small your production needs are, Video Igniter’s animation maker can scale up to fit the demands of your project.

How to use Video Igniter’s Animation Maker Service to Create Custom Animated Videos

Here’s a brief overview of the production process so that you understand what to expect when you use Video Igniter’s animation maker to create your custom animated video:

Animation Maker Kickoff Call / Questionnaire

How to use Video Igniter’s Animation Maker Service to Create Custom Animated Videos

Production starts with a kickoff call and or a questionnaire to help us learn:

✅  Who the target audience is for your animation?

✅  What do you want to convey in your animation?

✅  What visual style do you want to use for your animation?

Script

Animation Maker Script

Download Video Igniter’s Free Script Writing Template

Now that we understand what you want to convey in your video, our animation maker’s script writing team will develop the script for your video. You will get an opportunity to review the script and request revisions before approving the script for production.

Storyboard

Animation Maker Storyboard

Download Video Igniter’s Free Storyboard Template

Next, our animation maker’s storyboard team will turn your script into a storyboard. A storyboard is like a blueprint for your video. It tells the illustrators and animators what to create for each sentence of your script. You will get an opportunity to review the storyboard and request edits before approving the storyboard for production.

VoiceOver

VoiceOver

You will receive a notification from our animation maker with several voiceover auditions. Give them a listen and pick your favorite voice. We’ll then hire that voiceover artist to record the full audio for your animation. You will get an opportunity to review the complete voiceover and request edits before approving it for production.

Soundtrack

Soundtrack

You will also receive several soundtrack options from our animation maker. Give them a listen and let us know which one is your favorite. Then, we’ll purchase the broadcast rights for that song so that we can legally use it in your animation.

Illustrations

Our animation maker will create several pieces of concept art for your animation.

Animation Maker Illustrations

After you review the concepts, let us know which concept you prefer. We can also work with you to refine your preferred visual concept until the details are perfectly dialed in.  Then, we’ll make all of the illustrations for your animation. You get an opportunity to review all the art and request revisions before approving the art for production.

Animation

Animation Maker Animator

Now that everything has been approved, our animation makers can get started creating your video. We’ll send you the first draft as soon as it’s ready to review. Preview the video with your internal team (and, ideally, members of your target audience). Collect everyone’s feedback and send it to us to review. We’ll incorporate your revisions and render out the final draft for you to use.

What does it cost to use Video Igniter’s Animation Maker Service?

What does it cost to use Video Igniter’s Animation Maker Service

Video Igniter charges based off the length of the animation we make for you and the level of detail in your animation. To see our rates for 2D animation projects, you can request access to our current price sheet here. 3D animated videos require a custom quote.

How long does it take to use Video Igniter’s Animation Maker Service?

How long does it take to use Video Igniter’s Animation Maker Service

Using Video Igniter’s Animation Maker Production Service can enable you to create a 60 second 2D animated video in about 3-5 weeks. 3D animated videos can take 2-4x more time to produce. If you need to speed up production, we offer rush delivery animation. If you’re making a video longer than 60 seconds, contact us with details about your project and we’ll help you calculate the production timeline for your video.

How to Choose the Right Animation Maker for Your Project

Not every animation maker is designed for the same type of project. Some tools are built for creating simple animations yourself, while professional animation makers can develop completely custom videos around your brand, message, audience, and marketing goals. Understanding the difference can help you choose the right approach before production begins.

DIY Animation Maker vs. Professional Animation Service

One of the first decisions to make is whether you want to create the animation yourself or work with an experienced animation production team.

A DIY animation maker can be useful when you need a simple video, have a limited budget, or want to create content without outside assistance. These platforms often provide templates, pre-built characters, stock illustrations, animation presets, and drag-and-drop editing tools.

A professional animation maker takes a different approach. Instead of starting with a template, a production team can develop the video’s visual concept around your specific requirements. This can be especially useful when the animation represents a company’s brand, explains a complicated product, supports a major marketing campaign, or needs a distinctive visual style.

The right option depends on how much customization your project requires. A simple social media animation may not need the same level of production as a product launch video, sales presentation, training program, or national advertising campaign.

What Should an Animation Maker Create for Your Brand?

A good animation should do more than look interesting. Its visual elements should support the message you are trying to communicate.

Before choosing an animation maker, consider how the finished video should represent your organization. This may include your brand colors, typography, logo, visual identity, illustration style, photography, product interface, characters, or other recognizable design elements.

Providing brand guidelines at the beginning of a project can help an animation production team create visuals that feel consistent with your existing marketing materials. If your company already has established design standards, the animation can be developed to complement your website, presentations, advertisements, social media content, and other communications.

This is particularly important for businesses creating multiple animated videos. Establishing a consistent visual language can make a series of videos feel like part of the same campaign rather than unrelated productions.

Animation Makers for Different Marketing Goals

The best animation approach can also depend on what you want viewers to do after watching the video.

For example, a marketing animation may be designed to generate awareness, introduce a product, explain a service, demonstrate a feature, or encourage someone to contact your company. A sales video may focus on helping prospects understand a product’s value proposition. An internal training animation may prioritize clarity and information retention instead.

Consider the goal before deciding what the animation should look like. A visually impressive video is not necessarily effective if viewers do not understand its message or know what to do next.

For marketing videos, consider including a clear call to action. Depending on the purpose of the video, this could encourage viewers to visit a website, request a demo, download a resource, make a purchase, contact a sales team, or learn more about a product.

Where Can You Use an Animated Video?

Another factor to consider when working with an animation maker is where the finished video will be published.

The same animation may need to be adapted for multiple platforms. A company might use an animated video on its website, YouTube channel, LinkedIn page, paid advertising campaigns, sales presentations, trade show displays, email campaigns, or internal communications.

Different platforms can have different requirements for aspect ratio, resolution, duration, captions, and viewing environment. For example, a video intended for social media may need a vertical or square version in addition to a traditional widescreen version.

If you know where your animation will be used before production begins, tell your animation maker. This allows the production team to consider those requirements while developing the video rather than trying to adapt the finished project afterward.

Make Your Animation Accessible to More Viewers

Accessibility is another consideration when creating animated video content. Adding captions can make a video easier to understand for viewers who are watching without sound and for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

On-screen text can also reinforce important information, but it should be used carefully. Too much text can make an animation difficult to follow, particularly when viewers are simultaneously trying to read and watch moving visuals.

Consider how the animation communicates information through narration, visual storytelling, on-screen text, and sound. A well-planned combination of these elements can make the content easier for different audiences to understand.

Plan for the Final Video Files

Before your animation maker begins production, think about how you will use the finished files.

You may need a high-resolution master file for your website or video library, compressed versions for online distribution, shorter versions for advertising, or alternate versions for different platforms. You may also want captions, subtitles, or versions with different calls to action.

Planning these requirements early can be more efficient than requesting substantial changes after the animation has already been completed.

If you expect to create additional videos in the future, you can also ask about maintaining editable project assets and reusable brand elements. Having access to consistent visual assets can make it easier to develop future videos that match the original animation.

Questions to Ask an Animation Maker Before Starting

Before hiring an animation maker, ask a few practical questions about the project:

  • Can the animation maker create a completely custom visual style?
  • Can the team work with existing brand guidelines and marketing assets?
  • What video formats and resolutions will be delivered?
  • Can the video be adapted for multiple platforms?
  • How will feedback and revisions be handled?
  • Can the animation maker produce additional videos in the same visual style?
  • Who owns the finished video and associated production assets?
  • Can the team help develop multiple versions of the video for different audiences or marketing channels?

Answering these questions before production starts can help prevent misunderstandings and ensure that the finished animation is useful beyond its initial publication.

When Should You Hire an Animation Maker?

An animation maker can be particularly valuable when the project requires more customization than a template-based animation tool can provide. This may include branded marketing videos, product demonstrations, software explainers, advertisements, educational content, training videos, social media campaigns, and other projects where the visuals need to be developed specifically for the organization.

If your project has a specific audience, message, visual identity, and business objective, communicate those requirements before production begins. The more clearly your animation maker understands what the video needs to accomplish, the easier it becomes to create an animation that supports your broader communication and marketing strategy.

How can I save money using Video Igniter’s Animation Maker Service?

How can I save money using Video Igniter’s Animation Maker Service

Using these 5 tips, you can save over $1,000 off your animation’s production budget:

1). Make the script for your animation

Instead of hiring Video Igniter to make the script for your animation, you can download our free script writing template and write it yourself! Save $500 off your production budget for each minute of animation you want us to make.

Animation Maker Make The Script For Your Animation

2). Make the storyboard for your animation

You can save another $500+ off your production budget by making the storyboard for your animation. Download our free storyboard creation template. It includes a guide that explains how to create a storyboard that our production team will know how to work with. Don’t worry about making your storyboard pretty – no artistic experience required; we just need you to document your ideas and we’ll be in charge of making them look great!
Animation Maker Sketches To Art

3). Use free (legal) music for your animation

Facebook’s sound collection offers a wide library of free music that you can use in your video (if you plan on posting your video to Instagram or Facebook). Incompetech is another great site for finding royalty free music that you can legally use in your videos – no matter where you plan to publish them. Just be sure to credit the artist if you plan on using their music in your video for free.

4). Record the voiceover for your animation

Did you know you can record professional quality voiceovers at home for free – without having to buy any expensive equipment or fancy software!? Check out 1:31 in this video to learn how you can record your own voiceovers for free.

5). Use stock assets for your animation

Video Igniter’s animation maker production service prides itself on creating 100% custom animated videos. However, if you want to lower your production budget, we can explore the possibility of using stock assets like clip art, stock photos/videos, icons, fonts & 3D models to help shave a little money off of your video’s production budget.

Animation Maker Use stock assets for your animation

Animation Maker Production Resources

These articles are popular among people researching and reading about animation makers:

Still have questions about animation makers?

Do you have a question about animation makers that wasn’t addressed in this FAQ? Use this form to send us your question and we’ll follow up with an answer. We’ll also post the question and answer to this page so other people can benefit from the knowledge.

Still have questions?

What is Video Igniter Animation?

Video Igniter Animation is an online animated video production service. By working with our team online, you can get your custom animated video produced faster and for less than hiring a brick and mortar animation studio.

We can help you create any kind of 2D animated video or 3D animation you can imagine. Check out our animated video portfolio!

Watch our explainer video on our home page to learn more about how we can help you create an animated video. For examples of the kinds of animation our team can produce, check out the demo reel below:

 

Looking For An Animated Video Maker In The U.S.?

Video Igniter is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

Animation Maker Success Stories & Testimonials

Don’t just take our word for it – these testimonials highlight Video Igniter’s reliability, creativity, flexibility and ability to deliver animations that exceed expectations. When you choose Video Igniter Animation, you can rest assured that you are working with a trusted and reputable studio.

“Video Igniter were very easy to work with and the entire process for creating and suggesting edits was seamless and stress-free. I would work with them again and would recommend to others looking to create a modern and stylish explainer video.”

Clair Simpson – VP Marketing, Repool.com

“I run a video production company and outsource animation. The team at Video Igniter did a great job in taking the concept I very crudely drew out and making it into a beautiful animation. The review process was easy and their turnaround time was very quick. I’d def recommend them if you’re looking for an animation project.”

Pat Henderson – Founder, Path8 Productions

“Video Igniter offered us the critical combination of creative value, clear communication, and patience with stakeholder feedback. We ended up with truly high-quality design assets for our video series largely due to the extra level of commitment — and the right balance of efficiencies with flexibility in the process when called for.”

Larry Schlessinger – Sr. Creative Program Manager, Amazon Web Services

“Video Igniter came to us with a number of creative and engaging ideas and were able to create an exciting, impactful video in a short period of time. And the best part was that it cost much less than other options of similar quality. The video they made is a great marketing tool for us.”

Alex Raymond – Founder, Kapta Systems

 

Success Stories & Testimonials

Get in touch!

Schedule a call to discuss your animated video project.

Get a quote for us to create your animated video.

Request access to our newest price sheet.

Create your Video Igniter account, fill out a creative brief for your video and we’ll begin production as soon as we receive your production deposit.

contact us

What Does 2D Animation Cost?

Are you trying to figure out the 2D animation cost to make a custom animated video? If so, you’re in the right place!

In this guide, we explain what factors contribute to your 2D animation cost, how to figure out what it will cost to make your 2D animated video and tips to help keep your 2D animated video production cost low.

We also show some examples of what high cost, low cost and medium cost animations look like.

2D Animation Cost

What does 2D animation cost?

TL;DR: $1,000-$25,000 per 60 seconds of animation.

That’s quite a wide range. Read on to understand what makes your video cost closer to $1k/min or $25k/min.

What contributes to the cost of a 2D animated video?

How detailed are the illustration?

The complexity of the illustrations in your animated video is one of the biggest determining factors of your 2D animation cost. The more detailed the illustrations are, the more time it will take to create quality custom visuals. This applies not only to the character design, it also applies to any objects in view and the background elements that make up the scene.

How much motion design is there?

The amount of motion detail also contributes to a higher or lower animation production cost.

A low cost way to make a character walk across screen would be to display a 2D image of a character and then tell the program to slide the character from left to right across the screen. It’s simple and conveys that the character is walking without having to spend all the time individually illustrating and animating the character’s arms, legs and head.

On the flip side, if you want to show realistic motion design, then the illustration team will need to create more images to show the natural movement of the character’s body and clothing as it walks across the screen.

2D animation cost character design

Motion design extends beyond just character design. Your background can have moving elements (water, rain, snow, etc) and maybe even multiple characters or animals moving around simultaneously. The more detail you want to include, the more hours it takes our animation team to create.

How long is your 2D animation?

2D animation cost length

Kind of an obvious one but worth mentioning – the longer your animated video is, the longer your 2d animation cost will be. Many animation studios base their animation prices on the length of the video and the level of detail in the animation.

Are the character’s mouth’s synced to the voiceover?

This is a very specific motion design detail to call out. If your animated video includes characters that will be talking with their mouth’s synced up to the voiceover, it will increase your 2d animation cost. Syncing up mouth (and face) movements with your voiceover takes extra time to make the animation effect appear realistic.

How do I figure out my 2D animation cost?

Calculate 2D Animation Cost

So, how do you figure out the cost for your 2D animation? Here are a few options:

1). Use this form to get in touch with us about your 2D animation cost. Send us examples of the kind(s) of animated visual styles you’re interested in using for your video. Then, we’ll follow up with a quote for your 2D animated video.

2). Fill out this questionnaire to get a quote and we’ll follow up with a production quote for your video.

3). to discuss your animated video.

4). Request access to our newest price sheet.

5). You can estimate your 2D animation cost by looking at the 2D animation cost examples below. If you are providing the script, storyboard, voiceover or soundtrack for your video, your 2D animation cost can be lower than the animation costs listed next to each demo reel.

2D Animation Cost Examples

The easiest way to understand how production quality correlates to price is to look at examples of animated videos produced at various price points.

Below are a few demo reels that showcase what kind of quality you can expect for low, medium and high production budgets.

Video Igniter can create any kind of 2D or 3D animated video for you. Request access to our demo reels and price sheet here. Contact us or schedule a call to start making your video.

High End 2D Animation Examples

These demo reels feature examples of 2D animated videos that cost over $10,000 per 60 seconds of animation.


 

Medium Cost 2D Animation Examples

These demo reels show examples of 2D animated videos that cost between $3,000-$8,500 to create a one minute animated video.


Are you looking for an example of a different style of animation? Send us a message to let us know what kind of animation example you want to see and we will follow up with relevant production samples.

 

Low Cost 2D Animation Examples

This demo reel features examples of low cost 2D animations. >$2,500 to produce 60 seconds of animation.

 

Other costs associated with 2D animation

In addition to creating illustrations and animations for your 2D animated video, there are several other costs associated with animated video production. These pieces of the animated video production process can be handled by you or you can hire us to create them for you.

Other costs associated with 2D animation

Script Writing

Script writing is the skeleton for your 2D animation. We start each project by developing a script so that we understand what we are going to communicate in your video.

2D animation script cost

Download Video Igniter’s Free Script Writing Template

For some projects, we will do extra research to test which message(s) resonate best with your target audience.

You can save money on your animation production cost by writing the script for your animated video.

Storyboard Creation

The storyboard is the blueprint for your animated video. It tells the illustrators and animators what they’re supposed to create and how the visuals will sync up with the voiceover.

2D animation storyboard creation cost

Download Video Igniter’s Free Storyboard Template

Storyboards cost $300-$1,000 to produce. Alternately, you could make the storyboard yourself to save some money on your production budget. Download our storyboard creation template.

Soundtrack Licensing

We will identify several soundtrack options that will enhance the mood and presentation of your 2D animation. We’ll also ensure that the soundtrack is properly licensed for the platforms you plan to display your video on.

soundtrack

VoiceOver Recording

Our team will audition voiceover artists for your animated video. You get to pick your favorite option(s). Then, we’ll oversee the recording of the full voiceover.

voiceover

If you want, you could record the voiceover yourself and send it to us to use in your 2D animation and get a slight reduction in your production cost.

Tips to save money on your 2D animation cost

2D animation cost saving tips

1). Write the script for your 2D animated video. Download our free script writing template.

2). Create the storyboard for your 2D animated video to keep your production cost down. Download our free storyboard template and storyboard creation guide.

3). Use free, legal music in your animated video.

4). Use a simpler, less detailed visual style for your animated video.

5). Record the voiceover for your animated video. Check out 1:31 in this video to learn how you can record professional quality voiceovers at home for free.

6). Consider letting your animation team use some stock assets like images, icons, text and clip art to lower the illustration cost for your 2D animation.

How Much Does 2D Animation Cost Per Minute?

How Much Does 2D Animation Cost Per Minute

When most people ask “how much does 2D animation cost,” they’re often looking for a per-minute estimate. While the average price range of $1,000–$25,000 per 60 seconds of animation is a good starting point, your actual cost depends on multiple factors—such as the number of characters, the animation style, and the level of storytelling complexity.

For instance, a simple 2D explainer video with basic motion graphics might cost around $1,000–$2,500 per minute, while a professionally illustrated and fully animated marketing video with multiple characters and transitions could land between $7,000–$12,000 per minute. If your project includes advanced motion tracking, cinematic lighting, and lip-synced dialogue, it’s common to see costs exceed $15,000–$25,000 per minute.

When budgeting for your 2D animation, it’s important to balance your visual ambitions with your marketing goals. For example, if you’re producing a quick social media ad, a lightweight animation style can still be effective while keeping your 2D animation cost low. On the other hand, if you’re creating a broadcast-quality TV commercial or a long-form brand film, investing in high-end 2D animation ensures your visuals stand out and feel premium.

2D Animation Pricing by Style

2D Animation Pricing by Style

The style of animation you choose has a major impact on your 2D animation cost. Here’s a breakdown of how common animation styles compare:

  • Whiteboard Animation: Often the most affordable option, starting around $1,000–$3,000 per minute. It features simple line drawings with minimal motion.
  • Cartoon Animation: A more character-driven style that typically costs $3,000–$8,000 per minute, depending on the number of characters and animation detail.
  • Motion Graphics: Sleek and professional, often used for corporate explainers or product demos. Expect $2,500–$10,000 per minute based on complexity.
  • Hand-Drawn Frame-by-Frame Animation: Labor-intensive but visually stunning. These projects usually cost $10,000–$25,000 per minute or more.
  • Cutout or Vector Animation: Ideal for app demos or explainer videos. These cost roughly $2,000–$6,000 per minute, depending on transitions and design style.

When requesting a quote, be sure to share example videos of the animation style you like. That helps your production team provide a more accurate 2D animation cost estimate.

Why 2D Animation Costs Vary Between Studios

Why 2D Animation Costs Vary Between Studios

It’s common to see different animation studios quote dramatically different prices for the same project. This doesn’t always mean one is overcharging—it usually reflects differences in experience, workflow, and production quality.

For example:

  • Freelancers often charge less because they have lower overhead but may take longer to deliver.
  • Mid-size studios balance cost and quality with a full creative team, offering smoother project management and faster turnaround.
  • Top-tier studios have award-winning art directors, animators, and voice actors, which drives up your 2D animation cost but ensures exceptional polish and storytelling.

When comparing quotes, look beyond price. Ask about revision rounds, creative direction, and who will actually be animating your video. A slightly higher cost can pay off with fewer headaches and a better final product.

How to Get the Most Value for Your 2D Animation Budget

How to Get the Most Value for Your 2D Animation Budget

If your 2D animation cost is higher than expected, there are smart ways to stretch your budget:

  1. Repurpose animation assets. Ask your studio to deliver individual animated elements that can be reused in future videos or social media clips.
  2. Batch production. Producing a series of short animations at once can reduce your per-minute cost, since characters and backgrounds only need to be created once.

  3. Simplify transitions. Smooth camera movements and visual effects add time and cost. Using simpler transitions can keep the focus on your message without inflating your budget.
  4. Use vector-based designs. These are faster to animate and more scalable than fully hand-drawn scenes.
  5. Lock your script early. Revisions after animation begins can dramatically increase your total 2D animation cost.

By planning ahead and focusing on what truly matters to your audience, you can achieve great results even with a modest budget.

Average 2D Animation Cost by Purpose

Your intended use for the animation can also influence pricing. Here’s a general overview:

Animation Type Average Cost per 60 Seconds Notes
Explainer Video $2,000–$7,000 Most popular format; cost depends on illustration detail and motion graphics.
Educational or Training Video $2,500–$10,000 May include character animation, text overlays, and scene transitions.
Commercial or Ad Spot $5,000–$20,000 Higher visual polish for brand storytelling and broadcast use.
Social Media Animation $1,000–$4,000 Shorter videos; can use simpler styles and templates.
Animated Music Video $8,000–$25,000 Complex character animation, synchronized with music.
Product Demo Animation $2,000–$6,000 Clear visuals and motion design showing product use.

This table provides ballpark figures for budgeting your 2D animation cost. Actual pricing can vary depending on the studio’s expertise and production timeline.

How Revisions Affect 2D Animation Cost

How Revisions Affect 2D Animation Cost

Revisions are an often-overlooked factor in animation pricing. Most studios include one or two rounds of revisions in their base quote, but additional changes—especially after animation has started—can significantly raise costs.

If you anticipate multiple stakeholders reviewing the video, it’s wise to align everyone on the script, storyboard, and style before production begins. Every change after that point requires extra design and rendering time, which increases the total 2D animation cost.

Should You Choose 2D or 3D Animation?

Should You Choose 2D or 3D Animation

Another consideration when planning your project is whether 2D animation or 3D animation is the right fit. Generally speaking, 2D animation costs less than 3D because it requires fewer technical steps and render times. However, 3D animation offers more visual depth and realism.

If your goal is to create a fun, stylized, and affordable video that clearly explains a concept, 2D animation is often the better choice. It’s flexible, faster to produce, and easier to adapt for different marketing channels—all while keeping your overall animation cost manageable.

Additional Factors That Can Affect 2D Animation Cost

Additional Factors That Can Affect 2D Animation Cost

When estimating 2D animation cost, it’s easy to focus exclusively on the visual style. However, several less obvious production requirements can also affect the final price of an animated video. These factors may not dramatically change the cost of a simple project, but they can become significant when producing a more complex commercial, training series, product launch, or multi-channel marketing campaign.

How Quickly Do You Need the Animation?

How Quickly Do You Need the Animation

The production timeline can affect the cost of a 2D animated video. Animation requires multiple stages of creative and technical work, so compressing the normal production schedule may require additional resources or scheduling accommodations.

A standard production timeline gives the creative team time to develop the concept, script, storyboard, artwork, voiceover, animation, sound, and final edits in sequence. A rush project may require the studio to prioritize the project, allocate additional production resources, or rearrange other scheduled work.

If your project has a fixed launch date, mention the deadline when requesting a quote. Providing the required delivery date at the beginning of the project makes it easier for the animation company to determine the appropriate production schedule and pricing.

How Many Versions of the Video Do You Need?

How Many Versions of the Video Do You Need

Another factor that can influence 2D animation pricing is the number of versions you need.

For example, a company might need one primary 60-second video along with shorter versions for social media advertising. You may also need separate versions for a website, presentation, digital advertising campaign, or internal training platform.

Creating multiple versions can be relatively efficient when the same artwork and animation assets are reused. However, substantial changes between versions may require additional editing, animation, voiceover, and sound work.

When requesting an animation quote, provide the production team with a list of all required versions. Planning these deliverables from the beginning can make the overall project more efficient than creating the primary animation first and requesting additional versions later.

Does the Animation Need Multiple Aspect Ratios?

Does the Animation Need Multiple Aspect Ratios

Modern video campaigns frequently require content in multiple dimensions. A single animated video might need to be delivered in:

  • 16:9 for YouTube, websites, presentations, and traditional video players
  • 1:1 for certain social media placements
  • 9:16 for vertical platforms such as TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts
  • 4:5 for certain social advertising placements

Changing the dimensions of an animation is not always as simple as resizing the finished video. A composition designed for a wide screen may need to be rearranged for a vertical format so that text, characters, logos, and other important visual elements remain visible.

If you already know that your video will be used across multiple platforms, include those requirements when calculating your 2D animation cost.

Will Your Animation Need Localization?

Will Your Animation Need Localization

Producing an animated video for an international audience can introduce additional production requirements.

A localized version may require translated on-screen text, new voiceover recordings, subtitle files, or adjustments to the timing of individual scenes. Some languages can also require more or fewer words than the original script, which can affect how much text fits on screen and how long certain scenes need to remain visible.

If an animated video will eventually be translated into several languages, it can be useful to plan for localization before production begins. Designing the original animation with localization in mind can make it easier to create additional versions without rebuilding the entire project.

What Happens to the Animation Assets After Production?

What Happens to the Animation Assets After Production

When comparing 2D animation costs, it is also worth asking what you receive when the project is completed.

Depending on the production agreement, a project may include the finished video file but not necessarily every editable production file. Businesses that anticipate creating future versions, advertisements, social media clips, or related videos may want to discuss access to project assets before production begins.

This can include editable artwork, illustrations, animation files, audio assets, and other production materials. Asset ownership and file delivery terms vary between animation companies, so they should be discussed as part of the original quote rather than assumed.

How Much Should You Budget for a 30-Second Animation?

How Much Should You Budget for a 30-Second Animation

The per-minute pricing of an animation does not always translate directly into a proportional price for shorter videos.

For example, a 30-second animation still requires many of the same initial production activities as a longer video. The project may still need creative planning, artwork, animation setup, voiceover, sound design, rendering, and quality control.

This means a 30-second animation may cost more than exactly half the price of a 60-second animation. Short videos can actually require a high concentration of creative work because every second needs to communicate information efficiently.

If your goal is to create a shorter video specifically to reduce your 2D animation cost, discuss the project with the production company before assuming that reducing the runtime will reduce the budget proportionally.

How Much Should You Budget for a Longer Animated Video?

How Much Should You Budget for a Longer Animated Video

Longer videos generally require more production work, but the relationship between runtime and cost depends on how the additional time is used.

A three-minute explainer composed primarily of simple motion graphics may have very different production requirements from a three-minute narrative animation containing numerous unique scenes, characters, environments, and complex movements.

For longer projects, it can therefore be useful to think about the animation in terms of the number and complexity of scenes rather than runtime alone. A production company can use the script and storyboard to determine how much artwork and animation will actually be required.

Build Your 2D Animation Budget Around Deliverables

Build Your 2D Animation Budget Around Deliverables

The most useful way to estimate your 2D animation cost is to define the complete scope of the project before production begins. Instead of providing only a desired video length, identify the intended platforms, number of versions, languages, delivery formats, launch date, and any requirements for editable assets.

The more complete the project requirements are when you request a quote, the easier it is for an animation company to provide a realistic estimate. It also makes it easier to compare proposals because you can determine whether different studios are quoting on the same deliverables.

A clear production brief ultimately gives you a better understanding of where your animation budget is going and helps prevent unexpected costs caused by requirements that were not identified at the beginning of the project.

Final Thoughts on 2D Animation Cost

Final Thoughts on 2D Animation Cost

Understanding your 2D animation cost helps you make smarter creative and financial decisions. While prices can vary widely, knowing what drives those costs ensures you invest wisely. Whether you’re producing a 30-second ad or a 3-minute brand film, remember that quality storytelling, clear messaging, and consistent visuals deliver the biggest return on your animation budget.

If you’re ready to start planning your project, contact Video Igniter to request a personalized 2D animation quote. We’ll help you compare different visual styles and price points so you can create an animation that fits your goals and your budget.

Want to learn more about 2D animated videos?

We have a comprehensive guide that answers all the questions we receive about 2D animated videos. The guide answers popular questions like:

  • How do you make a 2D animated video?
  • How long does it take to make a 2D animated video?
  • Why do businesses make 2D animated videos?
  • And more!

Check out the 2D animated video guide here!

Still have questions about your 2D animation cost?

Do you have a question about your 2D animation cost that wasn’t addressed in this FAQ? Use this form to send us your question and we’ll follow up with an answer. We’ll also post the question and answer to this page so other people can benefit from the knowledge.

questions

What is Video Igniter Animation?

Video Igniter Animation is an online animated video production service. By working with our team online, you can get your custom animated video produced faster and for less than hiring a brick and mortar animation studio.

We can help you create any kind of 2D animated video or 3D animation you can imagine. Check out our animated video portfolio!

Need help syndicating your animated video? Ask us about video promotion!

Watch our explainer video on our home page to learn more about how we can help you create an animated video. For examples of the kinds of animation our team can produce, check out the demo reel below:

 

Looking For An 2D Animation Company In The U.S.?

Video Igniter is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

Success Stories & Testimonials

“Video Igniter came to us with a number of creative and engaging ideas and were able to create an exciting, impactful video in a short period of time. And the best part was that it cost much less than other options of similar quality. The video they made is a great marketing tool for us.”

Alex Raymond – Founder, Kapta Systems

“I am beyond satisfied with my experience with Video Igniter. The first drafts of the work were almost exactly what I had in my head when developing the concept. After that each step along the way was seamless until arriving at a perfect finished product. And all this at a tremendous value. Anyone who has considered creating a marketing video should check out Video Igniter.”

Anonymous Customer Feedback

Testimonials

Get in touch to figure out your 2D animation cost!

Schedule a call to discuss your animated video project.

Get a quote for your 2D animated video production cost.

Request access to our newest price sheet.

Fill out a creative brief for your video. Production begins after you pay 50% of your production budget.

Contact us

Unlimited Revisions

Unlimited revisions for a custom animated video? Sounds too good to be true… Here’s what we mean by that:

unlimited revisions animation

 

What does the unlimited revisions policy mean?

Unlimited revisions means we will revise each major deliverable of your animated video an unlimited number of times until you mark it as approved. That includes the script, storyboard, voiceover (and auditions), soundtrack options, illustrations (and concept art) plus the final animation.

If you request a revision that was not previously specified earlier in the production process, your revision request may require a budget increase. A member of our production team will reach out and discuss options with you before proceeding.

Read this companion article to learn more about animated video payment terms and how production budget increases (or decreases) are assessed.

Why do we offer unlimited revisions?

Why do we offer unlimited revisions

Nobody likes getting nickel and dimed. We don’t want to have to bug you for more money if you keep asking for more edits. Unlimited revisions makes things work better for everyone.

By paying our animators and designers competitive market rates, it motivates our team to do their best work the first time. This minimizes the number of revisions and extra work we have to do.  It’s about making a great production experience and having great production outcomes for everyone. By charging what we need to charge to a good job, we’re able to get your content produced and polished faster and for less than hiring a full animation studio.

Most importantly, we want to do everything we can to ensure your animated video project doesn’t go over budget.

How Unlimited Revisions Affect the Video Production Process

How Unlimited Revisions Affect the Video Production Process

When comparing animated video production companies, an unlimited revisions policy can be an important consideration. However, the value of unlimited revisions extends beyond simply allowing a client to request additional edits. A well-structured revision policy can also affect project planning, communication, approvals, production schedules, and the overall client experience.

Unlimited Revisions vs. Unlimited Changes

Unlimited Revisions vs. Unlimited Changes

One important distinction is that unlimited revisions do not necessarily mean unlimited changes to the project scope.

A revision typically involves refining something that has already been established as part of the project. For example, a client may want to adjust wording, modify a visual detail, change the timing of an animation, or refine a design.

A change in scope is different. It may involve adding new scenes, significantly increasing the video’s length, introducing new characters or environments, changing the project’s visual direction, or rewriting the concept after production has already progressed.

This distinction is important when evaluating an unlimited revisions policy. A production company can offer unlimited revisions while still maintaining a defined project scope. This allows clients to refine the agreed-upon production without creating an open-ended project with no defined requirements.

How Unlimited Revisions Can Reduce Approval Pressure

How Unlimited Revisions Can Reduce Approval Pressure

A revision limit can sometimes create pressure for clients to approve a deliverable before they are completely comfortable with it. If a client knows that additional revisions will incur another fee, they may feel compelled to accept a version that could benefit from additional refinement.

An unlimited revisions policy can remove some of that pressure.

Instead of asking, “Can we afford another round of edits?” the client can focus on a more useful question: “Does this deliverable accomplish what we need it to accomplish?”

This can be particularly valuable for marketing videos, explainer videos, training content, and other projects where multiple people may need to review the finished production before it is released.

Managing Feedback From Multiple Stakeholders

Managing Feedback From Multiple Stakeholders

Animated video projects often involve more than one decision-maker. A marketing director, creative director, subject matter expert, executive, client, or legal team may all have feedback before a video receives final approval.

Without an organized review process, conflicting feedback can create unnecessary production delays.

One way to make unlimited revisions more efficient is to consolidate feedback from stakeholders before sending it to the production team. Instead of having several people send separate revision requests throughout the day, one designated project contact can collect the feedback and submit a single, organized list.

This approach makes it easier for the animation team to understand which changes are required and reduces the possibility of contradictory instructions.

Revision Tracking for Animated Video Projects

Revision Tracking for Animated Video Projects

For longer or more complex productions, keeping track of revision requests can help prevent confusion. A simple revision log can record:

  • The date feedback was submitted
  • The scene, slide, or timestamp being referenced
  • The requested change
  • Who requested the change
  • Whether the change has been completed
  • Whether the updated version has been approved

Revision tracking can be especially useful when several versions of a script, storyboard, voiceover, or animation are being reviewed.

An organized process ensures that unlimited revisions remain manageable rather than turning into a series of disconnected requests.

Does Unlimited Revisions Make a Video Project Take Longer?

Does Unlimited Revisions Make a Video Project Take Longer

Not necessarily. The number of available revisions and the actual number of revisions requested are two different things.

An animation company may offer unlimited revisions while most projects require only a small number of changes. In fact, a clearly defined production process can help reduce unnecessary back-and-forth by establishing major creative decisions before the project reaches later production stages.

Clients can also help maintain momentum by providing consolidated feedback, identifying a primary decision-maker, and reviewing deliverables promptly.

For this reason, an unlimited revisions policy should not automatically be interpreted as an unlimited production timeline.

Questions to Ask About an Unlimited Revisions Policy

Questions to Ask About an Unlimited Revisions Policy

Before hiring an animation company, ask exactly what its unlimited revisions policy includes. Useful questions include:

  • Which production stages include unlimited revisions?
  • Are revisions included in the original project price?
  • What constitutes a revision versus a change in project scope?
  • Are there circumstances where additional production costs can apply?
  • Does the policy apply to voiceover and voiceover talent changes?
  • What happens if the video’s length changes?
  • Does the policy apply to premium or rush animation projects?
  • How are revisions submitted and tracked?
  • Who is responsible for approving each production stage?

Getting clear answers to these questions can help you compare animation production proposals more accurately. Two companies may both advertise “unlimited revisions” while defining the service very differently.

Why the Definition of Unlimited Revisions Matters

Why the Definition of Unlimited Revisions Matters

The phrase unlimited revisions can sound straightforward, but the details of the policy determine what it actually means for your project. A useful revision policy should provide creative flexibility while still establishing clear expectations around project scope, approvals, deadlines, and production costs.

When evaluating an animated video production company, look beyond the phrase “unlimited revisions.” Review the complete terms of the policy and make sure you understand when revisions are included, how feedback is handled, and what types of changes could require additional production work.

A transparent revision policy gives both the client and production team a clear framework for creating a finished animated video that meets the project’s original objectives.

Questions?

If you have a question about the unlimited revisions policy that isn’t answered in this article, you can use our contact form to ask your question or click the image below to with a member of our production team:

contact us

Which assets does Video Igniter allow unlimited revisions?

Script

Get unlimited revisions on the script for your animated video.

Download Video Igniter’s Free Script Writing Template

We will continue to revise your script until you love it. We can increase or decrease the length at your request and will notify you if these changes will result in a larger or smaller final budget. Even though we offer unlimited revisions, most scripts are reviewed and approved after 1-2 rounds of edits.

Storyboard

animation storyboard

Download Video Igniter’s Free Storyboard Template

Just like the script, we will create and revise your storyboard as many times as you want until you mark it as approved. If you ask us to go back and rewrite the script at this phase of production, it may result in a budget increase. Otherwise, if you are sending edits for our storyboard artists to continue revising and refining what visuals we should show for each part of your animated video, we will continue to work with you to generate new original ideas for every part of your storyboard until you are completely satisfied with it.

How to send your storyboard revisions

It’s best to send feedback for each page of your storyboard, in order. If there’s no revisions needed for a particular page, you can leave it blank or say: “N/A.” Even though we offer unlimited revisions, most storyboards are reviewed and approved with 1-2 rounds of edits. Here’s some examples for how you can submit your storyboard revision requests:

“Slide 7: We want to see lots of characters in this scene. 7-8 is good but can we make it look like a whole crowd of people cheering?”

“Slides 9-13: We love the concept for this motion graphic. Can you add more design accents to it so that it will compliment our logo?”

VoiceOver

The first phase of getting voiceover(s) recorded for an animated video is to audition voiceover talent. When you hire an animator or Video Igniter we will identify multiple voiceover talents that will sound great for your animated video and have them record a few sentences from your script. This way, you can hear what kind of energy they will breathe into your script. This is better than relying on their demo reels. Let us know if you aren’t in love with any of the auditions. We’ll happily order up a new wave of auditions for you to review… and will continue to do so until we’ve nailed it!

Recording a voiceover

After you select the voiceover artist of choice, we will hire them to record the full voiceover for your animated video. You will get a chance to review it and sign off on it before we move forward with production. If there are any parts of the voiceover you want to get rerecorded, let us know and we’ll get those parts rerecorded. We will continue to let you request revisions until you approve the voiceover.

What if you want to change voiceover artists after selecting one? This may incur a budget increase.

If we get beyond the VO phase of production and we receive a request to change part of the script or the voiceover, we will get in touch with a quote to cover the cost of re-hiring the voiceover artist to make the changes.

How to send your voiceover revisions

It helps if you send your voiceover revisions in chronological order and include the timestamp to indicate which part of the voiceover you are referring to. Even though we offer unlimited revisions, most voiceovers are reviewed and approved with 0-1 rounds of edits. Here are some example revisions you might send:

“0:09: The VO artist mispronounced the word ‘cacophony.’”

“0:58-1:10: Sounds like there is some background noise or the VO artist bumped something. Please have them rerecord this section. Otherwise it sounds perfect!”

Concept Art

After the storyboard is signed off, our design team reviews your brand guidelines & design inspiration for the animation and selects a key scene from your storyboard to create multiple pieces of concept art.

concept art


How to send revision notes for your concept art

When you review the concept art, it’s your job to tell the illustration team what you like and dislike about each piece of concept art. Maybe one of the designs is perfect and just needs a few refinements. Or maybe you like a few ideas from multiple pieces of concept art and want them pulled together. If you’re not in love with any of them, let us know what isn’t working for you and we’ll to discuss what you want. Either way, we’ll take your feedback and use it to refine the concept art as many times as it takes to nail the visual design. Normally concept art gets nailed down with 0-3 rounds of revisions.

Illustrations

Now that the concept art is approved, the illustration team will use it as a style reference and create all the remaining art for your animated video. You can request as many edits as you want for the illustrations as long as it’s within the scope of what was already agreed upon in the storyboard.

Suppose you request something simple – like changing a car’s design from red to black. That’s what we would consider a simple revision that doesn’t cost extra.

Get unlimited revisions on the illustrations for your animated video.

But what if you wanted to change that car into an airplane. That requires a bunch of redesigns. The airplane wouldn’t make sense driving on the ground so we’d need to redesign scenes showing the airplane in the sky. Or maybe you want to change the main character of your animation from a human to a dog. These types of edits are possible at this phase in the production process. However, they require additional rework outside the scope of what was defined in the storyboard. A member of our production team would reach out in a case like this to discuss how the production budget would need to be modified in order to address these types of revision requests.

How to send your revision notes for the art.

It’s best to send feedback for each slide in order. If no revisions are needed for a particular illustration, you can leave it blank or say: “N/A.” Even though we offer unlimited revisions, most illustrations are reviewed and approved with 0-2 rounds of edits. Here’s some examples showing how you can share your revision requests:

“Slide 3: Please change the color of the phone from red to black.”

“Slides 5-8: Can you add more clouds throughout this sequence?”

Animation

By this point, most revisions are related to the motion design since the voiceover and illustrations have already been signed off. If you want to make more substantial edits at this phase of production – something like adding a scene or changing the visuals or the voiceover – we would set up a discussion with our production team to figure out the minimum budget needed to address these particular requests.

Get Unlimited Revisions for your animation

How to send your animated video revision notes

It’s best if you organize your feedback in chronological order. This keeps everything organized and helps the animation team process your requests in chronological order. Even though we offer unlimited revisions, most animations are reviewed and revised just one time. Here are some examples of how to share your revision requests:

“0:11-0:14: Please speed up the appearance of the logo by ~1 second.”

“2:42: Looks like there’s a slight glitch that appears in the upper right corner.”

Good News!

unlimited revisions good news

Luckily, we almost never need to have a discussion with our clients about charging extra for their projects. As long as your project stays within the guidelines that were prescribed when the project started (namely: visual style, video length and deadline), you should not expect to receive a request for a budget increase just because you requested an edit to the video thanks to the unlimited revisions policy and our streamlined production process.

We designed the production process in a way that minimizes the odds we will need to revert back to a previous stage of the production process to address any revision requests that may come up.

Which types of projects does Video Igniter not allow unlimited revisions?

3D animation, hand drawn frame-by-frame animations, rush delivery animation, and high end 2D animations.  Basically, anything that we consider a Premium Animation project, a rush delivery project, or a discounted project is not eligible for unlimited revisions.

What if my custom quoted project goes over the maximum number of revisions allowed?

What if my custom quoted project goes over the maximum number of revisions allowed

If your project doesn’t include unlimited revisions and you request more than 2-3 rounds of revisions for your script, storyboard, voiceover, soundtrack selections, illustrations or animation, we will consider a few factors before discussing with you whether or not your particular revision requests requires a budget increase. If your project requires a budget increase we will discuss options with you before proceeding.

Exceptions:

– If you request an edit multiple times and for whatever reason it was overlooked… We will address it at no extra charge.

– If the animator or designer did not follow or understand the specific revision request you previously asked for.

Note: Not all projects include unlimited revisions. If you were issued a custom quote, offered a discount or you’re making a 2D or 3D premium animation, your project is capped at 2 – 3 rounds of revisions. Contact your project manager if you are unsure if your project has unlimited revisions. If your animated video is being created using the Simple Animation or Standard Animation production option and no discount was given, your project includes unlimited revisions.

Hire Video Igniter For Your Next Animated Video Project

Hire Video Igniter For Your Next Animated Video Project

In addition to getting unlimited revisions on your Simple Animation and Standard Animation projects, you get:

– World class design talent at prices small businesses can afford.

– The ability to outsource the production of any kind of 2D or 3D animated video you can imagine.

+ 20 reasons why companies love hiring Video Igniter for their animation projects.

P.S. Check out our animation portfolio!

Animated Video Demo Reel



Are you looking for an example of a different style of animation? Send us a message to let us know what kind of animation example you want to see and we will follow up with relevant production samples.

Animated Video Success Stories & Testimonials

“Video Igniter came to us with a number of creative and engaging ideas and were able to create an exciting, impactful video in a short period of time. And the best part was that it cost much less than other options of similar quality. The video they made is a great marketing tool for us.”

Alex Raymond – Founder, Kapta Systems

“I run a video production company and outsource animation. The team at Video Igniter did a great job in taking the concept I very crudely drew out and made it into a beautiful animation. The review process was easy and their turnaround time was very quick. I’d def recommend them if you’re looking for an animation project.”

Pat Henderson – Founder, Path8 Productions

Animated Video Production Resources

These popular articles are recommended for people that have been reading about Video Igniter’s unlimited revision production policy:

How To Make A Video Animation

How To Review Your Animated Video

Should You Hire A Freelance Animator Or Video Igniter?

Get in touch about pricing and unlimited revisions for your video

Schedule a call to discuss pricing and unlimited revisions for your animated video.

Get a quote for your video project.

Check out our animated video portfolio to see our latest and greatest creations.

Request access to our newest price sheet.

To get your animated video created as fast as possible, create your Video Igniter account and fill out a creative brief to start the production process.

contact us

 

Animator for Hire: How to Find the Right Animator for Your Project

Are you looking for an animator for hire? If so, you’re in the right place!

Animation is one of the most effective ways to convey complex ideas and messages to people in a fun and engaging way. As businesses continue to prioritize online marketing, the need for visual content has become increasingly important. Whether you’re creating an explainer video, a promotional video, or an animated series, hiring an animator can help you bring your ideas to life. Unfortunately, not all businesses have the resources to create their own animations in house. That’s where hiring an animator comes in.

In this FAQ, we’ll discuss why you should consider hiring an animator, what to look for when you hire an animator, and how to work with them effectively. We’ll also highlight why Video Igniter is a great option for businesses looking to create high-quality animations without having to hire an animator at all!
Animator For Hire

Examples of Videos You Can Get When You Hire Video Igniter’s Animators

Video Igniter can create any kind of 2D or 3D animated video for you. Check out the example videos below.

To start your project contact us, schedule a call with our production team or request access to our new pricing page.


Are you looking for an example of a different style of animation? Send us a message to let us know what kind of animation example you want to see and we will follow up with relevant production samples.

Why Hire an Animator?

Hiring a professional animator can help ensure that your animation is of the highest quality, while also saving you time and effort. At VideoIgniter.com, we offer professional animation services that are tailored to the needs and budget of each client. Animated videos can help you stand out from your competitors and create a unique brand identity. Animation can be used for a variety of purposes, including explainer videos, promotional videos, and social media content. While animation can have a significant impact on your business, it can be expensive to produce. Hiring a freelance animator or VideoIgniter.com is a cost-effective way to bring your vision to life without the expenses of hiring a full time animator.

Additional benefits of hiring Video Igniter or an animator

✅  The ability to create custom branded video content that aligns with your brand identity.

✅  Time savings, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business.

✅  Access to specialized animation production skills and software.

What to Look for When You Hire An Animator

What to Look for When You Hire An Animator

When looking for an animator to hire, there are several factors to consider. First, you should look for an animator who has experience creating the type of animation you need. Bonus points if they have experience in your industry or niche. If you’re looking for a 2D animator, you should look for someone who specializes in 2D animation. You should also look for an animator who has a strong portfolio that showcases their work and style. Check out their testimonials and don’t hesitate to ask for references! In addition to technical skills, it’s important to look for an animator who has good communication skills and is easy to work with. The right animator will be able to understand your vision and work with you to bring it to life.

Traits to look for when hiring an animator

✅  Their portfolio and past work

✅  Technical skills, such as proficiency in animation software

✅  Original artistic style and creative vision

✅  Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate

✅  Project management skills and adherence to deadlines

✅  A problem-solving mindset and adaptability

At VideoIgniter.com, you’ll find a team of talented animators with a proven track record of creating high-quality, custom animations for businesses like yours.

Benefits of Hiring a Freelance Animator

Benefits of Hiring a Freelance Animator

Hiring a freelance animator is more affordable than hiring a full-time animator or an animation studio. Freelancers also have more flexibility in terms of their availability, you can often work with them on a project-by-project basis, and they can offer faster turnaround times. Additionally, freelance animators can bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to your project. However, working with a freelance animator can also have its challenges. Freelancers may not always be available when you need them, and you may need to manage multiple freelancers if you’re producing a large animation project (more than 1-2 minutes).

Advantages of hiring a freelance animator

✅  Cost savings compared to hiring a full-time employee

✅  Flexibility to work on a project-by-project basis

✅  Access to a diverse pool of talent with a range of skills and styles

✅  Faster turnaround times on projects

At VideoIgniter.com, we offer all these benefits and more – including our team of professional animators who can work together via our streamlined production process to produce high-quality animations that meet your business needs.

How to Find the Right Animator To Hire for Your Project

Hiring An Animator How to Find the Right Animator To Hire for Your Project

There are several ways to find animators for hire online. One way is to search for animators on freelance websites like Upwork and Fiverr. Another way is to search for animators on social media platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter. You can also check out online animation communities or forums to find animators who are looking for work. When searching for an animator, it’s important to review their portfolio and look for examples of work that are similar to the type of animation you need. You should also read reviews from past clients to get an idea of the animator’s work ethic and communication skills.

How To Find The Perfect Animator

✅  Define your project scope, including goals, target audience, and desired visual style

✅  Research and compile a list of potential animators based on skills, experience, and portfolios

✅  Conduct interviews to assess communication and collaboration skills

✅  Request quotes and compare pricing

✅  Check references to gauge reliability and professionalism

Alternatively, save time and effort by choosing VideoIgniter.com, where you’ll have access to a vetted team of expert animators, ready to bring your vision to life.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Animator

Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Animator

Before you hire an animator, here’s a list of questions you should ask them to ensure they’re the right fit for your project:

✅  Ask about their experience creating the type of animation you need.

✅  Ask about their availability to work on your project.

✅  Ask about their process for creating animations

✅  How do they handle revisions?

✅  What is your experience with animation in my industry or niche?

✅  What is your timeline for completing the project?

✅  What is your pricing structure?

✅  Can you provide examples of past work similar to my project?

✅  What is your preferred animation style and software?

✅  How do you manage project timelines and deadlines?

Tips for Hiring an Animator on a Budget

Tips for Hiring an Animator on a Budget

If you’re on a budget, there are several ways to hire an animator without breaking the bank. One way is to hire a student or recent graduate who is looking to build their portfolio. Another way is to hire a freelance animator who is just starting out and may be more affordable than more experienced animators. These animators are less experienced but hungry to build their portfolio to showcase their talents.

If you’re working with a limited budget, consider these tips for hiring an animator

✅  Clearly define your project scope to avoid unnecessary revisions

✅  Seek animators who offer competitive rates without sacrificing quality

✅  Consider hiring a less experienced animator with a strong portfolio

✅  Negotiate rates and payment terms to fit your budget

✅  Limit the complexity of your animation to reduce costs

✅  Write the script for your video instead of hiring the animator to do it for you.

✅  Create the storyboard for your video instead of hiring the animator to create it.

✅  Provide the voiceover for your animation

✅  Consider letting the animator use stock assets or pre-created models to save on production costs.

✅  Use free (legal) music.

✅ Start production ASAP to avoid rush delivery costs.

✅ Check out our article on creating affordable animations for more tips!

With VideoIgniter.com, you’ll get competitive pricing without sacrificing the quality of your animation.

Where to Find Animators for Hire Online

Where to Find Animators for Hire Online

As mentioned earlier, there are several places to find animators for hire online. Some of the best places to look include freelance websites like Upwork and Fiverr, social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter, online animation communities and forums, or you can ask for recommendations from other businesses in your industry.

Platforms where you can find animators you can hire

✅  Freelance job boards and marketplaces, such as Upwork or Fiverr

✅  Animation and design forums

✅  Social media platforms, like LinkedIn and Behance

✅  Industry-specific websites and job boards

VideoIgniter.com offers a convenient, one-stop solution for sourcing highly skilled animators who are ready to tackle your project.

How to Work with an Animator After You Hire Them

How to Work with an Animator After You Hire Them

Once you’ve hired an animator, it’s important to establish clear communication and expectations from the outset. You should provide the animator with a detailed brief outlining your project goals and requirements. This brief should include information such as the animation style you’re looking for, the length of the animation, and any specific elements that need to be included. It’s also important to establish a timeline for the project and agree on a schedule for check-ins and revisions. This will help ensure that the project stays on track and that any issues are addressed in a timely manner.

✅  Establish clear communication channels and expectations

✅  Provide a detailed project brief, including goals, style, and target audience

✅  Set milestones and deadlines to track progress

✅  Offer constructive feedback and revisions as needed

✅  Celebrate successes and show appreciation for their hard work

Overview of the production process once you hire an animator:

Overview of the production process once you hire an animator

Payment #1: 50% of the estimated project total is due before production begins. Check out this article for a deep dive on animated video payment terms.

Script: You or the animator write the script for your animated video. If you hire the animator to create the script, they will share it with you to get your feedback so that you can request revisions before approving it for production.

Storyboard: You or the animator can create the storyboard for your animated video. If you hire the animator to create the storyboard for you, you will get a chance to review it and request revisions before approving it for production.

VoiceOver: You can provide the voiceover for your video project. Otherwise, the animator will order up a voiceover recording from one of their voiceover talent partners. You get to review it and request edits before approving the final draft.

Illustrations: The animator will create concept art and request your feedback to help establish the visual design for your video. Then, they will create all of the illustrations and give you a chance to review them and request revisions.

Soundtrack: The animator will select several soundtrack options and let you pick out the one you feel is best for your target audience.

Animation: After everything has been approved, the animator will animate your video. Give the first draft of your video a detailed review and share your honest feedback with the animator. They will incorporate your revisions and render out the final draft for you to use.

Payment #2: The animator will send you the final invoice for your animated video. You will receive the unwatermarked version of the final draft of your video after payment has been completed.

Tips For Negotiating Rates with an Animator

Tips For Negotiating Rates with an Animator

When negotiating rates with an animator, it’s important to be transparent about your budget and project requirements. You should also be open to negotiating on the scope of the project or the timeline to help meet your budget constraints. It’s also important to clarify what the animator’s rates include. For example, do they include revisions, or will you need to pay extra for additional rounds of revisions? Will you be responsible for any additional fees, such as licensing fees for music or sound effects?

When negotiating rates with an animator, consider the following strategies:

✅  Be upfront about your budget limitations

✅  Offer a clear project scope to help the animator determine an accurate quote

✅  Ask about bundled services or package deals

✅  Inquire about discounts for long-term or repeat business

✅  Propose a payment schedule that aligns with project milestones

VideoIgniter.com offers competitive pricing, flexible payment options to suit your budget and project needs, and unlimited revisions.

What to Include in an Animator’s Contract

Hiring An Animator What to Include in an Animator’s Contract

When hiring an animator, it’s important to have a contract in place that outlines the scope of the project, the timeline, and the payment terms. The contract should also include details about ownership of the animation and any copyright or licensing agreements. It’s important to review the contract carefully before signing it to ensure that you understand all of the terms and conditions. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to address them before signing.

Key elements to include in the contract are

✅  Scope of work, including project goals, deliverables, and timelines

✅  Payment terms, such as rates, invoicing, and payment schedules

✅  Intellectual property rights and ownership

✅  Confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements

✅  Termination clauses and dispute resolution procedures

What does it cost to hire an animator?

Hiring An Animator What does it cost to hire an animator

The cost of hiring an animator can vary depending on several factors, such as the type of animation you need, the complexity of the project, the geographic location of the animator, and the experience of the animator. Freelance animators may charge anywhere from $25 to $150+ per hour, while American animation studios may charge anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000 or more for each minute of animation they create for you.

If you are hiring an animator to create a 2d animation, expect to spend $1,500-$10,000 per minute animation they are creating. Multiply the price 2-3x for 3D animation. At VideoIgniter.com, we offer competitive rates for our animation services that are tailored to each client’s unique needs and budget. Our rates are transparent and include unlimited revisions, so you won’t have to worry about any hidden fees or charges.

Deep Dive: How Much Does It Cost To Hire An Animator?

How long does it take for an animator to create a video?

Hiring An Animator How long does it take for an animator to create a video

That answer depends on:

  • The length of the video.
  • How detailed the animation is going to be.
  • Are you providing the script + storyboard or are you hiring the animator to create them for you?
  • 2D or 3D animation?
  • How quickly you respond to feedback when the animator sends you project files to review.

To give you a ballpark range, it takes about 4-5 weeks for 1 animator to create a 60 second, 2D animated video. 3D animated videos take 2-4x more time to create.

What Type of Animator Should You Hire?

What Type of Animator Should You Hire

Before searching for an animator for hire, determine what type of animation your project actually requires. “Animator” is a broad term that can describe professionals with very different specialties.

Hiring someone with the right specialization can make a significant difference in both the quality of the finished video and the efficiency of the production process.

2D Animator

A 2D animator creates animation using two-dimensional artwork. This can include character animation, motion graphics, illustrated scenes, kinetic typography, explainer videos, advertisements, educational videos, and social media content.

A 2D animator may be the right choice if you want a stylized, illustrated, playful, or graphic look without the additional production requirements associated with 3D animation.

3D Animator

A 3D animator works with three-dimensional models, environments, lighting, cameras, textures, and visual effects.

Consider hiring a 3D animator if your project requires realistic product visualization, complex environments, simulations, realistic characters, architectural visualization, or a cinematic visual style.

3D animation can require significantly more production work because models, textures, lighting, rigs, and other assets may need to be created before animation can begin.

Motion Graphics Animator

Motion graphics animators specialize in animated graphic design elements such as text, logos, icons, charts, diagrams, shapes, and interfaces.

This type of animator can be a good fit for corporate videos, presentations, advertisements, product demonstrations, social media videos, and B2B marketing content.

Character Animator

Character Animator

If your project revolves around animated characters, look for an animator with demonstrated character animation experience.

Character animation requires more than simply moving an illustration around the screen. Good character animation involves posing, timing, facial expressions, body mechanics, gestures, and other details that make a character feel believable.

Explainer Video Animator

Some animators specialize in business and explainer videos. These projects typically combine scriptwriting, storyboarding, illustration, voiceover, sound design, and animation.

If your primary goal is to explain a product, service, process, or concept, finding an animator or animation team experienced in explainer videos can be more useful than simply hiring someone based on their general animation skills.

How to Evaluate an Animator’s Portfolio

How to Evaluate an Animator's Portfolio

An animator’s portfolio is one of the most important things to review before hiring them, but don’t judge a portfolio solely by whether you like the overall aesthetic.

Instead, look for evidence that the animator can solve the specific creative problem your project presents.

Start by asking whether the portfolio contains work similar to your project. If you need a 3D product animation, for example, a portfolio consisting entirely of 2D character animation may not tell you much about the animator’s ability to produce your project.

Pay attention to several areas:

Animation quality: Does movement look intentional and polished? Are transitions smooth? Do characters move naturally?

Design quality: Are the illustrations, environments, typography, and compositions professionally designed?

Storytelling: Does the animation communicate an idea clearly, or does it primarily showcase visual effects?

Consistency: Do visual elements maintain a consistent style throughout each project?

Range: Can the animator work in different visual styles when necessary?

Technical complexity: Does the portfolio demonstrate the level of technical ability your project requires?

You should also determine whether the person you’re considering actually produced the work shown in the portfolio. Larger projects may involve multiple artists, designers, animators, editors, and other specialists. If you’re hiring an individual animator, ask which parts of each example they personally handled.

How to Hire an Animator for a Specific Project

How to Hire an Animator for a Specific Project

The process becomes much easier when you provide prospective animators with enough information to understand what you’re asking them to create.

Before contacting an animator for hire, prepare a basic project brief.

Your brief should ideally include:

  • The purpose of the video
  • Your target audience
  • The desired video length
  • The type of animation
  • Your brand guidelines
  • A script, if one already exists
  • A storyboard, if one already exists
  • The desired delivery date
  • Where the video will be used
  • Examples of visual styles you like
  • The required video dimensions or aspect ratios
  • Your approximate budget
  • Any required characters, products, logos, or other assets

You don’t need to know exactly how the animation will be produced. That’s part of what you’re hiring the animator to determine.

However, giving the animator enough context allows them to provide a much more accurate estimate and identify potential problems before production begins.

What Should an Animator Deliver?

What Should an Animator Deliver

Before hiring an animator, clarify exactly what you will receive when the project is complete.

A basic animation project may include a finished video file, but more comprehensive animation production can involve many additional deliverables.

Depending on your project, you may want to receive:

  • A final high-resolution video
  • Versions optimized for social media
  • Vertical and horizontal versions
  • A version with captions
  • A version without captions
  • Individual animated clips
  • Thumbnail artwork
  • Source project files
  • Illustration or design assets
  • Audio stems
  • Voiceover files
  • Music and sound effects
  • Alternate versions with different CTAs

If you anticipate using the animation in multiple marketing campaigns, discuss those requirements before production starts.

For example, it may be considerably easier to create a vertical version while the animation is being produced than to redesign the entire video months later.

What Makes a Good Animator Easy to Work With?

What Makes a Good Animator Easy to Work With

Technical animation ability is only one part of the equation.

An animator can be extremely talented but still be difficult to work with if they consistently miss deadlines, communicate poorly, misunderstand feedback, or fail to manage project files properly.

Look for someone who can explain their process clearly and tell you what they need from you at each stage.

A good animator should also be comfortable receiving feedback.

Animation projects frequently involve subjective creative decisions. You may like a particular character design while another stakeholder prefers something completely different. The animator should be able to separate personal artistic preferences from the requirements of the project.

Responsiveness is also important. Delayed feedback from either side can cause an animation project to fall behind schedule.

For larger projects, project management becomes even more important. If your animation requires scriptwriting, storyboarding, illustration, voiceover, sound design, and animation, you may benefit from hiring an animation team that can coordinate those responsibilities instead of trying to manage every specialist yourself.

Red Flags When Hiring an Animator

Red Flags When Hiring an Animator

There are many talented animators available, but there are also warning signs that should make you reconsider a potential hire.

No Relevant Portfolio Examples

If an animator cannot show examples that demonstrate the skills your project requires, ask them how they plan to approach the project before making a decision.

Extremely Low Quotes

Price should not be the only deciding factor.

An unusually low quote may mean that important services are excluded, the animator has limited experience, the production process is less comprehensive, or the final quality may not meet your expectations.

Ask exactly what is included before comparing quotes.

Unclear Revision Policy

Find out how many rounds of revisions are included and what qualifies as a revision.

It’s also useful to understand whether changes requested after a particular production stage can result in additional costs.

No Clear Timeline

A professional animator should be able to provide a reasonable estimate of how long the project will take.

The exact timeline may change as the scope develops, but there should be a general production schedule with milestones.

Poor Communication

If communication is already difficult before you hire the animator, the problem is unlikely to disappear after production begins.

Pay attention to how quickly they respond, whether they answer your questions directly, and whether they clearly explain what they need from you.

No Written Agreement

Always establish the project scope, pricing, deliverables, payment terms, revision policy, ownership, and timeline in writing before production begins.

Should You Hire One Animator or an Animation Team?

Should You Hire One Animator or an Animation Team

For a small project, hiring a single animator can make sense. A talented freelancer may be able to handle the entire project from start to finish, particularly if the script, storyboard, artwork, voiceover, and other assets are already available.

Larger or more complex projects can benefit from an animation team.

An animation production team may include:

  • Producer or project manager
  • Scriptwriter
  • Art director
  • Illustrator
  • Storyboard artist
  • Animator
  • Voiceover artist
  • Sound designer
  • Video editor

The advantage of a team is that each person can focus on their specialty. This can be especially useful when producing longer videos, multiple videos, sophisticated 3D animation, or an ongoing series of animated videos.

The disadvantage is that working with multiple specialists can increase project management requirements if you have to coordinate everyone yourself.

For businesses that don’t have an internal creative team, an animation studio can provide a middle ground: you get access to multiple specialists while communicating primarily with one production team.

How to Give Better Feedback to an Animator

How to Give Better Feedback to an Animator

The quality of your feedback can directly affect the efficiency of the animation project.

Instead of saying that a scene “doesn’t feel right,” explain what isn’t working and what outcome you want.

For example, instead of:

“I don’t like this scene.”

Try:

“The product isn’t clear enough in this scene. Can we make it larger and reduce the background elements so the viewer immediately understands what we’re showing?”

Specific feedback gives the animator something actionable to work with.

It’s also helpful to consolidate feedback whenever possible. If five people on your team review an animation independently and send separate emails containing conflicting changes, production can become unnecessarily complicated.

Designate one person to collect internal feedback and provide the animator with one organized list of revisions.

This approach reduces confusion and helps keep the project moving.

How to Prepare Before Hiring an Animator

How to Prepare Before Hiring an Animator

You don’t need to have every detail figured out before contacting an animator, but preparing a few key pieces of information can make the hiring process much easier.

Start by identifying the purpose of the animation.

Ask yourself:

What do I want viewers to understand?

Who needs to understand it?

What should viewers do after watching?

Where will the animation be shown?

How long should the video be?

What visual style fits the brand?

When does the finished video need to be delivered?

What is the available production budget?

Once you have answers to these questions, you can provide potential animators with a much clearer project brief.

You should also collect a few examples of animation styles you like. These examples don’t need to come from the animator you’re considering. They can come from advertisements, explainer videos, films, websites, social media, or other sources.

Visual references are often much easier for an animator to interpret than descriptions such as “modern,” “professional,” or “fun.”

How to Compare Animator Quotes

How to Compare Animator Quotes

When you receive several quotes from animators for hire, don’t automatically select the cheapest option.

Instead, compare what each quote actually includes.

For example, one animator might provide a low price for animation only while another quote includes scriptwriting, storyboarding, custom illustration, voiceover, music, sound effects, editing, and several rounds of revisions.

Those aren’t equivalent offers.

Create a simple comparison that considers:

  • Total project price
  • Animation style
  • Video length
  • Production timeline
  • Scriptwriting
  • Storyboarding
  • Illustration
  • Voiceover
  • Music
  • Sound effects
  • Editing
  • Number of revisions
  • Source files
  • Additional video formats
  • Usage and ownership rights

This gives you a better understanding of the actual value you’re receiving.

The cheapest animator for hire isn’t necessarily the least expensive option if poor communication, missed deadlines, or extensive rework ultimately increase the total cost of the project.

When Should You Hire an Animator?

When Should You Hire an Animator

It’s generally better to hire an animator before you have finalized every creative detail rather than waiting until the last minute.

An animator can often provide valuable input about what is realistic within your budget and timeline.

For example, you may have an idea that sounds simple but would require extensive character rigging, 3D modeling, or custom illustration. An experienced animator can identify those requirements early and suggest alternative approaches.

Similarly, if your budget is limited, an animator can help simplify the visual concept without eliminating the central message.

Give yourself enough time for the complete production process, including creative development, scriptwriting, storyboarding, illustration, animation, feedback, revisions, rendering, and final delivery.

Last-minute animation projects may be possible, but rush production can limit your creative options and potentially increase costs.

How to Get the Most Value From an Animator You Hire

How to Get the Most Value From an Animator You Hire

The best way to get value from an animator isn’t necessarily to negotiate the lowest possible price. It’s to make sure the animator’s time is being spent on the work that has the greatest impact on your project.

Provide existing brand assets whenever possible. Give the animator access to your logo files, fonts, brand guidelines, product screenshots, photography, illustrations, and other assets that can be used in the project.

Have your internal stakeholders review the script and storyboard before animation begins. Changes are generally easier to make during the planning stages than after detailed animation has already been completed.

Think about future uses for the animation as well. If you know that you will need social media clips, advertisements, presentation graphics, or alternate versions, communicate those requirements upfront.

Most importantly, give the animator a clear objective.

A professional animator doesn’t simply move objects around a screen. They translate an idea into visual communication. The clearer the objective, audience, and desired outcome, the more effectively they can use animation to accomplish it.

Tips for Working with an Animator Remotely

Hiring An Animator Tips for Working with an Animator Remotely

If you’re working with an animator remotely, there are several tips you can follow to ensure a smooth working relationship.

1). Establish clear lines of communication and agree on a schedule for check-ins and updates.

2). Agree with your animator on how you will share files, review drafts and track progress. Tools such as Frame.io, Asana or Trello may help, depending on the team’s workflow.

3). Be flexible and open to feedback and revisions throughout the process.

Why Hire VideoIgniter.com?

Hiring An Animator Why Hire Video Igniter

While there are many animators for hire online, VideoIgniter.com stands out for several reasons. First and foremost, the team at VideoIgniter.com has extensive experience in creating high-quality animations for businesses of all sizes and industries.

Video Igniter has a proven track record of delivering exceptional results for clients ranging from small startups to Fortune 500 companies. Additionally, Video Igniter offers a wide range of animation services, including 2D and 3D animation, whiteboard animation, and explainer videos.

We also offer competitive pricing and work with clients to ensure that their animations are delivered on time and on budget.

Check out our demo reel!

 

Still have questions about hiring an animator?

Do you have a question about hiring an animator that wasn’t addressed in this FAQ? Use this form to send us your question and we’ll follow up with an answer. We’ll also post the question and answer to this page so other people can benefit from the knowledge.
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Success Stories & Testimonials

“Video Igniter offered us the critical combination of creative value, clear communication, and patience with stakeholder feedback. We ended up with truly high-quality design assets for our video series largely due to the extra level of commitment — and the right balance of efficiencies with flexibility in the process when called for.”

Larry Schlessinger – Sr. Creative Program Manager, Amazon Web Services

“Video Igniter came to us with a number of creative and engaging ideas and were able to create an exciting, impactful video in a short period of time. And the best part was that it cost much less than other options of similar quality. The video they made is a great marketing tool for us.”

Alex Raymond – Founder, Kapta Systems

“I am beyond satisfied with my experience with Video Igniter. The first drafts of the work were almost exactly what I had in my head when developing the concept. After that each step along the way was seamless until arriving at a perfect finished product. And all this at a tremendous value. Anyone who has considered creating a marketing video should check out Video Igniter.”

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