We list some of the key factors when it comes to choosing an animation studio to work with. The factors involved in hiring an animation studio are the same factors you would use when choosing to hire anyone for your company. We even include a summarized check list!

Why hire someone?

The first question to ask is the most important. Why hire an animation studio at all? Why? The answer: You want to use an animation to get people to do something. In other words, the animation is a vehicle for change. Getting people to do something means they must remember what has been said and they must have an emotional response causing them to take action.

Portfolio, Portfolio

The obvious first choice. Is their work effective and entertaining? Remember being effective means you must remember what has been said about the product and you must have an emotional response causing you to take action. You can test this by showing a few studio ads to a group of people then ask them questions about the content of what they saw with the final question being, "Would you buy it?" Superbowl ads can be incredibly funny and creative, YET be total flops because no one remembers what the ad is about.

The X Factor - Professionalism / Originality

The primary purpose of an Ad is to communicate a message to get people to buy. The secondary purpose of an ad is to convey professionalism or the coolness X factor. Companies spend incredible amounts of money for this X Factor. People will work with a company if they are perceived as professional. A company animation is often the significant impression people get of an organization. To be perceived as professional after viewing the animation one needs to say yes to the following: Is the art original? Is the music or sound original? Does the video have a beginning a middle and an end? Are the transitions smooth? Is the content original? Is the animation smart? And are they witty?

The Dramatic Question

The dramatic question is simply “what will happen next?" In order to ask that question an animation needs to take the viewer on a journey. That is, a simple through-line that is easy to follow. The dramatic question is the hook that keeps people watching because everyone wants to know, "what will happen next?"

Price

How does the studio's price per secondc compare in the marketplace? Our studio will gladly provide you with our competitors prices. Why? Because we believe our value for the dollar can't be beat. However, when it comes to price, you don't want the cheapest Art to represent your company. Just as you don't want the cheapest CEO to represent your company, you don’t want the cheapest art to represent your company either.

How much does it cost?

My studio’s animations range from $1200 a minute to $15,000 a minute with the average being $5000. That includes audio, storyboards, animation and the video from A-Z. What is in the cost? It’s all artist-hours. How much time and how many artists do you want working on your project? How much thought? Contrary to popular opinion, it takes time to think. Why do companies spend $15,000 to even millions of dollars on animations? It’s because they want their image to be as professional and as ahead of their competition as possible. Contrary to popular opinion, staying ahead means spending money.

Who have they worked with?

Has the studio worked with top companies? Have they worked with companies on-the-rise? What about small businesses? It’s hard for studios to work with Entertainment Companies, because those companies know good work at a great price. So.. do they list entertainment companies? (Beware, studios will list top client names when they may have created something as simple as a company flier. So be sure to check their portfolio for proof.) When you hire a company representative, you want to hire someone with a proven track record and decades worth of experience. The same is true for animation studios. Remember a good simple test of a studio’s worth is watching a video and if you are you motivated to find out more about the product or the company? NOT the production studio.

You are hire a studio for their talent and expertise for the dollar. Our studio is located in New York City where tens of thousands of animators, actors, and artists line up at studios looking for work. They too are looking for the best studio to work for. 

Animation Studio Checklist 

• Do you remember what the ads are about and do you want to buy the product or service?
• Is their work professional?
• Is the art original?
• Is the music or sound original?
• Does the video have a beginning a middle and an end? Are the transitions smooth?
• Is the content original?
• Are they witty?
• Is the animation smart?
• Do you wonder “what will happen next?"
• Price per minute?
• How does the studio's price per second compare in the marketplace?
• Has the studio worked with top companies? small businesses? and Entertainment Companies?
• Do you remember what the ads are about and do you want to buy the product or service?

Our studio has made thousands of minutes of animation over the years and we have won Telly Awards year after year. We would love to hear from you.

Want to learn more about whiteboard animation or other kinds of animation like stop-motion, or 3D animation?