5 Things to Consider Before Hiring An Animation Studio
Hiring an animation studio can be a daunting task, especially if it’s your first time and you’re unsure about where to start.
Your video will be a reflection of your brand, and it’s important to pick an animation studio that will best reflect your business. So if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, we’re going to break down a few important considerations to take into account before you begin!
1. How Do Animation Studios Work?
Let’s begin with the basics. One of the best ways to feel confident about your choices is to understand the way that an animation studio works before diving into the fray.
Basically, an animation studio is a company that can produce animation videos for hire based on your specifications. Simple, right?
However, different studios may specialise in different styles or use cases. For example, one studio might have a lot of experience creating explainer videos and corporate content, while others might have worked on a lot of YouTube videos or specialise in live-action with animated elements – and others still may be able to handle it all!
One of the best things we can suggest right from the get-go is to have a look at their body of work. Seeing what an animation studio’s past projects are is one of the quickest ways to determine whether they might be the right studio for your project.
Then you’ll have to consider – are you looking for a 2D animation studio for hire, or a 3D animation studio?
2. Are You Looking For A 2D Animation Studio For Hire?
So 2D animation is quite a broad category, but it boils down to any animation technique that appears ‘flat’.
Stylistically this varies quite a bit, but basically it can include character animation and demonstrations, simple whiteboard animations or other ‘hand-drawn’ style explainers, certain types of stop-motion animation, and more.
So if you’re looking for a 2D animation studio, this is what you’re thinking of.
3. Is A 3D Animation Studio A Better Fit?
If you’re looking for a 3D animation studio, you’ll be thinking something more along the lines of what most people imagine when they think of ‘CGI animation’. This animation style can look hyper-realistic, or just as stylistic as any 2D animation style, depending on what you’re looking for and what fits best for your project and your branding.
You can do all sorts of things with a 3D animation studio – the style is just as flexible as any 2D animation and deciding on which one is for your really just depends on the needs of your individual project. Some studios even cater to both styles of animation.
4. How To Hire An Animation Studio
Once you’ve decided on which animation style is right for you, you’ll need to contact a company and open the conversation in order to hire the animation studio.
You should know what you want from your video going in – at least a little bit. Many companies will be able to work with you to create what you need, so one of your best bets will be to talk to someone at the studio, get the conversation started, and see if the team will be a match for your project. They may even have some great ideas about what’s possible for you and how to best get across the information you need, and they’ll be able to let you know what it is they require from you.
But have you chosen the right animation studio?
It can be an overwhelming decision, so here are a few quick tips on what we think you should consider when thinking about how to hire an animation studio.
Tip 1: Ask for a Portfolio
If the animation studio doesn’t have a ‘projects’ page showcasing video content they’ve already created for past clients, consider asking them for a demo reel - something that enables to you actually see what kind of work they’re capable of producing. This is very important, and ties in to many of the below tips.
Tip 2: Consider the Animation Style
Is the work original? Does it look like the stylistic presentation can fit with the branding of your company / product?
Does it stand out as visually appealing and striking? Is originality something that you consider as important for your project, or is the need for a smooth and easy-to-absorb informational experience more important? These are just some things to think about when looking at the stylistic qualities of previous work and if it aligns with your needs.
Tip 3: Pay Attention to Voice Over Quality
This is actually an integral part of many video projects, so if your video script requires voice over (like many animations do), then you’ll want to pay close attention to the quality of voice over the animation studio employs alongside their visuals.
Is the sound quality clear? Are the voice actors employed able to clearly and concisely deliver the script, and do they display the correct emotional tones for the needs of the projects? A poor, unprofessional voice over can seriously downgrade even the best of animations.
Tip 4: Who Are Some Past Clients of Your Chosen Studio?
Now this isn’t necessarily a make or break. There are small companies and studios just starting out who are able to provide excellent quality work. But one element that you might also consider in your decision-making process involves having a look at some past clients the animation studio has worked with.
If there are some names, brands or companies in their portfolio of completed work that you recognise and trust, it can really help to boost confidence and let you know the calibre of professionalism at which the animation studio functions.
5. How Involved in the Creation Process do You Want to Be?
One of the biggest advantages of hiring an animation studio for your project over a freelancer, for example, is that the studio will likely have all the facilities and staff necessary to complete your project from start to finish.
Unlike a freelancer, who will be skilled in one element for the project (likely, the actual creation of the animation) and will have to outsource everything else, an animation studio can do it all for you cleanly and simply.
From storyboarding and script, voice over and sound design / music tracks, all the way through the content creation process to the finished product, animation studios should be equipped to handle all your needs with just one brief from you.
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