Motion design is becoming an increasingly popular way of creating quality content for all sorts of purposes, and it’s not hard to see why. With moving graphics, animation, and video, a well-executed motion design project can engage your audience, effectively communicate your message, and enhance your brand’s image both through content and visual language.
However, to turn your ideas into an actual video, you’ll need the help of a motion design studio; finding the right one can make or break your project. And there are multitudes of studios available, with their own unique set of skills, strengths, and weaknesses. Under these circumstances, searching for the right studio can seem daunting. Well, we’re here to help! Here are the steps you need to take to choose the right motion design studio for your project.
Understand Your Project Needs
Before you start researching potential motion design studios, you need to have a clear understanding of your project’s needs and the scope of the project to be able to evaluate the suitability of each studio. Have a think about these key points:
- What’s the message you want to convey?
Clearly define the purpose of your video and note down what you need to effectively communicate that. Is it meant to be more informative or more emotionally impactful? How do you want the viewer to feel or think after watching it?
- What style do you want the project to take on?
Are you looking for 2D or 3D animations? Do you want it clean or stylized? These are all components that will affect what you communicate with the video, so make sure you have a good idea of what you want.
- Who’s the target audience?
There’s a huge difference between how you would approach a corporate video versus how you would approach a commercial meant for the public. Do some research on the demographic that you’re aiming for and what they’re most receptive to. This will heavily shape the style and substance of the video.
Having these points laid out will let you know exactly what to look for and help you narrow down the list to make an informed decision.
Research Potential Studios
Once you have a more cohesive idea of your project’s needs, start researching potential motion design studios. Ask for referrals from friends, colleagues, or industry experts for studios that they’ve worked with in the past and had great experiences with. Searching online for motion design studios that specialise in your industry or type of project is another great way to find what you need (we’ve got just the list too).
Here are some aspects to consider when researching a potential studio.
Assess The Studio’s Technical Expertise
You need to ensure that the studio you choose has the necessary skills and experience to execute your project, so keep an eye out for studios that have experience working with other clients in your industry and have a strong portfolio that showcases their technical abilities. We’d also recommend reading up on the software and tools that they use to make sure they’re utilising the latest technology and software to create motion designs of the highest quality.
Evaluate Their Creative Approach
Equally as important as technical skill is a motion design studio’s creative approach. You want to work with a studio that has the creativity to bring your ideas to life in a compelling and engaging way. Have a look through their portfolio and assess their creativity, style, and attention to detail, and consider whether their creative approach aligns with your brand’s image and values. A varied portfolio is usually a good sign of versatility and adaptability, while consistency might highlight specialisation in that style.
The design style of your motion graphics will reflect on your brand, and thus it is crucial to ensure that the final product is in line with your brand identity while also being intriguing and visually enticing.
Check The Studio’s Communication and Collaboration Style and Willingness
Effective communication and collaboration are critical to the success of any motion design project. Even with highly skilled and experienced firms, reworks are a natural part of the process of refining the finished product. You’ll want to work with a studio that is responsive and transparent with you throughout the project. Find out how they communicate, whether they provide regular updates and feedback, and how they respond to that feedback and any further requests.
Read testimonials and references
Client testimonials and references provide invaluable insights into a motion design studio’s reputation and work ethic. Look for studios that have a history of delivering high-quality work and have a track record of meeting deadlines and exceeding expectations. Read up on any reports of past experiences with the studio on factors such as their efficiency and how accommodative they are to their clients’ needs, while also making sure those accounts are credible. If possible, contact previous clients directly and ask about their experience working with the studio, and their feedback on the work given.
Evaluate Pricing and Value for Money
Now comes the all-important factor — budget. Pricing is, of course, essential in choosing a motion design studio. Chasing after quality would do you no good if your pockets run dry before launch, so make sure to dive deeper into the pricing structure adopted by each studio and see if it aligns with what you have in mind. Studios with transparent pricing and detailed quotes that outline the scope of the project and the services are ideal.
However, while cost-saving is important, keep in mind that the lowest price doesn’t always mean the best value for money. A high-quality motion design project can bring a substantial return on investment by effectively engaging your audience, so find the balance between cost-saving and quality-assurance while scoping out studios for your project.
Make a Decision and Establish a Working Relationship
Once you have evaluated all the factors outlined above, it’s time to make the choice and start a working relationship with the motion design studio that you’ve chosen. Make sure to establish a clear understanding of the terms and conditions of the project, and ensure that the contract outlines the full scope of it; the services included, the timeline, and the payment terms.
After signing, create open communication channels with the studio. Motion design is and should be a collaborative process, and thus consistent communication to refine the product will be critical to the success of the project. You’ll want to schedule regular check-ins with the studio to discuss progress and provide feedback on what they’ve done thus far, and the studio should rely on your input throughout the process. Be open and transparent about your thoughts, and provide clear critique to ensure the final product aligns with your vision and expectations.
All in All
Choosing the right motion design studio to work with can make or break a project when it comes to motion graphics. By breaking down exactly what you need, doing your research on studios to make sure they have the know-how and reliability to execute your plans, and having clear and honest communication throughout the process, you should have little trouble finding the best firm for you and getting exactly what you’re looking for.