It can be a daunting task choosing the right animation company to help you with your video marketing strategy. After all, animation is a very versatile and powerful tool that can be used for a wide range of purposes – from explaining complex concepts to making a product or service more engaging.
But if you have the chance to add the element of animation to your marketing strategy, do it! It really adds the perfect touch to your marketing efforts and shows your customer base how polished you are as a business. And in order to really put that great impression out there, you should make sure to employ people that have expertise in animation.
However, before you make your final decision, there are a few things you need to take into account. Here are the most important factors to consider:
1. Experience and expertise
Animation is a complex process, and it takes a lot of skill and experience to do it well. Hiring a company that has the expertise to create amazing animations is crucial. If you hire a company that doesn’t know what they’re doing, you can end up with subpar work that you don’t want to share with your customer base.
It’s important to put your best foot forward when it comes to any marketing efforts. Make sure the animation company you choose has a team of professionals with a proven track record in creating high-quality animation.
2. Style and approach
Animation style is very important – it needs to reflect your brand and be appropriate for your target audience. Make sure the animation company you choose has a style that you like and that is aligned with your marketing goals.
When it comes to animation, there are three types of animation styles:
- Traditional animation – This type of animation is created by drawing each frame of animation on paper.
- Stop motion animation – This type of animation is created by moving physical objects (usually puppets or dolls) a little bit between each frame to create the illusion of movement.
- Computer animation – This type of animation is created by using software to create the animation frame-by-frame.
Animation companies use different animation styles depending on the needs of the project. So, before you choose an animation company, it’s important to understand the different types of animation and which one would be the best fit for your project.
If you know what type of animation you’re looking for (which, is more than likely computer animation), you can rule out animation companies that don’t work with the style of animation you’re looking for.
3. Quality and attention to detail
Animation is only effective if it’s done well. Make sure the animation company you choose has a reputation for producing high-quality work, with attention to detail down to the smallest detail.
This can go along with expertise. An experienced animation company has more practice when it comes to paying attention to detail. They’ll produce higher quality work as a result.
4. Cost
Animation can be expensive, so it’s important to get quotes from a few different companies and compare prices. However, don’t compromise on quality just to save a few bucks. The animation company you choose should be able to provide good value for money.
It’s also important to remember that animation takes time and effort, so the cost of the animation will depend on how long it takes to produce.
5. Turnaround time
Animation can take a while to produce, so it’s important to factor in the turnaround time when choosing a company. Make sure you choose one that can meet your deadline without compromising on quality.
Whichever animation company you hire should be able to give you a realistic timeline for the project and they should also be able to adhere to that timeline. Delays can cause big problems, so it’s important to make sure the animation company you choose can meet your deadlines.
On the other hand, you shouldn’t be giving them unattainable deadlines and expecting amazing results. Make sure you’re giving the company you hire enough time to create their animation magic. A rush job rarely ends up with great animation, and it’s more likely to end up with a company that isn’t too keen on working with you again. Giving them ample time to create your marketing content is not just a courtesy, but a necessity.
6. Communication and coordination
Animation is a collaborative process, so it’s important that the animation company you choose has good communication and coordination skills. They should be able to effectively collaborate with you and other team members to ensure that the final product meets your expectations.
The animation company you choose should be good at communicating with you. They should keep you updated on the progress of the project and be available to answer any questions you have.
Projects can go wrong if there is a lack of communication. Make sure the animation company you choose has a good communication strategy in place.
You should also be making sure that you and your company are also able to communicate with the animation company you’re planning to hire. Being able to communicate your wants and needs from a specific project is absolutely crucial to making sure your project comes out exactly as you need it to.
7. Ability to work with different file formats
Not all animation companies are able to work with different file formats. Make sure the company you choose is able to produce videos in the format you need, whether it’s MP4, MOV, AVI, or something else. Knowledge of a variety of professional animation programs can be important, as well, especially if you are looking for a team to put the finishing touches on a working concept.
8. References
When choosing an animation company, it’s important to ask for references. This will give you a good idea of the quality of work they produce and how satisfied their previous clients have been.
Make sure to get references from the animation company you’re considering working with. talking to past clients is a great way to get an idea of the quality of work they produce and how satisfied those clients were with the final product. References should be from companies in the same industry as you or something adjacent. They should be able to provide first-hand experience with the company and be able to give you a realistic view of how the job went.
Don’t discount companies someone had a few bumps in the road with, so long as the final outcome was just fine. Remember that we all make mistakes, but as long as the wrongs were righted the company learned something, and having that kind of experience means that you’ll be in good, honest hands.
9. Satisfaction guarantee
Animation companies should be able to offer a satisfaction guarantee. This means that if you’re not happy with the final product, they will work with you to fix the problem.
They should offer revisions as you need them, within reason. They should always be wanting to make sure the work you pay them for is to your liking and specifications. A guarantee is necessary in case they misinterpreted what you were looking for, something didn’t get communicated correctly, or it just doesn’t live up to expectations. Even through perfect vetting, things happen, so having the guarantee adds a bit of insurance in case anything comes out wrong.
10. Creative input
Animation companies should be willing to let you provide creative input throughout the animation process. You are paying them to create something for your company after all. They shouldn’t just produce the video and hand it over to you – they should be willing to work with you to create a video that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations.
Make sure you’re communicating your wants and needs to them. They should be willing to let you see the project at different stages to be sure that they’re creating exactly what you’re looking for.
11. Creative flexibility
Animation companies can be very creative, so make sure the animation company you choose has the flexibility to adapt to your ideas and suggestions. They should be open to your feedback and be able to work with you to create a video that’s perfect for your needs.
Creative flexibility is key when it comes to animation companies. They should be willing to work with you to create the perfect video, regardless of your ideas or suggestions, and provide the ability to revise work when they miss the mark, within reason.
12. A team of professionals
The animation company you ultimately hire should have a team of skilled professionals who can produce high-quality animation, not just a one-person operation. The team should be able to work together to create a cohesive and professional product.
Make sure the animation company you choose has a team of skilled professionals who can produce high-quality animation. The team should be cohesive and professional, and be able to produce a high-quality product.
A team ensures that you have multiple eyes and brains on the work they’re creating for you. A team ensures that quality control is more seamless and creativity flows more freely!
13. Experience in your industry
This is one point that a lot of people don’t always think about when hiring outside help.
The animation company you choose should have experience in your company’s industry. You want to make sure they’ve worked with similar companies. And understand the challenges and needs of companies in your industry.
They should understand the challenges and needs of companies in your field. This will help them create a video that is tailored to your specific needs and ensure that they understand the needs of your business and can create a video that’s relevant to your target audience.
Are you in the market for an animation company? Why not check out C&I Studios and our large portfolio of animation work, both 2D animation and 3D animation. We have a large team of animators and crew that have a passion and great expertise in animation and can’t wait to keep creating and producing more animation and other marketing content. We’re confident that we can exceed your expectations and create a video that you’ll be proud to share with the world. Contact us today to get started!