How to Find an Animator for Your Business (+ Benefits of Outsourcing Animation)

Animation, to be blunt, is the latest and greatest trend in marketing and advertising – businesses no matter the size can immediately see benefits from using this format. But if this is brand new to you, you may need help in how to find an animator…

But first, let’s take a recap into where animation and business collide:

Being in a business means constantly thinking of new, creative ways of selling services or products. As the age of technology evolves, creation is getting more and more advanced, with new artists being born every minute! Visual artists help businesses to reconceptualize their ideas into launching their brands. 

Artists bring our wildest dreams to life, turning them into something more valuable and profitable. They are the unsung magicians of marketing, releasing eye-catching advertising materials and videos that spark new inspiration to others.

And, hey, let’s give credit where credit is due – a lot of steps go into creating visual animation.

What you need, is an experienced artist to make those things run smoothly and according to your plan. We’re in the 21st-century folks! Technology is a big deal.

So, without further ado, here’s our guide to help you not only find an animator but also figure out which design is needed to skyrocket your business!

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What is an Animator?

Animators are one of the most in-demand artists in the business right now. They are like genies that bring an artistic vision to the screen, using those essential marketing tools like engagement and originality.

TheBalanceCareers.com has a great definition for an animator job role below:

An animator creates an extensive series of images that form the animation seen in movies, commercials, television programs, and video games. They typically specialize in one of these media and may further concentrate on a specific area, such as characters, scenery, or background design. 
Animators typically use computer software to do their work. They are members of a team that consists of other animators and artists who collaborate on projects.

– TheBalanceCareers.com

Using and distributing animation into your marketing is a great way of injecting a little personality, and excitement. People are now completely captivated by motion pictures – we’re used to seeing static images, so our brains almost gloss over them… not ideal if you’re trying to hook potential customers in on your services!

Using this content will not only increase your engagement, but it’s also a surefire way to help you manifest more sales. Basically, animators help your brand to be recognized, making them a valuable part of your marketing formula… 

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Types of Animations:

2D Animation

A two-dimensional animation is still photos sequenced to create an illusion that it is moving. An example of two-dimensional animation is GIFs.

As motion pictures go, these guys are pretty useful, not to mention a super easy viral tool. GIFs stream through our messages, spam our social media timelines, and occasionally, little our emails… so, if you’re looking for a quick update to your marketing content, you really can’t go wrong with a well-placed GIF.

3D Animation

Three-dimensional animation is more famously used in films and games. It creates the illusion that the image can be manipulated, just like a real object.

A few good examples of 3D animation are found in the likes of huge motion-picture giants like Pixar, or Disney. Take Olaf from Frozen, or Simba from The Lion King. These three-dimensional, lovable characters have infiltrated our media and become a recognizable form of content. Just think, if you could create an adorable mascot like that, just how much success could your business harbor!?

…Although, it should be noted that the going rates for these types of animation are pretty expensive: Disney‘s budget for a second of animation is over $24,000. Yep.

Stop Motion Animation

Stop motion on the other hand is placing different objects of photos in different positions to make it seem like it is moving. Editing a stop motion can be difficult since it is a cut-to-cut process.

One of the more famous stop-motion animations has been Aardman Animation’s Wallace and Gromit. Created through series of movements shot frame by frame, using clay (and a whole lot of skill) to capture what appears to be seamless movement.

Rotoscope Animation

Rotoscope animation is translating the live-action movement into an animation by drawing over the character’s movements. In this sense, the characters that are animated have the same movement like real people do.

Due to the pandemic, one of the long-running series entitled The Blacklist, used rotoscoping during their last episode in season 7.

Motion Capture

Motion Capture Animation is like rotoscope animation however, there is no need to draw over the original live footage. 

Another famous instance of motion capture has been in the use of Planet of the Apes, with actor and director Andy Serkis’s portrayal of Caeser the great ape. (Serkis has also dabbled in motion capture before, with his role in Lord of the Rings, playing Gollum!)

Typography Animation

Put simply – Typography Animation is manipulating text, and making it move, using animation.

Cut out Animation

Cut-out Animation is having your desired cut-out elements and making those move into creating a unison animation. Cut-out animation is like puppetry by using flat paper. 

So, you now know the main types of animation that are used around the world. We’ve listed a few notable, entertainment-esque references, but there have been many instances of animation used from an advertising standpoint – check out PebbleStudios article!

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Next: Find an Animator (Where & How?)

Go Online

The easiest and most convenient way to look for an animator is by searching websites that are catered to freelancers. There are several reputable sources of freelance animators, check out our article here on some of the best freelance websites around – our current favorite is a freelance marketplace called Twine (ahem).

Finding an animator online is probably the easiest, and quickest, way to not only find someone you like but also ensure you’re getting the safest approach for your investment. Plus, everyone who’s everyone has an online portfolio nowadays, so finding a talented, flexible, animation freelancer has never been easier!

Job Postings

Another way to find an animator is by posting a job on your site.

This will attract freelancers who are already aware of your brand, and are interested in working with you. Having a personal job posting also means you can circulate the posting through different social media platforms -maximizing the number of animators who can see it.

However, it’s important to note that if you go down this old-fashioned route, you’re less likely to get the quality you’re looking for straight off the bat. Freelancers who use freelance marketplaces usually have to be vetted, and have their portfolios approved before pitching to clients – at least, that’s the case for Twine…

After prospecting and looking for your top applicants…

Trial Period

A trial period will allow you to see how your animator can handle assignments you’ll give.

This trial period will not only see how trained they are as artists, but also how they respond to you. Producing an animation means intensely working from pre-production until post-production.

It is a series of trial and error, with constant amendments and redesigns taking place. With this, you can follow how your animator works, and whether their work style (i.e. work schedule, response time, design style, etc) matches with your own.

For tips on picking the right freelancer, check out our article here.

Benefits of Outsourcing Animation:

All-in-One Artist

Animators are known to be able to do everything from creating the illustrations to doing the process of animating them.

If you choose to hire an animator, you would have fewer problems in hiring a different artist in doing the illustration – saving yourself a pretty penny.

It should be noted, however, that animators usually work in teams. This is so they have someone to throw ideas and brainstorm with, with the same area of expertise and skills as they have.

Depending on your business, and vision, this can all vary – so do your research before you find an animator!

Pitches

Having a full-time animator can give you pitches that are spot on with your brand.

Incorporating media – whether video or animation – into your marketing campaign will create a huge boost to the quality of your content. When it comes to releasing new products or launching an event, these forms of moving media are increasingly becoming the most popular choice. As of 2021, it’s been proven that videos gain more views, likes, and shares, compared to static imagery.

These pitches from your freelance animator, make sure that your business is continuously evolving and not just following the trend. Essentially, having a professional artist on your team allows your business to start its own trend.

Animation can open more doors for your business not just creatively, but also with new digital and technological opportunities to incorporate your company into…

Followers

Quality animation content will help you build your followers and with this, increase your engagement.

As mentioned previously, motion media is proving to be an increasingly popular format and is land-sliding engagement when it comes to static vs motion.

Want to feel like what it’s like to be the most popular kid in school? Find an animator and start publishing some fantastic new animation content – the engagement from existing and new customers will begin pouring in. You’re welcome!

Conclusion

Let’s round up, shall we?

Animators are the in-demand artists that help corporate and media companies, taking their marketing campaigns that one step further.  

Animators, like any other artists, need time to construct their crafts. The trial period allows you to gauge how long they work and how well they can do under pressure. Then, production can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months – with other, advanced projects even lasting for years.

Be intentional in hiring them. Animators, and creative professionals in general, must see the vision and the goal of your specific project. So, keep it exciting! Despite knowing they’re working full time; every artist needs that project they can be passionate about.

Other than this, you should always have your ears and eyes open to the creative things they will offer. Artists have different formulas and tactics that vary from every project they do – most of the time, the freelancer you hire isn’t a one-trick pony.

If you’re ready to provide your company with a ground-breaking, artistic view, finding and hiring an animator may very well be the next step for your business.

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