Character Animation Studio

Creating a character animation per minute usually takes 1-2 weeks for a 2D character animation to 3-4 weeks for a 3D one.

Multiple factors can affect this time span, such as art style, number, the complexity of characters, quality, budget, etc.

You can contact us right now to get a time estimation for your character animation project today.

Our character animation creative process involves identifying your unique needs to have a deep understanding of your project, setting deadlines, character modeling, texturing, rigging, and skinning. Then, we bring them to life frame-by-frame through expert animation.

We provide 2D and 3D character animation services in the USA, UK, Canada, the Middle East, etc. We understand the importance of seamless collaboration across borders and time zones. Most of our clients are from the USA and here is how we ensure efficient collaboration despite time zones and languages:

• A dedicated account manager will be assigned to your project, available during flexible hours, including weekends, to facilitate seamless communication and act as an interpreter if needed.
• All our key team members, including the project manager and those you’ll communicate with, are proficient in English for efficient collaboration.

Here are 4 key managing tips for rushed projects:

1. Build in a buffer time (plan for 5 weeks if your target timeline is 6 weeks) for contingencies, iterations, and reviews. Buffer time acts as a protection against any errors or issues related to the project force majeure. This way, circumstances that might not go as planned are taken into account.
2. Build in a buffer budget due to the need for additional resources, overtime hours working, revisions, and changes. While some changes might seem minor, they can accumulate, leading to significant increases in both costs and time.
3. Consider reevaluating some aspects and changing your project scope and overview by reducing the complexity and number of assets. For example, there is no need to design several unique characters for a crowd at a wide angle; you can have a few and use them in many variations.
4. Implement Modular Asset Design: Design modular and reusable assets that can be combined or repurposed across multiple environments or levels. This approach minimizes the need for creating unique assets from scratch and promotes efficient asset reuse.

There are 4 logical reasons for you to consider outsourcing character animation:

• Saving Money and Time: Creating animations requires an experienced team across many roles like concept artists, character animators, modelers, animators, art directors, art leads, etc., and hiring them in-house has challenges. Character animation companies house all the expertise necessary to bring a client’s vision to life efficiently, speedily, and cost-effectively.
• Creativity: Have you ever considered that you can outsource creativity, too? Apple partnered with Hovey-Kelley for creative ideas when inventing the mouse. Character animation studios thrive on imagination.
• Quality: Practice makes perfect. Character animation outsourcing companies produce countless character animations, constantly honing skills and staying current on gaming industry trends and tools. Their experience enables high-quality character animation services delivery without wasted time or budget.
• Scalability: Expanding the character animation creation scale requires growing your animation team. That’s challenging in-house but not for a character animation outsourcing partner with access to more character animators. A character animation agency maintains larger talent pools and connections to scale up readily.

There are 4 criteria for picking the best character animation studio:

• Portfolio: A character animation studio’s expertise is showcased via its breathtaking art portfolio, and nothing tells better what they are capable of than its past works.
• Reviews: Read their reviews online and see what their past clients think of them. The most honest on-hand thing you can find in the best character animation companies is their online reviews.
• Communication: First impressions matter – especially when it comes to communication. If they’re slow to respond or just plain rude from the get-go, imagine how it’ll be once they have your money! Trust your gut and work with people who make you feel good.
• Time and Budget Compatibility: After all, you might find the best character animation studios in the world, but your time schedule and/or money budget do not meet their demands. Find a character animation agency that meets all the previous characteristics as well as your budget and schedule.

1. Personality: Every gesture and expression should reflect who the character is. Imagine if Disney princesses act like Spong Bob and Patrik. As we can see, they have unique personalities and manners, which makes them great.
2. Exaggeration: Exaggerating certain motions and poses makes characters more dynamic and attractive. But it must be balanced with subtler, realistic CGI acting as well. In Tom & Jerry, the cat Tom is a great example of applying exaggeration to character animation.
3. Creativity: 2D & 3D character animators can bring memorable characters to life with unique, unexpected, and playful animation choices. Genie in Disney’s Aladdin displays an incredible range of imaginative, over-the-top shapeshifting and acting.
4. Story Relevance: Each movement and expression of the animation should work to advance the narrative or convey information. Can you remember the old man in Up? At first, his expressions are downtrodden and muted. When the adventure started, his expression became more lively and youthful.

Here are 3 common challenges and risks in character animation workflow and strategies to address them:

• Challenge: Project Delays and Unexpected Disruptions
• Solution: Comprehensive upfront planning, minimizing excessive revisions/edits, maintaining open communication, and building some buffer time (10%-20%) into the timeline for unexpected issues and contingencies like artist illness, emergencies, etc.
• Challenge: Misunderstandings
• Solution: Extremely clear and detailed brief, over-communicate priorities, ask the studio to explain their understanding back to you (do not just seek confirmation of your explanation), and emphasize crucial requirements repeatedly.
• Challenge: Budget Overruns
• Solution: Pursue a fixed-price contract rather than hourly, conduct detailed scoping in brief, set clearly defined budget limits and contractual provisions, and build in contingency buffers for possible risks.
• Challenge: Technical Limitations
• Solution: Evaluate technical capabilities early and align art production with supported features and performance targets. Implement optimization techniques, such as level-of-detail (LOD) systems, occlusion culling, and asset optimization.

Here’s what you can expect from our character animation studio:

• Regular Updates: We’ll provide you with regular updates on the progress of your character animation for your feedback.
• Revision Process: We understand revisions are often part of the creative process. Our character animation company offers a structured revision process to ensure your feedback is incorporated effectively.
• Open Door Policy: We have an open-door policy, so you’re welcome to ask questions or discuss any concerns you may have at any time.
• Educational Resources: Our character animation studio can provide you with educational resources to help you better understand the game art process and the creative decisions involved.
• Multiple Format Delivery: We deliver your final character animation in various formats suitable for various platforms and uses.
• After-Service Support: Our support extends beyond delivery. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about using your character animation or repurposing it for future projects.