When creating an explainer animation video, many businesses and organisations tend to think that they may need to work with a larger marketing agency that can do it all, especially if you have other projects on the go like branding.
While these creative agencies may have the resources to handle a wide variety of projects, they aren’t always the best choice for every project.
Many businesses and organisations find that hiring a smaller specialist explainer animation video studio can be a better option for a variety of reasons. Here are just a few of the benefits of working with an animated video production studio instead of a larger or well-known marketing agency:
Expertise in Animation
Smaller specialist studios typically have a team of expert animators and designers. They know how to create engaging and effective animations to grab your audience’s attention and keep them engaged throughout the video.
Even if you are creating assets for a wider campaign with other companies, since animation is bespoke, a studio can create cohesive designs with the right tone and feel as your other banding materials. As long as the communication is good you needn’t worry.
A more prominent marketing agency may not have as much expertise in animation specifically. They may rely on generalists to do with work, say a video editor who knows some animation, or an animator who can do some design, or they hire freelancers or a white-label video production service to handle this aspect of the project. Generalists are often weaker when tasked with both the design and animation aspects of video production. Not to say all larger agencies don’t have specialist skills, but we see this lack fairly often.
Personalised Attention
Generally, you can expect a more personalised and attentive experience when working with a smaller studio.
Your project will likely be a top priority for the team, and you’ll have direct access to the animators, designers and any other colleagues working on your video. They can talk you through details, scripting and design choices clearly.
A larger marketing agency will have more clients to juggle, and your project may not receive the same attention and care. Often you’ll be working with an account manager, who may or may not be knowledgeable about the animation production process and may not be able to answer questions quickly as they’ll be referring back and forth to production.
Competitive Pricing
Smaller specialist animation companies often offer competitive pricing for their services. Since they don’t have the same overhead costs as larger agencies, they can often offer more affordable rates without sacrificing quality. An agency may have higher costs that get passed on to clients. And if they hire freelancers for these more specialist projects, they will also pass on this cost to the client.
More Flexibility
Smaller studios are often more flexible when it comes to working with clients. They may be able to accommodate tight deadlines or unique project requirements more easily than a big agency. Being small makes them nimble. They may also be more willing to work within your budget constraints and find creative solutions to help you achieve your goals.
More Niche Specialisation
Smaller specialist video studios have a niche specialisation or expertise. They focus only on animation and have honed their skills.
This means they can be better equipped to handle a project that requires specific knowledge or skills in a particular area – for example incorporating 3D or really refining the Art Direction and visuals.
An all-around creative agency that handles various projects may not have the same expertise or specialisation. Many studios do not have their own in-house animation team. So the animation will be more basic looking as they have an in-house generalist working on the project. Or they are hiring specialist freelancers to work on the project anyway. So you are paying more for the same product.
In summary, while larger marketing agencies may have their benefits, working with a smaller specialist explainer animation video studio has unique advantages.
You can expect expert animation, personalised attention, competitive pricing, flexibility, and niche specialisation.
Don’t overlook the benefits of working with a smaller specialist studio when looking for a partner to create your next explainer animation video. Bigger isn’t always better!
Contact us if you’d like to talk about animated video production for your business or organisation.
