Studio vs Freelance Animation Service: Which suits you best?

So, you’ve decided to invest in an animation to help promote your business but how do you weigh up studio vs freelance animation services.
What are the options?

Having decided to use animation to promote their business, many companies can feel daunted by the huge market of animation services available today. In this article, we break down the crucial first question—and help you weigh up Studio vs Freelance Animation. Should you look to hire an individual freelance animator, or go to an established animation studio…

What can freelance offer?

1. The flexibility to meet a tight deadline

Freelance animators often have flexible working hours and take on less projects at a time than a studio. This means that your production can get their full attention, and they might be able to get the project done faster than a studio where multiple projects are being developed at any one time.

Animation Timeline Studio vs Freelance Animation

2. A sparkling reputation

Since freelancers animate alone, their ability to get new work depends on the quality of the service they offer as an individual. Freelance animators are typically under much more pressure to ensure every stage of a production is carried out to a high standard than an individual studio employee, and this can lead to some impressive results.

Studio vs Freelance Animation Holding Phone

2. A sparkling reputation

Since freelancers animate alone, their ability to get new work depends on the quality of the service they offer as an individual. Freelance animators are typically under much more pressure to ensure every stage of a production is carried out to a high standard than an individual studio employee, and this can lead to some impressive results.

3. Individual industry experience

Freelance animators have often worked for several studios in the past, and this can give a wider industry understanding than consulting with an animator who has spent their career in only one studio. Before commissioning a freelance animator, inquire if they have had any prior experience with a business like yours.

3. Individual industry experience

Freelance animators have often worked for several studios in the past, and this can give a wider industry understanding than consulting with an animator who has spent their career in only one studio. Before commissioning a freelance animator, inquire if they have had any prior experience with a business like yours.

What can a studio offer?

1. The resources to handle larger projects

When working on projects, animation studios will almost always have more resources available. These can include software, employed industry experts, and the technology necessary to complete the work, allowing the studio to deliver a wider range of services than a freelance animator can provide. In a studio, different stages of the animation project are assigned to different animators, so your work will be handled by experts in every stage of the production.

1. The resources to handle larger projects

When working on projects, animation studios will almost always have more resources available. These can include software, employed industry experts, and the technology necessary to complete the work, allowing the studio to deliver a wider range of services than a freelance animator can provide. In a studio, different stages of the animation project are assigned to different animators, so your work will be handled by experts in every stage of the production.

Legal Security provided by Studio vs Freelance Animation

2. Legal security

Most animation studios offer a secure production timeline, provide regular updates and are legally accountable if a project isn’t completed. Freelance animators, unlike studios, can sometimes lack a secure method of contact, move locations at any point, and might not provide a legally bound contract. Investing in a studio to provide your first high-quality animation is often the best bet for a company’s peace of mind.

2. Legal security

Most animation studios offer a secure production timeline, provide regular updates and are legally accountable if a project isn’t completed. Freelance animators, unlike studios, can sometimes lack a secure method of contact, move locations at any point, and might not provide a legally bound contract. Investing in a studio to provide your first high-quality animation is often the best bet for a company’s peace of mind.

3. Broad industry knowledge

Studios can complete a higher number of productions than an individual freelancer in a year, which often results in a wider range of overall industry knowledge. Individual animators may lack the experience of a seasoned freelancer, but the range of experience a studio offers means that they are more likely to have worked with a company like yours before, and can offer an animation backed by industry knowledge.

3. Broad industry knowledge

Studios can complete a higher number of productions than an individual freelancer in a year, which often results in a wider range of overall industry knowledge. Individual animators may lack the experience of a seasoned freelancer, but the range of experience a studio offers means that they are more likely to have worked with a company like yours before, and can offer an animation backed by industry knowledge.

Making your final decision

Ultimately, the choice when weighing up studio vs freelance animation services is unique to your business.

If you’ve found a freelancer with detailed knowledge of the service you provide, experience that matches your company’s vision, and a reputation for completing projects to a high standard, you may be on your way to a successful partnership.

However, if you find yourself having to repeat your vision to multiple freelance animators to ensure a production that excels in all areas, it might be time to start looking for a studio you can trust…