This post is for those who may want to become more familiar with the motion design process and presents some thoughts to keep in mind when creating a project. I found myself sharing these similar bits of information, so I thought I’d wrangle them together for those who may be interested.
Beginning an animation project starts a long and super fun journey. One way to help a project meet its goals is to ask many questions before designing a single storyboard frame or placing any keyframes. I’d like to share a few insights I’ve learned over the years that have helped me better understand a project’s overall vision and how I can help make the best possible animation from this information.
Project Goals and Audience
Let’s say you have an animation project you want to create. In a perfect scenario, what does the success of this project look like? What goals are we trying to achieve or convey with the completed animation? Who are we trying to reach with this message? Having the answers to these few questions can be a solid guiding point for many decisions within the project. If we know our goals and target audience, we can make better-informed decisions about the project's desired outcome.
Budget and Timeline
What is the budget and timeline of the project? Knowing these two factors before the project starts helps determine what is possible within the available time and what resources are needed to complete the project. These are good conversations to have early in the process, so expectations are clear for everyone in the project. There are many ways to convey an idea using animation, so being aware of the project’s budget and timeline can help find a proper solution.
Style and Design
What style are we aiming for? Do we need to design assets? What about character animation? The possibilities of animation are vast, and there are many ways to approach an animation project. From shorter looping animations to longer explainer videos, in 2D or 3D style, choose to include characters, add a voice-over, or rely on visuals only – there are lots of options! Some of this may be affected by your project's available budget and timeline, as specific design or animation styles may take more time or resources to accomplish.
Important Details
Some other aspects to consider are video duration and final dimension deliverables. These can often be influenced by who your audience is, where you plan to share your video, and how you want viewers to see your finished project.
Every project is entirely different and will require a unique approach. However, considering these few points will help everybody better understand the project’s goals and desired result. Now, it’s time to make a cool animation!