Working with a motion designer might seem mysterious if you’ve never done it before — but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you're creating an explainer video, a logo animation, or a full-on brand story, the process is built around collaboration, clarity, and trust.
Here’s how I (and my trusty producer) make it simple and smooth:
1. Creative Brief & Discovery
It all starts with a creative brief questionnaire — a short but focused set of questions that helps us get aligned on your goals, audience, tone, and vision. This step makes sure we're not just “making something pretty” — we’re designing something with purpose.
Then, we’ll usually have a face-to-face meeting or a call — whatever you're most comfortable with. This helps me really understand what you need and how you like to work. I’ve learned that trust is the foundation of great creative work, and that starts with conversation.
2. Script & Messaging
If the video needs a script, this comes next. Either you’ll provide one, or I can help develop it based on your goals. This stage is crucial, because the story drives everything that follows — visuals, timing, tone, even sound.
We don’t move forward until the script is signed off. That’s because every change downstream becomes harder (and more expensive) to adjust — so nailing the foundation early saves everyone time and stress.
3. Storyboarding
Once the script is locked, I create a storyboard — a scene-by-scene visual plan for your video. It’s kind of like a comic strip version of the animation. This helps you see how the video will flow before we animate anything.
Sometimes I also provide a style frame or two — a snapshot of what the final animation will look like, in full visual fidelity. This keeps us on the same page visually.
4. Voiceover & Sound (if needed)
If your video includes narration, now’s the time to record it. You can provide the voice, or I can help source a professional VO artist. The voiceover sets the pacing of the animation, so it’s locked in before I animate.
5. Animation
This is where the magic happens. I take all the pieces — script, storyboard, voiceover, design — and bring them to life through animation.
Depending on the complexity, this phase can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. You’ll get a first draft, and then we’ll go through a revision round or two to fine-tune things.
6. Delivery
Once everything is approved, I’ll export your final video in whatever formats you need — for web, social, presentations, or TV. I can also provide stills, cutdowns, or subtitles if needed.
Final Thoughts
My goal is always to make the process easy and enjoyable, whether this is your first motion project or your fiftieth. By breaking it into stages — and focusing on clear communication — we can create something that’s both beautiful and effective.
