How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Animator?
How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Animator?
Don’t know how much does it cost to hire an animator? Do not worry if you do not know about it, as we are going to help you find that out via this post. Besides, the cost of animations or explainer videos that explainer video companies produce is contingent on different variables. The style of animation, video length, and who you hire, are variables that determine the cost of explainer videos or animations.
In addition, there are some cheap ways to create animated videos on your own. Still, DIY animated explainer videos cannot beat customer-animated explainer videos that creative professionals create. Besides, custom animated videos undergo production while going through different processes, including scriptwriting, storyboard development, creation of illustrations, voiceover, and eventually animation.
Furthermore, explainer video production costs can range between $2500 to $30000, contingent on the variables we mentioned earlier in this post. Animated video production companies may charge you animation rates per second or charge you for animation at an hourly rate There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to explainer video production. Moreover, the explainer video production process can take around four to six weeks on average.
Logo and Animating It
Factors That Determine Animation Rates per Second or Hour
There are a variety of factors that come into play a role in determining the price of animation. The following factors determine the hourly or per-second rates of an animator:
1. Animation Style:
There are different types of animation styles when it comes to explainer videos. Further, creating different types of animation requires different skills and tools. Some of the animation styles include 2D, 3D, and motion graphics. Moreover, the animation style you may choose to create an explainer video plays a vital role in determining the animation cost.
2. Complexity:
The complexity of the explainer video project is another determinant of animation cost. For instance, explainer videos with more scenes, characters, and actions will take more time to create. For the same reason, more complex explainer video projects cost more.
3. Length or Duration:
Typically, the length of explainer videos is 30 to 90 seconds. Nonetheless, businesses may need to create a longer explainer video to explain a complex concept. Further, explainer videos with more length or duration cost more to produce.
4. Deadline:
The deadline for video production also plays a role in determining the cost of an explainer video. For instance, explainer videos that a video production company needs to produce within a short or tight deadline require overtime and other production expenses. By the same token, such explainer videos will cost more.
5. Number of Revisions:
Some explainer video companies claim they offer unlimited revisions. Nonetheless, it can eventually turn out to be a sales pitch. Usually, 2 revisions are standard when it comes to explainer videos. Further, you should expect to pay more to a company for more revisions.
6. Country:
It may seem a bizarre factor to you; however, it is the most important factor of all. It is because labor, taxes, real estate rentals, and regional costs impact the price exponentially. Therefore, the cost of an animator to produce explainer videos is also dependent on the animator’s country.
How Much Does Animation Cost?
We have already mentioned to you that the animation cost is not consistent. You should expect to pay differently to an animator you may choose to create an explainer video. Besides, you should expect to pay at least $2500 for a 2D animated video of 1 minute. Plus, you should expect to pay double an animator for a 3D animated video of one minute.
In addition, expect to pay more to an esteemed explainer video company for explainer videos. The more reputable explainer video company you choose, the more you will need to pay. Still, you will make the most out of your investment if you choose a studio over a freelancer. However, freelancers’ rates for explainer videos vary as per their experience and expertise.
To be honest, the more intricate your needs are for an explainer video, the more cost you will bear. For the same reason, it is advisable you know your budget beforehand. Then, you may discuss your options with a freelancer or a video production house as per your budget.
Further, you can discuss with an explainer video company how you can achieve your goals without breaking the bank. It may aid you in knowing your best option to create a brilliant explainer video at a budget-friendly price. Have you gotten the idea now: How much does animation cost?
Freelancers and explainer video companies have different price points. A video animation company, such as Glowza Digital, may seem expensive to you initially. Nonetheless, you have a greater chance of making a high ROI if you choose an agency over a freelancer.
Moreover, the style of animation you may choose will also play a role to determine the cost of animation. Besides, a basic 2D animation won’t cost you more, unlike 3D animation. In other words, the cost of 2D animation is always less than 3D animation. Nonetheless, 3D animated explainer videos always surpass quality as compared to 2D animated explainer videos. The length of a video will play a crucial role in determining the final cost of your video.
Besides, the first minute of an explainer video is typically the costliest. It is because the first minute of an animated explainer video involves a lot of groundwork. In general, a 2D animation may cost you $2500 to $4500 per minute. However, the final cost of a 2D animated explainer video is contingent on its length and complexity. Additionally, 30-second motion graphics or 3D animated videos may cost you $1750 to $2500. Further, it can cost you $3500 to $10,000 per minute provided that how much 3D modeling is required for it.
Whether you look for a 2D animator for hire or a 3D animator for hire, make sure you choose a reputable animator. It will ensure you get the most out of your investment with an animated explainer video. We shall also tell you later how you should hire an animator for explainer video production. Before we do, we want you to know: How much does it cost to hire an animator in different parts of the world?
How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Animator in Different Parts of the World?
Production costs for explainer videos can vary based on the location where they are created. Further, we have also mentioned earlier in this post there are factors that play a role in determining their costs. Taxes, office expenses, and standard of living, to name some. You may also think that you will get a high-quality explainer video if you choose an animator from a high-income country. It is half true and half false at the same time, and we shall tell you: How?
It is true you will get a high-quality animated explainer video when you choose a Pixar-quality animation studio. However, you will seek other options for explainer video production if your budget is less than $25K for it. In addition, you will still get a better quality explainer video if you choose a good video animation agency. Besides, it is cheaper to hire a full video animation agency than a freelance animator in San Francisco.
Moreover, animation hourly rate for 2D animation differs from region to region. The following are rates you may expect to pay animation studios in America, Europe, or Asia, as per statistics:
America:
A video animation agency can cost you $150 per hour in America. Besides, the same price is also applicable in Canada.
Europe:
An explainer video company in Europe may charge you $100 per hour. Moreover, the cost may become $50 to $80 per hour in Eastern Europe.
Asia:
You can expect to pay the same rates to Asian video animation agencies that you may pay in Western Europe. Nevertheless, Asian video animation agencies are a mix, as there are great studios, as well as inexperienced video animation agencies.
How to Hire an Animator – Our Eight-Step Guide
Now, you are well aware of the cost of an animator. It is time you know our eight-step process on how to hire an animator:
Step 1: Choose Your Preferred Style of Animation
There are different animation styles to choose from when it comes to explainer videos. In addition, different animation styles for explainer videos suit different needs of businesses. It is important that you choose an animation style that will suit your business the best. To choose the right animation style, ask yourself: Will a cheap, basic, or cheerful 2D animation best fulfill your needs? Or do you need to create a more realistic explainer video to stand out in the competition?
Step 2: Set a Budget
Setting a budget has a link to a decision you may make as per step 1. Moreover, you now also know that cost of 3D explainer videos is more than 2D animated videos. In order to set the budget for your animation, you must decide on the animation style you are after.
Step 3: Come up with a Detailed Brief
Animators are highly creative professionals as per the nature of the work they do. Nonetheless, you need to come up with a detailed brief to let animators exactly create what you are after. There are certain things you need to consider in order to let an animator develop what you exactly want. The following are the things you have to consider to eventually develop a detailed brief for your explainer video content:
• Colour scheme and placement of your business logo in the video.
• Script and language, you want to use in the video.
• The tone for animation. For example, fun, education, alarming, and so on.
• Length of the video. But remember, an animator will charge you per minute for animation. Besides, explainer videos of more than two minutes are not ideal because of their short attention span. It is best for businesses to stick to a 30 to 90 seconds long explainer video.
• The deadline for delivery of final video content is highly important.
Step 4: Research Freelancers and Video Animation Agencies
The internet is your best resource to search for animators, including freelancers and video animation agencies. You should go through the portfolio of animators and go through reviews from their past clients. It will help you shortlist potential animators for your project. But remember, a video animation agency is your best bet to get the most out of your explainer video content.
Step 5: Interview Potential Animators to Finally Choose One
Once you shortlist potential animators you can work with, you should interview them. A real-time conversation can let you find out much more about animators than an email. During the conversation, ask animators more about the process, timeline, expenses, etc. Then, choose an animator who seems to fit your needs the best.
Step 6: Issue the Brief
Provide an animator you may choose with the detailed brief you created, as we mentioned in step 3.
Step 7: Collaborate Until the Animation Is Complete
Keep in mind, you are hiring an animator to help you create the explainer video content you are after. At the same time, it is important you collaborate with your animator throughout the process. We mean you should encourage the animator to show you rough foot footage and work in progress when available. It will help you redirect an animator to misalign things if you find any in the video.
Step 8: Consider What Comes Next
The final video you may get and the price you pay an animator is not exactly the end. You should think about whether you would like to work with the same animator again or not. Also ask yourself: Will you need to book the same animator in advance?
Conclusion
Different factors, including animation style, complexity, length, deadline, number of revisions, and country are important when it comes to finding an answer to the following question: How much does it cost to hire an animator? Explainer video production costs can range between $2500 to $3000, contingent on the aforementioned factors.
Moreover, it will cost you more when you look for a 3D animator for hire than a 2D animator for hire. Further, a video animation agency may seem more expensive to hire as compared to a freelancer. But it will prove more lucrative in the end. Lastly, it is important that you choose an animator while sticking to the following steps:
1. Choose Your Preferred Style of Animation
2. Set a Budget
3. Come up with a Detailed Brief
4. Research Freelancers and Video Animation Agencies
5. Interview Potential Animators to Finally Choose One
6. Issue the Brief
7. Collaborate Until the Animation Is Complete
8. Consider What Comes Next
FAQS
1. How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Animator?
When it comes to the cost of hiring an animator for the production of animated videos professionally, the cost is minimum. The cost of professional animation is minimum as it entails the delivery of an animated video script, voiceover, art direction, character animation, advanced transitions, etc. Basically, the two main factors that play an important role in determining the cost of professional animations are the length and the style of an animated video you want to create. Besides, an explainer video of more than 90 seconds is barely effective for marketing purposes. Further, expect to pay an animator $10,000 to $20,000 for a professionally animated explainer video of 1 minute.
2. How Do Professionals Price Animation?
The price of animation is based on certain factors, such as project complexity, length, animation style, etc. Additionally, 3D animated videos are costlier to produce than 2D animated videos. In any case, most animated video production companies do not put animation production costs on their websites, and it is understandable: Why? It is because there are certain factors that determine the actual cost of animated video production, and we have mentioned some of them already.
3. How Much Does It Cost to Make a 1-Minute Animated Video?
Generally, you can expect to pay $7,000 to $50,000 to a professional for creating an animated video of 1 minute, based on the video type you want to create and the explainer video company you choose to create it. However, the length and complexity are core factors in determining the exact cost that may incur on you for producing an explainer video of 1 minute.
4. How Much Should You Expect to Pay for a 30-Second Animated Video?
Firstly, there is no exact answer to how much you should pay an animator for a 30-second animated video. It is because the size of the project and project deadline will also impact the price. Nonetheless, producing a 30-second explainer video may cost you around $1500 to $2500, in general.
