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How to Choose the Right Animation Studio for Your Project

Finding an animation studio can seem surprisingly difficult. To start with there’s different styles of aniamtion.

Then there are hundreds of studios, production companies and freelancers offering animation services, from small independent teams to large London production houses.

So how do you decide which animation studio is right for your project?

The first thing to remember is that the biggest studio isn't necessarily the best studio for your brief.

Start with the work

The obvious place to begin is the studio's animation portfolio.

But don't just look at whether you like the individual animations.

Look for evidence that the studio can solve problems similar to yours.

Do they make character animation? Explainer films? Brand campaigns? Social content? Broadcast work? 2D animation? 3D animation?

A studio's portfolio should show you what they're genuinely good at and enjoy making.

Look for a creative point of view

A good animation studio shouldn't simply make things move.

Animation communicates an idea, creates emotion, builds a character or make a complicated subject easier to understand.

Look for a studio with a recognisable creative personality that’s memorable.

That doesn't necessarily mean every film should look the same. It means the studio should have a point of view about storytelling, design and animation.

Consider the team

Who will actually make your project? Are they in house or random freelancers?

A large studio might have an impressive showreel, but the people you initially speak to may not be the people working on the film.

Smaller independent studios can offer something different: direct access to the creative team and fewer layers between the client and the people making the work.

Neither approach is automatically better.

The important thing is finding the structure that suits your project.

Does location matter?

If you're searching for a London animation studio because you’re based in London, it's natural to assume a London postcode is an advantage.

Sometimes it is, but generally it’s not!

Animation is increasingly produced remotely, meaning a studio's location doesn't necessarily determine how well it can collaborate with your team.

At Cub Studio, we're based in Brighton but regularly work with London agencies, San Francisco and LA brands and creative teams.

For us, the important thing is making collaboration easy — whether that's a video call, a shared review, or jumping on a train for a meeting.

Ask how they work, their process

Before commissioning an animation studio, ask about their animation process.

How do they develop ideas?

How do they approach scripts and storyboards?

How many rounds of feedback are included?

Who manages the production?

How are files and approvals handled?

What happens if the scope changes?

A clear process doesn't make animation less creative.

It gives creativity somewhere to happen.

Finally, choose people you want to work with, their personality will shine through their work!

Animation productions can take weeks or months.

You'll probably have plenty of conversations, reviews and decisions along the way.

So chemistry matters.

Choose a studio that listens, communicates clearly and understands what you're trying to achieve.

The best animation studio isn't necessarily the closest one, the biggest one or the cheapest one.

It's the one that makes you think:

“These are the people I'd like to represent my brand”