Author name: Donovan Hill

We have witnessed and experienced significant changes in the world during the COVID-19 pandemic. With so much happening right now, it has not only affected our way of life but also how we work. Keeping that in mind, outsourcing in the animation industry has also been impacted. Today, many large animation companies, freelancers, and individuals are outsourcing various parts of their projects to individuals or companies worldwide. However, like everything else, there are certain things you should and shouldn’t do. For example, if you don’t pay proper attention, you could end up wasting your money, time, and effort, leading to unfavorable outcomes. We have covered the concept of animation outsourcing, and common outsourcing services, and provided tips for choosing the right animation outsourcing company. Read until the end to grasp everything you need to know as a beginner. Let’s get started without delay! What is Outsourcing Animation? Outsourcing involves delegating work or entire projects to external entities. Companies often resort to outsourcing due to constraints on resources and time. In the realm of animation, outsourcing typically entails contracting out various segments of the production pipeline. For instance, many animation studios handle initial stages like scripting and storyboarding internally, while entrusting production and post-production tasks to specialized external studios. Some studios opt to outsource the entire animation project, spanning from pre-production through post-production stages, to leverage external expertise and streamline operations. Why Do Studios Specifically Need Animation Outsourcing? The animation industry has undergone remarkable expansion in recent years, driven by several transformative factors. Current projections indicate that the global animation production market is poised for substantial growth, estimated to reach an impressive $50 billion to $70 billion. This surge can be largely attributed to the proliferation of home-based animation studios, which have flourished due to advancements in technology, remote collaboration tools, and the democratization of creative processes. Looking forward, industry analysts foresee a significant uptick in anime outsourcing activities between 2021 and 2025. This trend reflects a strategic shift among animation studios towards leveraging external expertise and resources to enhance production efficiency and maintain competitiveness in a rapidly evolving market landscape. Prominent examples like The Simpsons and Futurama illustrate the widespread practice of animation outsourcing in the industry. These iconic TV series have relied on extensive networks of animation teams spread across different regions and countries, demonstrating the effectiveness of global collaboration in achieving creative excellence and operational scalability. Moreover, major entertainment conglomerates such as Disney and Cartoon Network have embraced outsourcing as a key strategy for managing large-scale projects efficiently. By partnering with specialized studios worldwide, these industry leaders can tap into diverse pools of talent, access cutting-edge technologies, and navigate logistical complexities with greater flexibility and cost-effectiveness. What are the Different Types of Animation Outsourcing Services Available? The various types of animation outsourcing services include scriptwriting, storyboarding, character design, animation production, voice acting, sound design, and post-production editing. Each service plays a crucial role in the animation production pipeline, offering specialized expertise to enhance the creative and technical aspects of the project. 3D Animation 3D animation is renowned for its realism, achieved through advanced depth and life-like techniques.It’s a highly sought-after service in outsourcing, reflecting its widespread use and demand. Animators benefit from the flexibility of creating and modifying 3D figures and objects to suit each scene’s needs. This adaptability ensures seamless character movement across various scenes and scenarios. The precision of 3D animation allows for intricate detailing and realistic rendering of environments and characters. Clients often choose 3D animation for its ability to convey complex concepts and narratives effectively. Technological advancements continue to enhance the quality and efficiency of 3D animation production. From films to advertising and gaming, 3D animation finds applications across diverse industries. Its immersive visual experience captivates audiences and enhances storytelling capabilities. Overall, 3D animation Services remain a cornerstone of modern digital media and entertainment. 2D Animation 2D animation service is employed extensively across entertainment and media, spanning video games, anime, mobile apps, films, ads, and websites. Its versatility ensures its enduring relevance in storytelling and visual communication. As a proven medium, 2D animation offers flexibility in conveying narratives and ideas effectively. It remains a cornerstone of digital content creation, underscoring its importance in modern media landscapes. When outsourcing video or animation projects, selecting a top-tier 2D animation studio is crucial to ensure high-quality production and innovative storytelling. This strategic approach guarantees engaging and impactful content that resonates with audiences across various platforms. Developing Game Assets for Enhanced Gaming Experiences As demand for high-quality and technically advanced graphics in video games continues to rise, game companies are increasingly collaborating with animation studios. Meeting the growing popularity and complexity of modern video games presents a significant challenge. Therefore, the straightforward solution lies in outsourcing animation expertise. Mastering Character Design for Visual Narratives Creating a brand character is a strategic endeavor aimed at fostering deeper connections and engagement with customers. By developing a distinctive personality that resonates with their target audience, businesses can humanize their brand and differentiate themselves in competitive markets. This character becomes a symbolic representation of the brand’s values, mission, and unique identity, making it easier for customers to relate to and trust. Promotional video production emerges as a crucial tool in bringing this brand character to life. Through storytelling, visuals, and compelling narratives, these videos evoke emotions, convey messages, and showcase the brand’s personality authentically. They enable businesses to communicate their core values, highlight product benefits, and address customer pain points in a memorable and impactful way. Beyond mere engagement, promotional videos are potent drivers of sales. By effectively demonstrating how their products or services solve customer problems or fulfill desires, businesses can influence purchasing decisions. These videos educate potential customers, build desire, and prompt action, guiding them through the sales funnel from initial awareness to final conversion. How to Choose the Right Animation Outsourcing Company for Your Project? So, you’ve decided that outsourcing animation is your best option? Now, figuring out how to find the right animation studio might feel overwhelming.

2D animation is a classic and versatile form of animation where images are created and manipulated in a two-dimensional space. Unlike 3D animation which adds depth through three-dimensional models, 2D animation relies on creating movement using flat, graphical elements. What is 2D Animation? 2D animation revolves around the creation of flat, two-dimensional images that simulate motion through rapid succession. Unlike three-dimensional objects that possess depth and volume, 2D shapes are defined solely by their length and width, lacking thickness. Within the realm of 2D animation, characters, objects, and backgrounds are meticulously crafted and animated within this flat plane. This animation style finds extensive application across various media formats such as movies, cartoons, advertisements, presentations, educational videos, and video games. Its inherent simplicity and versatility render it a favored choice among storytellers and content creators seeking to convey narratives in a visually engaging manner. The process of 2D animation typically involves the sequential display of individual frames, each slightly different from the previous one, to create the illusion of continuous motion. This technique, rooted in traditional animation principles, relies on skillful manipulation of shapes, colors, and timing to bring characters and scenes to life. History and Evolution of 2D Animation 2D animation, an age-old technique originating in the late 1800s, initially involved artists meticulously drawing each frame using pencils. These drawings were then transferred onto transparent plastic sheets known as cells and photographed individually. Historically, 2D animation required artists to create numerous drawings, with subtle variations between each, to depict movement fluidly. These sequential images were then played in rapid succession to achieve the desired animation effect. Today, advancements in computer software have significantly streamlined the 2D animation process. This technology allows for more detailed and imaginative visual storytelling, enhancing the depiction of creative ideas. Since its inception with films like ‘Fantasmagorie’ in 1908, 2D animation has evolved dramatically, spanning countless cartoons and flash animations. Despite the rise of 3D animation, 2D retains its allure by transporting viewers into fantastical worlds through imaginative representations. Over the decades, the labor-intensive nature of 2D animation has become more efficient. While 3D animation continues to grow in popularity, 2D animation maintains its unique appeal and irreplaceable charm.” Why is 2D Animation Used? Despite the advent of 3D animation, many individuals and businesses continue to favor 2D for its inherent advantages. One of the primary reasons is its cost-effectiveness producing 2D videos is generally more economical compared to 3D. Additionally, 2D animation projects tend to be quicker to produce. The simplicity of 2D animation also means it requires less sophisticated technology and software, making it accessible and straightforward to work with. This streamlined production process saves time and effort, as the guidance and resources needed for 2D animation are moderate. Furthermore, 2D animation offers creative freedom without technical constraints, contributing to its widespread use in animated movies and other media. Its simplicity not only facilitates production but also enhances profit margins, making it a preferred choice for many content creators. 2D Animation Techniques and Methods Since Emile Cohl’s pioneering animation, the techniques of 2D animation have advanced significantly, streamlining the process. Despite the complexity, creating even a few seconds of animated video involves extensive methods. Modern advancements, such as using software like Harmony, have simplified coloring for hand-drawn animations. Various drawing and painting applications, including bitmap and vector graphics, play pivotal roles in traditional animation creation. Moreover, a multitude of techniques contribute to crafting finely detailed animated videos, some of which are explored further below. The Cel Technique in Animation The cel, a traditional animation technique pioneered in 1915 by American animators Earl Hurd and John Bray, involves drawing and painting objects on a transparent sheet known as a cel. Originally made from celluloid, a compound of camphor and nitrocellulose, cels later transitioned to cellulose acetate, an ester of cellulose, due to its cost-effectiveness. The Limited Edition Exploring its Significance In Limited-Edition animation, only specific parts, like the character’s mouth for speech, are repainted, not the entire figure. This method optimizes production time and resources. It ensures consistent quality while reducing costs associated with full redraws. This approach is instrumental in maintaining efficiency and meeting deadlines in animation production. By focusing on key elements, animators achieve swift updates without compromising animation quality. Process of 2D Animation How they are created The process of 2D animation unfolds through a series of distinct stages that collectively bring an animated project to life. 1. Pre-production2. Production3. Post-production 1. Pre-production: This initial phase lays the groundwork for the entire animation. It includes concept development, scriptwriting, storyboarding, character design, and setting the overall visual style. Pre-production is crucial for establishing the narrative structure and visual identity of the animation. 2. Production: In this phase, the actual animation creation takes place. It involves tasks such as animatics (animated storyboards), creating keyframes and in-between frames, coloring, and adding details. Traditional hand-drawn animation may involve using cels or digital tools for frame-by-frame creation, while modern techniques often employ digital software like Adobe Animate or Toon Boom Harmony. 3. Post-production: Once the animation sequences are completed, post-production focuses on finalizing the project. This stage includes activities such as editing, adding sound effects, music, voiceovers, and special effects. It aims to enhance the overall coherence and impact of the animation before its final release. 2D Animation Examples There exists a rich legacy of well-known cartoons and influential business videos created in the distinctive 2D animation style, each contributing to the medium’s enduring popularity and impact. Cartoons: Business Videos: Beyond entertainment, 2D animation has also proven invaluable in business communication and marketing. Companies utilize animated videos to explain products, services, and complex concepts in engaging and accessible ways. These animations leverage the visual clarity and narrative flexibility of 2D animation to effectively convey information and captivate audiences. The enduring popularity of these cartoons and the effectiveness of business videos demonstrate the versatility and enduring appeal of 2D animation showcasing its ability to entertain, educate, and inspire across different contexts and audiences. List of 2D Animation