Animation
Production
Services

Our award-winning animation production studio creates visually engaging explainer videos, motion graphics, and corporate animations that leave a lasting impression.

Animation Agency

We are a Manchester-based animation production studio covering the UK and beyond, and we understand how vital it is to stand out from the crowd.

Beginning an animation project can feel overwhelming - that’s where we come in to streamline the process; guiding you from idea to final frame with clarity, creativity, and confidence.

We specialise in using animation to bring your project to life, transforming complex ideas into compelling visual narratives that are enjoyed, not endured.

Our crew are experts in the art of animation and understand its unique ability to engage and resonate with your audience. If you have a project in mind, or just want to chat ideas:

Get in touch

Case studies

Our animated video services are a powerful way to connect with and engage your target audience. As experts in a diverse range of animation mediums, our services breathe life into your ideas. We deep dive into key objectives and target audiences, laying the foundations to make your animation campaign enticing, inspiring, and most importantly; intelligible.

Whether it’s through motion graphics, rotoscope animation, CGI, frame-by-frame, 2D or 3D animation, we’re here to deliver your message and make it look fantastic while we do it.

Animation Production Services

  • Our dynamic 2D animated videos add a compelling visual dimension to your product or service, sparking curiosity and driving interest in your brand.

    We bring your project to life through our stylised approach with 2D graphics supported by voice-over, music, and sound design to create characters that move, interact, and connect with your audience. We can even blend frame-by-frame, 2D animation, and 3D animation techniques to diversify the flow of the animation and create vivid transitions between scenes.

    Click here to see our BBC Sounds 2D animation case study.

  • We create 3D visuals that elevate brands and communicate messages with clarity. Industries like real estate, automotive, tech, and e-commerce turn to 3D to showcase their products and spaces in compelling, innovative ways.

    3D animation brings movement, depth, and storytelling together in a uniquely powerful way. Whether you're building a brand world, demonstrating a process, or creating a stylised visual experience, 3D animation gives you the flexibility to go beyond reality and craft something truly distinctive.

    Our team has the expertise to bring complex ideas to life in a dynamic, engaging format that captures attention and communicates clearly.

  • CGI is all about visual precision and excitement. It’s used to create hyper-detailed, photorealistic visuals - ideal for showcasing products, spaces, or technical concepts in a polished and controlled environment.

    We use CGI to create detailed product renderings, visualise tech in spatial formats, architectural walkthroughs, and technical visualisations that look polished, premium, and on-brand. Trusted by clients across real estate, automotive, tech, and e-commerce, we deliver CGI work that helps you present your ideas with clarity, sophistication, and impact.

  • At Bearded Fellows we’ve developed a streamlined process that enables us to work closely with the departments within your business, taking a deep-dive into your services in order to provide the most effective explainer animation videos for your customers.

    In just 2-3 minutes, explainer animations clearly convey what you do, reducing customer confusion, minimising time spent on support, and increasing conversion rates.

    With our experience and expertise, we deliver engaging, impactful videos that deliver your message with clarity.

    In fact, we’re so good at it we’ve won awards for it.

  • We’re the animation agency creating Learning & Development content that genuinely connects; educational, inspirational, and impossible to ignore.

    From up-skilling teams to communicating change, we bring clarity, creativity, and purpose to every project. Our L&D animations and learning content are designed to be un-skippable, enhancing the learner’s experience and driving retention.

    With a blend of storytelling and smart production, we bring creative expertise to an often under-serviced area of business.

    Click here to check out one of our L&D case studies.

  • Animated ads play a crucial role in today’s fast-moving digital landscape: cutting through the noise and grabbing attention instantly.

    With our animation advertisement services, we design eye-catching content that not only looks great but speaks directly to your audience.

    Whether you need something sleek and professional or bold and full of character, we find the ideal balance between formality and personality.

    From online campaigns and product promos to televised ads, our animated adverts engage your target market, driving brand awareness and delivering measurable results.

    Check out an example of one of our animated adverts here.

  • Our Promotional Video service is all about capturing the moment and turning it into buzz.

    Perfect for product launches, events, or any high-energy announcements, these short, punchy animations are built to excite and engage. With vivid visuals, bold contrasts, kinetic typography, and dynamic sound-design, they deliver a simple, focused message that grabs attention fast.

    Designed to spark enthusiasm and drive immediate action, promo videos are your go-to tool for making a memorable impact right when it counts.

  • Motion graphics and visual effects are incredibly effective for app demos, SaaS explainer animations, corporate videos and e-learning or training videos. By using shapes, motion text, and abstract design, they help visualize complex subjects clearly. Combined with sound effects, music, or voiceover, motion graphics become a versatile and engaging animation style.

    Motion text animation is ideal for quickly conveying messages on social media or websites to promote, explain, or announce ideas. Perfect for e-learning, internal communications, event promotions, ads, platform demos, and any content focused on engaging, memorable text delivery.

    Take a deeper dive into one of our motion graphics projects.

How we work

digital 2D animation

Our approach is tailored to collaborate with your team, ensuring that we fully understand your brand, product, and services in order to deliver high-impact animations.

You give us the key points - we turn them into sharp, effective animation. We handle the thinking, writing, and making, so you don’t have to. Hand us the creative reins - this is where our expertise truly excels.

The Animation Process

  • A stick figure in orange throwing a ball to a stick figure in black, standing with arms open on the right side, on a horizontal orange line.

    1. Bearded Fellows

    Our Creative Specialists become your main point of contact, making use of interactive documents for real-time feedback, while encouraging weekly catch-ups for foolproof communication. This aids in establishing clear cut timelines for your project.

  • Orange stick figure throwing a ball toward a black stick figure who is ready to catch the ball.

    2. Pre-Production Planning

    Before any work begins, we make sure there's a clear production scope in place. This covers what's being delivered, when it’s due, the overall project cost, the type of animation we’ll be producing (like 2D, 3D or CGI), and where the source assets will come from.

  • A simple orange line drawing showing a person falling to the ground on the left side, with motion lines indicating the movement. A black stick figure on the right side is holding a ball.

    3. Script Development

    We craft the script as the foundation for the animation, making sure it’s clear, on-brand, and aligned with your goals. We’ll loop in key stakeholders at the right points to make sure everyone’s on the same page and happy with the direction - then we get full sign-off before moving forward.

  • A stick person, drawn in black, is holding a ball and looking down at the orange stick figure, who is face down on the ground.

    4. Look & Feel Development

    We use mood boards and visual research to establish the animation’s look and feel. If your brand is already defined, we build on that. Once the visual direction is set, we create style frames - usually three polished samples from the opening scenes - to show exactly how the final animation will look. You then have the opportunity to give focused feedback before we move forward.

  • A black stick figure person holding a ball standing on a line with orange ground, with an orange explosion shape around their head, indicating triumph, excitement, or surprise.

    5. Storyboarding

    We create a storyboard to map out the visual direction and flow of the animation. While we lead the process, we collaborate with you along the way to make sure the narrative and visuals reflect your messaging. Once the storyboard and script are signed off, we move into the design phase.

  • A line drawing of a black stick figure skiing down an orange line, with motion lines behind the figure indicating fast movement.

    6. Voiceover

    If a voiceover is needed, we’ll present three talent options for you to choose from. The voiceover is integral to the overall feel of the animation, helping to set the mood and enhance the message. It is recorded once the final script is fully approved, ensuring everything is in sync before moving forward.

  • Line drawing of a black stick figure skiing on a orange curved slope, holding a ball, with lines indicating motion and direction.

    7. Visual Storyboard

    A detailed visual storyboard is created, outlining every frame of the animation. All key stakeholders will review and sign off on it at this stage to ensure alignment. This minimises the need for major changes later in the process.

  • A black stick figure flipping through the air, with motion lines indicating the trajectory of the movement.

    8. Animation Production

    Once the storyboard is approved, we bring everything together to create the full animation. This is where the illustrations, motion, voiceover, and music come to life, blending seamlessly to form the final output. The lead time will vary depending on the complexity and style of the animation. This process includes three key review phases to ensure everything aligns perfectly.

  • A line drawing showing a stick figure flying through the air to dunk a basketball into an orange basketball net. The person is depicted in black with exaggerated motion lines. Next to it an orange stick figure is falling away from the black figure.

    9. Feedback & Revisions

    We use Frame.io, an interactive tool that allows multiple people to provide time-stamped, frame-specific feedback. This makes it easy to collate everyone’s input and ensure all perspectives are considered as we refine the animation.

  • A simple black stick figure is hanging from an orange basketball net after successfully dunking the basketball.

    10. We Deliver

    At this stage, we add music, voiceover, and sound design to create a fully immersive version of the animation. Thanks to our streamlined process, only slight tweaks and adjustments will be needed at this stage, based on your feedback, with the animation nearly complete. The project is ready for final sign-off after around three rounds of revision, ensuring for smooth delivery of the finished animation.

Why choose us?

  • Mind Tools logo with silhouette of a person's head in orange and text in dark blue and orange

    "I was provided with a clear schedule, with regular check-in points, and provided with opportunity to flex where necessary. Deliverables arrived on time, every time, and were to an incredibly high standard with very little feedback from us."

    Ross Garner
    Head of Learning Experience,     Mind Tools

  • Kaplan logo in dark blue text with a curved line underneath

    "Their work has been the driving force behind us redefining our brand within the marketplace. We now have a stronger social media presence, and our video performance has increased year-over-year."

    Senior Content Marketing Executive, Kaplan

  • Crohn's & Colitis UK logo

    "They were really passionate about the work they did. They were hardworking and dedicated. Always very quick and reliable. Great at delivering on instructions given. Happy to give input on how to shape the product. Always friendly."

    Editor, Crohn's & Colitis UK

Speak to our friendly animation experts

Looking for a top UK-based animation studio? Let us amplify your brand awareness with captivating storytelling and expertly crafted animations. Contact our team for a free consultation and get your ideas off the ground!

Two men are sitting at a table in a bright, industrial-style office, looking at a laptop. One man with gray hair and glasses is pointing at the laptop screen, while the other man, wearing a baseball cap, is smiling. There are papers and a coffee mug on the table, with large windows and a brick wall in the background.

FAQs

  • What sets Bearded Fellows apart from other animation studios is our ability to produce across the full spectrum of motion. No matter the brief, we can offer the right solution; we can do it all, whether it's film, animation, motion design, CGI, or 3D animation.

  • The cost of animated video production depends on factors such as length, complexity, and whether you can provide brand or design assets upfront. A basic explainer animation starts at £6,500, while slightly more complex projects typically range from £8,000 to £12,000. For more intricate projects involving full concepts, character animation, or 3D animation, the cost can range from £15,000 to £40,000.

  • The typical timeline for creating an animated video is 6 to 8 weeks. However, depending on the complexity, we can deliver within 4 weeks for simpler projects. Larger-scale productions with unique concepts and extensive research and development may take anywhere from 12 to 24 weeks.

  • We offer a range of animation services, including 2D animation, motion graphics, motion design, 3D animation, and CGI.

    For more detailed information about our animation services, please see the Animation Video Services section above.

  • Yes, we have a fully-fledged creative team that specialises in R&D, storytelling, and concept development, ensuring alignment with your specific brief and objectives.

  • Choosing the best animation style for your project largely depends on your target audience and budget.

    If you're starting from scratch, ask yourself: is this video meant to promote something, explain a concept, or educate your audience?

    Is the video for a specific project, or about your brand? Do you already have design assets or animations that help define your visual style? Consider whether the topic is abstract; like explaining a service or process, or more concrete; such as showcasing a physical product. Defining these elements early on helps narrow down your options.

    In the end, it’s about picking a style that looks good and fits your brand. Our expert team will guide you in selecting the best solution to fulfil your needs.

  • Absolutely! We can produce animated adverts for both TV and digital campaigns. Feel free to explore our portfolio to see the wide variety of work we have produced.

  • Yes, when you work with us, we handle every aspect of production, including voiceover and sound design.

  • The first step is to reach out to us via call or contact us with your brief. We'll schedule a free 30-minute consultation to determine if we're a good fit. From there, our focus is on ensuring we add value to your brief. Get in touch, and we'll walk you through the full process, or you can scroll up to review our detailed animation process.

  • Yes, we frequently work with existing brand assets and characters, enhancing and developing them further. Any additional design work for your brand assets will be included in the final delivery at the end of the project.

  • We use a digital feedback platform called Frame.io, allowing you to leave comments directly on storyboards and videos, making it easy to share your thoughts and revisions.

  • Yes, we create animation tailored for social media and marketing campaigns across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, and your website. We often re-edit longer-form content it into shorter formats optimised for social media use.

  • This is our specialty. We have a fully integrated production workflow that allows us to seamlessly combine animation with live-action footage, providing you with the most effective solution for your brief.

  • Animation is an excellent choice for explainer videos, especially when conveying abstract concepts or ideas that don't exist in the real world. However, there are times when a human touch is essential, and featuring real people on screen can be the most powerful and effective option.

  • Yes, we have a dedicated team specialising in producing L&D content for corporate training and e-learning. We've created successful projects for organisations like the British Red Cross, Deloitte, Google, Meta, and many more.

  • Yes, you can use your animated video across multiple platforms. We can help optimise the asset to ensure it feels native to each channel when repurposed across your communication platforms.

  • To get started with your animation project, ensure you have a clear understanding of the key messages and objectives. Then, simply send us a message or call us, and we'll provide a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your ideas.

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