The 10 Best Animation Studios in Chicago (2024)

Best Animation Studios in Chicago

Featured providers

  • ettyq

    ettyqcertified-flagverified-flagfeatured-flag

    5
    (5 reviews)

    We help companies undergoing transformation stand out in crowded markets.

    Recommended
    Our mission: bring aesthetics into every customer-business interaction. Our objective: make your company seen and remembered in crowded markets. We believe the only way to succeed in a sea of sameness is through design and its transformative power. We create a holistic customer experience in all touchpoints to help you achieve that. Our clients: enterprises on transformative journeys. Whether digital metamorphosis, new products/services, mergers and acquisitions, pivoting business models, or simply taking the next growth step, we empower them with design-driven changes. Why choose us: we put all our efforts solely into being a leader in providing design-driven growth so we don't spread too thin. Backed by a global software engineering firm with a 25-year history, we have unmatched access to advanced technologies and deep industry insights.
    3 works in Motion Design
    Active in Chicago, United States
    From €1000 for Motion Design

Top Animation Companies in Chicago

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  • ettyq

    ettyqcertified-flagverified-flagfeatured-flag

    5
    (5 reviews)

    We help companies undergoing transformation stand out in crowded markets.

    Recommended
    Our mission: bring aesthetics into every customer-business interaction. Our objective: make your company seen and remembered in crowded markets. We believe the only way to succeed in a sea of sameness is through design and its transformative power. We create a holistic customer experience in all touchpoints to help you achieve that. Our clients: enterprises on transformative journeys. Whether digital metamorphosis, new products/services, mergers and acquisitions, pivoting business models, or simply taking the next growth step, we empower them with design-driven changes. Why choose us: we put all our efforts solely into being a leader in providing design-driven growth so we don't spread too thin. Backed by a global software engineering firm with a 25-year history, we have unmatched access to advanced technologies and deep industry insights.
    3 works in Motion Design
    Active in Chicago, United States
    From €1000 for Motion Design
  • Walltronix

    Walltronixverified-flag

    5
    (3 reviews)

    We are a digital marketing agency that helps brands to achieve their business outcomes.

    Recommended
    Walltronix is a full-service digital marketing agency that lives and breathes “outside the box”. We are a team of digital marketing experts who catch those pure gold ideas and transform them into reality. A key reason why we are confident about delivering the results is that we have the best talent in every digital channel. From design and development to SEO services, pay-per-click, content, social, and beyond, we work together to ensure you see the best results across all campaigns. We are laser focused on ROI and like to keep things transparent so you know exactly where and how your money is being spent, whether that’s with highly targeted search engine marketing, web development or digital advertising.
    No work in Motion Design
    Active in Chicago, United States
    From €1000 for Motion Design
  • Canvas Reply

    Canvas Replycertified-flagverified-flag

    (0 review)

    Design, develop, deliver.

    Award-winner
    In a landscape of rapidly shifting digital culture, we find opportunities in change . We strive to stay ahead so that our clients do, too. We design world-class digital experiences for some of the world’s biggest brands. With services including UX Research, UI & Creative Design, Bespoke Development, and Project Delivery, we combine insight, creativity, and technical expertise to deliver all-encompassing digital solutions. We believe in results. Our job is to ensure not only the success of your project but your continued success post-delivery. We work with you as partners in knowledge sharing and common goals, providing the resources, processes, tools, and mindset to achieve and exceed your expectations. We have a global team of dedicated specialists from a variety of backgrounds . Each member of our team brings a unique skill set to the table, allowing us to uncover opportunities through different lenses . Because a project is more than just a product – it’s the people behind it.
    3 works in Motion Design
    Active in Chicago, United States
    From €1000 for Motion Design
  • Kindle has four primary areas of expertise that collaborate constantly: Live & Virtual Events, Learning Programs, Digital Solutions, Media & Campaigns. Each plays an essential role in our ability to create bold ideas for deeper, more meaningful engagement between you and your communities. We believe in calibrating our capabilities and expertise to best serve the needs of our clients. This means our interrelated practices are always evolving. Whether your project requires one or all four of our practice groups, you have access to an extremely powerful communications resource at your fingertips.
    No work in Motion Design
    Active in Chicago, United States
    From €1000 for Motion Design
  • Attack Studios

    Attack Studioscertified-flagverified-flag

    (0 review)
    Attack Studios specializes in exciting animation and motion design for broadcast, film, and digital.  We are business savvy content creators that love to collaborate with ambitious brands and agencies who seek creativity and innovation. We’ll turn your inspiration into a beautifully animated video that has a lasting impact.  We have a small pool of talent that we can access to staff up for bigger jobs, or specialty services like AR, VR, and 3D. We work with ad agencies, post-houses, and also work directly with clients and brands. Our industry focus is on action sports, combat sports, big pharma, tech startups and fortune 500.  
    No work in Motion Design
    Active in Chicago, United States
    From €1000 for Motion Design
  • Hocus Pocus Studios Ltd

    Hocus Pocus Studios Ltdcertified-flagverified-flag

    5
    (11 reviews)

    Telling stories that sparkle

    Recommended
    Award-winner
    Hocus Pocus is an animation studio and animation production company in London, UK. We make distinctive films for brands, broadcasters, businesses and agencies across the world. We have a colourful style and a devotion to the craft that we hope leads to some great work. We’re a fiercely independent animation studio who are lucky enough to work with some of the world’s greatest brands and broadcasters. Our core animation specialities are 2d animation, 3d animation, character animation and motion graphics. We make distinctive films for broadcast, finance, gaming, tech and finance. We love what we do, and hope you will too!
    10 works in Motion Design
    Active in Chicago, United States
    From €10000 for Motion Design
  • Bright Bright Great is a full-service creative strategy agency located in Chicago, IL focused on improving visual culture through creativity and functional problem solving.
    No work in Motion Design
    Active in Chicago, United States
    From €1000 for Motion Design
  • Landgraf Consulting Group, Inc.

    Landgraf Consulting Group, Inc.

    (0 review)

    The Landgraf Consulting Group is a uniquely qualified and assembled team industry production expert

    Landgraf Consulting Group, Inc.
    No work in Motion Design
    Active in Chicago, United States
    From €1000 for Motion Design
  • Centiv

    Centivcertified-flag

    (0 review)
    Brandmuscle makes distributed marketing management easy. Our local marketing automation platform provides everything you need to own local. Learn more now.
    No work in Motion Design
    Active in Chicago, United States
    From €1000 for Motion Design
  • AnswersMedia

    AnswersMedia

    (0 review)

    Collaborate And Create

    AnswersMedia is a fully integrated production studio specializing in creative content for broadcast and the web. As a visual communications company, our strongest partnerships are built upon our unique ability to combine film and video, design, animation and digital expertise all under one roof. Located in Chicago’s West Loop, we occupy 25,000 square feet with fully equipped stages, seven Avid editing suites, sound studio, control room and technical core complete with satellite and fiber connectivity. Our staff of filmmakers, motion graphics artists, seasoned editors and producers allows you to take advantage of a wide range of creative services and solutions for any media platform. Let us help you craft the stories and messages that connect your brand to its audience.
    No work in Motion Design
    Active in Chicago, United States
    From €1000 for Motion Design
  • Relay Worldwide

    Relay Worldwidecertified-flag

    (0 review)
     
    No work in Motion Design
    Active in Chicago, United States
    From €1000 for Motion Design
  • VIRO, LLC

    VIRO, LLC

    (0 review)
     
    No work in Motion Design
    Active in Chicago, United States
    From €1000 for Motion Design
  • The MarComm Store

    The MarComm Store

    (0 review)

    You've got a message - We make it stick

    The MarComm Store offers a unique suite of training, communications and marketing products and services designed to give our client companies an edge in the marketplace. These include e-learning solutions, audio, video, graphic design and web design. Also included are customized incentive programs designed to boost sales.
    No work in Motion Design
    Active in Chicago, United States
    From €1000 for Motion Design
  • Hype Media Chicago

    Hype Media Chicago

    (0 review)

    Your Nonprofit Media Solution. We bring awareness to your nonprofit organization

    Hype Media is a dynamic video production company which specializes in promoting non profit and corporate organizations through video. Locate in Chicago, IL
    No work in Motion Design
    Active in Chicago, United States
    From €1000 for Motion Design
  • Europe, Asia, Africa & North American operations of OutsideAmerica, a division of ProjectProfile - specialist in internal, external and corporate governance communications production
    No work in Motion Design
    Active in Chicago, United States
    From €1000 for Motion Design
  • Liz Laine Reps, Inc.

    Liz Laine Reps, Inc.

    (0 review)

    Liz Laine Reps specializes in the representation of animation companies and their directors.

    All Things Animation. A full-scale rep house, specializing in the representation of animation production companies and their directors. 2013 Liz Laine Reps. All rights reserved.
    No work in Motion Design
    Active in Chicago, United States
    From €1000 for Motion Design
  •  
    No work in Motion Design
    Active in Chicago, United States
    From €1000 for Motion Design
  • See3 Communications

    See3 Communications

    (0 review)

    See3 is the digital agency for do-gooders.

    See3 is a digital strategy consulting agency that helps nonprofits unleash the power of storytelling to change the world. We strengthen organizations with digital strategies that bust silos, maximize efficiencies and end the reliance on short-term tactical thinking. And we make our digital strategies real by building websites, producing videos and creating digital tools that carry stories and move people to action. Like our clients from the worlds of nonprofits and social good, we are guided by our core values: - Do good - Create impact for what we believe in - Always work with collaboration, candor, and respect - Strive for creativity and quality - Live and work with optimism - Oh, and have fun! Since 2005, we've helped hundreds of different nonprofits and social causes improve their digital communications strategies, better connect with constituents, and magnify their impact.
    No work in Motion Design
    Active in Chicago, United States
    From €1000 for Motion Design
  • Kerosene Creative Services

    Kerosene Creative Services

    (0 review)

    Full-service creative marketing firm, servicing the entertainment and lifestyle business verticals.

     
    No work in Motion Design
    Active in Chicago, United States
    From €1000 for Motion Design
  • Poison Pencil

    Poison Pencilcertified-flag

    (0 review)
    Poison Pencil creates conceptual artwork for advertising agencies, including storyboards, comps, pencils from script, and now 3d rendering and photo-comping.
    No work in Motion Design
    Active in Chicago, United States
    From €1000 for Motion Design

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Expert Chicago Animation Studio: Bringing Ideas to Life

An animation studio is a professional production company specializing in creating animated media. These studios develop a variety of media, such as films, television shows, animated videos in games, and advertisement commercials, using different animation techniques like 2D, 3D, stop motion, and more.

A typical animation studio comprises several departments, including storyboarding, design, modeling, rigging, layout, animation, rendering, and compositing. Each step in this process is vital to bringing characters and stories to life in a way that is both visually stunning and emotionally compelling.

It begins with an idea, which gets fleshed out through scriptwriting and storyboarding. Based on these initial sketches, the concept art team then designs the characters, props, and environments. Once the designs are approved, they're passed on to the modeling department, where 3D models are created. The models are then rigged with skeletal structures that allow animators to manipulate their movements.

The storyboard artists or layout team stages the shots and finalizes camera movement while the animation team meticulously creates the character's movements scene by scene. After the animation, the rendered team adds lighting, texture, and color to scenes. Lastly, the compositing department refines details before the final outputs are delivered.

Thanks to its strategic location in one of the country's vibrant creative hubs, a Chicago-based animation studio has access to a diverse pool of talent and cutting-edge technology to produce high-quality animations. The city's rich artistic culture and tech-savvy milieu contribute significantly to the innovative atmosphere required for inspiring work in spirit.

Whether you want to create an engaging advertising campaign or bring a new animated series to life, a Chicago-based Animation Studio provides comprehensive services from conceptualization to post-production. Their deep understanding of animation's transformative power can help bring any creative concept to life and captivate audiences worldwide.

Types of Animation Agencies Found in Chicago

Animation is a fast-growing industry that continues to evolve with technology and artistic exploration. Numerous animation agencies provide diverse services to satisfy businesses' varied needs for corporate videos or TV commercials, educational institutions, film studios, and more. Chicago, known for its vibrant creative scene, hosts myriad animation agencies with unique specialties.

The first type is a 2D Animation Agency. They use two-dimensional space to create movements, typically in a flat environment. This style harks back to traditional hand-drawn animations but has been modernized through digital platforms. 2D animation is ideal for projects requiring straightforward storytelling or explainer animated videos and remains popular due to its cost-effectiveness.

Next up are 3D Animation Agencies, which construct characters and environments in a three-dimensional space, adding depth and realism. This type is widely used in animated video games, films, virtual reality applications, product demonstrations, and architectural visualizations. It requires specialized skills and software mastery but delivers stunning, immersive results.

Motion Graphics Agencies deal mainly with animated graphic design. This style combines text with moving images, perfect for promotional animation videos, title sequences, logo animations, and event visuals. Motion graphics can engage in complex information, making them excellent for educational animation videos or infographics.

Stop Motion Animation Agencies offer an entirely different animation style where the physical objects are manipulated incrementally and photographed frame by frame to simulate motion when played in sequence. It's time-consuming and labor-intensive but provides a charming hands-on aesthetic that computer-based animations can't replicate.

Lastly, Mixed Media Animation Agencies employ various animation styles to create visually exciting and unique content. This approach offers unlimited creative possibilities and allows for narrative flexibility.

Why Hiring an Animation Agency in Chicago is Beneficial for Your Business

Expanding your business in Chicago requires implementing innovative strategies to captivate your target audience. One such method is employing the expertise of an animation agency. Animation can bring life to your brand and make it easier for customers to understand what you do.

The uniqueness of animated content helps you stand out in the competitive market. It's not just about creating animations but ensuring they are professional, appealing, and purposeful to achieve desired results. Therefore, hiring a service with appropriate skills and experience is vital.

A professional animation agency in Chicago benefits businesses aiming for growth and success. These agencies have teams of experts equipped with advanced tools and techniques required to create engaging animations. They keenly understand the local market trends and audience preferences, enabling them to develop campaigns that resonate with Chicago residents.

Animation agencies add value by translating complex business ideas into simple, attractive visual narratives that viewers can effortlessly relate to. These agencies also can customize animations based on target demographics, making the content more personalized and impactful. Animated content created this way encourages viewer engagement, boosting conversion rates and ROI for businesses.

The unifying aspect of animation videos is another reason to hire an animation studio. It caters to all age groups and has universal appeal. This makes energy a vital marketing tool that transcends language barriers and cultural differences.

Moreover, businesses in Chicago will have regular access to fresh, creative ideas for their marketing campaigns by partnering with an animation agency. These agencies are constantly improving their skills and staying up-to-date with technological advances, ensuring that clients receive only the best quality service.

In summary, animating your brand can provide a competitive edge and set you apart. Hiring an experienced animation agency in Chicago to enrich your marketing strategy with compelling animated content is more than worth the investment.

5 Essential Questions to Ask Potential Studios Aside from Their Animation Techniques

When seeking a professional animation video production, you must know what questions to ask to ensure they fit your project. Here are five essential questions you should consider asking an animation studio:

  • What kind of animation styles does your studio specialize in?
  • Can you share examples of past projects similar to the type of animation I want?
  • How do you manage deadlines and ensure projects stay on track with the scheduled timeline?
  • Can you explain your process for developing unique, engaging animated content?
  • What input will I have in the animation production process?

7 Key Services Offered By an Animation Studio: Discover Their Full Potential

An animation studio is a service provider that can offer numerous benefits for various businesses. Here are seven things an Animation Studio can do:

  • Create custom animations: An animation studio can tailor animations to suit the specific needs of a project or company.
  • Storyboarding: They can help you create a visual representation of your idea before the animation process begins.
  • Voice-over services: Many studios provide voice-overs for animated characters or presentations.
  • Post-production editing: After the animation is complete, Animation Studios can offer post-production editing to fine-tune and improve the final product.
  • 3D Modelling: If you need 3D animations, many studios possess this specialized skill.
  • Motion graphics design: Animation Studios can also create motion graphics, perfect for introductions, business presentations, and promotional animated videos.
  • Sound design: The best animations include high-quality sound effects and music. Animation Studios often have this in their range of services.