How to Brief a Motion Designer (And What It Actually Costs)

A Bad Brief Wastes Time and Money

If you decide to hire a motion designer, you need to know how to brief them and what to expect to pay. A good brief gets you the result you want faster.

What to Include in a Brief

• Goal — what is this video for?
• Audience — who will watch it?
• Message — the one thing viewers should take away
• Style — show examples of motion graphics you like
• Duration — how long should it be?
• Format — what platform and aspect ratio?
• Brand assets — logo, colors, fonts, images
• Deadline — when do you need it?
• Budget — what is your range?

What Motion Design Actually Costs

• Junior freelancer: $30 to $60/hour ($200 to $900 per video)
• Senior freelancer: $75 to $150/hour ($500 to $3,000 per video)
• Small studio: $1,000 to $5,000 per video
• Agency: $5,000 to $20,000+ per video
• AI tool (Vela): Free to $50/month for unlimited videos

When to Hire vs. When to Use AI

Hire a designer for one-time high-stakes projects — brand launch, keynote, TV ad. Use AI for everything else — social media, product demos, explainers, event promos. AI gives you 90% of the quality at 1% of the cost.