Hi! 2D Motion designers out there happy to chat about rates? (I understand it's a topic that can be uncomfortable for some)

Question

I've been freelancing in the past, but always struggled to set rates for projects or even my daily rate when a client comes in and finds it expensive. This time I'd like to make it right, and I'm aware it's based on how long things will take me to be done. However, I'm not always sure about how long some stages of the creative process for motion should take (I know it depends on the kind of project, but there may be some standard on how long this stage takes...,etc). That way I'd become more aware of what I may need to improve. @pipjamieson

Enrique Rovira · Answer

Hola Marisol!

So I usually update my daily and hour rate for the year (e.g. 350€/45€) then everytime i get a new project I break it down to what I actually need to do and how long I estimate it'll take me each part, including rounds of feedback (let's say 1 round of feedback per stage on this case), for example:
-Storyboards - 1,5 days
-Design and Styleframes - 3 days
-Animatics - 1 day
-Animation and delivery - 3 days
Total: 8,5 days x 350 = 2975€

That gives me a desired number that I can play with depending on:
-Expected quality - Has the client sent an example or some reference? Any way I can lower the time it takes me?
-Budget - If the client has one, is it realistic?
-How much do I want to work with this client? on this project?
-Etc.

All these points and stages also give you material to talk with the client so they understand what's behind the cost, it helps you set expectations better and if you end up lowering the price you can use this as leverage, getting the client to commit or compromise on something, a scratch my back and I scratch yours kinda thing. For example on my latest offer I had my client (design studio) agree that I can offer lower rates as long as the end client didn't change the script when I'm already doing animatics (which is what they did on a previous project) or otherwise I need to charge extra hours blah blah blah... They probably do whatever they want but hey, that's another story haha!

And don't worry about getting the estimates right, but do write them down everytime. Then, while you are working use something like Toggle Track to track your hours and when you finish compare the difference... It's a practice from here onwards, the more you do it the better you become at estimating.

So there goes my grain of sand... hope it helps!!

Hi! 2D Motion designers out there happy to chat about rates? (I understand it's a topic that can be uncomfortable for some)

Replies2

Delete this comment?