05. A Smart Way to Get Hired as a Freelance Motion Designer
Over the past few months, I’ve been reflecting on the value of my services as a small one-person business.
I’ve spent time identifying areas for improvement and figuring out how I can deliver better results for my clients.
In doing so, I realized that sometimes it can be hard for them to find me or trust what I offer. To help with this, I reached out to Emma.
We worked together to create this capabilities deck, which is a simple way to introduce myself, share my background in the industry, and be a first point of contact for potential clients.
Hiring a Freelance Motion Designer Should Make The Production Easier
Producers, creative directors, and resource managers are often too busy to browse through full websites for all the details when they’re urgently looking to hire talent. To get hired consistently, you need to stand out quickly in a studio’s freelance roster.
The goal is to solve real production challenges and streamline workflows for producers and creative teams. That goes beyond animation.
It includes smooth onboarding, clear communication, structured project files, and reliable delivery within established production pipelines.
Clear expertise vs Generalism
As a freelancer, you may often get asked questions like:
"Can you create the illustrations?"
"Would you be able to do this in Cel animation?"
"Do you think 3D might be quicker?"
My usual answer is: NO
When the budget allows, I’d rather sub-hire someone with expertise than attempt it myself and risk delivering poor work.
Freelancing is competitive. There’s always someone stronger in certain areas. That’s why you should focus on one or two core skills.
Clients value expertise, honesty, and confidence far more than someone who is “okay” at everything.
By focusing on your strengths, you position yourself as a reliable freelance partner.
This clarity not only helps projects run smoothly but also makes it easier for producers, creative directors, and resource managers to trust your work, which is often what leads to getting hired repeatedly.
The Best Rate, When the Stars Align
Animation is a great way to turn complex ideas into simple messages that everyone can understand.
But sometimes, getting the message right takes time, and that time has to be paid.
Different clients have different needs, which is why I offer flexible pricing options to suit every situation.
For urgent projects, my base rate reflects the value of my work and the extra time pressure.
For clients who book me for longer periods, I offer lower rates because I believe it’s fair to reward their commitment.
It’s a win-win.
I get the time to understand their workflow and needs, while also being able to focus on doing great work without having the pressure of finding new projects.
To Summarize
It took me time to understand how much effort it takes for potential clients to reach out and invest their time and money.
Whether it's a small studio or a marketing department, it's a big decision, and trust has to be earned.
Clients aren’t just looking for a service. They want someone they feel comfortable working with.
And that’s exactly why I created this deck: to make the process simple, clear, and stress-free.
It gives a quick and transparent view of what can be delivered, where expertise lies, and helps potential clients understand the services I can confidently provide.
If you haven’t checked it yet, this is your last chance.
Phew!
Thank you for reading.
To discover more of my work, click on this link.
Andreas
