Do you have a brand to shine, a video to animate or a website to boost? Are you wondering how much it will cost you to add a striking visual touch? Spoiler: it's not the price of a Netflix subscription (and luckily, because we're talking about a unique asset here, not season 6 of La Casa de Papel).
Illustration and motion design are not just small aesthetic bonuses, they are key elements of a brand's visual identity. A static logo is good. But a dynamic logo that grabs attention in three seconds is even better. A graphic charter is essential. But a tailor-made illustration that gives a real personality for your site or your marketing, that changes everything.
The catch? Each project is unique and the price varies according to several factors: style, complexity, duration, voice-over, music, additional options... In short, there is plenty to get lost in! But don't panic, we explain everything to you in this article: how much it costs, why, and how to optimize your expenses for a rendering that sends a lot of weight.
In a world where every brand is fighting for attention in seconds, illustration and motion design are real visual superpowers. They allow you to differentiate yourself, strengthen your storytelling and offer an immersive experience to customers.
👉 Illustration and motion design are the visual DNA of your brand
A well-thought-out image is worth a thousand words (and sometimes avoids long, complicated explanations). A fluid motion design immediately captures attention and allows a message to be conveyed in a clear and engaging way.
Whether it's for a website, an advertising campaign, a post on social networks or even a complete rebranding, these visual elements boost the impact of your message.
💡 Why does it work so well?
Let's take a few concrete cases of our achievements:
Fugu : Colourful and dynamic illustrations that bring a real visual identity to their projects.
Fuga : Illustrations and a unique visual charter that gives character to the brand.
Pipole : A perfect mix between illustration and design motions to bring their communication to life (take a look at the footer).
Illustration and motion design are not just “a nice little cartoon” or “a nice image to brighten up a site.” It is a rich universe, where each style and technique brings a specific value according to the message and the objective aimed at. 🎨🎬
Whether you want an ultra-authentic pencil style illustration, a minimalist and fluid animation, or a 3D video that will impress you, there are solutions adapted to all needs (and budgets!).
Team Pencil or Team Digital? Both styles have their strengths and depend on the desired result.
✏️ Hand drawn illustration
💻 Digital illustration
🔎 In our portfolio, we find a diversity of illustrative styles that perfectly fit the needs of brands.
🎥 2D motion design: The essential part of digital marketing
🕶️ 3D motion design: The “wow” effect guaranteed
📸 Stop motion: The charm of handmade
🎬 Need a smooth and fast animation? We just talked about Jitter, a tool that allows you to create motion design in a simple and effective way.
🟢 Simple animation: the animated icon
🔵 Product announcement or presentation video
🔴 5-minute corporate movie: heavy artillery
We've all heard this phrase: “But it's just a short 30-second animation, it must not be expensive!” Except that in the world of motion design, it is not the duration that makes the price, but the complexity and the duration of production.
Fluid and impactful animation requires storyboarding, design, stop-motion animation, sound design, and sometimes even a voiceover. In short, it's a bit like asking a Michelin-starred chef to make you a gourmet meal in 5 minutes: it's technically possible, but it won't look like anything. 😅
In the majority of cases, motion design does not come alone. It is part of a larger communication strategy.
For example:
At Studio Elias, we often incorporate motion design into our branding projects and the creation of Webflow sites.
For example:
💡 Note: The more complex and detailed the motion design is, the more time and expertise it requires, so its price increases accordingly.
🎬 Rebranding announcement video When a brand changes its identity, a well-thought-out animation reinforces its storytelling and makes an impression. A motion design lasting around thirty seconds can be worth between €2,000 and €5,000, depending on the effects and the artistic direction.
📢 Corporate movie Businesses like to tell their story through long and impactful videos. An institutional video of 2 to 5 minutes with a scenario, sound design and advanced animations can exceed €5,000.
🎥 Dynamic social media advertising On Instagram or TikTok, videos should be short, compelling, and engaging. An animation lasting 15 to 45 seconds, designed to capture attention in a few seconds, is generally charged between €1,500 and €4,000.
🧐 Want to see examples? Discover all our motion designs.
If you think that ordering an illustration from an agency is just a matter of “drawing a nice little thing quickly”, it's time to bust a myth. A tailor-made illustration requires time, talent and real artistic know-how.
Unlike motion design, where certain animations can be automated or created with specific tools, an illustration requires meticulous work, often manual, where every detail counts.
It's a bit like comparing a handmade painting to an AI-generated GIF: one is a unique work, the other is a file that can be replicated endlessly.
👩 🎨 The creation process is handmade: An illustration is drawn from scratch, each line, each color is designed to fit the identity of the brand.
🖌️ The level of detail can be very high: An icon does not take the same time as a complex illustration with textures, shadows, and ultra-precise finishes.
🔍 Revisions are long: In agencies, there are often several trips back and forth to adjust colors, shapes and ensure that the illustration fits perfectly with the client's expectations.
💰 Between €1,000 and €2,000, depending on the level of detail and the final format.
Illustrations can be used to:
A simple and refined illustration will be charged around €1,000, while an ultra-detailed illustration with several graphic elements can reach €2,000 or more.
Motion design is great, but it takes time. Jitter is changing the game by offering a fast, intuitive and effective tool for creating animations without the hassle.
✅ Simple and smooth interface
✅ Modern animations in a few clicks
✅ Great for web, social media, and UX/UI
✅ Easy export to Webflow, Figma and other tools
It is the perfect tool to boost a site or a project without spending hours on a complex timeline.
While After Effects remains the reference in motion design for complex animations and high-end videos, it requires real learning time and hours of production for a final rendering. Jitter, on the other hand, is a much faster and more intuitive alternative, perfect for short and powerful animations. Where After Effects is an ultra-powerful juggernaut, Jitter shines by its simplicity and efficiency, especially for web content, social networks or UX/UI. In short, one does not replace the other, but they complement each other perfectly according to needs!
🔍 Jitter: The No. 1 animation and motion tool in 2025
For effective and express animations, Jitter is an essential ally. And for more advanced motion design, Studio Elias is there! 🚀
Before requesting a quote for an illustration or motion design, it is essential to frame your project. The more specific your brief is, the more the quote will be adapted to your expectations and your funds.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
The more these elements are defined, the more the agency will be able to offer you an accurate estimate and avoid surprises.
💡 A motion design or an illustration is not just about the final visual. Several factors impact the price:
🎬 Storyboarding and scripting: A motion design video requires a clear storyline and staging, which requires time and thought.
🎤 Voice over and music: Adding a professional voiceover or original music increases the budget, but brings a real plus in terms of impact.
🔄 Revisions: The more changes you ask for along the way, the longer the project gets... and the more the bill can go up.
🤝 Working with an agency like Studio Elias means:
✔️ A complete team (illustrators, motion designers, AD) for a professional and coherent rendering.
✔️ Fluid project management, with experts who know how to anticipate needs.
✔️ Guaranteed follow-up from start to finish, with no risk of abandonment along the way.
👨 🎨 Opting for a freelancer often means:
✔️ A more accessible rate for small budgets.
✔️ More flexibility for specific requests.
❌... Nope!
In summary, for a serious and structured project, it is better to use an agency (why not Studio Elias). For lighter or occasional needs, a freelancer may suffice. It all depends on your goals and your budget! 🚀