Are you a dreamer with a passion for creativity? Do you find yourself strumming on a guitar, painting stunning landscapes, or doodling comics during every spare moment? Well, what if you could turn that passion into a career? 

If you're one of the many aspiring independent freelance animators out there, you know the importance of timely project completion. But estimating how long it will take from start to finish can be like trying to catch a leprechaun - tricky! Let's take a dive into how long it takes to do animation projects whether they are 2D, 3D, 1 minute, or 5 minutes, the sky is the limit.

Attention animators! Follow our blog for insider tips, tricks, and free resources to level up your animation career. Check out our free masterclass, Animation Business Accelerator Program, and download our free marketing handbook. Studio owners can learn how to start their own animation studio with our informative blog on "How to Start an Animation Studio." Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your animation career to new heights!

Working On an Animation Project Alone

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So, how long does it take to make an animation project when you are working alone? It depends. It might take up to several months or even years to produce your animated piece. 

The time can vary depending on the complexity of the animation and your experience as well. An experienced animator can produce a good quality animation in a shorter time than an inexperienced one would take.

Working On an Animation Project In A Team

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How long does it take to make an animation in a team? Well, a team that includes animators, artists, and others can significantly reduce the time it takes to finish an animation project because more people can work on different aspects of production at one time. This is a real game-changer for saving time!

For example, if you're working on a 2D animation project and have already completed all of your drawings and storyboards, another artist can start working on backgrounds while you continue with character designs or animation.

This will save a lot of time since both tasks won't need to be done simultaneously by one person only - which would result in waiting for someone else's work before moving forward with yours.

Should You Hire More Freelancers?

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You shouldn’t simply hire more freelancers in order to speed up your work; rather, you should consider outsourcing tasks such as background design or storyboarding to freelancers who specialize and already have experience creating those elements.

The benefits of outsourcing are clear: it can help you focus on what is most important for your project and save time by taking on tasks that don't require your skillset or expertise. However, it's important not to outsource too much of the animation process (especially when working with other animators) because this could lead to issues with communication between teams and poor quality control over the final product.

When outsourcing, you should always try to find a freelancer who is as invested in your project as you are. This can be difficult when working with someone in another country or time zone, but it's worth the effort.

The Animation Freelance Process Is Different 

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As you know, animation is a very time-consuming process. Animation freelancers have to go through several iterations before they can deliver an animation that meets the client's expectations. 

The client will also need to give feedback on each iteration, so there will be back-and-forth communication between you and them until both parties are happy with what has been produced so far.

You need to be able to work with clients that are willing to change their minds. If you have a client that is very set on what they want and will not budge, then this may not be the right type of job for you. You also need to be able to communicate clearly with your clients in order to avoid any miscommunication or misunderstandings between the two parties.

How Long Does it Take to Make an Animation Project?

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It's difficult to say exactly how long it will take to create your animation project. Every project has its own unique needs and requirements, so the length of time will vary depending on these factors. 

Research and development is the first step in creating an animated video. It involves getting to know your audience, reviewing similar projects that have been made in the past, and learning about relevant trends in your industry. 

Storyboarding is the first process that helps you visualize how each scene will look once it’s finished. Then the next step is modeling and rigging, which involves creating 2D or 3D models of your characters and props that will be used in the animation. You’ll also use the texturing process to add color and detail to your models. 

Rendering is done after this which allows you to turn all of your 2D models into 3D images that can be used in your animated video. Once you have all of your scenes in place, you’ll edit all your scenes to put them together into one cohesive video. Don’t forget about sound design, this step will help you add music and sound effects to your video. 

Second to last s color correction. Adjust the color temperature of each scene so that it’s consistent throughout and finally, make any of your final touches that are necessary, and voila! 

How Long It Takes Depends On Certain Factors

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It usually takes weeks to months to make an animation freelancing. The amount of time it takes to make an animation depends on:

The type of animation you want to create, such as 2D or 3D (3D is more complex so naturally it will take longer).

What types of drawings are they? Are they simple drawings with no voiceover? If so, the process can go faster than if there were complex drawings with detailed backgrounds and characters talking with voices.

How much time do you have available? If there are other projects competing for your attention, it might be difficult for you to work on both at the same time which will lead to longer completion time and not to mention, the added stress! Be mindful of your time management and your mental health.

Other Time-Consuming Factors To Consider

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The type of animation and the amount of detail you need will also affect how long it takes to make an animation. The more detailed your project is, the longer it will take for you to complete it. In general, animation is a very time-consuming process that can take months or even years to complete a single animation!

The positive side of being an animation freelancer is that it’s different than other types of work because there isn't always a set deadline for delivery. Freelancers can sometimes make their own deadlines and work according to their own schedule which is a big plus if you like to have freedom of where and when you work.

So, How Long Does it Take to Make an Animation?

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Animation is a complex process, but it doesn't have to take forever. The time it takes to create an animation project has so many variables, estimating an exact time is very tricky. 

Freelancers who want to get an animation project done quickly should consider outsourcing tasks that other animators already have experience in. This will help them complete their project faster while still maintaining high-quality standards throughout its production stages.

For more information about how long it takes to make an animation, as well as answers to any other questions you might have about working as a freelance animator, be sure to follow our blogs, check out our free masterclass, and our Animation Business Accelerator Program, download a copy of our free marketing handbook, and check out our blog on “How to Start an Animation Studio”!