Top Mistakes Companies Make with Animation (and How to Avoid Them)
Animation is powerful—but only when done right
Animation is one of the most effective tools for capturing attention and telling a story quickly—but it’s not magic. Without the right strategy, even the most beautiful visuals can fall flat.
Over the years, we’ve seen businesses make the same avoidable mistakes when approaching motion design, explainer videos, or branded animation. So we’re laying them out here—along with how to avoid them.
If you're investing in animation, here’s how to make sure it actually works.
Mistake #1: Prioritizing Style Over Story
Don’t get us wrong—we love a beautiful animation. But if the story doesn’t land, the visuals won’t save it.
Whether it’s an explainer video or a brand anthem, clarity and narrative always come first. Audiences need to understand what you’re saying before they’ll care how it looks.
Tip: Start with a strong script. Build your visuals around the message—not the other way around.
Mistake #2: Jumping in Without Strategy
It’s tempting to say “we need a video” and hit the ground running—but without understanding why, you risk wasting budget and time.
Do you want to educate? Convert? Raise brand awareness?
Each goal requires a different approach to animation.
Tip: Before diving into production, define your objective and ideal audience. A good studio will help shape the project around those goals.
Mistake #3: Cramming in Too Much Information
Animation is not a dumping ground for every detail about your product or service. In fact, the more you cram in, the less your audience will retain.
Tip: Keep it focused. 60–90 seconds is plenty of time to deliver one clear, memorable takeaway.
Mistake #4: Choosing the Cheapest Option
Animation isn’t cheap—and it shouldn’t be. When brands chase the lowest bidder, they often end up with generic, templated visuals that miss the mark entirely.
It’s the old adage: cheap, fast, or good—pick two.
Tip: Invest in a studio that listens, collaborates, and customizes every element to your brand and goals.
Mistake #5: Designing for the Wrong Platform
What works on your homepage won’t necessarily work on Instagram or TikTok. Without platform-specific considerations, your animation might miss key moments to capture attention—or worse, get ignored entirely.
Tip: Design with context in mind. A great studio will help tailor your animation to specific platforms and formats.
How to Do It Right: Start With the Right Studio
At Rebel One, we’ve helped startups, global brands, and creative agencies tell their stories with animation that works—and works hard.
What sets us apart?
Strategy-first approach
Transparent collaboration
Custom visuals (no templates here)
End-to-end production with heart
