How do you create a motion design brief that aligns with your client's goals and expectations?

Here are the few point I want to highlight which helped me in my 3 yr freelance motion design career. Fell free to reply if you have something to add on it? 1. Start the discovery call by sharing the agenda. After introductions, ask the client to briefly describe their business. Then, inquire about their budget and timeline upfront. 2. To gauge their expectations for quality, ask the client about the importance of the project to them. 3. To get a sense of their vision, ask the client to describe their desired outcome. If possible, request a similar reference project for better understanding. This will help estimate the effort required and determine if the project aligns with your available resources.

Create a motion design brief by defining the project's purpose, outlining key messages, listing deliverables, describing the target audience, including references, organizing content, getting feedback, and sharing with your team

It's important to remember that each person reaching out to you is seeking help to solve a problem or achieve a goal. So, it's essential to put yourself in their shoes and understand their core desires when they connect with you. You can be a great help by gathering all the necessary information about their needs, including any project constraints, such as deadlines and budget. By doing so, you can create a project brief that aligns with their expectations and makes their vision a reality. Remember, your ultimate goal is to serve their needs and provide the best possible solution. So, approach each interaction with care and empathy, knowing that you are making a real difference in their lives.

Start by having a heart-to-heart with your client. What's the core problem or goal they want to address with motion design? Is it boosting brand awareness, explaining a complex concept, or driving user engagement? The clearer you are on their objectives, the more targeted and effective your motion design will be.

- Try to get to the core of the organization's problem and how you can solve it. Sometimes the problem presented to you is not the real one you need to solve. - Ask how you can help to solve the problem and why the asked you and not someone else. -

Profitez en pour faire rêver votre client, avec la règle suivante : - Promettez du 8/10, livrez du 9/10. Tout le monde sera content !

Dive into your client's world. Understand their brand, target audience, and industry. Check out competitors and see what's already out there. This research phase is like mining for gold – you want insights that will set your motion design apart. Afterward, gather your creative team for a brainstorming session. Explore various concepts, styles, and messaging approaches that align with the client's goals.

- Check out other competitors in the same field. - Get new ideas and inspiration from your daily life routine. like walking in the street, eating a nice meal or going to an art gallery.

As a freelancer, I approach brainstorming and researching for motion design projects in three steps. First, I start with collaborative brainstorming in the call, encouraging open communication to generate a range of creative ideas. Then, I conduct thorough research into the client's industry, competitors, and target audience to ensure our ideas are relevant and innovative. Finally, I synthesize and refine these ideas, aligning them with the client's goals and preferences, and use visual tools like mood boards to get early feedback and ensure the final design meets expectations.

Project Overview: Briefly describe the client, the project, and its goals. Target Audience: Define who you're trying to reach with this motion design. Key Message: Summarize the core message the motion design should convey. Style and Tone: Specify the visual style, tone, and mood that align with the brand and message. Deliverables: Outline what you're creating – be it an explainer video, promotional animation, or something else. Timeline: Set realistic deadlines for each phase of the project. Budget: Clearly define the financial scope and any potential additional costs. References: Include examples or references that capture the vibe you're aiming for.

In writing a motion design brief, I use a template to ensure all key details are included. This encompasses the project's goals, target audience, desired tone and style, deliverables, deadlines, client branding and anything else they delivered me.

Be precise. Add specific details when necessary. Don't skimp on the details that will help you in your next steps. and it will help you in your next briefs.

Can not stress the importance of this enough. Ensure both parties agree on the project's scope, goals, and deliverables. Discuss any potential risks, challenges, or limitations that might arise. Obtain written confirmation(signature) from the client to formalize their acceptance and readiness to proceed. A solid agreement is worth gold when things become difficult.

Your brief is like a script – it needs to be rehearsed. Review it with your client to ensure you're on the same page. Seek their input and make revisions as needed. Once you've got the green light, it's time to roll cameras!

Assurez vous autant que possible d'avoir un contact chez le client qui se charge de faire la synthèse des avis de chacun, pour vous livrer un avis global, les éventuelles modifications, pour vous évitez d'avoir à le faire vous-même, alors que vous n'aurez pas l'autorité sur votre client pour valider vous même votre travail.

Communication is Key: Establish a clear line of communication with your client. Regular updates and feedback loops ensure everyone's expectations are aligned throughout the project. Storyboarding: Consider creating a storyboard or animatic. This visual roadmap helps your client visualize the final product before significant production efforts begin. Iterate, Iterate, Iterate: Don't be afraid to iterate. Share drafts with your client during the process to make sure you're heading in the right direction. It's easier to pivot early on than to redo a finished piece.

While most of the steps and perspectives in this article are great and should be considered as best practices - you don't have to follow them. Your own process will set you apart in the mind of client as much as your portfolio – it's one of the things they will remember you for. So do not be afraid to experiment!

Create a detailed project timeline that includes not just the final deadline, but also interim milestones and review points. Working with these types of stages, safeguards the direction you are heading and making sure everyone is on the same page at all times.

C'est pénible, mais les plannings ou retro-planning précis, avec les engagements de chacun (vos délais de livraison des étapes, les validations et livraisons des assets par le client) vont protéger tout le monde, pour une prestation créative sereine.

Creating Motion Timelines (what you see, what you hear, when exactly) can speed up the entire process by both helping others to visualize the final design as well as become a step-by-step to-do list which cuts down the delivery time, especially by removing the frequent calls need.