3D product animation
3D productThe mechanism inside a recovery product, modelled and animated because the benefit is the part you cannot film.
Animation and motion graphics
We animate what a camera cannot reach: mechanism inside a product, a process that happens at molecular scale, a software flow, a number that needs to land. 3D product animation, motion graphics and animated explainers, with or without a shoot day.
Animation is the answer when the benefit is invisible. It is the wrong answer when a real person could say it better. Or build your own estimate in two minutes.
Animation work we have shipped
Six pieces where the explaining is done by motion rather than by a camera: 3D product, animated explainers, interface motion and graphics inside filmed work.
Water purifier explainer
Animated explainerFiltration happens inside the machine. Animated, it answers the only question a buyer actually has.
Anchor software explainer
UI and motionScreen capture rebuilt as motion graphics, so the interface reads at any size rather than only on a desktop.
SinuSave product explainer
Health productA health product explained with animation and live action together, and without a health claim.
Finance education series
Motion graphicsNumbers and flows animated on top of filmed presenters, which is how most financial explainers actually get made.
Fintech training film
ExplainerMotion graphics doing the explaining inside a training film, rather than a separate animated piece.
How an animation project runs
Six steps from scope to delivery, and about four to six weeks depending on the style.
Scope and the questionWe start from the one question the animation has to answer, then decide whether it needs 3D, 2D motion or a filmed piece with graphics on top.-
Script and storyboardA script first, then a storyboard. Both are signed off before a single frame is built, because rework in animation is expensive.
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Design and style framesTwo or three style frames set the look, the palette and the type. You approve the look before the motion starts.
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Build and animateModelling, illustration or interface rebuild, then animation. Any live action is filmed in the same window.
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Voice, sound and reviewVoice over, sound design and music, then two rounds of notes on the animated cut.
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Deliver and protect the filesMasters, web files, social cutdowns and, on request, the project files.
Which kind of animation do you need?
Four formats cover most of it. The difference is mostly whether the subject is physical, digital or abstract.
This page
3D product animation
Show the mechanism inside a physical product
- Length
- 15 to 45 sec
- Runs on
- Product pages, launches, ads
- Cost
- $6,000–$15,000
Animated explainer
Explain a process or an offer in 90 seconds
- Length
- 1 to 2 min
- Runs on
- Home page, onboarding, paid
- Cost
- $6,000–$15,000
Motion graphics in filmed work
Numbers, flows and callouts over live action
- Length
- Any
- Runs on
- Any filmed deliverable
- Cost
- $1,500–$6,000
Interface and product motion
Rebuild a UI so it reads at any size
- Length
- 30 to 90 sec
- Runs on
- Product pages, demos, ads
- Cost
- $6,000–$12,500
Animation is not always the right call. If a real customer can say it, a testimonial will outperform an animated explainer for a fraction of the cost. We will say so.
What animation and motion graphics mean here
Animation and motion graphics production covers 3D product animation, 2D animated explainers, interface and product motion, kinetic typography, data and process graphics, and motion work layered into filmed pieces. 7 Hills Productions produces this work for product, software, healthcare and financial clients, from a base in Irvine, California.
A purely animated piece needs no shoot day, which is why it often costs less than a filmed equivalent even though it takes longer to make.
1Who is it for?
Consumer product and hardware brands, software and SaaS companies, medical device and healthcare organisations, financial and insurance firms, and anyone explaining something invisible.
2What does it cost?
$6,000 to $15,000 for a finished animated piece. Motion graphics added to a filmed deliverable run $1,500 to $6,000.
3How long does it take?
Four to six weeks, longer than a filmed piece because script, storyboard and style frames are approved before any motion is built.
Every kind of animation we make
Eight formats, and most projects combine two of them.
What animation costs in Southern California
Real ranges rather than a call for a quote. Animation is priced by complexity and length, not by shoot days.
| Package | Typical range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| 3D product animation | $6,000–$15,000 | Modelling, animation and finishing, no shoot day |
| Animated explainer | $6,000–$15,000 | Script, storyboard, illustration, animation and voice over |
| Interface and product motion | $6,000–$12,500 | Interface rebuild plus animation, no shoot day |
| Motion graphics in a filmed piece | $1,500–$6,000 | Added to a filmed deliverable, priced by complexity |
| Kinetic typography | $4,000–$10,000 | Script, design and animation |
| Brand motion kit | $4,000–$12,000 | Titles, lower thirds and transitions your team can reuse |
| Extra cutdown | $750 | Any additional cut from an existing animation |
Animation is priced differently from filmed work: there is no shoot day, but script, storyboard and style frames take time up front. Filmed rates are on our pricing page, and the budget estimator covers mixed projects.
Why clients bring animation to us
We will tell you when not to animate
If a real customer can say it, a testimonial beats an animated explainer at a fraction of the cost. We say so before you spend the money.
Storyboard before motion
Rework is expensive in animation. Script and storyboard are approved before a single frame is built.
We combine it with live action
Most of our animation work lives inside filmed pieces, so the graphics match the grade rather than sitting on top of it.
3D for physical products
Mechanism, materials and internals modelled properly, not faked with lighting and a cutaway.
A motion kit you can reuse
Titles, lower thirds and transitions built once, so the rest of your video looks like it came from the same place.
No shoot day required
A fully animated piece needs no crew, no location and no talent, which changes what is affordable.
Where animation gets used most
The sector pages behind this work, and the services it usually sits alongside.
Retail and ecommerce
Product mechanism, listings and paid ads.
Software and tech
Interface motion and product explainers.
Health and wellness
What happens inside the product or the body.
Finance
Numbers, flows and product explainers.
Explainer videos
The filmed and hybrid version of the same job.
All services
Every format we produce, in one place.
Where we film
Irvine Los Angeles San Diego San Jose San Francisco New York and nationwide for multi-site systems. Back to all industries.
What clients say about working with us
Product, software, healthcare and financial clients have hired us for 3D product animation, animated explainers and motion graphics inside filmed work.
They impressed us with prompt responses, ensuring we met all filming objectives without missing a beat. The quality fully met my expectations.
7 Hills Productions went above and beyond in terms of quality, professionalism, responsiveness, and timeliness. They captured our vision perfectly.
They did an amazing job providing a great product. Very easy to work with, we decided to keep working with them for a year-long campaign.
Animation and motion graphics FAQs
How much does an animated video cost?
$6,000 to $15,000 for a finished animated piece, depending on style and length. Motion graphics added to a filmed deliverable run $1,500 to $6,000.
How long does animation take?
Four to six weeks. Longer than a filmed piece, because script, storyboard and style frames are approved before any motion is built.
Do you do 3D or only 2D?
Both. 3D for physical products and mechanism, 2D for processes, offers and data.
Can you animate our product without physical samples?
Yes, from CAD files or detailed photography. CAD gives the cleanest result.
Can you add motion graphics to video we already have?
Yes. Numbers, callouts and process graphics can be added to existing footage, priced by complexity.
Do you write the script?
Yes, and it is approved before anything is designed. Animation rework is expensive, so the script does the arguing first.
Do we get the source files?
On request. Masters and web files are standard, project files are available.
Is animation always the right choice?
No. If a real customer can say it, a testimonial usually outperforms an animated explainer for less money, and we will tell you that.
Who owns the animation?
You do. You get the finished piece and the masters, and source files on request.
Start an animation project
Tell us what has to be explained and who has to understand it. You get a written scope and a number back, usually the same day.
4.9 on Google5.0 on ClutchShot and edited in houseRaw footage included
Start your animationReply within one business dayGet a quote
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