If you ask that right upfront there is definitely a misunderstanding
about what animation is and how it works.
(And proof that you didn't read the pages above).

And no, we cannot offer a daily rate either. It would only replace the "how much?" with "how many days?" without solving the problem.

As much as we understand your need to budget your decisions please
do understand that we need a little something from you first to work with.

If you go to the printer's and say : "I need a brochure, how much does it cost ? " at the very best he will give you a dirty look. Then he will start asking a lot of pesky questions such as : "how many pages, how many copies, how big, what kind of paper, do you have a layout or not..." and so on.

If you bear with him and answer all his questions THEN and only THEN he'll be able to give you the right quote.

Just because printing is an established business for more than five hundred
years you don't question his right to ask those questions.

But animation is no different ! It is the same tool as a brochure.
Only better !

If you don't give us a script or a brief we will need to talk because we too need to know few things in order to come up with the right numbers.
If nothing you will be surprised - pleasantly we hope.

QUALITY IN ANIMATION

For business use animation's first purpose is to transfer information and not artistic entertainment. However a certain degree of artistic achievement is required as to avoid being boring.

Here's few tips on what to look for in good animation :

It ...
... has to follow the script ;
... must address clearly all the reasons it was created for ;
... has to be simple, consistent, precise and not unnecessarily long ;
... avoids experiments.

And also :
- Character motion should flow naturally ; However you should be aware at any moment that there is an animated motion and not a real life recording.
Animation explains the reality and not reproduce it.

- Motion should be consistent with the intended message.
Click on the image to see an example :
At first view the motion on the left is boring, simply repeating itself while the motion on the right is complex and suggestive. But both display good animation since the one on the left was intended to direct the eye to a specific message without competing with it while the other animation was intended to express joy and playfulness.

But at the end of the day you have to like it.

Be reassured that we will always deliver the best quality for your money !