Animation allows creatives to unleash their artistic potential and push the envelope. Those that aim for excellence, rise to the top.
Competition is stiff in New York and they say that if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the best animation companies in the state.
The best animation companies in New York
We’ve ranked these studios based on the following factors: quality, credibility, and creativity.
1. Buck
We’ve crowned Buck.co the king of the concrete jungle. If you take a look at their portfolio, you’ll understand why.
The studio was established in 2004 and has around 288 of the most creative individuals on its payroll.
Here’s a video they made that beautifully illustrates a person’s struggle with pain and opioid addiction. The visual storytelling and narration complement each other and make a compelling video.
Specialties:
Animation, motion graphics, stop-motion, etc.
Clients:
Apple, Google, Playstation, Qualcomm, IBM, Amazon, Facebook, BBC2, Sonos, Tinder, Instagram, and more
Locations:
Brooklyn; Los Angeles, and Surry Hills, Australia
Rating
Quality 5
Credibility: 5
Creativity: 5
Overall score: 5
Read more: 11 Animation Styles for Your Next Marketing Video
2. MotionCue
At MotionCue, we offer a range of video production services that are geared to drive awareness and inspire action. Animation is our forte and is something we deeply enjoy. Our team of 30 talented individuals includes illustrators, graphic designers, video producers, writers, and strategists.
We set up shop in 2008. Since then, we’ve worked with Fortune 50 brands and partnered with some of the world’s top agencies to help them achieve their goals through video content and social media marketing.
Clutch even featured us in their list of top video production agencies in New York. If you want to check out some of our client testimonials, click here.
Here’s a video we made for Microsoft Edge!
Like the video? You could get one for your business, too.
If you have some ideas, get in touch. We’d love to help!
Want a video for your business?
Apart from animation, we also make live-action videos. In fact, we’ve been having a lot of fun on our new YouTube channel MotionCue XD. Here’s a little skit we recorded recently.
Specialties:
Explainer videos, motion graphics, live-action, social media videos, corporate videos, and more
Clients:
Johnson & Johnson, P&G, Microsoft, Samsung, GE, Upwork, Slack, Sony, Unilever, Pfizer, TATA, News Corp, Listerine, Neutrogena, and more.
Location:
New York, Los Angeles, Islamabad.
Rating
Quality: 5
Credibility: 5
Creativity: 5
Overall Score: 5
Read more: Tips for Character Designing for Explainer Videos
3. Nathan Love
Nathan Love is a subsidiary of Aardman Animations. The animation company set up shop in 2007 and has around 30 employees. Their passion to tell amazing stories is evident when you take a look at the work that they’ve been doing.
This video tugs at the heartstrings. The story; seamless transitions from one scene to the next; tone and style of animation, all tie in perfectly with the video’s message.
Specialties:
Creative thinking, art, design, animation, and storytelling, concept development, and direction.
Clients:
National Geographic, Nickelodeon Studios, Baskin Robbins, Kraft, Kellogg’s, NBC-Universal, etc.
Location:
New York
Rating
Quality: 5
Credibility: 5
Creativity: 5
Overall Score: 5
4. Titmouse
Couple Shannon and Chris Prynoski established Titmouse Animation in 2000 and named it after Chris’ favorite Northeastern‐American bird species. The dynamic duo found joy in producing eccentric 2-D animations and channeled their twisted sense of humor into the art form.
From humble beginnings, the studio evolved into a full-service animation production company that employs around 700 people across three studio locations.
Cartoons are the company’s specialty and there’s no doubt about it. Apart from original TV shows and films, the studio also does impressive commercial work.
This animation reel tells you everything you need to know about Titmouse and the energy they bring to the table.
Specialty:
Animation
Clients:
GEICO, Dreft, GM, The Players’ Tribune, Wowease, Visa, Hinge, and more
Locations:
New York; Los Angeles and Vancouver
Rating
Quality 4
Credibility 5
Creativity: 5
Overall score: 4.6
5. Not To Scale
Not To Scale covers film production and animation. The company has been around since 2005 and has studios in 4 locations. With a talented staff of 40 people, Not To Scale has built its reputation as one of New York’s finest.
Specialties:
Animation, mixed-media, and film production
Clients:
Michelin, American Express, Lyft, Samsung, Nike, Vodafone, Disney, HP, Ford, Honda, Skoda, Unilever, Green Day, and more
Locations:
New York, Los Angeles; London, and Amsterdam
Rating
Quality 4
Credibility: 5
Creativity: 5
Overall Score: 4.6
6. Slanted Studios
Slanted Studios was founded in 2012 and has a diverse portfolio. From animation, stop motion, and live-action to handmade pop-up books and interactive installations, the company does it all with poise.
A multi-talented group of around 10 employees has come together under one roof to make extraordinary things happen.
The company’s animation reel shows you everything they’re capable of and demonstrates their expertise quite nicely.
Specialties:
Animation, motion graphics, stop motion, and Interactive
Clients:
Adult Swim, Twitter, Viacom, Coach, Samsung, Vox, etc.
Location:
Brooklyn
Rating
Quality: 5
Credibility: 5
Creativity: 4
Overall Score: 4.6
7. VERSUS
Versus was founded in 2013 and employs approximately 10 people. Ideas fuel the company and the creatives pair clever storytelling techniques with compelling visuals. This has allowed the studio to make a name for itself in the industry.
Versus’ animation reel is a testament to the depth and breadth of their talent and capability.
Specialties:
Concept and creative strategy, branding, design, and production
Clients:
Nike, Phoenix Life Center, Home Depot, S&P, CBS Sports, Samsung, History Channel, The Washington Post, NFL, Unicef
Location:
New York
Rating
Quality: 5
Credibility: 4
Creativity: 5
Overall Score: 4.6
8. Roof Studio
Roof knows how to take its audience on a whimsical journey through animated content. Three creative partners: Crystal Campbell, Vinicius Costa, and Guto Terni, joined forces to establish Roof in 2013.
The studio currently has around 15 employees who help bring the company’s creative vision to life
Roof collaborated with RPA and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation to bring a bit of joy into the lives of pediatric cancer patients.
The 3D animation educates the viewer on MRI machines in an entertaining way. This video is part of a film series that features fictional characters from the Imaginary Friend Society.
Specialties:
VFX, 2D and 3D animation, CGI, live-action, motion graphics, and stop motion.
Clients:
Honda, Ben & Jerry’s, IBM, National Geographic Channel, HBO, Amnesty International, Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, and more.
Location:
Brooklyn
Rating
Quality 5
Credibility: 4
Creativity: 5
Overall Score: 4.6
9. Golden Wolf
The Emmy-nominated studio has an impressive portfolio that oozes a unique psychedelic vibe. The company was established in 2013 and has worked on some major global commercial campaigns.
Golden Wolf’s 25-member team also experiments with AR filters and VR experiences. They aim to create memorable content that people will love.
For this epic Brawl Stars spot, the studio teamed up with mobile game company Supercell. It follows a cowboy as he tries to navigate the chaos of the Frontier World.
Specialties:
Animation, motion graphics, direction, and solutions
Clients:
Adidas, Nike, Adult Swim, Facebook, Disney, Starbucks, Western Union, etc.
Locations:
New York and London
Rating
Quality: 5
Credibility: 4
Creativity: 5
Overall Score: 4.6
10. Exit 73 Studios
Exit 73 Studios excel at cel animation. If you take a look at their YouTube channel, you’ll find that their animation sequences are packed with loads of energy.
The company has produced original pilots with Nickelodeon; animated videogame cut scenes, and boasts an impressive portfolio of creative work.
The company was established in 2012 and has around 2-10 employees.
Exit 73 created this action-packed animated video with a software called GR-8 BIT. It’s their most popular upload on YouTube and people love it.
In it, the main character, Donovan Murdock, is on a mission to get back his Coin.
Specialties:
Animation, graphic design, web design, and logo design.
Clients:
BBDO, General Mills, Nickelodeon, Disney XD, Cartoon Network, Sprint, Bleacher Report, etc.
Location:
Riverhead, NY
Rating
Quality: 5
Credibility: 4
Creativity: 5
Overall score: 4.6
11. Ambassadors
Ambassadors is a creative production studio established in 2007. With 2 studio locations and over 100 employees, the company has cemented its reputation as one of the best in the industry.
The team at Ambassadors comes up with quality content in the realm of advertising and film. The studio brings together visual effects artists, music composers, and programmers to bring ambitious projects to life.
Here’s a cool video that demonstrates how skilled the company is at animation.
Specialties:
Design and animation, visual effects and 3D, sound and music composition, creative production, editing, etc.
Clients:
McDonald’s, Spotify, Adidas, Nike, Turkish Airlines, KFC, Amnesty International, Samsung, Jaguar, Instagram, etc.
Locations:
New York and Amsterdam
Rating
Quality: 4
Credibility: 5
Creativity: 4
Overall score: 4.3
12. The Studio
Founder Mary Nittolo established the company in 1984. She calls herself an ‘accidental entrepreneur’. Now, The Studio has a talented team of around 15 creatives. The company has worked with prestigious Fortune 500 clients and continues to deliver spectacular results.
This animation reel illustrates what kind of amazing work The Studio has been doing.
Specialties:
Visual communication, interactive design, animation, motion design, motion capture, and post-production
Clients:
GEICO, Dreft, GM, The Players’ Tribune, Wowease, Hinge, and more.
Location:
New York
Rating
Quality 4
Credibility: 5
Creativity: 4
Overall score: 4.3
13. Fevr
Established in 2016, Fevr is an animation company that specializes in 2D, 3D motion graphics and animation.
Currently, the company has 7 employees on its payroll. Fevr has the ability to take abstract; complex messages and convey them in a digestible way.
This video uses humorous scenes and colorful animation to illustrate a point.
Specialties:
Motion graphics, video, illustration, digital marketing, animation, 2D, 3D, design, and art direction
Clients:
Uber, Coca Cola, Amazon, GE, MTV, The Walt Disney Company, Dior, Ernie Ball, MTV, Match.com
Locations:
New York and Los Angeles
Rating
Quality: 4.5
Credibility: 3.5
Creativity: 4
Overall Score: 4
That’s all folks
This wraps up our pick of the best animation companies in New York.
There are a few factors that are common in each of these establishments: they are brought to life by talented; creative individuals who strive to bring their vivid imaginations and ideas to life.
If your favorite wasn’t mentioned, connect with us on LinkedIn and tell us about your top picks.
Read more: How to Pick a Production Studio for That Amazing Explainer Video
