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Motion graphics and animation by Floating Harbour

Animation and Motion Graphics

Animation and motion graphics that make complicated things clear, on their own or inside a film.

Floating Harbour, a film production company in Bristol, makes explainer animations, motion graphics, 2D and 3D animation and event screen graphics in house, on their own or woven into the films we shoot.

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In-house animation

Animation is a choice, not a fallback

It can explain a system in a way no interview can, give a difficult subject the distance it needs, make a number memorable, or simply be the most beautiful way to tell a story. We have used it to explain a climate emergency to a university, to help admissions tutors interview fairly, to put a safeguarding policy in front of a global foundation, to sell yoghurt drinks and toothbrushes on television, and to fill the screens behind a hydrogen aircraft launch.

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Types of animation we make

Explainer animation. A service, a scheme or an idea made clear in two minutes. See What is a Climate Emergency? for the University of Bristol and the TAPCARE animation.

Animation for sensitive subjects. Where real faces would be wrong, animation lets an organisation say difficult things clearly and with care. See the Sexual Violence Animation for the University of Bristol and the Laudes Foundation safeguarding animation, which is not published online but can be shown on request.

Training and learning animation. Companion pieces to training films, or whole modules. See the B&Q Department Supervisor animation for Lifetime Training and the animation for admissions interviews at the University of Bristol.

Animation we have made

Script first, then style, then motion

How an animation project runs

Brief and script first, because an animation is only as clear as its words. Then a style frame or two so you can see the look before anything moves; a storyboard or animatic to agree the timing; voice-over recorded with a professional artist; animation; sound design and music; then versions for every platform, including captioned and sound-off edits. We work in Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro, Cinema 4D and Blender, and we can work to your brand guidelines or design a look from scratch.

More animation and graphics

Infographics, event graphics and broadcast work

Infographics and data animation. Numbers people can follow. For the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data we made five films in two weeks, screened at the UN General Assembly; see also the Africa Regional Data Cube and the seven Bristol Ready infographics for the University of Bristol.

Event and screen graphics. Titles, lower thirds, screen content and idents for live events and awards. See the ZeroAvia event screen graphics and the on-screen graphics for the Whitley Awards live ceremony every year since 2020.

Broadcast and commercial graphics. Titles, product animation and composited graphics for adverts and brand films, from the Yazoo and Oral B commercials to the animated backstory for Network Rail. We specialise in 2D and 3D animation, sound design and professional voice-over production, and we composite animation into live-action footage when a film needs both.

More animation we have made. Disability Talking (Cardiff Business School).

Frequently asked questions

How long does an explainer animation take?
A two-minute 2D explainer usually takes six to eight weeks from brief to delivery, most of it in script, design and approvals rather than in the animating. 3D and character animation take longer.

What does animation cost?
The drivers are length, the complexity of the style (flat 2D through to 3D), how much has to be designed from scratch, and how many versions or languages you need. Tell us the subject and the audience and we will suggest a style and a budget.

Can you animate to our brand?
Yes. We work to existing brand guidelines and assets, or design a visual language for you that your other channels can use.

Do you provide voice-over and music?
Yes: professional voice-over artists, licensed or composed music, and full sound design.

Can you add animation to a film you did not shoot?
Yes. Titles, graphics and animated sequences are added to supplied footage as part of our editing and post-production service.

Most of our animation is made for universities, government and public bodies, charities, healthcare and technology companies, often alongside a training film or a corporate film. For graphics inside live-action footage, see compositing and VFX. For the full range, see all the films we make. Whether your idea is fully formed or just forming, talk to us and we will give you the guidance you need.