Can motion design deliver real, measureable business results?

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It’s the first question I usually get asked from UK marketers and content leads. And while marketing budgets are shrinking, it's the most obvious one too. Who doesn't want to protect their ROI?

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Does motion design actually move the needle or does it just look nice?

In 2020, I decided to answer that question properly.

After being made redundant, I went freelance as a remote UK-based motion designer. I had years of industry experience behind me (in motion design and leadership roles), but no freelance case studies that clearly demonstrated commercial impact. Rather than rely on my own opinion or aesthetics, I wanted proof that I could share.

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So I created a real-world motion design case study with one clear aim:

To prove that professionally designed 2D animated video content can drive tangible business results when used strategically and consistently.

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Why I chose a pro bono motion design project

As a new freelancer, I knew I needed:

• Full creative control
• Space to experiment
• Honest performance data
• A real business with real goals

The solution was to work pro bono with a small business allowing me to focus on results rather than invoicing days worked or handling tight turn-around amends.

That’s when I partnered with Ask Emma VA, an independent business run by Emma Donnelly, primarily operating through Instagram.

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The objective: using motion design to drive growth on Instagram

The goal was simple and very measurable thanks to Instagram's analytics:

👉🏼 Create animated social media content that generated clear, trackable improvements in audience growth, engagement and revenue.

This wasn’t just about on-brand, stop-the-scroll animations. It was about using motion graphics as a marketing tool.

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The motion design process

Strategy and planning

We started with three 1-to-1 planning sessions where we:

• Defined Emma’s business goals
• Identified content gaps
• Reviewed existing brand assets
• Agreed visual style

This ensured the animation wasn’t just eye-catching, it was on-brand, purposeful and audience-led.

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Content creation

Over a 12-week period, I created and Emma published:

• 2D animated Instagram content
• Motion graphics designed specifically for Stories and feed posts
• Short-form social media animated video optimised for mobile viewing
• Content aligned to Emma’s brand guidelines and audience behaviour

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Measurement and review

After 12 weeks, we reviewed the Instagram analytics and compared them against the previous quarter.

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The results: motion design that delivered real business impact

Here’s what the data showed...

🚀 Follower growth:
+35% increase

🚀 Profile impressions:
+110% increase

🚀 Instagram Stories reach using animation:
+520% increase

🚀 Revenue:
+198% increase compared to the previous quarter

For any business, let alone an independant business, these aren't just vanity metrics, they're positive commercial outcomes.

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What this case study proves about motion design

This project demonstrated something UK marketing teams have recognised for the last 10 years:

Motion design works best when it’s treated as a strategic marketing asset, not decoration.

When animated video content is:

• Professionally designed
• Consistently published
• Strategically aligned to brand and audience

…it directly influences reach, engagement and revenue.

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Why this case study mattered for my freelance motion design career

Sharing the results of this project didn’t just benefit Emma, it supported my freelance business too.

This single motion design case study:

• Opened doors to new UK clients that year
• Built credibility with 2 marketing teams
• Demonstrated ROI to social media production managers
• Removed the need for the hard sell

It's one of two case studies I've created and remains the only one that proves tangible results.

That's a winner winner chicken dinner, right?

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What UK brands and production teams can take from this

If you’re a:

• Marketing manager
• Content lead
• Production manager
• Small business owner
• Agency or production company

…and you’re questioning whether motion design is worth investing in, I hope this case study answers that question clearly.

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Thinking about using motion design for your brand?

If you’re looking for:

• A UK-based freelance motion designer
• 2D animation for social media
• Motion graphics that support marketing objectives
• Animated video content that performs not just looks good

You know who to call.

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Huge respect to Emma for going on to work with even bigger and better clients as a social media pro. Thanks for trusting me with such an important part of your journey.