Technique
2D animation studio in London
Myth is a London 2D animation studio making characterful, illustration-led work for brands, agencies and broadcasters. From frame-by-frame craft to clean vector motion, designed and animated in house from concept to delivery.
Trusted by
What we provide
Characterful 2D animation, designed and animated in house.
As an animation studio for brands and broadcasters, we produce 2D animation across commercials, brand films, explainers, social and title work, handling design, storyboard, animation and post in one studio.
Our team comes from illustration and design, so the work has a hand and a point of view rather than a templated look. We have made 2D work for ITV, Sky and Nestlé.
Start a project_1_1771539394233.webp)
Project still- Discipline
- Frame-by-frame, vector, cel, mixed-media
- Built for
- Brands, agencies, broadcast
- Deliverable
- Films, explainers, social, titles
- Made in
- London, for clients worldwide
Definition
What is 2D animation?
Definition
What is 2D animation?
2D animation is animation built in two dimensions from illustrated frames, whether drawn frame by frame or animated as vector and cel-style artwork. It tends to feel graphic, characterful and hand-made.
Myth designs the visual language and animates it with performance, so each piece feels bespoke to the brand rather than pulled from a template.
Read the full glossary entry on 2D Animation.
Sources (2)
Academic papers, recognised industry standards, and canonical industry texts that back up this definition.
- Understanding Animation. Wells, Routledge, 1998Supports: the forms and language of 2D animation
- The Animator's Survival Kit. Williams, Faber & Faber, 2001Supports: hand-drawn frame-by-frame craft
What is the difference between frame-by-frame and vector 2D animation?
Frame-by-frame animation draws each frame by hand for fluid, expressive movement. Vector animation moves and reshapes pre-built artwork, which is faster and cleaner but less hand-made in feel.
Myth chooses between them, or combines them, based on the performance and budget a project needs.
Sources (2)
Academic papers, recognised industry standards, and canonical industry texts that back up this definition.
- The Animator's Survival Kit. Williams, Faber & Faber, 2001Supports: hand-drawn frame-by-frame craft
- Computer Animation: Algorithms and Techniques (3rd edition). Parent, Morgan Kaufmann, 2012Supports: interpolated, shape-based animation
What gives 2D animation its sense of life?
The sense of life in 2D animation comes from established principles of movement such as timing, squash and stretch, anticipation and follow-through, set out in the canonical animation texts.
Myth animates to those principles, so characters carry weight and intent rather than just sliding around the frame.
Sources (3)
Academic papers, recognised industry standards, and canonical industry texts that back up this definition.
- The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation. Thomas, Johnston, Disney Editions, 1981Supports: the principles of animation
- The Animator's Survival Kit. Williams, Faber & Faber, 2001Supports: timing, weight and intent
- Principles of Traditional Animation Applied to 3D Computer Animation. Lasseter, ACM SIGGRAPH Computer Graphics, 1987Supports: movement principles create life
What's included
From first sketch to final frame
Concept & design
We develop the idea and design a bespoke visual language: characters, colour and a look that is ownable rather than generic.
Storyboard & animatic
We lock pacing, staging and transitions so you feel the rhythm of the piece before full animation begins.
Animation
Frame-by-frame or vector animation with weight, timing and personality, made by artists rather than presets.
Sound & delivery
Sound design, music and final delivery in every format you need for web, social and broadcast.
The decision
Frame-by-frame, vector or hybrid?
Frame-by-frame
The most expressive, hand-made approach, drawn frame by frame. Best where character and craft are the point.
Vector & cel
Cleaner, graphic and efficient to produce and revise. A strong fit for explainers and brand systems at volume.
We advise on the fit
Most projects mix techniques. We recommend the approach that serves the brief, the channels and the budget.
Project stillReuse
Built to work across channels
We design 2D assets to be repurposed, so a single production can travel across broadcast, social and brand without starting from scratch each time.
- Commercials & brand films
- Explainers
- Social & short-form
- Title sequences
- Web & product
- Events
How we work
How we make your 2D animation
Discovery & brief
We get clear on goals, audience, references and the channels the work needs to run across.
Concept & design
We develop the script, visual treatment and styleframes, and lock the creative direction.
Storyboard & animatic
We lock pacing, staging and key transitions before committing to full animation.
Animation
Our artists animate the piece, sharing work in progress at regular checkpoints.
Sound & delivery
Sound design, music and final assets in every format, plus cutdowns for reuse.
Portfolio
2D animation in motion
A Modern Fairytale
Vegan activist film
Social Security Scotland
Public sector campaign
Inchstones
Nestlé Compleat
Forever Young
IMG
What clients say
"The Myth team have become a key partner for us at Pepsi. They have supported how we glean insights on communications, in a more iterative way, enabling us to test and learn, with speed and agility. The Myth team are collaborative, efficient and effective, and I look forward to continuing the partnership."
Cathy Graham Kidd / Senior Marketing Director, Pepsi Global
FAQ
2D animation, answered
How much does 2D animation cost?
It depends on length, style and complexity. A short vector explainer sits at a very different price point to a frame-by-frame character film. We scope every project around runtime, the level of craft and the timeline, and we give you a clear, itemised quote upfront. Share your brief and we'll come back with a figure.
How long does 2D animation take?
Short, simple pieces can take a few weeks. Larger character-led films usually run four to eight weeks depending on the amount of bespoke design, the animation approach and the number of approval rounds. We map a realistic timeline before we start.
What's the difference between 2D and 3D animation?
2D animation works in two dimensions with illustrated frames, so it tends to feel graphic, characterful and hand-made. 3D builds objects and characters in a virtual three-dimensional space, with camera movement, lighting and depth. Neither is better. The right choice depends on your story, your audience and your brand, and we work across both.
What 2D styles do you work in?
We cover frame-by-frame, vector, cel-style and mixed-media 2D, from clean graphic motion through to fully illustrated character work. Every project gets a bespoke visual language rather than a template, designed to reflect your brand and hold attention.
Can you match our existing brand style?
Yes. We can translate your brand guidelines into a 2D treatment or develop a new illustrated language that feels like a natural extension of your identity. We reference your existing assets, colours and design principles throughout.
Do you work with agencies and other studios?
We often act as a specialist 2D animation partner, plugging into existing creative teams, workflows and pitches. We're comfortable working within agency creative direction and delivering to their timelines.
Start a 2D project
Let's chat.
Tell us about the piece, the audience and the channels it needs to work across, and we'll come back with a route, a rough timeline and a ballpark figure.
Myth Group
Myth Labs · AI AnimaticsRelated services