How to Create an Animation Brief with AI: A Real-World Example

Preparing for a 2D animation project can be overwhelming—especially if you're not a designer. You may have the story, characters, and vision in mind, but turning that into a clear, visual brief for an animator or studio is another challenge altogether.

That’s where AI steps in.

This article shows how real clients are starting to create animation brief with AI—even without technical or artistic skills—and how using tools like DrawStory can bridge the communication gap between idea and execution.

Why Creating a Visual Brief Matters

Animation production teams need clarity. When you start a project without a structured brief, you're likely to face:

• Misalignment on story direction

• Repeated revisions

• Delays in production

In fact, a creative agency recently shared a real-world case: their client provided visuals, but the team still had to redraw everything by hand. Why? The brief lacked structure, scene breakdown, and flow. It wasn’t enough to just share AI-generated images—it needed to be visualized in context.

That's exactly why more creators now create animation brief with AI instead of relying on static mood boards or text docs.

Real Example: Client Collaboration Without a Visual Brief

The client in this case was working on an animated short about time travel. Inspired by 1930s Disney aesthetics, they used AI tools to generate characters and shared those visuals in a document.

But the studio had questions:

• Were these designs final or just references?

• Where do these characters appear in the story?

• Is there a storyboard?

The studio appreciated the effort but had to redraw everything from scratch—and clarify the entire concept themselves.

Had the client used a purpose-built animation brief AI tool like DrawStory, that entire process could’ve been smoother.

Using AI to Create Brief for Animation

Let’s break down how this same client could’ve used AI tools to create brief for animation in a few easy steps:

1. Start with the Script

DrawStory lets you paste a script or scene description into the platform. The AI automatically interprets your words and builds a basic storyboard structure.

2. Add AI-Generated Visuals

Instead of attaching a PDF, upload your characters into the storyboard directly. You can place them into individual frames and define where they appear.

3. Define the Scene Flow

Drag and drop elements like props, camera angles, and environments to map out the story visually. This helps communicate pacing and scene transitions.

4. Share with the Studio

With one click, you can share your complete storyboard as a live link. This eliminates confusion and accelerates production.

Using this workflow, anyone—without design experience—can create animation brief with AI and bring more clarity to the production pipeline.

Why Animation Studios Appreciate AI-Powered Briefs

Here’s something unexpected that came out during the studio call: when clients use AI to communicate their vision, it adds value. But when studios send AI-generated visuals to clients, it sometimes feels like a shortcut.

This means tools like DrawStory are best positioned as client-first tools. They give clients a visual communication layer—while still leaving space for artists and animators to work their magic.

In other words, when you create brief for animation using AI, you’re not replacing professionals—you’re empowering them.

What to Include in Your Animation Brief AI Workflow

Whether you're using DrawStory or another platform, a strong AI-powered brief should include:

• A clear script or scene list

• Defined characters and their roles

• Layout and visual structure per scene

• Mood, tone, and artistic direction

The more clarity you provide upfront, the better your results.

Final Thoughts: Why Now Is the Time to Create Animation Brief with AI

The animation industry is evolving. Studios are faster, budgets are tighter, and clients are expected to show up prepared. If you're still trying to communicate your animation vision with slides, scattered notes, or long PDFs, it's time for a better way.