How much does animation and motion graphics cost in Dubai?

“How much will it cost?” is the first question every client asks, and the honest answer is that it depends. To make that more useful, here are the price ranges studios and freelancers in Dubai typically quote in 2026, and the things that move a project up or down within them.

These are market ranges collected from published price guides by UAE studios and agencies, not my personal rate card. For a fixed quote on your project, send me a brief.

Quick price table (AED, 2026)

Animated explainer videos

A 60-second explainer built from clean 2D motion graphics (icons, type and simple illustration) usually lands between AED 8,000 and 15,000 and takes two to three weeks. Once you add custom characters or a fully illustrated world, expect AED 15,000 to 30,000 and three to five weeks. Longer brand stories with bespoke illustration run AED 25,000 to 50,000, and 3D work starts around AED 40,000. I explain what goes into a good brief in how to brief a motion designer.

Social media motion graphics

Short animated pieces for Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn typically cost AED 5,000 to 10,000 for a polished 30-second piece. Series are better value: once the look is designed, each extra video costs much less than the first. Simple resizes and cut-downs of existing animation are cheaper still.

AI video

AI has brought a new price tier. A 60-second AI-generated explainer or ad is generally quoted between AED 4,000 and 20,000, and a two-minute AI brand film between AED 12,000 and 30,000, compared with AED 40,000 or more for the same film shot traditionally. The spread is wide because AI video quality varies enormously: a quick generated clip and a directed film with consistent characters, a real edit, sound design and colour are very different products. I break down that process in how an AI film is made and compare the two routes in AI video vs a live shoot.

Corporate and brand films

Live-action corporate video in Dubai starts around AED 10,000 to 15,000 for a simple single-camera interview, with most business projects between AED 25,000 and 50,000. Multi-day brand films with crew, locations and motion graphics commonly reach AED 50,000 to 100,000 and beyond.

Freelance motion designer rates

Freelance motion designers in the UAE typically charge AED 500 to 1,500 a day, depending on seniority, or roughly AED 100 to 250 an hour. Agencies book freelancers by the day when they need extra hands; brands usually prefer a fixed project price. If you are deciding between the two models, read freelancer vs agency.

What makes a project cost more

• Length and style. Every extra second has to be designed and animated, and characters or 3D take far longer than graphic motion.
• Script and concept. If the studio writes the script, budget roughly AED 2,000 to 5,000 more.
• Voice-over and languages. Arabic voice-over typically costs more than English, and each extra language version adds about 20 to 30 percent.
• Music. Stock music costs AED 500 to 2,000; an original score starts around AED 5,000.
• Revisions. Two or three rounds are normally included. Extra rounds, or changes after animation has started, add cost.
• Deadline. Rush delivery usually adds 25 to 50 percent.

How to get more for your budget

Share your budget up front, so the approach can be designed to fit it. Approve the script and style frames before animation starts, because that is where changes are cheap. Plan cut-downs and formats at the start rather than after delivery. And ask for one strong film plus social versions rather than several weaker ones.

Ranges compiled in November 2026 from published price guides by Dubai studios and agencies, including GLDS Design Studio, Impulse Digital and Digital Nexa, plus UAE salary and freelance rate data. Prices change, so treat them as a guide rather than a quote.

Planning a film? See my AI video production and motion graphics services, or email me about your project.