Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions about working with Full Nelson? Here's what most people want to know before getting on a call. Don't see your question answered here? Reach out directly.

What does Full Nelson do?

Full Nelson creates custom motion design solutions for brands and entertainment clients who need work that actually stands out. Services span art direction, look development, visual strategy, and end-to-end motion production in 2D, 3D, or both. Whether it's a product launch video, brand film, broadcast campaign, or entertainment title sequence, every project is built from scratch to fit what the work actually needs.

Who does Full Nelson work with?

Full Nelson works directly with brands and entertainment clients, and partners with agencies, studios, and production houses as a trusted creative resource. Brand clients typically come from CPG, health, auto, energy/tech, and political sectors. On the entertainment side, the focus is on TV and film with a particular affinity for horror and genre work. If you're an agency or studio looking for a reliable creative partner who can work at your pace and quality level, that's a conversation worth having.

What is look development and why does it matter?

Look development is the process of defining how a project should look and feel before production begins. It's how you visualize a product before committing to full production, establish a visual direction for a campaign, get stakeholder buy-in early, and pre-sell ideas to clients before significant budget is spent. Done well, it saves time, reduces revisions, and gets everyone aligned before a single frame is animated. It's one of the most valuable and most overlooked parts of the motion design process.

What's the difference between 2D and 3D motion design, and when do you need both?

2D motion design works with flat graphics, text, icons, and characters. It can suggest depth and dimension, but is limited in how it interacts with light, renders texture, and moves through space. 3D is a fully realized environment that requires significantly more planning, time, and computational resources. The more realistic and complex the ask, the more it demands.

The two work best together when a project needs both dimensional realism and clear communication. A common use case is a product video that shows a physical object in 3D while 2D callouts with text and icons explain its features and benefits. The other major use case is live action integration, which is really what "integrated" means in practice. A live action scene might have a 3D object composited into it alongside 2D graphic callouts, all needing to track together and feel like one cohesive piece. Full Nelson loves working in that pipeline and collaborates with specialist partners for tracking and complex compositing when the project calls for it. The craft is in making all those layers feel like they were always meant to be together.

How does a project work, start to finish?

Every project follows a proven production framework with clear milestones at each phase. Discovery and strategy align on goals and audience. Pre-production covers concepting, scripting, moodboards, styleboards, storyboards, and design elements. Production includes animation, rendering, and compositing. Post-production handles editing and finishing. Reviews happen through Frame.io at each milestone, keeping feedback organized, tracked, and easy to action without endless email chains. Clients always know where the project stands and what's coming next.

How long does a project take?

A typical 2D explainer runs four to six weeks from kickoff to delivery. 3D projects are more involved by nature and typically run eight to twelve weeks, sometimes longer, depending on complexity. Integrated 2D/3D projects with live action fall in a similar range to full 3D. Timeline is always scoped and discussed upfront, so there are no surprises.

What does it cost?

Every project is scoped custom based on what the work actually needs. Complexity, length, deliverable format, and timeline all affect the investment. The best way to get a real number is to get on a call. Minimum engagement is $3,000.

Is Full Nelson based in Chicago? Do you work outside Chicago?

Full Nelson is based in Chicago and works with clients across the U.S. Remote work is seamless. Most projects run entirely over video calls, shared files, and screen shares, regardless of where the client is located.

What makes Full Nelson different?

The sensibility comes from a background in underground music, art, and design scenes where authenticity matters and lazy work gets called out instantly. That shows up in every project. A product demo that actually holds attention. A brand film that doesn't feel like everyone else's. Stylistically, it's the wild energy and big moments filled with controlled chaos that make the work memorable. Twenty years of agency pedigree means the craft is there. The underground instinct means it never looks like it came off an assembly line.