What Moth Studio does

Moth Studio is an independent animation studio based in London, founded in 2015 by three Royal College of Art graduates — David Prosser, Daniel Chester, and Marie-Margaux Tsakiri-Scanatovits. The studio specialises in character animation, branding, and motion design, delivering commissioned work across 2D and 3D animation pipelines that combine tools such as TV Paint, Adobe Animate, and After Effects. Core capabilities include commercial animation (brand films, product launches, idents), branded content for editorial media outlets, launch trailers and in-game cutscenes for gaming clients, and original short films. Notable technical differentiators include a mixed 2D/3D pipeline, multi-style character systems (e.g., the Discord character suite renderable in 2D, 3D, or low-poly), and interactive character builds using Rive software (e.g., the Ziggie microorganism with 13 bespoke animated states).

The studio operates a B2B professional services model with project-based, quote-based pricing and no publicly disclosed rates. Revenue is generated from commissioned animation for global brands, agencies, and non-profits, with a client roster that includes Google, Netflix, Discord, Amazon, Meta, Spotify, Headspace, Sky, The New York Times, CNN, The Guardian, and Ustwo Games. Distribution is direct-to-client delivery, supplemented by a festival and awards circuit presence (BAFTA nominations, Annecy Cristal, D&AD Pencil, ADCE Gold). The studio is currently in development on The Storm Whale animated TV special in partnership with author Benji Davies, a pivot toward original long-form IP complementary to its commissioned services work.

The company is privately held and entirely founder-owned, with no disclosed institutional investors, funding rounds, or M&A activity. Headcount is reported at 1-10 employees, with the founders supported by a scaled freelance network. The senior producer Ifor Ashton leads new business acquisition. Marketing is digital-first via website portfolio, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn, with industry credibility reinforced by award recognition and festival screenings.

Name

Moth Studio

Legal name

Moth

Website

https://moth.studio

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Moth Studio is an independent London-based animation studio founded in 2015, specialising in character animation, branding, and motion design. The studio serves global brands, publishers, and entertainment companies with 2D and 3D animation services, including clients such as Google, Netflix, Discord, and Headspace.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Animation Production Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (51211)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Content Studio & Creative Resourcing (In-house/Embedded Teams) (BPAFAIAJ)

Keywords

• Animation studio
• Character design
• Motion design
• Branded content production
• Commercial animation services

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Commercial Animation Projects: Commissioned animation work for commercial campaigns including brand films, product launches, and promotional content for clients such as Google, Amazon, Spotify, Headspace, and Discord
2. Branded Content Production: Produced editorial-style animated content for media outlets and brands including CNN, The New York Times, The Guardian, and Netflix
3. Short Film Production: Original short film creation including festival submissions and personal projects that generate recognition and industry credibility

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Moth Studio is an independent animation production studio that creates commissioned animated content for commercial advertising, branded editorial partnerships, game cinematics, and original short films. The studio's work spans 2D animation, 3D animation, character design, branding, and motion design, delivered to clients such as Google, Amazon, Netflix, Discord, Sky, Spotify, Headspace, and The New York Times. Projects are quoted and produced on a bespoke basis by a core creative team assembled for each engagement.

Product overview

Moth Studio is an independent London-based animation production studio offering a comprehensive suite of animation services. Their core offerings include commercial animation (advertising and promotional content), branded content (editorial partnerships with media organizations), short films (original narrative works), and specialized capabilities in 2D and 3D animation. The studio specializes in character design, branding, and motion design, creating work across multiple styles and techniques. Their services span launch trailers and in-game cutscenes for gaming clients, showreel production, and long-form animated content. Currently in development is The Storm Whale TV Special, an animated adaptation of Benji Davies' bestselling children's book. The studio was founded in 2015 by creatives from the Royal College of Art and has produced work for major clients including Discord, Netflix, Google, Sky, Facebook/Meta, Headspace, Ustwo Games, The New York Times, and CNN.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Commercial Animation Paid advertising and promotional animation content created for brands and companies, including idents, trailers, and brand films.
• Branded Content Narrative-driven animated content created in partnership with media outlets and brands, often for editorial or awareness purposes.
• Short Films Original narrative animated short films, including BAFTA-nominated works and festival selections.
• 2D Animation Traditional and digital two-dimensional animation techniques for character, branding, and motion design work.
• 3D Animation Three-dimensional animation including modeling, texturing, rigging, and rendering for commercial and branded content.
• Character Design Custom character development including mascot design, character systems, and visual identity creation for brand evolution projects.
• Branding and Motion Design Visual brand expression through animated identities, brand guidelines, and motion design systems.
• Launch Trailers and In-Game Cutscenes Cinematic animation for video game launches and in-game narrative sequences, including character animation and motion-comic production.
• Showreels Curated compilation reels showcasing the studio's greatest animation work across multiple years and styles.
• The Storm Whale TV Special Animated television special in development based on Benji Davies' modern classic children's book about a boy who befriends a whale, produced in partnership with Benji Davies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million copies sold across 41 languages for The Storm Whale book - property being developed into animated TV special

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Ustwo GamescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Ongoing collaboration on game-related animation projects including Desta: The Memories Between launch trailer and in-game cutscenes, and Monument Valley 3 cinematic story for Netflix Games launch. Deep creative partnership with shared vision for emotional storytelling.
• Benji DaviescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with author/illustrator Benji Davies to adapt his modern classic book The Storm Whale into an animated TV special. Also produced trailers for The Storm Whale in Winter and The Grotlyn picture books.
• NetflixcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on animated trailers for Headspace series on Netflix including Guide to Meditation, Sleep, and Unwind Your Mind. Also partner for Monument Valley 3 distribution.
• HornetmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction company partner appearing on multiple projects including Google: Cursors (with Droga5), Netflix Headspace trailers, Ziply Internet campaign, and Spotify Mid-Year Campaign 2020.
• Netflix GamescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Monument Valley 3 cinematic story launch, entrusted by Netflix Games and ustwo Games to create cinematic content for game release.
• SkymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCreated 12 playful idents for Sky Kids channel based on creative concept 'Anything is possible'. Ongoing creative collaboration with Sky's creative team.
• Saatchi & Saatchi LondonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgency partnership for Marie Curie 'Whatever You Call It' campaign addressing death and terminal illness through animated storytelling.
• Wonderhood StudiosmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAgency partnership for Three mobile's #BetterPhoneFriend campaign with Samaritans, creating six short films to encourage better listening.
• CNNmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCreated first episode 'Blue' in Colorscope series exploring color perception across cultures, in collaboration with Dr. James Fox.
• The New York TimesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerProduced films for Modern Love and Conception animated series, including award-winning Modern Love: A Kiss, Deferred.
• The Bright AgencysupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentation for The Storm Whale TV special development, with Richard Scrivener as contact for interested production partners.
• HeadspacecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMultiple projects including trailers for Netflix series, Sleep feature promotion, Kids launch film, and series of 10 animated idents.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Ustwo Games: Studio behind Monument Valley and Desta: The Memories Between; partner of Moth on gaming animation projects. Not a direct competitor, but a key client and reference point for Moth's gaming vertical work.

Direct peers

• Hornet Inc. Global animation and motion design studio with offices in NYC and London; produces commercials, branded content, and design-led animation for major agencies and brands. Documented Moth partner on multiple projects (Spotify, Google, Headspace trailers).
• Buck: Design and animation studio specializing in motion design, character animation, and brand storytelling for global brands. Comparable in offering (commercial animation, branded content, 2D/3D) and client roster.
• Golden Wolf: London-based animation studio producing bold 2D/3D character-led content for advertising, music videos, gaming, and entertainment. Strong comparable in character animation expertise and branded content focus.
• Not To Scale: London animation studio with a roster of directors producing commercials, idents, and branded content. Closely comparable London indie studio model serving major brands.
• Blinkink: London-based animation studio producing commercials, music videos, and branded content with a strong roster of director-driven work. Comparable in London geography, commercial focus, and director-led creative model.
• Giant Ant: Animation and design studio producing premium animated content for brands, agencies, and entertainment clients. Comparable in size, animation specialization, and commercial work orientation.
• Nexus Studios: London-based independent animation and film studio producing commercial, branded, and original short-form content for global brands. Closest comparable in size, geography, and client profile to Moth Studio.

Broad incumbents

• Aardman Animations: Iconic UK animation studio with much larger scale and IP library (Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep). Overlaps with Moth on UK animation, branded content, and short-form work but at far greater scale.
• Passion Pictures: London-based animation and documentary production studio with long history of Oscar/BAFTA-winning short films and commercial work. Comparable in UK animation prestige, awards profile, and branded content focus but operates at larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCYrO3sbKJa8X9R6KQxbPGMg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mothstudio
• Instagraminstagram.com/mothanimation
• Xx.com/mothanimation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Moth Studio