Lunar North

What Lunar North does

Lunar North is a privately-held motion graphics, animation, and interactive design studio operating from a single studio in Ferndale, Michigan (relocated from Detroit). Founded around 2012 and operating with a 1–10 person team, the studio describes itself as 'Motion Thinkers' and delivers bespoke, project-based creative services to enterprise brands and creative/advertising agencies across automotive, technology, finance, broadcasting, entertainment, education, and government sectors. Its go-to-market mixes direct enterprise engagement with a recurring agency partner network (including Snowday, Weber Shandwick, Campbell Ewald, Doner, Butler Till, SMZ, and others) and an official Post Production Partner (Reprise Post). The company monetizes through custom-scoped professional services engagements rather than software, with no publicly disclosed pricing.

The studio's core technology stack spans 2D and 3D animation, augmented reality application development in Unity, real-time 3D UI/UX prototyping in Unreal Engine, virtual world-building with 360-degree interior renderings, CAD data integration, and live-action footage compositing. These capabilities are wrapped in a proprietary six-phase service framework called 'The Living Brand' (Discovery, Analyze, Understand, Explore, Launch, Cultivate) that the studio positions as a branding methodology rather than pure motion delivery. Visible outputs include brand films, product launch animations, AR mobile experiences, web-based virtual environments, automotive interface prototypes, animated brand toolkits, and cinematic UI design.

Lunar North is led by co-founders Marcus Mullins (Creative Director) and Scott Waraniak (Executive Producer) and operates with no disclosed external funding, no parent company, and no subsidiaries. Revenue and detailed financials are not publicly disclosed. The company's enterprise-grade named client roster — including Ford, Audi, Chevrolet, Aston Martin, Google, Sony, Rocket Mortgage, Genpact, The Verge, Radio Lab, Michigan Lottery, and the Detroit Auto Show — demonstrates brand-tier credibility, but the absence of disclosed recurring revenue contracts and the project-based delivery model imply that revenue predictability is dependent on continued agency and direct-client engagement flow.

Name

Lunar North

Legal name

Lunar North

Website

https://lunarnorth.tv

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Lunar North is a Ferndale, Michigan-based motion graphics and design studio serving enterprise brands and creative agencies. The small studio delivers 2D/3D animation, augmented reality experiences, real-time 3D environments, and virtual world-building through its Living Brand methodology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Ferndale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Motion Graphics and Animation Services: Project-based custom animation and motion graphics production for brand videos, product launches, event presentations, and marketing campaigns. Engagements are bespoke and scoped per client project.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Lunar North is a motion design and animation studio that produces bespoke 2D and 3D animation, brand films, augmented reality applications, virtual 3D environments, and real-time 3D UI/UX prototypes for enterprise brands and creative agencies. The studio pairs project-based creative production with its proprietary 'Living Brand' methodology to deliver motion content that functions as an ongoing branding solution.

Product overview

Lunar North is a motion graphics and design studio that operates as a service-based agency rather than a software product company. Their core offering centers on Motion Thinking and motion graphics animation services, transforming static brand content into dynamic visual experiences. The portfolio consists of client project work across various categories including brand films, 3D animation, augmented reality mobile applications (developed in Unity for iOS), web-based virtual environments and world building, real-time 3D UI/UX prototyping using Unreal Engine, and animated brand toolkits. Their methodology, called 'The Living Brand,' follows a structured six-stage creative process (Discovery, Analyze, Understand, Explore, Launch, Cultivate) applied to each client engagement. The company works with diverse clients across automotive, technology, financial services, education, and entertainment sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Motion Graphics and Animation Services Custom motion graphics, 2D and 3D animation, brand films, and visual effects that transform static brand content into dynamic motion deliverables for enterprise marketing, product launches, event presentations, and campaigns.
• Augmented Reality Application Development In-house design, development, and publication of custom augmented reality mobile applications built in Unity for iOS that bring immersive brand experiences directly to end users.
• Virtual Experience and World Building Design and production of web-based virtual 3D environments and world-building experiences, including tradeshow spaces, virtual islands, and interactive 3D environments with 360-degree interior renderings.
• Real-Time 3D UI/UX Prototyping Design and production sprints using Unreal Engine to develop real-time 3D user interfaces and prototypes, particularly for automotive UI applications where pre-rendered graphics fall short.
• Animated Brand Toolkit Creation Creation of custom animated toolkits and brand motion systems that equip client editors, designers, and animators to generate on-brand motion content across aspect ratios while maintaining brand standards.

Named customers23 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Reprise PostcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReprise Post is listed as a 'Post Production Partner' on the Lunar North website. They collaborated on Detroit Auto Show 2023 (handling footage and editorial), and Reprise Logo Build project. The partnership is described as a creative partnership that has been made official.
• Lovio GeorgeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAgency partner that handled branding for Detroit Auto Show 2023 (NAIAS) project. Lovio George, Reprise Post, and Lunar North collaborated as a three-way production partnership on this campaign.
• SMZcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMZ (advertising/marketing agency) partnered with Lunar North on Michigan Mega Millions Update and University of Michigan-Flint 'A Closer Look' projects. SMZ is a recurring agency partner bringing client engagements.
• SnowdaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSnowday is a recurring creative partner. Lunar North collaborated on Google Fi animated explainer series and Google GNI Summit video series. Snowday handled production while Lunar North provided animation services.
• RightpointminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRightpoint engaged Lunar North for Genpact Virtual Island project. Rightpoint is described as the client-facing party that came to Lunar North with the task of creating the virtual web experience.
• Local BoyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal Boy is an agency partner that brought the Chevy Unlock project. Lunar North provided animation services while Local Boy served as the agency of record.
• Weber ShandwickminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWeber Shandwick is a global PR and communications agency. They partnered with Lunar North on the Chevy Lo-Fi SUV campaign, bringing the client engagement and creative direction.
• Campbell EwaldminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCampbell Ewald is an advertising agency that partnered with Lunar North on Valero's 'Dollars To Digital' project and their own Campbell Ewald Rebrand Animation. Recurring partner.
• DonerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDoner is an advertising agency that partnered with Lunar North on TCF Bank 'We' campaign series of commercials.
• Former Co.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFormer Co. is a creative agency that partnered with Lunar North on Ford's 'Science In A Snap' pocket-sized educational videos.
• Greensky CreativeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGreensky Creative partnered with Lunar North on Canopy Security's product teaser and pre-order launch video.
• Butler TillminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorButler Till is a media agency that engaged Lunar North to develop Northwest Bank's signature illustration style and character series.
• SandwichminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSandwich is a production company that partnered with Lunar North on TrueCar's 'The Right Car Is Out There' project. Sandwich provided live-action footage that was integrated into Lunar North's fully CGI environment.
• WorldfareminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorldfare is an agency that brought the Rocket Mortgage Classic 2021 TV promo project to Lunar North.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Psyop: Psyop is a directing-driven animation and content studio known for high-end brand films and VFX. It competes for the same type of premium enterprise and agency briefs that Lunar North targets, with similar motion-graphics-plus-CGI capability mix.
• Golden Wolf: Golden Wolf is an animation and design studio focused on culturally resonant motion content for brands, agencies, and entertainment clients. It is comparable to Lunar North in size-class and in operating as an independent motion studio serving agency-channeled enterprise briefs.
• Buck: Buck is a design-driven animation and motion graphics studio serving major brands. It is directly comparable to Lunar North in both offering (brand films, motion design, design systems) and customer base (large enterprise marketing teams), though it operates at larger scale across multiple offices.
• Gentleman Scholar: Gentleman Scholar is an independent creative studio specializing in animation, live-action, and design for advertising and brand storytelling. It mirrors Lunar North's project-based motion work for enterprise clients and shares the same premium-brand positioning.
• B-Reel: B-Reel is a global creative studio producing films, interactive experiences, and branded content. It overlaps with Lunar North on motion design, AR/VR, and creative technology engagements for major consumer and tech brands.
• Nexus Studios: Nexus Studios combines animation, immersive (AR/VR), and interactive storytelling for global brands. It is a strong comparable given Lunar North's parallel investment in AR, virtual world-building, and cinematic UI on top of motion graphics.
• Block & Tackle: Block & Tackle is a motion design and animation studio serving agency and brand clients across commercial, broadcast, and experiential work. It shares Lunar North's boutique, founder-led structure and premium motion positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Framestore: Framestore is a global VFX, animation, and immersive experiences powerhouse serving advertising, film, and location-based entertainment. It competes for the same immersive-AR/VR and high-end brand briefs Lunar North targets, but at vastly larger scale and with broader capabilities.
• MPC (Moving Picture Company): MPC is a global VFX and creative studio with a substantial advertising division delivering premium CGI, motion, and brand films. It is a broader incumbent comparable to Lunar North in serving top-tier enterprise and agency clients with high-end motion and CGI work.

Emerging players

• Ordinary Folk: Ordinary Folk is a design and animation studio working at the intersection of motion graphics, design systems, and brand identity. It is comparable as a newer independent peer targeting premium enterprise clients with design-led motion capabilities.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/lunarnorthdesign
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/space-camp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Lunar North