Before You Order: What to Prepare
The quality of a CGI video is determined substantially before production begins, at the briefing stage. The more complete your brief, the more accurate the quote, the faster the production, and the better the final result.
Prepare your product reference first. A CGI studio cannot see your product until you send it. Provide high-resolution photographs from every angle: front, back, sides, top, and base, plus close-ups of any label, embossing, surface finish, or material detail. If you have CAD files, technical drawings, or Illustrator label templates, include them. Specify the materials precisely: is the cap brushed aluminium or chrome, is the bottle glass or clear plastic, is the label matte or gloss.
Prepare your brand references next. Share your brand guidelines with exact colour codes and typography. Assemble a mood board of five to ten images that capture the feeling, light quality, and emotional register you want the finished CGI to embody. This mood board is one of the most effective briefing tools available and often communicates more efficiently than a written description.
Finally, define your deliverables. How many finished videos, what duration, what aspect ratios, 9:16 for TikTok and Reels, 1:1 for Instagram feed, 16:9 for YouTube. Will the content be organic only or also paid media. Being specific here allows the studio to cost accurately and avoids scope creep later.
Should you share your budget when ordering CGI?
Yes. Sharing a realistic budget range is not a negotiating weakness. It is a practical tool that allows the studio to design a production approach that fits your needs. A studio that knows your budget will not waste time developing a concept that costs three times what you can spend. Transparency at the briefing stage leads to better creative solutions, not inflated proposals.
The Ordering Process Step by Step
Once you have prepared your materials, the ordering process follows a predictable sequence. You send your brief to the studio. The studio reviews it and returns a quote and proposed approach, often with initial questions to clarify scope. You agree the scope, timeline, and cost, and sign a production agreement. The studio begins concept development, increasingly using AI to generate rapid visual options for your review before committing to full 3D production. You approve the concept. The studio produces the CGI, sharing progress at defined milestones. You provide feedback within the agreed revision rounds. The studio delivers final files in your specified formats.
At MAD Studio, this process is designed to be transparent and efficient. Our AI-augmented pipeline means concept iterations happen faster than in a traditional CGI workflow, so you see visual options sooner and the path from brief to final delivery is shorter.
How long does it take to order and receive a CGI video?
A straightforward 5-to-15-second CGI video for social media typically takes two to four weeks from approved brief to final delivery. More complex productions with multiple scenes or simulation elements take six to ten weeks. AI-accelerated pipelines have compressed these timelines meaningfully, with automated pre-visualisation and background generation reducing the concept-to-final timeline substantially compared to traditional CGI-only workflows.
How much does it cost to order a CGI video?
Mid-range production for a 30 second deliverable runs $10,000 to $20,000. Premium campaign-grade work ranges from $25,000 upward. The final figure depends on duration, environment complexity, the number of assets to be modelled, and the level of photorealism required
To order a CGI video from MAD Studio, send your brief with your product reference, brand guidelines, and deliverable requirements. We will return a detailed quote and proposed creative approach within one business day.