Character Design & Animated Video Package for "Presto" AI Chatbot Launch

Key to Change is a nationally recognized nonprofit music education organization that inspires underserved students through world-class music instruction and supports their development as self-aware leaders. Through violin and viola instruction, mentorship, leadership development, and performance opportunities, we help young people unlock their potential and build brighter futures. Project Overview We are seeking a talented animator, illustrator, and character designer to create both a custom brand character and an animated launch video introducing Presto, our new AI-powered chatbot. Presto will live on the Key to Change website and serve as a digital guide for students, parents, donors, volunteers, and community members. Visitors will be able to ask questions about lessons, financial aid, events, performances, volunteering, donations, and more. This project is more than a chatbot announcement. We are creating a recognizable digital ambassador for Key to Change that can be used across our website, social media channels, recruitment campaigns, donor communications, educational materials, presentations, and future marketing initiatives. We are looking for a creative partner who can help us build a lasting character that becomes part of the Key to Change experience for years to come. Project Goals Create a memorable character named Presto that: • Has a face and expressive personality • Has a professional voice • Feels friendly, intelligent, welcoming, and trustworthy • Appeals to students, parents, donors, volunteers, and community members • Reflects both music and innovation • Can become a long-term brand asset for Key to Change • Can be reused in future videos, campaigns, presentations, and educational content • Can eventually appear in multilingual content Creative Direction Presto should not feel like a robot. Instead, Presto should feel like a guide, mentor, teacher, and helper. We want students and families to immediately trust and connect with the character. The overall feeling should be: • Warm • Approachable • Inspiring • Innovative • Curious • Encouraging Think of Presto as the newest member of the Key to Change team. The character should embody creativity, possibility, learning, and discovery. Brand Integration The animation and character design should incorporate: • Key to Change logo • Key to Change brand colors • Key to Change typography • Music-inspired visual elements • Technology-inspired visual elements The final product should feel polished, modern, creative, innovative, and mission-driven. Voice Direction We prefer a warm, gender-neutral voice rather than a distinctly male or female voice. The ideal voice should feel: • Friendly • Conversational • Professional • Encouraging • Energetic without being childish • Intelligent without sounding corporate Think of the voice as a helpful guide who says: "Great question." "I'd be happy to help." "Let's figure that out together." We are open to reviewing voice recommendations and sample auditions. Multilingual Capability Presto will eventually support multiple languages. The character and animation should be designed with future multilingual voiceovers and subtitles in mind. Potential languages include: • English • Spanish • Vietnamese • Korean • Mandarin • Additional languages as needed Video Specifications Length: Approximately 45 seconds Formats: • Vertical version for Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts • Horizontal version for website, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube Target Audience • Students • Parents • Donors • Volunteers • Community members • Prospective supporters A script will be provided upon the designer being hired. Deliverables Character Design Package • Original Presto character design • Character concept artwork • Character expression sheet showing multiple emotions • Character turnaround views • Brand usage guide for the character • Transparent PNG assets • Vector files when applicable • Character poses suitable for future marketing materials Animation Package • Professional voiceover • 45-second animated launch video • Vertical social media version • Horizontal website version • Caption-ready version • Editable source files • Commercial usage rights transferred to Key to Change Character Concept Requirement Because Presto is intended to become a long-term brand ambassador for Key to Change, all applicants must submit preliminary character concepts as part of their proposal. Please include: • Two to three rough character sketches or concept ideas • A brief explanation of your creative approach • Why you believe your concept would resonate with students, families, and community members We are not looking for generic chatbot mascots or robotic assistants. We are seeking a memorable character with personality, warmth, creativity, and strong visual appeal that can grow with our organization for years to come. Important Pricing Requirement Please submit your proposal as a Character Design + Animation Package rather than simply a video project. While the launch video is important, the character itself is the most valuable long-term asset for our organization. We are investing in the creation of a digital ambassador that may be used in future website content, social media campaigns, student recruitment efforts, donor communications, presentations, educational materials, and potentially merchandise. Applicants should clearly separate pricing for: • Character design and brand asset development • Animation and video production • Voiceover services • Additional future animation work, if available Preferred Qualifications • Strong character animation portfolio • Experience creating mascots or brand characters • Experience producing explainer videos • Experience working with nonprofits, educational organizations, youth-serving organizations, or mission-driven brands • Strong storytelling and visual communication skills How to Apply Please include: • Portfolio examples of animated characters • Portfolio examples of explainer videos • Two to three rough character concepts for Presto • Estimated project timeline • Proposed budget • Separate pricing for character design and animation • Brief explanation of your vision for Presto We are looking for a creative partner who can help us build a character that becomes an enduring part of the Key to Change experience and helps introduce thousands of students, families, donors, volunteers, and supporters to our mission.