A practical method
- Describe three visual properties instead of requesting an exact replica.
- Separate the reference's mood from its characters, logos and distinctive designs.
- Choose a sample scene to judge the direction before expanding the idea.
An example brief to adapt
Plan an original animation about a paper boat crossing a puddle. Use soft side lighting, restrained blue and amber colors, and simple textured backgrounds. Keep the story and character design original. Give me two written visual directions before choosing one for a 30-second film.
Review before moving on
- Can the look be described without a brand name?
- Do style choices support the subject?
- Is the desired detail visible at mobile size?
Record a concrete observation beside each check: a line in the treatment, a source passage or a timestamp in the downloaded film. If you cannot inspect an item yet, leave it open. A request in a brief is an intention; the result is what must be reviewed.
Download this guide’s editable text worksheet
What to avoid
A visual reference is guidance, not permission to reproduce someone else's material. Review the rights for any actual assets used outside the generated workflow.
Sources and scope
The method and fictional brief are original editorial guidance for planning and review. They do not establish a measured performance gain or guarantee a particular render. Product statements follow Kleo’s public pages, checked on 2026-09-23; official platform guidance is linked where relevant.
- Kleo FAQ — Product capabilities and limitations; reconfirm before production.
- Kleo pricing — Current starter offer, product conditions and quoted credit costs.
See the published Kleo examples to inspect actual showcased work. Example films may reflect a different production setup; check the current offer for your own job.