Introducing Pixel Duck and Rubber Duck: Two Ways to Create AI Motion Graphics in Malloy

June 2, 2026

Malloy now gives you two ways to make AI motion graphics.

Both can turn a prompt into an animation. The difference is not which one is "better" in every situation. It is what you need more in that moment: fast exploration or a more designed result.

That is why we are launching two new modes:

Pixel Duck

Fast and lightweight

Rubber Duck

Polished and composed

Pixel Duck is for fast ideas, quick edits, and everyday motion graphics.

Rubber Duck is for animations that need stronger visual direction, richer composition, and a more finished feel.

Same Malloy. Same prompt box. Two different creative choices.

Meet Pixel Duck

Pixel Duck is the fast option.

Use it when you want a motion graphic quickly and you do not need to overthink the result. It is especially good for simple prompts, quick drafts, lightweight animations, and straightforward ideas.

The type of animation matters less than the moment you are in. Choose Pixel Duck when speed, iteration, or a clean first pass matters more than deeper visual interpretation.

Pixel Duck is especially useful when you are trying ideas. You can test a few prompts, see what works, and keep moving.

That speed is the point. Pixel Duck helps you explore quickly before you decide what deserves more polish.

If your video needs a clean animated moment fast, choose Pixel Duck.

Meet Rubber Duck

Rubber Duck is the polished option.

Use it when the animation needs to feel more intentional, composed, and visually rich.

The type of animation matters less than the level of polish you want. Choose Rubber Duck when you want the agent to spend more effort interpreting the prompt, shaping the scene, and making stronger visual choices.

Rubber Duck is better when the scene needs more visual direction before it becomes final motion. It can spend more attention on how the animation should be composed: the layout, spacing, hierarchy, style, and overall feel.

You also do not need to explain every visual detail. With Rubber Duck, a shorter prompt can work better because it gives the agent more room to be creative with the generation. Describe the outcome you want, then let it make more of the composition, style, and motion choices.

Rubber Duck currently focuses on one polished scene at a time. If your prompt describes multiple scenes, it will turn that direction into a single composed animation moment rather than generating a full multi-scene sequence.

That does not mean Rubber Duck is always the right choice. It is best when you care more about polish than speed. Expect stronger layout, better visual balance, richer scene styling, and a more finished look.

If your animation needs to feel like a key part of the video, choose Rubber Duck.

Which one should you choose?

The practical choice is simple: use the mode that matches the job.

What you need	Best choice
You want speed or a quick draft
You are exploring ideas quickly
You need a simple animation or lightweight idea
You care more about visual polish
You want richer composition or stronger style
You want to use fewer words and leave more creative choices to the agent
You want the animation to feel finished and production-ready
You need one polished scene, not a full multi-scene sequence

Choose Pixel Duck when you want speed, a quick draft, a simple animation, or a lightweight idea. It is ideal for exploring ideas quickly.

Choose Rubber Duck when you care more about visual polish, richer composition, stronger style, or a more finished result. It is better when the animation needs to look intentional and production-ready.

It also works well when you want to use fewer words. A clear, open-ended prompt gives Rubber Duck more creative space to interpret the idea and design the scene for you.

Use Rubber Duck for a single designed scene. If you want a video with multiple separate scenes, create each scene intentionally instead of expecting one Rubber Duck prompt to generate the full sequence.

Rule of thumb:

Use Pixel Duck when you want to move fast. Use Rubber Duck when you want it to look more designed.

Same Prompt, Different Feel

The best way to understand the difference is to try the same prompt in both modes.

Here is the same compound interest idea generated in both modes.

Both videos used the same prompt:

generate an animation to explain compound interest

Pixel Duck: straightforward generation

A clearer, more direct take on the prompt. Good when you want Malloy to move fast and generate the core idea without a lot of extra visual interpretation.

Rubber Duck: more creative direction

A more visually interpreted version of the same idea. Better when you want the animation to feel more designed, composed, and expressive, even from a shorter prompt.

Here is a second example, this time using the iceberg model.

Both videos used the same prompt:

generate an animation to explain the iceberg model

Pixel Duck: fast explanation

A structured systems-thinking breakdown with a labeled iceberg, guide lines, and explanation panels for each layer. Useful when you want a clear, literal explainer that spells out the model.

Rubber Duck: interpreted scene

A more editorial interpretation with bold title type, a polished iceberg illustration, and simple visible-versus-hidden callouts. Better when you want a short prompt turned into a designed scene with stronger hierarchy and mood.

Here is a final example, this time using a poker lower third.

Both videos used the same prompt:

Generate a casino poker intro lower third for a high-stakes poker video.

Pixel Duck: player lower third

A compact player-ID overlay with a High Roller badge, nameplate, nickname, winnings, and cards tucked behind the bar. Useful when you want a direct broadcast-style graphic from the prompt quickly.

Rubber Duck: casino intro banner

A wider black-and-gold show graphic with stacked chips, playing cards, a central emblem, and bold High Stakes Poker title treatment. Better when you want the prompt interpreted as a polished video package element.

Two Modes, One Goal

Pixel Duck and Rubber Duck are not about making the choice complicated.

They are about giving you control over the moment.

Sometimes you need a useful motion graphic right now. Sometimes you want the animation to carry more of the video.

Now Malloy lets you choose.

Use Pixel Duck when speed matters.

Use Rubber Duck when composition, style, and polish matter.

Try both inside Malloy Studio and see which one fits your next animation.