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

By Malloy Studio - Published 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 how much creative interpretation you want the agent to add. One follows your direction closely. The other brings more of its own creative judgment to the scene. If you want the broader category context, start with the AI motion graphics generator guide.

That is why we are launching two new modes:

Pixel Duck is for when you already know how you want your animation to look and want the agent to follow your direction closely.

Rubber Duck is for when you want the agent to be more creative, interpret your idea, and make stronger visual choices for you.

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

Examples: See the Same Prompt in Both Modes

The best way to understand the difference is to try the same prompt in both modes. Here are a few use cases, each generated in both modes from a single prompt.

Explainer videos

For explainers, the mode controls how much the agent designs around your idea. Pixel Duck keeps the explanation clear and literal, while Rubber Duck turns the same idea into a more composed, designed scene.

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

Both videos used the same prompt:

generate an animation to explain compound interest

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

Lower thirds and broadcast graphics

For broadcast-style graphics like lower thirds, Pixel Duck gives you a direct, functional overlay that follows your prompt, while Rubber Duck turns the same prompt into a more produced video package element.

Here is a casino poker lower third generated in both modes.

Both videos used the same prompt:

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

Matching a UI from a screenshot

Another common use case is recreating an existing interface. Drop in a screenshot of the UI you want, and Malloy animates from that reference. This is where the two modes pull apart most clearly: Pixel Duck reproduces the reference closely, while Rubber Duck treats it as a starting point and brings its own creative direction.

Here we uploaded this Skool UI screenshot as the reference image:

Both videos used the same prompt:

Animate this UI mockup: a cursor enters from the lower-right, glides to the "Start Free Trial" button, hovers briefly, then clicks with a small press effect. Everything else stays static. Leave the thumbnail and profile pic as clearly-labeled placeholders I'll upload my own.

Replicating a popular interface

You do not always need a screenshot. If the interface is well known, you can just describe it and Malloy will build it. Here we asked for a YouTube player scene. As before, Pixel Duck stays literal while Rubber Duck brings more creative direction.

Both videos used the same prompt:

Generate a Youtube player scene

Here is a second example, this time an Instagram follow card with a built-in interaction.

Both videos used the same prompt:

Recreate an Instagram follow card on a clean background: circular profile photo with a gradient story ring, the username "@malloystudio" in bold below it, a short bio line, and a blue Follow button. Animate the card popping into view, then the Follow button tapping and switching to "Following" with a checkmark.

Here is a third example, this time a Spotify Now Playing screen.

Both videos used the same prompt:

Recreate the Spotify "Now Playing" mobile screen on a dark background: large rounded album art at the top, track title in bold white below it, artist name in grey under that, a green progress bar with elapsed and total timestamps, and a control row with shuffle, previous, play, next, and repeat icons. Animate the progress bar filling from 0:00 toward the end while the play button is active.

Quick Answer

Pixel Duck and Rubber Duck are two Malloy Studio generation modes for creating AI motion graphics from the same prompt box. Pixel Duck is the direct mode. It is more straightforward and literal, sticking closely to what your prompt describes without adding much of its own creative interpretation. Rubber Duck is the creative mode. It takes more liberty with composition, style, and visual judgment to turn your idea into a more designed scene. The choice is not about one mode being universally better. It is about how much creative direction you want to hand over. If you already know exactly how you want your animation to look, choose Pixel Duck so it builds what you describe. If you are not sure how you want it to look and want the agent to bring the creativity, choose Rubber Duck. Many creators start with Rubber Duck to explore a look, then use Pixel Duck once they know exactly what they want.

What Is Pixel Duck?

Pixel Duck is the direct option.

Use it when you already have a clear picture of the animation in your head and you want the agent to build that, not reinterpret it. It is especially good for prompts that spell out the layout, structure, and details you want.

The type of animation matters less than how much you have already decided. Choose Pixel Duck when you want a faithful, literal take on your prompt rather than added creative interpretation.

Pixel Duck is especially useful when you know what you want and just need it built. It follows your direction closely, so the more specific your prompt, the closer the result lands to what you had in mind.

That predictability is the point. Pixel Duck does what you ask without taking the scene in its own creative direction.

If you already know how your animation should look, choose Pixel Duck.

What Is Rubber Duck?

Rubber Duck is the creative option.

Use it when you want the animation to feel more intentional, composed, and visually rich, and you are happy to let the agent make those calls.

The type of animation matters less than how much creative freedom you want to give. 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 you do not yet know exactly how the scene should look. 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 composed 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 want the agent's creativity rather than a literal build of your own idea. Expect stronger layout, better visual balance, richer scene styling, and a more finished look.

If you want the agent to bring its own creative direction to the animation, choose Rubber Duck.

Which one should you choose?

The practical choice is simple: how much do you already know about how you want it to look?

Choose Pixel Duck when you already know how you want your animation to look and want the agent to build it as described. It is ideal when your prompt is specific and you want a faithful, literal result.

Choose Rubber Duck when you are not sure how you want it to look, or when you care more about visual polish, richer composition, and stronger style. It is better when you want the agent to interpret the idea and bring its own creative direction.

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 composed 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 know exactly what you want. Use Rubber Duck when you want the agent to be creative for you.

For a deeper polish checklist, read the guide to creating high quality AI motion graphics.

FAQ

What is Pixel Duck in Malloy?

Pixel Duck is Malloy's direct motion generation mode. It is designed for moments when you already know how you want the animation to look and want the agent to build that, such as a lower third, chart, label, callout, or structured explainer.

Use Pixel Duck when the prompt already describes the layout clearly and you want a faithful, literal result rather than added creative interpretation.

What is Rubber Duck in Malloy?

Rubber Duck is Malloy's more interpretive motion generation mode. It takes the same prompt and pushes further on composition, visual style, and presentation, which can make the result feel more like a polished video package element.

Use Rubber Duck when you are not sure how you want the animation to look, or when you want it to carry more of the visual identity of the scene.

Should I use Pixel Duck or Rubber Duck?

Use Pixel Duck when you already know how you want your animation to look and want the agent to follow your direction. Use Rubber Duck when you want more design interpretation, stronger composition, and a more creative feel.

The easiest way to choose is to ask how much you have already decided. If you know exactly what you want, choose Pixel Duck. If you want the agent to make the creative calls, try Rubber Duck.

Can I use both modes for the same video?

Yes. Pixel Duck and Rubber Duck can work together in the same video. You might use Pixel Duck for the graphics you already have a clear picture of, like labels, stats, and functional overlays, then use Rubber Duck for a hero graphic, intro moment, or more stylized explanation where you want the agent to be creative.

That mix gives you control where you know what you want and creativity where you do not.

Which mode is better when you already know what you want?

Pixel Duck is the stronger choice when you already know how the graphic should look, because it follows your prompt closely and gives you a faithful, predictable result. That makes it useful for repeatable assets like titles, lists, charts, and lower thirds.

Rubber Duck is the better choice when you are still figuring out the look and want the agent to bring its own creative direction.

Related articles

Keep reading

June 8, 2026

AI Motion Graphics Generator: Create Animated Video Overlays from Prompts

Learn what an AI motion graphics generator is, how it works, what to use it for, and how to create animated titles, charts, callouts, counters, and overlays from prompts.

Read next

December 30, 2025

Mastering AI Motion Graphics: How to Create High Quality AI Motion Graphics in 2026 with 0 editing skills

Learn how to create professional AI motion graphics in 2026 with Malloy Studio. No editing skills required.

Read next

May 25, 2026

Best AI Motion Graphics Tools in 2026: 7 Options Ranked for Creators and Marketing Teams

Compare the best AI motion graphics tools in 2026 for creators, editors, marketers, and product teams. See when to use Malloy Studio, Runway, Kapwing, Canva, Adobe Express, Rive, and LottieFiles.

Read next

Two Modes, One Goal

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

They are about giving you control over how much creative interpretation you want.

Sometimes you know exactly how the animation should look. Sometimes you want the agent to figure it out and bring its own creativity.

Now Malloy lets you choose.

Use Pixel Duck when you know exactly what you want.

Use Rubber Duck when you want composition, style, and creative direction handled for you.

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