A pun. A song. A metaphor. Usually self-inflicted. I find I'm much more interested in the effect the idea conveyed by the animation has on the viewer than the mastery of technical skills. Even the stimulus of an emotion via the aesthetics of the piece - a common goal of art - is secondary to telling a story. I know it shows in my work (although I'd like to think I'm improving over time). If I had a budget I wouldn't hesitate to hire a production designer to make up for the things I lack in but my heart is usually in the story so that's where I get my inspiration and focus my time.

Before they made me they broke the mold!
http://home.roadrunner.com/~kflach/