Last week at Tea Time, we talked about the setup of your shot.
Production design has so much to do with the story you tell. Think about the content of your shot, creating story with everything from the perfect camera to props to colors to lightning.
These websites have great free stuff to aid you in your quest: Creative Crash Turbo Squid Animation Buffet Tea Time! (Duhh)
And check out this fabulous book by Hans Bacher -- Legendary!