Animated Explainer

If you’re looking for a way to make a custom animated explainer video, you’re in the right place! Video Igniter’s animated video production service is perfect for making animated explainer videos.

In this guide, we’ll answer all of your top questions, including:

• How do I make an animated explainer with Video Igniter?
• What does it cost to make an animated explainer?
• How long does it take to make an animated explainer?
• What kinds of animated explainers can I make with Video Igniter?
• How can I save money on my explainer video production budget?

Answers to all these questions and more are coming up in this article – including tips to help you save 10%-25% or more off your production budget. But first, let’s take a look at examples of animated explainers that Video Igniter can make for you:

Animated Explainer Examples

Video Igniter can make any kind of 2D or 3D animated explainer for you. You can see some of our favorite example videos below. For additional production samples, check out our animation portfolio or request access to our demo reels and price sheet.

Contact us or schedule a call to start making your animated explainer.

Are you looking for a different type of animation example? Send us a message to let us know what kind of production example you want to see and we will follow up with some relevant production samples.

How to make an animated explainer with Video Igniter

Follow these steps to create your animated explainer with Video Igniter:

1). Contact Us

Send us a message or schedule a call to let us know what kind of animated explainer you want to make. Our team will work with you to develop a production budget and timeline to produce your animated explainer.

When you’re ready to move forward with production, you will receive a production agreement to sign and an invoice for the first 50% of your animated explainer video’s production budget.

2). Script

Our team will meet with you virtually or send you a list of questions to learn the following types of information to help us develop the script for your animated explainer:

• What do you want to communicate in your animated explainer (what are your key messages)?
• Who is the target audience for your animated explainer?
• What problem(s) does your audience experience?
• What do you want people to do when they’re done watching your animated explainer?

With this information in hand, our team will develop the first draft of the script for your explainer. You will receive a link to a digital copy of the script which you can share with your team. Everyone can add their comments and revision notes directly on the script.

When all the feedback is in, our writers will write revise your script and share the 2nd draft with you to review and approve with your team. If further edits are needed, our writers will continue to work with you to revise and polish your script until it’s perfect.

3). Storyboard

Next, we turn your script into a storyboard. The storyboard acts like the blueprint for your animated explainer. Each page includes a sentence from your script, a rough sketch of the scene and a list of instructions to explain what kind of motion happens in the scene.

You will receive a digital copy of the storyboard to share and review with your team. If you want us to modify any of the scenes, you can add your comments directly on each scene. Our storyboard artists will revise your storyboard and share the 2nd draft for your team to review and approve.

4). VoiceOver & Soundtrack

After the storyboard is approved, you will receive a selection of voiceover auditions and soundtrack options to listen to. Let us know which options are your favorite and we will:

1. Aquire the appropriate licenses to use the selected song in your animated explainer.
2. Hire the voiceover artist to record the full narration for your animated explainer.

You will get the opportunity to listen to the full voiceover recording and request edits (if needed).

5). Illustrations

Video Igniter’s art director will collaborate with you to develop all of the custom illustrations for your animated explainer.

First, the art director will develop multiple pieces of concept art from scenes in your storyboard, based off your brand guidelines or any style references you may have shared.

When you review the concept art, share your honest feedback about each illustration. Let the art director know what you like and dislike about each concept. The art director will work with you to revise and refine the visual style until it’s perfect.

Then, a team of illustrators will create the art for your animated explainer. You will get a chance to review all of the illustrations and request edits before we animate your explainer.

6). Animation

Now that everything is approved, it’s time to make your animated explainer!

Animation takes about 1 week for every 60-seconds worth of video we create. If your video is long, we may add additional animators to the project to speed up the production process. Rush delivery is available if you need to guarantee delivery before a fast approaching deadline (send us a message to inquire).

You will receive a link to download the first draft of your animation. Share the animated explainer with your internal team and members of your target audience. Collect everyone’s feedback and send it our way. We’ll integrate your revisions and render out the final draft of your animated explainer.

How much does it cost to make an animated explainer?

Most 2D animated explainers cost between $1,500-$7,500 to create every 60-seconds of video. Fancier 2D animations created with hand drawn illustrations cost north of $7,500 to create each minute of video.

Budgets for 3D animated explainers are usually in the $5,000-$25,000/minute range.

Request access to Video Igniter’s pricing page or get a quote for your animated explainer.

How long is the production process for an animated explainer?

It’s possible to make a 60-second animated explainer in 4 weeks or less. In practice, most companies need to add an extra week or two to the production process to allow for time for everyone to review the project deliverables and to share their feedback.

3D animated explainers take about 8-12 weeks to create a 1-2 minute animation.

Schedule a call or send us a message for help estimating your production timeline and ask us about rush delivery animation if your deadline is approaching quickly.

Animated Explainer Budget Saving Tips

Combine these tips to save 10%-25% or more off your production budget:

1). Record The VoiceOver

VoiceOver recording and licensing costs can add hundreds or thousands of dollars to your production budget, depending on where you plan to show your animated explainer.

If you record the voiceover for your animated explainer, we’ll deduct the cost of recording and licensing a voiceover from your production budget. Watch 1:31 in this video to see how to record a professional quality voiceover at home for free.

2). Use Free (Legal) Music

Music licensing costs can also add hundreds or thousands of dollars to your production budget if you plan to use your animated explainer for commercial purposes. Luckily, there are free music options out there. Sites like Incompetech and Facebook’s sound collection offer free music we can legally use in your animated explainer video. If you spend time looking for a song on one of these sites, we’ll deduct soundtrack licensing costs from your production budget.

3). Write The Script For Your Animated Explainer

Did you know you can save $500 off the price of each minute of animation we create for you if you provide the final draft of your script?

Need help writing the script for your animated explainer? Download our free script writing template.

4). Create The Storyboard For Your Animated Explainer

You can save an additional $500 off the price of each minute of animation we create for you if you also create the storyboard for your animated explainer.

Download our free storyboard template and review the included storyboard creation guide to see how easy it is to create your storyboard. No artistic ability needed! It’s our job to make your ideas look great.

5). Start Production ASAP

The easiest way to save money on your animated explainer video’s production budget is to start production as soon as possible. Rush delivery is available if you need to speed up the production process to meet your deadline, but rush delivery can add 10%-25% or more to your budget. If you want to minimize or avoid paying extra for rush delivery, send us a message or schedule a call with our team to discuss your animated explainer video project.

Still have questions about making an animated explainer?

Do you have a question about animated explainers that wasn’t addressed in this FAQ? Use this form to send us your question and we’ll follow up with an answer. We’ll also post the question and answer to this page so other people can benefit from the knowledge.

What is Video Igniter Animation?

Video Igniter Animation is an online animated video production service. By working with our team online, you can get your custom animated video produced faster and for less than hiring a brick and mortar animation studio.

Watch the demo reel below for examples of the kinds of animation our team can produce for you.

 

Looking For An Animated Explainer Video Production Company In The U.S.?

Video Igniter is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

Animated Explainer Success Stories & Testimonials

Don’t just take our word for it – these testimonials highlight Video Igniter’s reliability, creativity, flexibility and ability to deliver animations that exceed expectations. When you choose Video Igniter Animation, you can rest assured that you are working with a trusted and reputable studio.

“Video Igniter offered us the critical combination of creative value, clear communication, and patience with stakeholder feedback. We ended up with truly high-quality design assets for our video series largely due to the extra level of commitment — and the right balance of efficiencies with flexibility in the process when called for.”

Larry Schlessinger – Sr. Creative Program Manager, Amazon Web Services

“I run a video production company and outsource animation. The team at Video Igniter did a great job in taking the concept I very crudely drew out and making it into a beautiful animation. The review process was easy and their turnaround time was very quick. I’d def recommend them if you’re looking for an animation project.”

Pat Henderson – Founder, Path8 Productions

“Couldn’t be happier with Derek and his team. The quality of the work for the cost far exceeded expectations and surpasses anything in the market. Derek was patient, offered many revisions, and was overall great to work with.”

Alex Novick – Founder, Sproutly.com

“Video Igniter were very easy to work with and the entire process for creating and suggesting edits was seamless and stress-free. I would work with them again and would recommend to others looking to create a modern and stylish explainer video.”

Clair Simpson – VP Marketing, Repool.com

“Video Igniter came to us with a number of creative and engaging ideas and were able to create an exciting, impactful video in a short period of time. And the best part was that it cost much less than other options of similar quality. The video they made is a great marketing tool for us.”

Alex Raymond – Founder, Kapta Systems

Get in touch!

Schedule a call to discuss your animated video project.

Get a quote for us to create your animated video.

Request access to our newest price sheet.

Create your Video Igniter account, fill out a creative brief for your video and we’ll begin production as soon as we receive your production deposit.