Animated Explainer Videos | How To Make Animated Explainer Videos
Table of Contents
Are you looking for an animator or studio to help you produce some animated explainer videos but aren’t sure how or where to get started?
Luckily, you’re in the right place!
Video Igniter’s comprehensive guide to animated explainer videos has answers to all your top questions, including:
- What is the production process like to create explainer videos?
- How much does it cost to create animated explainer videos?
- How long does it take to make animated explainer videos?
All that and more – including tips to help you save $1,000 or more off your production budget! But first, let’s take a look at examples of explainer videos that Video Igniter can create for you:
Examples Of Animated Explainer Videos
Video Igniter can make any kind of 2D or 3D animated explainer video 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 videos.
See more explainer video examples here.
What is the production process to create animated explainer videos?
Let’s go through a quick rundown of the production process so you understand what to expect when you hire us to create your animated explainer videos.
Step 1: Get A Quote
Send us a message, schedule a call with our production team or fill out this questionnaire to get a quote for your animated explainer videos.
Once we agree to the scope of the project, you will receive a production agreement to sign and an invoice for the first 50% of your production budget.
Step 2: Script
Our script writers will spend time learning:
- What you want to explain in your animated videos.
- Who your target audience is.
- What problems your target audience faces.
- What do you want viewers to do, think or feel when they’re done watching your explainer videos?
With all this information in mind, our writers will develop the full script for your animated explainer videos. You will receive a link to a digital copy of the script(s) to review with your team. Add comments to the doc and we’ll integrate your edits accordingly.
Step 3: Storyboard
Next, we turn your script into a storyboard so our production team has a visual blueprint for your animated explainer videos. The storyboard includes sketches, a list of assets to be created and directions for how things will move in sync with your voiceover.
You get an opportunity to review a digital copy of the storyboard and request edits before approving the storyboard for production.
Step 4: Illustrations
Video Igniter’s art director will review your brand guidelines, style references and storyboard to create custom concept art for your animated explainer videos. Share your honest feedback with the art director about which concept you prefer. If needed, you can collaborate with the art director to revise your favorite visual concept until it’s perfect.
Once the concept art is approved, our illustration team will create all of the illustrations for your explainer videos. You will get an opportunity to review all the art and request edits before we animate.
Step 5: VoiceOver
You will receive a selection of voiceover auditions to listen to. Let us know which is your favorite and we will hire that person to record the narration for your animated videos. You get an opportunity to listen to the full recording and request edits, if needed.
Step 6: Music
You will also receive a selection of songs we can license for your explainer videos. Let us know which one(s) are your favorite and we’ll acquire the appropriate license(s) to use the music in your videos.
Step 7: Animation
Now that everything is approved, we can animate your explainer videos! As soon as they’re ready, you will receive a link to download your videos. Give them a detailed review with your team and members of your target audience. Collect everyone’s revision notes and send them our way. We’ll address all your edits and render out the final draft of your animated explainer videos.
Deep Dive: For an indepth look at the production process, check out this companion article about Explainer Video Productions.
How much does it cost to create animated explainer videos?
Cost To Create 2D Animated Explainer Videos
2D animated explainer videos typically cost between $1,500-$7,500 to create each minute of animated video content. Fancier 2D animations created using traditional animation or cel animation can cost $10,000 or more to create each minute of video.
Cost To Create 3D Animated Explainer Videos
3D animated explainer videos typically cost north of $7,500 to create each minute of video. Some types of 3D animation can be created for $5,000 if there is minimal animation and or the producer can make use of pre-created 3D models. However, if you want to create detailed 3D explainer videos, your production budget will likely be over $10,000 for a 60-second video.
Get a quote for your animated explainer video.
Deep Dive: What goes into the cost of an explainer video?
How long does it take to make animated explainer videos?
How long does it take to make 2D animated explainer videos?
2D animated explainer videos that are under 60 seconds in length can be created in about 4-6 weeks. Fancier explainer videos created using hand drawn animation or cel animation require 2-3x more time to create.
How long does it take to make 3D animated explainer videos?
3D animated explainer videos take about 8-12 weeks to create (for videos up to 60-seconds in length).
Need to speed up production to meet your deadline? Video Igniter offers rush delivery animation to speed up the production process.
Deep Dive: How long does it take to make an explainer video?
Budget Saving Tips For Animated Explainer Videos
Combine these tips to save $1,000 or more off your production budget when you hire us to create animated explainer videos.
1). Write The Script
You can save $500 off the price of each minute of video we create for you if you write the script for your animated explainer videos. Download our free explainer video script template for tips to help you get started.
2). Record The VoiceOver
VoiceOvers cost between $50-$500 to record and license for commercial projects. If you record the voiceover for your animated explainer videos, we’ll deduct $25-$50 from the price of your video. Watch 1:31 in this video to see how easy it is to record professional quality voiceovers at home for free.
3). Use Free (Legal) Music
Music licensing costs can be as little as $19. In most cases, it’s going to cost you at least a few hundred dollars; especially if we need to pay for the commercial and broadcast rights to use the music in your explainer videos. If you source free, legal music from sites like Incompetech or Facebook’s Sound Collection, we don’t need to charge extra for broadcast & commercial licenses.
4). Create The Storyboard
When you hire Video Igniter to create animated explainer videos, you can save an additional $500 off the price of each minute of video we create for you if you make the storyboard for your project. Download our free explainer video storyboard template and review the included storyboard creation guide to see how easy it is to create a storyboard. No artistic skills needed.
5). Start Production ASAP
The easiest thing you can do to save 10%-50% off your production budget is to start production as soon as possible. Rush delivery can increase your production budget by 10%-50% or more. To avoid or minimize paying extra for rush delivery, send us a message to get a quote or schedule a call with our production team and we’ll help you figure out the best and most cost effective way to produce your animated explainer videos before your deadline.
Still have questions about animated explainer videos?
Do you have a question about animated explainer videos 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 that provides explainer video production services to agencies, businesses and brands around the world.
With Video Igniter, you can get your custom animated video produced faster and for less than the cost of 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 Company In The U.S.?
Video Igniter is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.
Animated Explainer Video 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
“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
“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
“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.