Animation For YouTube | How To Create Animated Videos For YouTube
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Do you want to hire an animation studio to create an animation for YouTube but you aren’t sure how or where to get started?
Video Igniter is your one stop shop for creating custom animations for YouTube. In this article, we’ll answer all of your top questions including:
- How to make an animation for YouTube
- What does it cost to create an animation for YouTube?
- How long does it take to make an animation for YouTube?
- Plus, tips to help you save hundreds or thousands of dollars off of your production budget.
But first, let’s take a look at some examples of different styles of animation Video Igniter can create for you.
YouTube Animation Style Examples
Video Igniter can make any kind of 2D or 3D animation for you to use on your YouTube channel.
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 video.
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 animation for YouTube
Now, let’s take a look at what the production process is like when you work with Video Igniter to create your animation.
1). Get a Quote For Your Animation
The first thing we need to do to start making your animation is figure out the scope of your project. This will help us calculate your production budget and the amount of time it will take to create your YouTube animation.
You can get a quote by sending us a message or scheduling a call with our production team.
After we agree to a budget and timeline for your video, we will send you an invoice for the first 50% of your production budget.
2). Create The Script
Next, we come up with the concept and script for your YouTube animation (if you haven’t provided it already). You will get an opportunity to review the script/concept to ensure it properly conveys your key talking points to your target audience. Our script writers will make revisions as necessary until the script is perfect.
3). Create The Storyboard
After your script is approved, we turn it into a storyboard so that our production team has a visual blueprint to understand what they are supposed to create. The storyboard gives us an opportunity to have a discussion about what visuals we will show and how they will sync up with your script.
After you review the storyboard, send us your list of edits. We will incorporate your revisions and share an updated storyboard for you to review and approve.
4). Create the Concept Art
Video Igniter’s art director will review your branding and storyboard to develop multiple pieces of custom concept art for your YouTube animation. After you review the concepts, the art director know which concept is your favorite.
If you want to make any changes to the concept art, feel free to collaborate with our art director to polish your preferred concept until it’s perfect!
5). Create The Art
Now that your concept art is approved, our illustration team can use it and the storyboard to design all of the illustrations for your YouTube animation.
When the art is complete, you will get a chance to review the first draft and request edits. Our team will incorporate all of your revisions and share the updated art with you to review and approve for production.
6). VoiceOver
If your animation for YouTube includes a voiceover, our team will source several voiceover talents that are a good fit for your project. Listen to the voiceover auditions we share with you and let us know which one you prefer for your project. You will be given an opportunity to listen to the full recording and request edits before you approve the recording for production.
7). Soundtrack
If your animation includes music, you will receive several soundtrack options from our team. Give them a listen and let us know which one is your favorite. We’ll take care of licensing the music so that it can legally be used in your YouTube video.
8). Animation
Time to animate! As soon as the first draft is ready, we will share a downloadable version of your YouTube animation so that you can get feedback from your internal team and members of your target audience.
Collect everyone’s feedback and share it with us. We will incorporate your edits and render out an updated copy for your team to review and approve.
9). Post Production
Once your animation gets the final approval, our team may add additional sound effects, translate your video into different languages, or create alternate versions of your YouTube animation for different social media platforms. Once all the post production work is complete, you will get a chance to review and sign off on the assets.
Need help adding animation to your video? We can help with that too!
Once we get your final sign off, we will send you the final project invoice. As soon as payment is received on our end, we will deliver the final, unwatermarked version(s) of your video assets.
What does it cost to create an animation for YouTube?
It depends on the style and length of the animation you want to create for YouTube. Some animations are short, only a few seconds, and are sandwiched in between or overlaid on top of existing video content. Other animations are long and may not include any live action content.
To give you a ballpark budget, 60 seconds of 2D animation usually costs between $1,500-$10,000 to create.
Want to get a quote for your YouTube animation? Send us a message or schedule a call with our production team.
How long does it take to create an animation for YouTube?
Again, this depends on the style and length of your animation. Most YouTube animations can be created in just a few weeks. Very short animations can be created in a few days. To provide you a ballpark range:
- 60 seconds worth of 2D animation takes about 4-6 weeks to create.
- 3D animation takes 2-4x more time to complete.
Need to speed up production for a deadline? Video Igniter offers rush delivery animation to guarantee delivery in 4 weeks or less.
YouTube Animation Budget Saving Tips
Combine these tips to save hundreds or thousands of dollars off the cost of making animations for YouTube.
1). Write Your Script
Video Igniter’s team is ready to help you create the script for your animation for YouTube – but if you want to create it yourself, you can save $500 for each minute of animated content we help you create. Download our free script writing template use it to create the first draft of your script. We will help you review your script and make sure it’s production ready before we use it to create your YouTube animation.
2). Create The Storyboard
You can save an additional $500 off the cost of each minute of content we create for you by creating the storyboard for your project. Download our storyboard template and review the included storyboard creation guide for tips to help you create your storyboard.
And yes, we are happy to review your storyboard to ensure it’s ready for production!
3). Source Free Music
Stock soundtracks cost between $19-$399 to license for commercial video projects. If you want to skip this production cost, you can source free, legal music from Incompetech.
4). Start Production ASAP
Rush delivery can increase your production budget by 25%-50% or more. To avoid this extra production cost, we recomend starting production as soon as possible!
5). Record The VoiceOver
VoiceOvers cost between $25-$500 to record and license for commercial projects. You can skip this production cost by recording your own voiceover at home for free. Watch 1:31 in this video to learn how to record high quality voiceovers without having to buy any expensive equipment or software.
Still have questions about creating animations for YouTube?
Do you have a question about creating animations for YouTube 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 our explainer video on our home page to learn more about how we can help you create an animated video. For examples of the kinds of animation our team can produce, check out the demo reel below:
Looking For An Animated Video Company In The U.S.?
Video Igniter is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.
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 with our production team 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.
