Are you looking for an animator or a studio to help you produce some explainers but aren’t sure how or where to get started?

Luckily, you’re in the right place!

Video Igniter’s comprehensive guide to video explainers has answers to all your top questions, including:

• What is the production process like to create explainers?
• How much does it cost to create explainers?
• How long does it take to make video explainers?

All that, plus tips to help you save $1,000 or more off your production budget!

But first, let’s take a look at examples of explainers that Video Igniter Animation can create for you:

Examples of Explainers

Video Igniter can create all kinds of 2D and 3D animation explainers for you. Some of our favorite explainers are displayed 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 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.

What is the production process like to create explainers?

One of the best things you can do to ensure a smooth and successful production experience is to familiarize yourself with the way explainers are produced. This high level overview will help you understand how we take your idea and turn it into the final animation. This way, you’ll always know what’s coming up next and what details to be mindful of during every stage of production.

Step 1: Get A Quote

Send us a message, schedule a call or fill out this questionnaire to scope out your explainer project and get a production quote.

Once we agree to the project scope, timeline and budget, we’ll send you an invoice for 50% of your production budget.

Step 2: Write The Script

You will connect with our explainer video script writers to go over:

• What you want to explain in your explainer video.
• Who your target audience is.
• What problems your audience faces.
• What do you want your viewers to do when they’re done watching your explainers?

We’ll use this information to draft the script(s) for your explainers and send you a digital copy to review with your team. Add your revision notes to the doc and we’ll integrate the edits and polish your script until your team loves it.

Step 3: Create The Storyboard

Next, we turn your script(s) into a storyboard for your explainers. This way, we have a visual blueprint that explains exactly what we’re supposed to create and animate for every part of your script.

You will receive a digital copy of the storyboard to circulate with your team. Collect everyone’s revision notes and send them our way. We’ll revise your storyboard with you until you mark it as approved.

Step 4: Create The Illustrations

Our art director will develop multiple visual concepts for your explainers. Share your honest feedback with the art director to let them know which visual style you like best. You also have the option to collaborate with the art director to revise your favorite visual concept until it’s exactly the way you want it to look.

After the concept art is approved, our illustrators will create the rest of the illustrations for your explainers. You get an opportunity to review all of the illustrations and request revisions before we animate your explainers.

Step 5: Record The VoiceOver

You will receive multiple voiceover auditions to listen to. Let us know which one is your favorite and we’ll hire them to record the narration for your explainers.

We’ll send you the full recording to listen to and approve before we start animating. If needed, you can request that the voiceover artist rerecords certain parts of the narration.

Step 6: Select Music

You will also receive a selection of soundtracks to listen to. Let us know which is your favorite and we’ll acquire the appropriate license(s) to legally use the music in your explainers.

Step 7: Animate

Now that everything is approved, it’s time to animate your explainers! As soon as your videos are ready, you will receive a link to download them. Review the explainers with your team and collect everyone’s notes and edit requests. Send them our way and we’ll integrate your edits and apply the final polish to your explainers.

How much does it cost to create explainers?

Most explainers can be produced for $1,500-$5,500 for 60-seconds worth of animation. If you want to use fancy 2D animation (aka hand drawn animation), your budget will be closer to $7,500-$15,000 for 60-seconds of animation.

Want to use 3D animation to create your explainers? Expect your budget to start at $10,000 for 60-seconds worth of 3D animated explainer content.

How long does it take to make video explainers?

2D explainers can be produced in about 4-8 weeks. If we use traditional cel animation or 3D animation, it can take 2-3x more time to create your explainers.

Budget Saving Tips For Explainers

Combine these tips to save $1,000 or more off the cost of creating your explainers:

Write The Script

You can save $500 off the price of each minute of content we create for you if you provide the script for your explainers. Download our explainer video script template for help creating your scripts.

Find Free Music

We’re not suggesting you steal music to lower your budget. However, if you find free music that is listed as royalty free music, we can use that music in your video at no extra cost to you. This can also help you avoid paying extra for broadcast and commercial licenses which can easily add hundreds or thousands of dollars to your production budget.

Record The VoiceOver

VoiceOvers can be cheap to produce. However, if the voiceover is being used in a commercial project or a video that will be seen in paid broadcast media channels, you may need to pay extra for a commercial and or a broadcast license. These typically add up to a few hundred dollars.

If you decide to record the voiceover for your explainers, we don’t need to charge extra for voiceover licenses. Watch 1:31 in this video to see how you can record professional quality voiceovers at home for free.

Create The Storyboard

You can save an additional $500 off the cost of each minute of explainer video content we produce for you if you create the storyboard for your explainers. Download our free storyboard template and review the included storyboard creation guide for tips to help you get started.

Start Production ASAP

The easiest thing you can do to save $$$ on the production budget for your explainers is to begin production as soon as possible. Rush delivery is available if you need to speed up the production process. However, rush delivery can easily increase your production budget by 10%-50% or more! We recommend starting production as soon as possible to minimize or avoid paying extra for rush delivery. Do yourself a favor and send us a message or schedule a call to start discussing production options for your explainers with our team.

Bonus Resources For Explainers

These articles are popular among people researching explainers:

Explainer 101: Learn How To Make Explainer Videos

How To Make An Animation Video For Your Business

Still have questions about explainers?

Do you have a question about 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 Explainer Video Producer In The U.S.?

Video Igniter is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

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 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 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 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.

Are you looking around for different animation studios to hire but aren’t sure which one to choose or how to work a studio?

Luckily, you’re in the right place! Video Igniter’s guide to hiring and working with animation studios has answers to all of your top questions including:

• Where can I find animation studios to hire?
• What do animation studios cost to hire?
• How do I evaluate which animation studio to hire?
• How do I work with animation studios to create my video?
• How long do animation studios take to create videos?

All that, plus tips to help you save $1,000 or more off your production budget. But first, let’s take a look at examples of the types of animations that Video Igniter’s team can create for you:

Animation Studio Examples

Video Igniter can make any kind of 2D or 3D animation 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 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 relevant production samples.

How and where can I find animation studios to hire for my project?

Searching for animation studios is a very important part of the production process. They need to be able to create the style of animation you seek, on time and on budget. Also… just because a studio can make pretty visuals doesn’t automatically mean they’re good at crafting compelling stories that resonate with the intended audience. You need to look for animation studios that can accomplish all the above.

We’ve created a separate article to help you find, evaluate and hire the right animation studio for your project: How To Hire An Animator.

In the article, you’ll learn:

• Where to look for animation studios
• How to evaluate the portfolios of different animation studios
• How to negotiate your production budget.

And so much more. Get the full guide here.

How do I work with animation studios to create my video?

Let’s do a high level walk through of the production process so you understand how to get the idea in your head turned into a custom animated video.

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 animation.

Our studio will review your goals and work with you to develop a plan and a budget to create your dream video.

Once we agree to the scope of the project, you will receive an invoice for the first 50% of your production budget.

2). Script

Animation studios typically start the production process by organizing a kickoff call to learn the following information:

• Who is your target audience?
• What do you want to convey in your animation?
• What problem(s) does your target audience experience?
• What do you want your audience to do when they’re done watching your animation?

We’ll use this information to develop the first draft of your animation script. You will receive a link to a digital copy you can share and review with your team. After you add your feedback to the doc, we’ll integrate your revisions until you mark the script as approved.

3). Storyboard

After your script is signed off, the next step animation studios typically take is to turn the script into a storyboard. The storyboard acts like a visual blueprint so our production team knows exactly what to create for every part of your script.

You will receive a digital copy of the storyboard to review with your team. Add your revision notes to the doc and we’ll incorporate the edits until the storyboard gets your sign off.

4). VoiceOver

Animation studios typically maintain a roster of voiceover talent. You will receive a selection of voiceover recordings to listen to that we feel will be a good fit for your project. Let us know which one is your favorite and we’ll hire that person to record the full voiceover narration for your animation. You get an opportunity to listen to the full recording and request edits, if needed.

5). Soundtrack

You will also receive a selection of soundtrack options to consider for your animation. Give them a listen and let us know which is your favorite. We’ll make sure to acquire the appropriate license(s) to legally use the music in your animation.

6). Illustrations

Animation studios handle the illustration phase of production a variety of different ways. In most cases, the process starts with the creation of concept art. Our art director will review your brand guidelines, storyboard and any reference videos you may have shared. This information will be used to create several pieces of custom concept art for your video.

Give the concepts a detailed review and share your honest feedback with the art director. Let them know which concept is your favorite. If you like, you can collaborate with the art director to refine your favorite concept until everything looks exactly the way you envision it.

Once the concept art is locked in, our animation studio’s illustration team will get to work creating all of the custom illustrations for your animation. You will get an opportunity to review all of the art and request edits before we animate your video.

7). Animation

Now that everything is approved, our animation studio can start animating! As soon as the first draft is ready, you will receive a link to download a copy of your animation. Give it a detailed review with your internal team and members of your target audience.

Collect everyone’s feedback and send it our way. We’ll integrate your edits and render out the final draft of your animation.

What do animation studios cost to hire?

The answer to this question depends on what kind of animation you want to create. Animation studios like PIXAR and Dreamworks require budgets in excess of $100,000,000 to create a feature-length film. That comes out to about $1,000,000 for every minute of animation they create.

Most folks aren’t looking to create something that fancy. Most independent animation studios are substantially more affordable to work with.

Animation studios that specialize in 2D animation typically charge between $1,500-$25,000 to create each minute of video content.

Independent 3D animation studios typically charge north of $10,000 to create each minute of video.

Get a quote for your animated video.

How long do animation studios take to create videos?

The big guys like PIXAR take about 5 years to go from idea to final animation.

But what about shorter 1-2 minute videos created for the Internet or for various business purposes?

Most animation studios can create a 60-second 2D animation in 4-8 weeks.

If you are looking for animation studios that create 2D animations using the traditional hand drawn animation technique, it may take 2-3x more time to complete the project.

3D animation studios typically need 8-16 weeks to create a 60-second animation.

Need to speed up production for an upcoming deadline? Rush delivery animation is available.

Want to figure out how long it will take to create your animation? Send us a message.

Budget Saving Tips For Animation Studios

After you decide which of the hundreds of animation studios you’re going to hire, review these tips to see how you can save $1,000 or more off your production budget.

Write The Script – Animation studios are happy to help you create the script for your video. However, if you provide the script for your project, you’re eligible for a discount! Video Igniter will knock $500 off the price of each minute of video we create for you when you provide the final, approved script for your project.

Need help writing your script? Download our free animated video script template.

Record The VoiceOver – VoiceOvers can be cheap (usually $50-$500). However, animation studios also need to charge extra to pay the voiceover talent for a broadcast license and for a commercial license. These can easily add a few hundred dollars to your production budget. Luckily, there’s a free and easy way to record professional quality voiceovers at home if you don’t want to pay animation studios to produce and license them for you. Watch 1:31 in this video to see how.

Use Free Music – Soundtracks can run you anywhere from $9-$100,000 to license for your animation project. Stock music can be cheap but may require you spend a few hundred dollars for a broadcast license. If you want to avoid paying extra to use music in your animation, look for royalty free music on sites like Facebook’s sound collection and Incompetech.

Create The Storyboard – Animation studios will happily create your storyboard for you. On the other hand, if you create the storyboard yourself, you are eligible for an additional discount of $500 off the price of each minute of video we create for you. Download our free storyboard template and review the included storyboard creation guide to see how easy it is to create a storyboard.

Start Production ASAP – The easiest thing you can do to save money on your production budget is to start as soon as possible. Animation studios need to charge extra for rush delivery if your project has a short deadline. This can easily add 10%-50% or more to your production budget. We recommend starting production as soon as possible so you can minimize or avoid paying extra for rush delivery. Send us a message or schedule a call today to begin the discussion about your video project.

Resources For People Researching Animation Studios

The following articles are popular among people researching which animation studios they should hire for an upcoming project:

How To Improve Your Video Conversion Rate

How To Find & Hire The Best Animation Studio For Your Project

How To Work With An Explainer Video Studio

How To Work With A 2D Animation Studio

How To Work With A 3D Animation Studio

Still have questions about animation studios?

Do you have a question about animation studios 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 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.

“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 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 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

“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

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.

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 animated 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 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.

If you want to make an animated video but aren’t sure which type of animation to use, you’re in the right place! Video Igniter’s guide to animation styles explains the pros and cons of about the different types of animation you can use to create your video. Even if you’ve never managed a project before, this guide will answer all of your top questions including:

• What are the different types of animation?
• How long does it take to make different types of animation?
• What does it cost to make different types of animation?

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 the types of animation Video Igniter can create for you:

Examples Of Different Types Of Animation

Video Igniter can make any type of animation for you. Below is a demo reel with a sampling of our favorite videos. 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 video.

2D Animation Examples

3D Animation Examples

Cel Animation Examples

Whiteboard Animation Examples

Are you looking for different types of animation examples? 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.

What are the different types of animation?

Whiteboard Animation

Whiteboard animation is one of the cheapest types of animation you can hire someone to create. This type of animation looks like a person hand drawing images on a whiteboard in sync with a narrative voiceover. Sometimes, this style animation is produced using a real whiteboard and a human illustrator drawing on camera. Other times, the effect of drawing on a whiteboard is simulated by having images appear to be drawn into view while a stock photo of a hand holding a pen moves across a whiteboard.

Pros: whiteboard animations are a highly effective and low cost way to quickly produce video content that is engaging and helps get your point across.

Cons: There are limitations to what you can show. Additionally, the visual format may be perceived as “cheap” for certain brands.

2D Computer Animation

2D animation is the most popular type of animation used these days. Occasionally referred to as vector animation or motion graphics, this type of animation offers near limitless visual styles for your illustrations and the motion design used to animate your video. Some types of 2D animation can be quick and cheap to produce while others require larger budgets and more time to produce.

Pros: Excellent balance of professional, high-quality design techniques and affordability without requiring months and months of production.

Cons: Don’t get sucked into looking for the cheapest 2D animator. Low cost 2D animators are easy to find but their work will reflect poorly on your brand’s perception.

3D Computer Animation

3D animation is a high end visual format that’s typically reserved for feature length films and 3D visualizations for scientific, medical, chemical or structural content.

Pros: Visualize 3D objects with a high level of visual detail to make it easy for your viewers to understand complex topics.

Cons: Requires a large budget and months to produce.

Cel Animation

Cel animation, also referred to as traditional animation or hand drawn animation, is the style of animation you’re familiar with from your childhood. Saturday morning cartoons (and animated advertisements) from our youth were typically created by talented illustrators drawing and coloring each individual frame of video by hand.

This classic animation technique requires more time and a large budget to create compared to 2D computer animation. However, the fluidity of the motion design is the best and most artistic form of animation anyone can create. If you want to captivate your audience with visual eye candy that holds their attention, this is the route to go.

Pros: Beautiful and visually engaging content. This style of animation does the best job keeping your audience engaged.

Cons: Expensive and can take months to produce.

Deep Dive: Learn more about the different styles of animation.

Deeper Dive: How do I pick the right animated video style for my project?

How long does it take to make different types of animation?

For each of these types of animation, we will assume the video we are producing is 1 minute long.

Whiteboard Animation

Estimated production timeline: 2-4 weeks.

2D Computer Animation

Estimated production timeline: 4-6 weeks.

3D Computer Animation

Estimated production timeline: 10-15 weeks.

Hand Drawn Cel Animation

Estimated production timeline: 6-10 weeks.

Need to speed up production for an upcoming deadline? Video Igniter offers rush delivery animation to speed up the production process for all types of animation.

What does it cost to make different types of animation?

Whiteboard Animation

Sometimes this can be as little as $1,000 for a 60 second animation but it’s more likely to be between $1,500-$2,500/minute.

2D Computer Animation

Most types of 2D computer animated videos can be produced for $1,500-$7,500 for each 60-seconds of content we create for you.

3D Computer Animation

Simple forms of 3D animation can be produced for as little as $5,000 for a 60-second animation. However, most 3D animations will cost over $7,500-$10,000 for each minute of footage that’s created. To put this into perspective, high end animation studios like PIXAR create movies which cost over $1,000,000 to produce each minute of video.

Hand Drawn Cel Animation

Simpler versions of cel animation can be produced for about $7,500 for a 60-second video. However, it’s more likely that cel animation will cost over $10,000 for each minute of content that’s produced.

Budget Saving Tips For Different Types Of Animation

Combine these tips to save $1,000 or more off your production budget for all types of animation:

1). Write The Script

You can save $500 off the price of each minute of video we create for you – regardless of the type of animation, if you provide the script for the project. Download our script writing template for guidance to help you start writing your script.

2). Record The VoiceOver

You can save $25-$50 off the price of your voiceover if you record it yourself. If your project is a paid commercial project, this enables you to avoid paying an extra $100-$500 for commercial and broadcast rights to use the voiceover in your video. Watch 1:31 in this video to see how easy it is to record professional quality voiceovers at home for free.

3). Source Free Music

A simple soundtrack license is included in the price of making each type of animation. If you source a royalty free song to use in your video, we can deduct $25 from your production budget. If you plan to pay to promote your video for a commercial project, you will need to pay the extra cost for additional broadcast rights for the music. This can add $100-$400 (or more) to your production budget. If you source royalty free music from sites like Incompetech or Facebook’s sound collection, you don’t need to pay these extra music licensing costs.

4). Create The Storyboard

You can save an additional $500 off the price of each minute of video we create for you if you provide the storyboard for your project. Download our free storyboard template and review the included storyboard creation guide for tips to help you get started.

5). Start Production ASAP

Rush delivery can increase your production budget by 10%-50% for all types of animation. We recommend starting production as soon as possible so you can minimize or avoid paying extra for rush delivery. Schedule a call with our production team or send us a message to get the ball rolling today.

Still have questions about the different types of animation?

Do you have a question about the various types of animation 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 Animation 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 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 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 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.