Now that you’ve thought through the criteria for picking an animator for your video project, what types of animation producers are available to you? Lots of people plan on hiring an animation studio to work with – but these days, there are many more options available that are more affordable and can offer a wider array of unique visual styles for your animated video.

If you have a question about hiring an animated video producer that isn’t answered in this article, you can use our contact form to ask your question or click the image below to with a member of our production team:

Hiring A Freelance Animator

Good for smaller projects (under 2 minutes); not necessarily recommended for large or difficult projects because there’s only so much they can do by themselves and production would be slow.

Price Range: $50-$10,000+

Pros: Typically faster and less expensive to work with.

Cons: Limited range of artistic styles they can produce based on the types of animation programs they have proficiency in. They may or may not have storytelling capabilities to help create or improve your script or storyboard. Although it is rare, there is a risk that a freelance video animator can ghost you in the middle of your project.

Hiring An Animator From a Marketplace

Searching an online market place of digital animation studios and freelancers can yield hundreds of options. Many of these studies and freelancers are competing to be the cheapest option and the quality shows. You can get excellent service if you’re the only project they’re working on – but many of these freelancers price their projects so low that they have to take on many projects at once which can result in extended production timelines.

Price Range: $100-$7,500+

Pros: Studios and freelancers that have been vetted by the marketplace are less likely to ghost you mid-way through production. The marketplace also enables you to compare the price and quality of different animators.

Cons: While you can find good quality animators and animation studios to work with through a video production marketplace website, often times, people are seeking the cheapest option which means animators compete to submit the lowest bid and then they may not provide quality service or work.

Hiring an Animation Studio

If you’re thinking about hiring an animation studio to make your animated video, you should plan on having a budget of at least $5,000 but likely a lot more. Animation studios are best suited for big budget projects. You can usually get a better range of animation production styles when you work with a larger studio.

Price Range: $5,000-$500,000+

Pros: Hiring an animation studio means you’ll get high quality work, professionally managed, and there’s a good chance they have good in-house storytellers.

Cons: Studios typically have a speciality – 2D or 3D, commercial or long form for TV, etc so you’ll need to dig around for a studio that specializes in the type of animated video you you want to produce.

Hiring a Marketing Agency

Good for one-off videos since the agency probably already knows a lot about your product/service/brand and can be very helpful when it comes to crafting your script and storyboard. If you plan to do multiple videos, consider hiring a freelancer, getting someone in-house to join your team, or try Video Igniter to save on your production budget.

Price Range: $5,000-$50,000+

Pros: Agencies typically have a network of animation studios, video production companies and animation freelancers they outsource the work to; their network means they can help connect you with a variety of different types of illustrators and animators. Agencies provide a high degree of client management and can help you craft a good script and storyboard for your animated video.

Cons: high markup – the marketing agency typically builds in a margin of several thousand dollars above what the animation studio or freelancer is charging them.

Hiring Video Igniter Animation Studio

Great for large and small projects. Our diverse team means there’s a wide range of aesthetic possibilities available for your video. We offer 24/7 support and unlimited revisions because we believe you should be 100% thrilled with the way your animated video looks.

Price Range: $500-$100,000+

Pros: Unlimited revisions. Our large team means we can produce longer videos and any kind of 2D or 3D animation you can imagine. We use technology to streamline the production experience which means it’s faster and easier for you to get custom animated content produced on your behalf and more of your budget is put into creativity, design and production rather than expensive overhead costs.

Cons: We work 100% virtually but we’re always available to jump on a video call to go over details of your video.

Why Hiring an Animation Studio is a Smart Investment

Hiring an animation studio ensures you get a professional, high-quality video that engages your audience, strengthens your brand, and conveys your message effectively. Animation studios have experienced teams that specialize in scriptwriting, storyboarding, animation, and post-production, ensuring every aspect of your video is polished and impactful.

Steps to Hiring an Animation Studio

1. Define Your Goals and Budget

Before you start searching for an animation studio, clarify your objectives. Ask yourself:

• What message do I want to convey?
• Who is my target audience?
• What style of animation best fits my brand (2D, 3D, motion graphics, whiteboard animation)?
• What is my budget for this project?

Having a clear vision and budget will help you communicate effectively with animation studios and find one that aligns with your needs.

2. Research and Shortlist Animation Studios

When hiring an animation studio, take time to research and compare different options. Look for studios that have:

• A diverse and high-quality portfolio.
• Experience in your industry.
• Positive client testimonials and reviews.
• A clear and transparent pricing structure.

Search online for “best animation studios for [your industry]” and check directories like Clutch, Upwork, and Behance to find reputable animation studios.

3. Review Portfolios and Case Studies

A studio’s past work is a strong indicator of their capabilities. When reviewing portfolios:

• Look for videos with high production value.
• Check if their animation style matches your brand’s identity.
• Pay attention to storytelling, voiceover quality, and attention to detail.

Many studios also showcase case studies that detail their animation process and results, which can help you gauge whether they’re a good fit for your project.

4. Ask the Right Questions

Once you’ve shortlisted animation studios, reach out and ask questions like:

• What is your animation production process?
• What is the estimated timeline for completion?
• How many revisions are included in the pricing?
• Do you provide scriptwriting and voiceover services?
• Can you provide references from past clients?

Their responses will help you determine their professionalism, communication skills, and ability to meet your expectations.

5. Understand the Animation Process

Hiring an animation studio means working through a structured process that includes:

• Concept Development: Brainstorming ideas and defining the video’s core message.
• Scriptwriting: Crafting a compelling script tailored to your audience.
• Storyboarding: Creating visual frames to map out the video’s flow.
• Animation & Production: Bringing the storyboard to life with illustrations, animation and a voiceover.
• Editing & Final Delivery: Refining the video, adding sound effects, and exporting the final product.

Understanding this process ensures you know what to expect and can collaborate efficiently with the studio.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring an Animation Studio

1. Choosing Based on Price Alone

While budget is important, opting for the cheapest option often leads to lower-quality animations, missed deadlines, and limited revisions. Instead, focus on value—choose a studio that offers the best balance of price and quality.

2. Not Defining Your Vision Clearly

Providing vague instructions can lead to multiple revisions and delays. Clearly outline your goals, preferred style, and brand guidelines before production begins.

3. Not Checking Reviews and Testimonials

A reputable animation studio should have positive client reviews and case studies. If they lack reviews or have mixed feedback, proceed with caution.

4. Ignoring Communication and Collaboration

Regular communication with the studio ensures a smooth production process. Choose a studio that keeps you updated and values your feedback.

Finding the Right Animation Studio for Your Needs

When hiring an animation studio, consider their expertise, portfolio, communication style, and pricing. A great studio will not only deliver a high-quality animation but also make the process enjoyable and stress-free.

At VideoIgniter.com, we specialize in creating custom animated videos tailored to your unique needs. If you’re ready to bring your vision to life, contact us today for a free consultation!

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to hiring an animation studio that helps you create an engaging, professional, and effective animated video.

Why Do People Love Hiring Video Igniter Animation?

World class design talent at prices small businesses can afford.

We can make any kind of 2D or 3D animated video you can imagine.

Check out our portfolio!

+20 reasons companies love hiring us to create animated videos.

Do you want to create an animated cryptocurrency video or an animated blockchain explainer video that explains how your technology works? We can help with that too.

Demo Reel

 

Video Animation Success Stories & Testimonials

“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

“My whole family and everyone on Facebook thinks you are amazing. My whole office is freaking out.”

Patricia Shields – Real Estate Agent

“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

“I am beyond satisfied with my experience with Video Igniter. The first drafts of the work were almost exactly what I had in my head when developing the concept. After that each step along the way was seamless until arriving at a perfect finished product. And all this at a tremendous value. Anyone who has considered creating a marketing video should check out Video Igniter.”

Anonymous Customer Feedback

Get in touch if you want to hire an animator

Schedule a call to discuss your animated video.

Get a quote for your animated video.

Request access to our newest price sheet.

Create your Video Igniter account, fill out a creative brief, and we’ll create your animation.

Resources for Hiring An Animation Studio

Here are some popular articles we recommend for your video production journey:

What is an online animated video maker and how do you use one to create a video?

What is an animation agency?

Animation services for agencies.

How do I hire and collaborate with a 2D animation studio to create my video?

What is a storyboard? If you want to make an animated video, creating a storyboard is the second step of the animated video production process – right after creating your script.  Without a storyboard, your whole project might fall apart.

If you have a question about storyboards that isn’t answered in this article, you can use our contact form to ask your question or click the image below to with a member of our production team:

What is a story board?

So… what is a storyboard? According to dictionary.com, it’s:

“…a panel or panels on which a sequence of sketches depict the significant changes of action and scene in a planned film, as for a movie, television show, or advertisement.”

To put it another way, a storyboard is a blueprint that includes written instructions and visual mockups that explain what is going to happen for each scene of an animated or live action video. It helps keep the production information organized so that the production team knows what they are creating. You can create this document yourself using an application like PowerPoint or Keynote – or, if you don’t want to create the storyboard yourself, animation studios and freelancers are usually willing to help you create a storyboard for your animated video before they move forward with production.

The purpose of a storyboard is…

It is important to create a storyboard that documents in simple terms: what art do you want the designers to create and how do you want the animators to apply motion to the art?

A storyboard is a working document that explains what to create, how to sync the voice over to the animation, and what animated sequences need to be created. By having all of this information organized together, animators and designers have a clear understanding of what they need to design and how they need to create it so that it works within the animation, without having to constantly ask the producer, “what do we create here?”

If there is ambiguity in your storyboard, illustrators or animators may create the wrong thing. Or, it could delay production while the project manager gets clarification from the client about what they intend to show in a particular scene. It’s best to over explain what you want to show using simple language. If needed, include reference images within your storyboard to help the illustrators and animators better understand the intended vision.

Storyboard Format

So, what does a storyboard include? Each slide of a storyboard is comprised of four parts:

1). Script

Each slide of the storyboard contains one sentence or a part of a sentence that will be heard by the viewer while the current visuals are displayed on screen.

Want to improve your script? Check out this article for tips to help you improve your video script writing.

2). Visual Mockup

This is a rough sketch or a mockup of whatever you want to show during this part of the script. You can create the visual mockup for your storyboard by sketching it on paper, taking a photo with your smartphone and inserting it into your storyboard. You can also use free images and icons you find online to mock up all the scenes for your animated video.

3). Directions

A bullet point list of instructions that explain what motions happen on screen in what order. Simple, clear instructions are best and should be documented in chronological order so that the animator reads it like, “first I do this, then this happens, then this.”

4). Asset List

A list of all the audio and visual assets that need to be created for this scene (i.e. red Android phone, dial tone sound effects, etc).

Deep Dive: Check out this article for additional tips to help you build a great storyboard for an explainer video.

Storyboard Diagram

The diagram below shows examples of what kinds of information should be included on each slide of your storyboard.

Next Steps: Want to learn what happens after you make your storyboard? Check out this article to learn how we use your storyboard to create an animated video.

How to build a storyboard

Check out this article for detailed instructions on how to create your own storyboard.

Download Our Free Storyboard Template

When you hire Video Igniter to make video animations, you can save hundreds or thousands of dollars off your animated video production budget if you create the storyboard yourself. You don’t need any artistic ability to create one. All you need to be able to do is brainstorm ideas for the visuals to correspond with each part of your script and then create simple instructions for the illustrators and animators so they understand what you want them to create. Download our free storyboard PDF template here.

What does a storyboard look like for an animated video?

Below are some examples to show you what you scene mockups may look like for your video project. Your sketches/mockups don’t need to look professional, they are just there to provide simple visual context in the instructions. The art team is responsible for taking in all your information and turning it into professional looking custom art for your animated video.

Hand Drawn Example:

 

Clip Art / Icon-Based Example:

 

Either format is acceptable

 

What does the final art look like?

Don’t worry about making your storyboard mockups look professional. It’s our job to turn your mockups into professional looking art. Just focus on providing clear instructions so the illustrators and animators understand what you want them to create.

 

Example of what a storyboard looks like and the animation that was created from it

Click here to download a PDF example of a full storyboard. Below, you can see the animated video that was created from the storyboard. We recommend skimming through both to get an understanding of how much detail you need to include in your storyboard so that the designers and animators know what to create.

Storyboard Animation Example

 

What Are Some Other Storyboard Formats?

The storyboard format described above is the ideal format because it keeps the information organized and provides information in a written and visual format. This facilitates a more streamlined design and animation process because the designers and animators have a better idea of what they are supposed to create. That being said, there are other, easier ways to create a document similar to a storyboard that can still do a decent job of explaining your ideas to the production team.

Example 1: Written Storyboard

A written storyboard includes no visuals and relies entirely on visual description. Start by writing a sentence of the script. Then put the next line in [brackets like this] when you describe what is supposed to be happening visually on screen during this part of the script.

 

Example 2: Written Storyboard V2

Sometimes people will organize their written storyboard into a table to look like this:

 

Example 3: Sketched Storyboard

Sometimes people create storyboards by simply sketching out a scene, connecting it with the corresponding part of the script and including a little blurb about the motion design for that scene. In this case, the design and animation teams are heavily relying on detailed sketches that clearly show the details of the scene and how the visuals change from scene to scene. This type of storyboard is only recommended if the artist sketching out the scenes is capable of making sketches that are high quality.

Benefits Of Using Storyboards

Written storyboards can be used to speed up the production process and lower production costs for simple animations. For more complex projects, they’re a requirement because they will simplify production and lower production costs in the long run once we’ve documented all of the visual details that need to be produced by the animators.

Here are the top 3 benefits of creating storyboards for your animated video project:

1). Efficient Planning: Storyboards enable teams to play around and experiment with changes in the storyline before moving the video into production. They also enable production teams to plan camera angles and figure out how scenes will transition from one scene to the next.

2). Visualize The Narrative: Storyboards are a visual representation of the key scenes in your video’s storyline. By documenting each individual scene, we can ensure each scene is will be designed to properly fit into the story.

3). Enhanced Collaboration: Creating a storyboard makes it easier for our team to communicate with your team about what will be shown every scene. It’s the easiest way to ensure we share the same vision for the video and have group consensus locked in before the illustrators and animators get to work. Ultimately, this helps you avoid paying extra for scenes that weren’t designed properly the first time.

Tools To Help You Create A Storyboard

These digital tools come in handy to speed up the creation of your storyboard:

Slides/Keynote/Powerpoint: These popular presentation applications are a fantastic free option you can use to create your storyboard. Download our storyboard template and paste it into your favorite presentation application.

Boords: This paid service makes it easy for you to create and organize your storyboard. Upload images to the service and then type in the script and your notes for the motion design in each scene. Boords also makes it easy for your team to add comments on each slide so we can keep track of revision requests and changes to the storyboard.

AI: If you aren’t sure what kind of visual should go along with part of your script, use AI to suggest ideas.

Taking things a step further, if you don’t have the ability to draw rough sketches for each scene, you can also use AI to generate sketches or mockups of each scene to help visualize what each scene should look like.

Canva: Canva has their own library of storyboard templates you can use to plan and design the storyboard for your next animated video project.

 

Deep Dive: Check out this companion article for more tips to help you create a storyboard: How To Create a Storyboard For an Animated Video.

Common Storyboarding Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Creating an effective storyboard is a crucial step in producing a successful animated video. However, even experienced artists and animators can fall into common pitfalls that can lead to confusion, inefficiencies, or a lackluster final product. Below, we’ll explore some of the most frequent storyboarding mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Overcomplicating the Frames

One of the biggest mistakes in storyboarding is adding excessive detail to each frame. While it’s tempting to create highly intricate sketches, the primary purpose of a storyboard is to communicate the flow of the video, not to showcase fully rendered illustrations. Overly detailed frames can clutter the visual message and slow down the production process.

How to Avoid It: Keep your sketches simple and focused on key elements, such as character placement, primary actions, and scene composition. Stick to clear, readable compositions that help the team understand the shot without unnecessary distractions.

2. Lack of Continuity

Inconsistent character positioning, improper framing, and disjointed transitions can disrupt the flow of a storyboard. When continuity mistakes go unnoticed, they can lead to confusion during animation and require costly revisions later in production.

How to Avoid It: Review each frame carefully to ensure consistency in character positioning, proportions, and background elements. Use reference guides for character placement and maintain a logical flow between scenes. Consider flipping back and forth between frames to check for continuity errors.

3. Ignoring Camera Movement

Storyboards should clearly communicate how the camera moves throughout a scene. Even though animated videos are made without camera’s, it’s still important to think through every way the viewer will see things moving through each scene.  Failing to indicate pans, zooms, tilts, or tracking shots can lead to misinterpretations, resulting in static or awkwardly framed animations.

How to Avoid It: Use arrows and notes to indicate camera movements like zooming in, panning across a scene, or shifting focus. If necessary, create an animatic—a rough animated version of the storyboard—to visualize how the camera movements will enhance the storytelling.

4. Skipping the Planning Phase

Jumping straight into storyboarding without a well-thought-out concept can lead to disorganized scenes, unclear storytelling, and wasted effort. Without proper planning, you may find yourself revising large portions of the storyboard later, delaying the entire project.

How to Avoid It: Before sketching, outline the key beats of your story, define character actions, and establish the overall tone. Having a script or shot list in place can help guide the storyboarding process and reduce unnecessary revisions.

5. Not Considering the Audience

A storyboard is more than just a visual plan—it’s a tool for communicating a story effectively to a specific audience. If the visual style, pacing, or framing doesn’t align with the target viewers’ expectations, the final animation may miss the mark.

How to Avoid It: Keep your audience in mind when designing your storyboard. Consider factors like age group, cultural background, and viewing preferences. For example, if the video is meant for young children, use bright, clear visuals with exaggerated expressions and actions to maintain engagement.

What is Video Igniter?

Video Igniter provides animated video production services online. We’ve modernized the experience of creating an animated video to help you create custom content fast. Our production process also helps you save money on your production costs.  We do 99% of the work for you. All you need to do is:

1). Tell us what you want us to create

2). Review the assets we create for your video (script, storyboard, voiceover, soundtrack, art and animation).

If you’re looking for a website to create an animated video online, Video Igniter’s custom animated video production service enables you to work with our animation team to create  any kind of animated video you can imagine!

Our talented staff collaborates behind the scenes to create custom 2D and 3D animated videos so you don’t have to figure out if you have the right video animator for the job. We handle all the technical and creative aspects of production – including helping you develop your script and storyboard (if you haven’t already created them yourself!)

Interested in learning more about the production process? Check out our walkthrough guide: “How To Make A Video Animation.”

Outsource Your Storyboard Creation & Animation to Video Igniter

– +20 reasons companies love outsourcing their animation projects to Video Igniter.

– You can use Video Igniter to outsource the production of any kind of 2D or 3D animated video you can imagine.

– Check out our portfolio!

– World class design talent at prices small businesses can afford.

Animation Demo Reel

 

Success Stories & Testimonials

“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 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 made 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

Get in touch

Schedule a call to discuss creating a storyboard and an animated video for your company.

Get a quote for your animated video.

Check out our animated video portfolio.

Request access to our newest price sheet.

Create your Video Igniter account, fill out a creative brief, and then we’ll make your animated video for you.

Computers have broadened the possibilities for different animation styles and techniques that were never possible with hand drawn 2D animated videos. When your imagination is the only limit for the style for your animated video, it can be daunting to figure out the right animated video style for your project. In this article, we’ll present a set of questions to help you think about narrowing down the right style for your animated explainer video. If you have a question about animated video styles that isn’t answered in this article, you can use our contact form to ask your question or click the image below to with a member of our production team:

Questions to ask yourself to figure out which of the different types of animation styles is right for your animated explainer video:

1). Who is your audience? (What does their current design taste look like?)

2). Should I use 2D or 3D animation

3). High end vs cheap?

4). When is the final draft needed by?

5). When should we use hand drawn or ‘frame by frame’ animation?

6). When to use types of non-computer animation (stop motion, paper cut out, whiteboard, screen recordings)

1). Who is your audience? (And what does their design taste look like?)

This article is going to make you think about design in many different ways but the most important factor is knowing who your audience is and understanding their design preferences. If you’re making an animated video to teach kids, then a simple, cartoon animation style is what you’re looking for. On the other hand, if your audience is comprised of C-suite executives who are watching your animated explainer video to see if they want to try your product/service, a more sophisticated animation style or motion graphic would be appropriate.

Whomever your audience is, spend some time looking at websites, social media pages, and other types of custom animation that your target audience would watch. Find what’s already resonating with that audience and save those examples to share with the designers that are going to work on your animated video. They will be able to take in the examples you share along with your branding and come up with a unique style that fits both criteria.

2). 2D vs 3D Animated Video

In many cases, 2D is the way to go. It’s an infinitely versatile visual storytelling medium. You can get intricate and complicated with the design to make something that stands out, or use a simple animation style without losing your message. 2D videos are quicker and less expensive to produce than 3D animated videos. 2D videos are also easier to make changes to mid-way through production if someone gets a great idea they want to incorporate. 3D animations are the ideal style for your animated video if you want to take a viewer on a journey inside a 3D space to show what an environment is like or to understand the inner workings of a machine or system. 3D animation also works great for your standard explainer video if you want to go for a high impact visual style that stands out from the bunch. Just note that if you want to make a 3D animation, it will take more time and a larger budget to produce than 2D animation.

3). High end vs cheap? OR Knowing how your budget will affect style

The size of your budget will greatly impact the style, quality and length of your animated explainer video. If you only have a few hundred dollars, your video will likely use a simple animation style consisting of stock images, icons and characters. Budgets of a few thousand dollars can get you a simple or modern looking 2D animation with custom graphics and smooth animations.

For a high end 2D animation (frame by frame animation), you’ll likely want a budget of more than $5,000 per minute of animation in your video. Custom 3D animations usually cost more than $10,000 to create 60 seconds of content. You might be able to find animators that will do this work for less, but expect to pay more than $10k/min if you want good quality custom graphics and animations.

4). What is your deadline?

How much time do you have to get your video made? Are you weeks away from a product launch and trying to get things done in a short timeline? If so, you’ll want to stick with some form of 2D computer animation or maybe a whiteboard style video. 3D animation and frame by frame animation (or hand drawn animation) generally requires a few months to do all the work. 2D animations are easier to change and modify the style so that they can be produced in a shorter time frame.

Deep Dive: How long does it take to animate a 1 minute video?

5). When to use hand drawn or ‘frame by frame’ animation?

Frame by frame animation (aka hand drawn animation or ‘cel-animation‘) is what most people are familiar with when they think of animation. Think back to the original Disney movies and Looney Tunes cartoons that were created by artists who illustrated each frame by hand. 24 individual images were created per second of video – each with slight adjustments that appear as continuous fluid motion when played as a video.

These days, frame by frame animation is usually done on a computer. Artists will design characters and scenes and then animators will adjust that image slightly for every single frame of the video to make it look like the image is in motion. While technology has made this art form easier and more advanced than it has ever been, it is still a tedious and time consuming process. Frame by frame animation is the way to go for your video if you want to have beautiful fluid motion in your characters, scenes and transitions. The extra time is worth the effort for the visual effect this animation style enables.

6). When to use types of non-computer animation (stop motion, paper cut out, whiteboard, screen recordings)

Stop motion animation, paper-cut out animation, whiteboard animation and screen recordings are all styles of animated videos that you can use for your business – and potentially even create them yourself! While there’s no clear cut answer to when or why you should use one of these different animation styles, they tend to be easier to produce and require a lower budget. If you are making a stop motion video, a paper cut out video, or a whiteboard recording, the only equipment you need is your phone’s camera (and maybe a whiteboard and a pen). Screen recorded videos are best for when you want to show someone how an app or a website works. Sometimes written instructions can be vague, but a screen recording provides unambiguous instructions to viewers about what steps to do next.

7. The Role of Color Psychology in Animation

Color is one of the most powerful tools in animation—it sets the tone, influences emotions, and helps communicate messages effectively. When choosing an animation style, it’s important to consider how color psychology plays into your brand and storytelling.

Bright, saturated colors – Often used in animations targeting children or upbeat, fun brands. Think of brands like Nickelodeon or Lego, where vibrant colors create excitement and energy.

Muted, pastel tones – Popular for minimalist or sophisticated brands. Tech companies and modern wellness brands often use this color palette to evoke a sense of calm and trust.

Dark and moody shades – Great for serious, dramatic storytelling. These colors work well in cinematic animations, gaming trailers, or explainer videos targeting high-end, niche audiences.

If your brand has established color guidelines, ensure that your animation follows them to maintain consistency across all marketing materials.

8. Storytelling and Scripting in Animation

Regardless of how visually stunning an animation is, a poorly structured story can make the final video ineffective. Before deciding on an animation style, focus on creating a compelling script.

Clear messaging: Your script should communicate your key message concisely without overwhelming the viewer.

Engaging narrative: Even explainer videos benefit from storytelling elements—introduce the problem, provide a solution, and wrap up with a strong call to action.

Character-driven vs. abstract storytelling: Some videos rely on relatable characters to guide the viewer through a story, while others use abstract visuals and motion graphics to communicate information in a sleek, modern way.

Pro Tip: A well-structured storyboard helps bridge the gap between the script and animation. Creating a storyboard allows you to visualize key moments and ensure that the chosen animation style supports the story effectively.

9. VoiceOver Narration vs. Text-Only Animation

When producing an animated video, you’ll need to decide if you’ll use voiceover narration, text-based messaging, or a combination of both.

Voiceover narration adds personality and emotion, making it easier to connect with the audience. This works well for tutorials, product explainers, and storytelling-driven animations.

Text-based animation (kinetic typography) is a great option if you want a visually engaging video without using a voiceover. This style works well for social media videos, where people may watch without sound.

Combining both methods provides flexibility—allowing the message to be understood even when muted while keeping the narration engaging for those who listen.

When using voiceovers, consider professional voice talent to ensure clarity and credibility. If you’re targeting a global audience, creating different language versions or subtitles will expand accessibility.

10. Accessibility and Inclusivity in Animation

A truly effective animated video is one that can be understood and enjoyed by as many people as possible, including those with disabilities. Here are some ways to ensure accessibility:

Closed captions and subtitles – Essential for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. They also help with engagement, as many people watch videos on mute. Video platforms like YouTube use AI to translate your English subtitles into other languages which expands your video’s ability to connect with non-English speaking audiences.

Color contrast – Ensuring high contrast between background and text elements improves readability for visually impaired audiences.

Audio descriptions – Adding narration that describes key visual elements can help blind or visually impaired viewers understand the content.

Avoiding excessive motion – Fast-moving animations or flashing elements can be overwhelming for neurodivergent viewers or those prone to motion sickness.

Incorporating accessibility into your animation design ensures that your video reaches the widest audience possible.

11. How Different Industries Use Animation

Not all animation styles work for every industry. The right style should align with the subject matter and audience expectations. Here’s how different industries leverage animation:

Healthcare & Medical – 3D animation is often used to create detailed visualizations of human anatomy, medical procedures, and pharmaceutical mechanisms. These medical animations help simplify complex topics for both patients and professionals.

Technology & SaaS – Motion graphics and 2D explainer videos are commonly used to break down complex tech concepts, demonstrate app features, and showcase software user interfaces.

Finance & Fintech – Abstract motion graphics, whiteboard animations, and kinetic typography help explain financial services, investment strategies, and blockchain technology in a visually engaging way.

Education & E-Learning – A mix of 2D character animation and interactive animations is often used to make learning more engaging for students of all ages.

Entertainment & Gaming – 3D character animation, anime-inspired styles, and frame-by-frame animation bring fictional worlds and characters to life in gaming trailers, web series, and feature films.

By analyzing how animation is used in different industries, you can get inspiration for your own project and ensure that the style you choose aligns with your industry’s norms and expectations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing an Animation Style

Choosing the wrong animation style can lead to a video that feels out of place, ineffective, or even off-brand. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for:

Ignoring your target audience – A serious corporate audience may not appreciate a cartoonish style, while children might find sleek motion graphics too complex.

Underestimating production time – Choosing a highly detailed animation style without factoring in production time can lead to missed deadlines.

Choosing style over substance – A visually stunning animation won’t be effective if the message isn’t clear or engaging.

Overcomplicating the visuals – Too many intricate details or excessive motion can make it difficult for viewers to follow along.

Not aligning with brand identity – If your company has a minimalist, modern brand aesthetic, a highly detailed and complex 3D animation may feel out of place.

By keeping these common mistakes in mind, you can make a more informed decision and ensure your animated video effectively conveys your message.

Exploring Emerging Animation Trends

Animation is constantly evolving, and staying up to date with trends can help your video feel fresh and innovative.

AI-driven animation – Artificial intelligence tools are automating parts of the animation process, making production faster. AI is especially useful for generating in-between frames, automating lip-syncing, and even assisting with scriptwriting.

Hybrid animation styles – Combining 2D and 3D animation elements creates a unique aesthetic that feels modern and dynamic.

Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR) animation – As AR and VR technology grows, more brands are using interactive animated experiences to engage users in a more immersive way.

Hand-drawn aesthetics in digital animation – Many brands are opting for a “handmade” feel in digital animations, blending traditional hand drawn animation artistic elements with modern animation tools.

Staying ahead of these trends can help businesses choose animation styles that feel current and engaging.

Deep Dive: Interested in seeing examples of what these different animation styles look like? Check out this article:

Animation Style Guide: Different Types of Animated Explainer Videos.

Animated Video Style Wrap Up

Choosing the right animation style for your project requires careful consideration of your audience, budget, timeline, and branding. Whether you’re looking for a sleek motion graphics explainer, a fun and playful 2D animation, or a high-impact 3D visualization, understanding your goals will help you make the best decision.

If you’re still unsure about which style is best for your project, our team is here to help. Reach out through our contact form or schedule a call with our production team to discuss your animation needs!

Hire Video Igniter to Create Your Animated Video

Video Igniter provides world class animated video production services at prices small businesses can afford.

We can make any kind of 2D or 3D animated product video you can imagine.

Check out our portfolio! +20 reasons companies love hiring us to create product videos.

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Animated Video Success Stories & Testimonials

“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

“My whole family and everyone on Facebook thinks you are amazing. My whole office is freaking out.”

Patricia Shields – Real Estate Agent

“I am beyond satisfied with my experience with Video Igniter. The first drafts of the work were almost exactly what I had in my head when developing the concept. After that each step along the way was seamless until arriving at a perfect finished product. And all this at a tremendous value. Anyone who has considered creating a marketing video should check out Video Igniter.” Anonymous Customer Feedback

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