Explainer Animation: How Video Igniter Creates Explainer Videos

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If you’re looking for a way to make an explainer animation, you’re in the right place! Video Igniter’s animated video production service is perfect for getting your idea turned into a custom made explainer animation – no video production experience needed on your end.

But how does it work? How does Video Igniter turn my idea into a custom animated explainer video? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll answer that question and more. Read on to learn:

How Video Igniter can make your explainer animation for you.
What does it cost to make an explainer animation?
How long does it take to make an explainer animation?
What kinds of explainer animations can Video Igniter make?

We’ll also explain how you can save 10%-25% or more off your production budget! But first, let’s take a look at examples of explainer animations that Video Igniter can make for you:

Explainer Animation 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.

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 explainer animation with Video Igniter?

Video Igniter will guide you through these 7 steps to help you get your idea turned into a custom explainer animation:

1). Get A Quote

The first thing you need to do when you want to make an explainer animation is to evaluate your production options. This means reaching out and contacting several animation production companies to evaluate which producer is the best fit for your project and goals.

In addition to reviewing each company’s animation portfolio, we recommend you schedule a call with our production team or send us a message to get a quote for your explainer animation.

Once you’ve selected a producer for your project, notify them you’re ready to move forward. You will receive a production agreement to sign and an invoice for the first 50% of your production budget.

2). Script

Now that production is underway, Video Igniter’s copywriters will send you questions or meet with you virtually to learn about your target audience and the key messages you want to include in your explainer animation.

You will receive a link to a digital copy of your script which you can share with your team. Have everyone add their comments directly to the script and let us know when all the feedback is in.

Our writers will revise your script and share the 2nd draft with you to review and approve. If additional edits are needed, we’ll continue to work with you to revise and refine your script until it’s perfect.

3). Storyboard

Next, we turn your script into a storyboard. The storyboard functions like a blueprint for your explainer animation – it tells the illustrators and animators exactly what to create.

Each page of the storyboard includes a sentence from your script, a sketch or mockup of the scene and a list of instructions that explains what is going to happen on screen.

You will receive a digital copy of the storyboard to review with your team. Add your feedback directly to the storyboard. If there’s a scene you want us to change, let us know! We’ll integrate your revisions and share the updated draft of the storyboard with you to review and approve.

4). VoiceOver

After the storyboard is approved, we’ll select a handful of voiceover auditions for your explainer animation. Give them a listen and let us know which one is your favorite. We’ll hire that person to record the full narration for your video. You’ll get a chance to listen to the full recording and request edits, if needed.

5). Soundtrack

You will also receive a selection of soundtrack options to listen to. Let us know which one is your favorite and we’ll acquire the appropriate license(s) so we can legally use it in your explainer animation.

6). Illustrations

Now we start getting to the fun part – creating the art for your video!

To get this started, Video Igniter’s art director will review your brand guidelines and style references. Then, they’ll create multiple pieces of concept art based off scenes from your storyboard.

When you review the concept art, share your honest feedback with the art director. Let them know what you like and dislike about each concept. This way, they can revise and polish your favorite visual concept until it’s perfect.

Then, the art director will oversee a team of illustrators who will create all of the custom art for your explainer animation. You will get an opportunity to review all of the art and request revisions before we animate your explainer.

7). Animation

Once all your assets are approved, it’s time to make your animated explainer!

Animation takes about 1 week to create each minute of video.

When the first draft is ready, you will receive a link to share the video with your team. We also recommend sharing the video with members of your target audience to get their feedback.

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

What does it cost to make an explainer animation?

2D explainer animations cost between $1,500-$7,500 to make each minute of video content. High end forms of animation that are created with hand drawn illustrations cost between $7,500-$25,000 to create each minute of content.

3D animated explainer videos cost between $5,000-$25,000 to make each minute of video content.

Get a quote for your explainer animation or schedule a call to discuss your video project with our production team.

How long does it take to make an explainer animation?

2D animated explainers take about 4-6 weeks to create a 1-2 minute video.

Hand drawn animation and 3D animation take 2-4x more time to complete.

Rush delivery is available if you want to speed up the production process.

Want to discuss your production timeline with a member of our production team? Schedule a call.

Explainer Animation Budget Saving Tips

Combine these tips to save $1,000 or more off the cost of making your explainer animation:

1). Use Free Legal Music

Do you have access to free, legal music that we can use in your explainer animation? If so, we can deduct music licensing costs from your budget which could potentially save you hundreds or thousands of dollars off your production cost.

Looking for a place to find free, royalty-free music? Check out Incompetech and Facebook’s sound collection.

2). Write The Script

Writing the script for your explainer animation can save you $500 off the price of each minute of video content we make for you. Need help writing the script for your explainer? Download our script writing template.

3). Record The VoiceOver

Does someone at your company want to record the voiceover narration for your explainer animation? If so, we can deduct voiceover recording and licensing costs from your production budget which can save you at least $50-$100 off your production budget.

Not sure how to record a professional quality voiceover? Watch 1:31 in this video to see how you can record professional quality voiceovers at home for free – no need to buy any expensive equipment or professional software.

4). Create The Storyboard

You can save an additional $500 off the cost of each minute of video we create for you if you make the storyboard for your explainer animation.

Download our storyboard template and review the included storyboard creation guide to see how easy it is to make your own storyboard.

5). Start Production ASAP

Rush delivery is available if you need to speed up the production process – but it can add 10%-25% or more to your production budget. If you want to minimize or avoid paying extra for rush delivery, we recommend you start production as soon as possible. Schedule a call with our production team or send us a message to start the discussion today.

Explainer Animation Production Resources

These resources are popular among people reading and researching about how to make an explainer animation:

How To Make Animations
How To Hire And Work With Animation Studios
Explainer Video Examples & How To Make One

Still have questions about explainer animations?

Do you have a question about explainer animations 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.

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

Alex Novick – Founder, Sproutly.com

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

Clair Simpson – VP Marketing, Repool.com

“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.