How To Make An Animation
If you want to learn how to make an animation, you’re in the right place! Video Igniter Animation’s guide teaches you step by step what to expect when you hire an animated video production company to create a custom animated video for you. At the end, we’ve included some tips to help you save over $1,000 off the cost of making your animated video.
How To Make A Custom Video Animation?
Here we’re going to teach you how to make an animation. The production process goes step by step starting with the script and storyboard and ends with the final animation.
1). Project Kickoff
To get production started, we will schedule a kickoff call and or have you fill out this questionnaire so that we can understand the key details that need to be included in your animation. Here’s the info we’re looking for:
✅ What is the target audience for your animation?
✅ What visual style do you want to use for your animation?
✅ What are the main talking points that need to be conveyed in your animation?
✅ How long is your animation going to be?
✅ What do you want viewers to do after they watch your animation?
2). Write The Script
Now that we have an understanding of what needs to be communicated in your animation, our team will develop the first draft of the script for your video. We’ll review the script with you and collect your feedback. Then we will incorporate your edits and share the updated script with you to review and approve for production.
3). Make The Storyboard
After the script is approved, we can make the storyboard for your animation. The storyboard is the blueprint for your animation. It tells the illustrators and animators how to make your animation. Each sentence of your script is paired with a visual mockup and directions to explain what needs to be created and how everything should move for that specific part of your animation’s script. You get an opportunity to review the storyboard to request revisions and ensure it contains enough detail in the instructions for our production team to accurately create what you envision in your mind.
4). Record The VoiceOver
Our team will source multiple voiceover artists to audition for your animation’s narration. Give the auditions a listen and let us know which one you prefer. Then, we’ll oversee the recording of the full voiceover. You will get an opportunity to review the voiceover and request edits before approving the recording for your animation.
5). Create Illustrations
Video Igniter’s art director will develop custom concept art for your animation after reviewing your brand guidelines, storyboard and design trends that are used in digital communications for your target audience. Let the art director know which concept you prefer. You can work with our art director to refine your preferred visual concept until you love it!
After you’re thrilled with the approved concept art, our illustration team will make all of the custom illustrations for your animated video. You will get an opportunity to review all of the art and request edits before approving the art for production.
6). Review Soundtracks
Video Igniter’s sound team will select a handful of soundtracks to compliment and enhance the presentation of key moments in your animation. Let us know which soundtrack you prefer. Then, we’ll buy the broadcast license for that soundtrack so you can legally use that song in your animation.
7). Make Your Animation
Now that your script, storyboard, voiceover, illustrations and soundtrack are approved, we can make your animation! When the first draft is ready, we recommend giving it a detailed review with your team and members of your target audience. Collect everyone’s feedback and send it to us. We’ll incorporate your revisions and render out the final draft of your animation for you to start using.
Examples of Animations You Can Make With Video Igniter
Video Igniter can create any kind of 2D or 3D animated video for you. Check out our animation portfolio here. Request access to our demo reels and price sheet here. Contact us or schedule a call to start making your video.
How much does it cost to make an animation?
Animated video projects range from $1,000/minute to over $10,000,000 per minute for PIXAR-quality animation. Most 2D animated videos can be produced for $1,500-$10,000 per 60 seconds of animation. 3D animated videos tend to cost 2-4x more to produce.
The amount it costs to make an animation varies based on the following criteria:
✅ The length of your video.
✅ Are you providing the script and or storyboard – or are you hiring the animator to make those for you?
✅ The visual style used for your animation (2D, 3D or Cel Animation).
✅ The deadline for your project.
Want to figure out the production budget for your project? Get a quote for your animation.
How long does it take to make an animation?
Animations can take days, weeks, months or years to produce. To give you a better ballpark estimate, a 60-second 2D animated video can typically be produced in 3-6 weeks. 3D animated videos take 2-4x more time to produce. Production timelines vary based on the following criteria:
✅ The length of your video.
✅ Are you providing the script and or storyboard – or are you hiring the animator to make those for you?
✅ The visual style used for your video (2D, 3D or Cel Animation).
✅ The deadline for your project.
Need your animation produced fast for an upcoming deadline? Video Igniter offers a rush delivery animation service to speed up production.
How to save money when making an animation?
Here are 5 ideas that you can combine to save over $1,000 for each minute of video you want an animator to create:
Use free, legal music
Broadcast licenses for soundtracks can cost $100-$500 or more. You can shave that off your production budget by sourcing free, legal music from sites like Incompetech. If you are making a video for Facebook or Instagram, check out Facebook’s sound collection for free music you can use on their platforms.
Write the script for your animation
You can save time and money when making your animation by writing the script for your video instead of hiring Video Igniter to write it for you! Download our free script writing template to get started.
Record the voiceover for your animation
Did you know you can record professional quality voiceovers for free at home? That’s right! No expensive software or professional equipment needed. Just watch 1:31 in this video to see how you can record your own voiceover for free.
Make the storyboard for your animation
You can save even more time and money on the animation production process by making the storyboard for your video instead of hiring Video Igniter to create it for you. Download our storyboard creation template to get started. No artistic experience necessary – just document your ideas and we’ll turn them into a beautiful custom animated video.
Use pre-made stock assets
It may be possible to reduce part of your production budget by using pre-made assets rather than having our production team create everything from scratch. Consider using things like:
✅ Pre-made clip art/vector art
✅ Stock photos and videos
✅ Animated video templates
✅ Icons
✅ Text animations
✅ Pre-made 3D models
For more tips on how to make animation more affordable, check out Video Igniter’s guide to affordable animation.
How to get started making an animation?
Ready to begin production on your custom animation? Here are 5 ways you can get the ball rolling:
1). Schedule a call with our production team.
2). Get a quote for your video.
3). Request access to our current price sheet.
4). Fill out this questionnaire about your animation.
5). Send an email to Hello@VideoIgniter.com to discuss your project.
Still have questions about how to make an animation?
Do you have a question about how to make an 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.
We can help you create any kind of 2D or 3D animated video you can imagine. Check out our animated video portfolio!
Need help syndicating your animated video? Ask us about video promotion!
Watch our explainer video on our home page to learn more about how we can help you create an animated video. For examples of the kinds of animated videos our team can produce, check out the demo reel below:
Looking For An Animation Production Company In The U.S.?
Video Igniter is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.
Animation 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 with our production team to discuss your animated video project.
Get a quote for us to create your animated video.
Request access to our newest price sheet.
Create your Video Igniter account, fill out a creative brief for your video and we’ll begin production as soon as we receive your production deposit.
