How We Make Animated Videos: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

If you want to learn how to make animated videos, you’re in the right place! In the age of digital media, animated videos have emerged as a powerful communication tool. This article will guide you through the process of how we make animated videos so that you can have an understanding of what’s involved before you get production started on your animated video.

Preparing To Make Your Animated Video

Hiring an animator is an important step when you make an animated video. But before you get production started, here are the important things to think through before you begin making your animated video:

Define Your Objective

An animated video is as effective as the objective it serves. This objective could range from raising brand awareness, promoting a product or service, or telling a compelling story. Having a clear objective will guide the creative process and ensure that your video resonates with your audience.

Identify Your Target Audience

Understanding your target audience’s preferences, interests, and needs is critical to the success of your animated video. Be specific about who your audience is in order to identify their likes and dislikes, and tailor your video accordingly. The more your video aligns with your audience’s interests, the more engaging it will be.

Craft Your Script

The script is the backbone of your animated video. It should be concise, engaging, and have a clear call to action. A well-structured script includes an introduction, a body where the main message is conveyed, and a conclusion that wraps up the video and prompts the viewer to take action.

Don’t feel like writing your script? Don’t worry, our professional animation team can write your script for you!

Examples of Animated Videos 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 to schedule a call start making your video.

Are you looking for an example of a different style of animation? Send us a message to let us know what kind of animation example you want to see and we will follow up with relevant production samples.

 

How To Make Animated Videos

Time to learn how to make animated videos. The production process includes 6 major deliverables. You get an opportunity to review each of them and request edits before moving on to the next stage of production.

1. Choose the Right Animated Video Producer

The first step in making your animated video is selecting the right producer. Look for a producer who understands your vision, has a proven track record, and is capable of delivering high-quality videos that meet your objectives.

Take a look at our portfolio to see our latest and greatest creations.

2. Project Kick Off Call

 

Once you’ve chosen a producer, set up a kick-off call to discuss your project in detail. This is your opportunity to clarify your objectives, target audience, explain the visual style you want to use for the video and any specific requirements for the video.

3. Write Your Script

With your objectives and audience in mind, begin crafting your script. Remember to keep it simple and engaging, using a language that resonates with your viewers. This guide includes examples and explains how to write the script for your video.

Don’t feel like writing your script? Our team is happy to step in and write your script for you.

4. Create Your Storyboard

A storyboard is a visual representation of your script and tells the illustrators and animators what they should create (download our storyboard template here). It consists of a series of sketches or illustrations that show how the story unfolds. This step is crucial in visualizing your video and ensuring that all elements align with your objectives.

Don’t want create the storyboard for your video? No worries – our team can make it for you.

5. Record The VoiceOver

Whether you choose a professional voice actor or record it yourself, ensure that the tone and energy of the voiceover is clear, engaging and enhances the message of your video. Our team can audition voiceover talent and let you select your favorite artist(s) to submit recordings for your video.

6. Selecting Music and SFX

Music and sound effects (SFX) add depth and emotion to your video. We’ll choose music and SFX that complement your video’s tone and mood, and help to convey your message more effectively.

7. Create Concept Art and Illustrations

Our art director develops concept art for your video. You select your favorite one and refine the details til you love it. Then, our illustration team creates all of the custom art for your video and gives you a chance to request edits before you approve the art for production.

8. Animate Your Video

This is where your video comes to life. The animation process involves transforming your storyboard, voiceover, music, and illustrations into a dynamic and engaging video. We’ll send you the first draft as soon as it’s ready. You get the opportunity to review the video and request edits.

How To Keep Costs Down When Making Animated Videos?

Here are 5 quick tips to help you keep your video production costs down when you hire an animated video production company:

✅ Write the script for your animated video. Download our free script writing template here.

✅ Create the storyboard for your animated video instead of hiring someone to create it for you. Download our free storyboard template here.

✅ Use free, legal music in your video. For Facebook and Instagram videos, check out the Facebook Sound Collection. If you’re displaying your video on TV or other platforms you can use free music from Incompetech (as long as you credit the artist).

✅ Use text, icons, clip art, stock footage, and pre-created 3D models in your video. Using pre-created assets can sometimes help lower your production budget.

✅ Record the voiceover for your animated video. Watch our video to learn how you can record professional quality voiceovers at home or in the office for free!

How much does it cost to make animated videos?

Check out our current price sheet here.

Most 2D animated videos can be made for $1500-$10,000 for each minute of content that’s being created. 3D animated videos cost 2-4x more to produce.

Get a quote for your animated video.

How long does it take to make an animated video?

A 60 second 2D animated video can be created in 3-6 weeks depending on the complexity of the animation. 3D animated videos take 2-4x more time to produce. Longer videos can take months or a year to produce. If you need to speed up production to meet a deadline, rush delivery animation is available.

Want to figure out how long it will take to make your animated video? Send us a message or schedule a call.

Deep Dive: Check out this companion article for a deep dive that answers the question: How Long Does It Take To Animate A 1 Minute Video?

What To Consider After You Make Your Animated Video

Making an animated video doesn’t end when the animation is approved. If you want your video to perform well across different channels, it’s important to think about how the finished animation will be delivered, adapted, and used after production. Planning these details before you make an animated video can save time and prevent expensive revisions later.

Choose the Right Video Format for Each Platform

One animated video may need to be adapted into several different formats depending on where you plan to publish it. A video created for a website or YouTube may work best in a traditional horizontal format, while social media platforms often favor vertical or square videos.

When you make animated videos for multiple platforms, consider creating versions such as:

• 16:9 horizontal for websites, YouTube, presentations, and television
• 9:16 vertical for TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and other mobile-first platforms
• 1:1 square for certain social media feeds
• Short cutdowns for paid advertising, social posts, and promotional campaigns

It is usually more efficient to plan these versions before animation begins. Your animator can design compositions, text, characters, and other visual elements so they can be adapted to different aspect ratios without rebuilding the entire video.

Make Animated Videos That Work Without Sound

Many people watch videos in environments where they cannot or do not want to use audio. This makes it important to consider how much of your message depends on the voiceover.

Adding captions or subtitles can make your animated video more accessible and easier to understand when the sound is turned off. Important information should also be communicated visually rather than relying exclusively on narration.

When you make animated videos for social media or advertising, consider creating a version with burned-in captions as well as a clean master that can support platform-specific subtitle files.

Plan for Accessibility

Accessibility should be considered during production rather than treated as something to add at the very end. Animated videos can be made easier to understand by using readable typography, appropriate contrast, clear visual hierarchy, and captions.

Avoid putting important information in extremely small text or displaying important details so quickly that viewers cannot reasonably read them. If your video is intended for education, training, healthcare, government, or other accessibility-conscious environments, discuss accessibility requirements with your animation producer before production begins.

Planning accessibility from the beginning can also improve the viewing experience for everyone, not just viewers who require accommodations.

Consider Localization and Multiple Languages

If your animated video will be used internationally, think about localization before the animation is completed. Translating an existing video can involve more than replacing the voiceover.

Different languages can require different amounts of space for on-screen text. Some languages may also require different typography, reading directions, or changes to graphics and layouts. A voiceover may need to be recorded again with a different narrator, and animated scenes may need to be adjusted to accommodate the translated script.

If you know that you will eventually need multiple language versions, tell your animation team before production begins. The original project can then be designed with localization in mind, potentially making future versions faster and less expensive to produce.

Request the Right Final Deliverables

Before you make an animated video, determine exactly what files you will need when production is complete. A single finished MP4 may not be enough for every marketing or communication need.

Depending on the project, you may want to request:

• A high-resolution master video
• Web-optimized video files
• Social media versions
• Vertical and square versions
• Captioned or subtitled versions
• Shorter cutdowns
• Thumbnail images or still frames
• Versions with and without text
• Different language versions

You should also discuss whether project files or editable source assets will be provided. This depends on the agreement you have with your animation producer, so clarify ownership and delivery terms before production starts.

Think About How You Will Measure Results

The best animated video is not necessarily the one with the most impressive visuals. It is the one that accomplishes the purpose it was created for.

Before you make animated videos for marketing, sales, education, or internal communications, determine how you will evaluate success. Depending on the project, useful measurements could include video views, watch time, completion rate, click-through rate, conversions, lead generation, engagement, training completion, or sales-team usage.

For example, an animated product video on a landing page may be evaluated based on whether it helps increase conversions. An employee training animation may be more effectively measured by comprehension or course completion.

Defining the measurement criteria in advance gives your animation team a clearer understanding of what the video needs to accomplish.

Plan for Repurposing Your Animated Video

A well-produced animation can often be used in more places than originally planned. Instead of creating one video for one campaign, consider how the underlying creative assets could support additional marketing and communication efforts.

A longer animated video could potentially be turned into several short social clips. Individual scenes could become presentation graphics, website illustrations, advertisements, or sales enablement content. Still images from the animation may also be useful for thumbnails, blog posts, email campaigns, and other digital marketing materials.

If you expect to reuse your animation, tell your production team before work begins. Designing the project with repurposing in mind can make it easier to create additional content later.

Should You Use AI to Make Animated Videos?

AI tools can now assist with many parts of the animation process, including brainstorming, concept development, image generation, voiceover, editing, and production assistance. However, AI-generated content is not automatically the best choice for every animated video.

For projects that require a consistent brand identity, custom illustrations, precise storytelling, product accuracy, or extensive revisions, a professional animation team may provide greater creative control. AI can also be incorporated as a production tool while keeping human artists, animators, and creative directors responsible for the final result.

When deciding how to make animated videos, consider the importance of originality, consistency, editability, brand control, and the intended use of the finished video—not simply how quickly a tool can generate an animation.

Ultimately, making a successful animated video requires more than producing attractive visuals. The strongest projects consider the viewing platform, accessibility, localization, deliverables, performance goals, and future uses before animation begins. By planning these factors early, you can create an animated video that is more useful, adaptable, and effective long after the initial production is complete.

Wrap Up

Creating an animated video involves careful planning, creativity, and a clear understanding of your objectives and audience. Whether you’re a brand looking to boost awareness, an educator aiming to simplify complex topics, or a storyteller wanting to bring your narrative to life, animated videos can help you achieve your goals. Contact Video Igniter today to help you make your animated video and unleash your creativity.

Production Resources To Help Make Animated Videos

These resources are popular among people researching and reading about how to make animated videos:

How To Make Memorable Animated Commercials

Animated Video Production FAQ

Video Igniter – The Animated Video Production Service Of The Future

Custom Animated Video FAQ

Still have questions about how to make animated videos?

Do you have a question about making animated 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. 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 animated video or 3D animation you can imagine. Check out our animated video portfolio!

Watch our explainer video on our home page to learn more about how we can help you create an animated video. For examples of the kinds of animation our team can produce, check out the demo reel below:

 

Looking For An 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.

Get a custom quote for your animated video and our production team will follow up with next steps.