Style Of Animation

Are you trying to figure out what style of animation you should use to create your animated video? If so, you’re in the right place! Video Igniter’s comprehensive guide to picking out the right style of animation for your video project will answer all of your top questions, including:

• What are the different styles of animation I can use to create my video?
• What are the pros and cons of each style of animation?
• How much does it cost to make each style of animation?
• How long does it take to make different styles of animation?

Answers to all those questions and more are coming up in this guide – including tips to help you save $1,000 or more off your production budget, regardless of which style of animation you want us to use to create your animated video.

What style of animation should I use for my video?

Looking at the big picture, most animation styles fall into 1 of 2 categories: 2D animation or 3D animation. In this article, we’re going to break things down even further so you can make an informed decision about which sub genre of 2D or 3D animation you should choose for your video project.

2D Animation Style Types

 

2D Cartoon Animation

2D cartoon animation is a broad category of animation that emulates a colorful, cartoonish style. This visual style used to be reserved for children’s shows but now it’s also used for adult animation and mainstream marketing campaigns.

• Pros: Cartoon style animations can be less expensive and quicker  to produce – as long as it isn’t made using hand drawn illustrations (more on that later).
• Cons: Generally isn’t applicable for B2B marketing campaigns because B2B marketing campaigns benefit from a clean, modern, non-cartoon animation style.

 

2D Vector Animation

2D vector animation is a modern, clean style of animation that tends to use colorful vector-based shapes, patterns and icons to convey a message. Vector animations can include animated characters. Animated infographic videos are typically made using 2D vector animation techniques.

• Pros: Clean and crisp modern style. Great for B2B sales and marketing videos.
• Cons: Typically lacks texture and rich visual detail because visuals are created using solid color vector shapes and icons.

 

2D Whiteboard Animation

Whiteboard animation is a style of animation created by filming someone drawing images on a whiteboard in sync with a voiceover that is explaining new information. Sometimes whiteboard animations are created on a computer by using an image of a hand holding a pen and simulating it moving around the screen to make it look like it’s drawing.

• Pros: Generally the least expensive form of 2D animation. Great for explaining concepts and new ideas.
• Cons: Whiteboard animations may not have the professional aesthetic needed for certain industries.

 

2D Motion Graphics

Motion graphics add motion design to static images. Often times motion graphics don’t include animated characters but they can be included. Great for explaining new information and showing how processes and user interfaces work.

• Pros: Great way to add life and interest to static image-based content you may have already created. It’s popular to mix motion graphics content with live action video content.
• Cons: Generally not the style of animation you want to use if your animation is going to include lots of visual detail or textures.

 

2D Hand Drawn Animation (aka Cel Animation)

If you really want to wow your audience, hand drawn animation (also known as cel animation) is likely the route you want to go. Hand drawn animation enables the animators to create detailed, fluid illustrations and animations. This style of animation is considered the original form of animation (think old school cartoons) and it can also be used to create more modern looking animation styles.

• Pros: Hand drawn 2D animation can be used to create almost any kind of visual you can imagine.
• Cons: This is the most expensive form of 2D animation and it takes about 2x as much time to create compared to other forms of 2D animation.

3D Animation Style Types

 

Photorealistic 3D Animation

Looking to create a photorealistic representation of a real world object or environment? This is the right option for you. 3D modelers will create photo-realistic visuals to show what something looks like and how it moves. Great for visualizing new things that are in development.

• Pros: Create photo realistic representations of product concepts and building designs.
• Cons: Requires a larger budget. The bigger the budget, the more photorealistic we can make your video.

 

3D Cartoon Animation

What if creating a PIXAR style animation is more of the style of animation you’re after? Video Igniter’s 3D animation production team is ready to help you tell a visually fun and delightful story for your viewers.

• Pros: It’s possible to visually create and show anything you want – including things that don’t exist and things that can’t be filmed with a video camera.
• Cons: Likely the most expensive style of animation to produce.

Need help deciding which style of animation is right for your video project? Schedule a call with our production team or use this page to send us a message.

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

Most styles of 2D animation take 4-6 weeks to create 60-seconds worth of video.

Hand drawn 2D cel-animation takes about 2x-4x more time to complete.

All forms of 3D animation will take 2x-4x longer to create 1 minute of video compared to making a 2D animation.

If you need to speed up the production process, send us a message and ask about rush delivery for your video.

How much does it cost to make each style of animation?

If you want to use a 2D style of animation for your video project, it will likely cost between $1,500-$7,500 to create 1 minute worth of animation.

2D cel animation and 3D animation will require a budget that is at least 2x-4x larger.

Looking for a quote for your animation? Here are 4 ways you can get a quote:

1). Fill out this questionnaire.

2). Schedule a call with our production team.

3). Send us a message.

4). Request access to Video Igniter’s price page.

How to save money on your production budget, regardless of which style of animation you choose.

Combine these tips to save $1,000 or more off the cost of your production budget, regardless of which style of animation is used to create your video.

1). Record The VoiceOver

Feeling like recording the voiceover for your animation? We’ll deduct voiceover recording and licensing costs from your production budget.

2). Write The Script

If you provide the script for your animation, you can save $500 off the price of each minute of animation we create for you. Download our free script writing template for help writing your script.

3). Use Free (Legal) Music

If you have access to music we can legally use in your animation, send it our way and we’ll remove music licensing costs from your production budget.

4). Create The Storyboard

You can save an additional $500 off the price of each minute of video we create for you if you create the storyboard for your animation. Download our free template to see how easy it is to create a storyboard.

5). Start Production ASAP

Rush delivery will increase your production budget by 10%-25% or more, regardless of which style of animation we use to create your video. To minimize paying extra for your animation, send us a message or schedule a call with our production team as soon as possible.

Production Resources To Help Choose The Right Style Of Animation

These resources are popular among people trying to decide which style of animation they should use to create their animated video:

How To Make A Hand Drawn Animation With Video Igniter

Learn About Different Types Of Animation

9 Things To Look For When Choosing An Animation Studio

Still have questions about the style of animation for your project?

Do you have a question about picking the right style of animation for your project 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.