Learn About Different Types Of Animation
Table of Contents
If you want to make an animated video but aren’t sure which type of animation to use, you’re in the right place! Video Igniter’s guide to animation styles explains the pros and cons of about the different types of animation you can use to create your video. Even if you’ve never managed a project before, this guide will answer all of your top questions including:
- What are the different types of animation?
- How long does it take to make different types of animation?
- What does it cost to make different types of animation?
All that, and more – including tips to help you save $1,000 or more off your production budget. But first, let’s take a look at examples of the types of animation Video Igniter can create for you:
Examples Of Different Types Of Animation
Video Igniter can make any type of animation for you. Below is a demo reel with a sampling of our favorite videos. For additional production samples, check out our animation portfolio or request access to our demo reels and price sheet.
Contact us or schedule a call to start making your video.
2D Animation Examples
3D Animation Examples
Cel Animation Examples
Whiteboard Animation Examples
Are you looking for different types of animation examples? 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.
What are the different types of animation?
Whiteboard Animation
Whiteboard animation is one of the cheapest types of animation you can hire someone to create. This type of animation looks like a person hand drawing images on a whiteboard in sync with a narrative voiceover. Sometimes, this style animation is produced using a real whiteboard and a human illustrator drawing on camera. Other times, the effect of drawing on a whiteboard is simulated by having images appear to be drawn into view while a stock photo of a hand holding a pen moves across a whiteboard.
Pros: whiteboard animations are a highly effective and low cost way to quickly produce video content that is engaging and helps get your point across.
Cons: There are limitations to what you can show. Additionally, the visual format may be perceived as “cheap” for certain brands.
2D Computer Animation
2D animation is the most popular type of animation used these days. Occasionally referred to as vector animation or motion graphics, this type of animation offers near limitless visual styles for your illustrations and the motion design used to animate your video. Some types of 2D animation can be quick and cheap to produce while others require larger budgets and more time to produce.
Pros: Excellent balance of professional, high-quality design techniques and affordability without requiring months and months of production.
Cons: Don’t get sucked into looking for the cheapest 2D animator. Low cost 2D animators are easy to find but their work will reflect poorly on your brand’s perception.
3D Computer Animation
3D animation is a high end visual format that’s typically reserved for feature length films and 3D visualizations for scientific, medical, chemical or structural content.
Pros: Visualize 3D objects with a high level of visual detail to make it easy for your viewers to understand complex topics.
Cons: Requires a large budget and months to produce.
Cel Animation
Cel animation, also referred to as traditional animation or hand drawn animation, is the style of animation you’re familiar with from your childhood. Saturday morning cartoons (and animated advertisements) from our youth were typically created by talented illustrators drawing and coloring each individual frame of video by hand.
This classic animation technique requires more time and a large budget to create compared to 2D computer animation. However, the fluidity of the motion design is the best and most artistic form of animation anyone can create. If you want to captivate your audience with visual eye candy that holds their attention, this is the route to go.
Pros: Beautiful and visually engaging content. This style of animation does the best job keeping your audience engaged.
Cons: Expensive and can take months to produce.
Deep Dive: Learn more about the different styles of animation.
Deeper Dive: How do I pick the right animated video style for my project?
How long does it take to make different types of animation?
For each of these types of animation, we will assume the video we are producing is 1 minute long.
Whiteboard Animation
Estimated production timeline: 2-4 weeks.
2D Computer Animation
Estimated production timeline: 4-6 weeks.
3D Computer Animation
Estimated production timeline: 10-15 weeks.
Hand Drawn Cel Animation
Estimated production timeline: 6-10 weeks.
Need to speed up production for an upcoming deadline? Video Igniter offers rush delivery animation to speed up the production process for all types of animation.
What does it cost to make different types of animation?
Whiteboard Animation
Sometimes this can be as little as $1,000 for a 60 second animation but it’s more likely to be between $1,500-$2,500/minute.
2D Computer Animation
Most types of 2D computer animated videos can be produced for $1,500-$7,500 for each 60-seconds of content we create for you.
3D Computer Animation
Simple forms of 3D animation can be produced for as little as $5,000 for a 60-second animation. However, most 3D animations will cost over $7,500-$10,000 for each minute of footage that’s created. To put this into perspective, high end animation studios like PIXAR create movies which cost over $1,000,000 to produce each minute of video.
Hand Drawn Cel Animation
Simpler versions of cel animation can be produced for about $7,500 for a 60-second video. However, it’s more likely that cel animation will cost over $10,000 for each minute of content that’s produced.
Budget Saving Tips For Different Types Of Animation
Combine these tips to save $1,000 or more off your production budget for all types of animation:
1). Write The Script
You can save $500 off the price of each minute of video we create for you – regardless of the type of animation, if you provide the script for the project. Download our script writing template for guidance to help you start writing your script.
2). Record The VoiceOver
You can save $25-$50 off the price of your voiceover if you record it yourself. If your project is a paid commercial project, this enables you to avoid paying an extra $100-$500 for commercial and broadcast rights to use the voiceover in your video. Watch 1:31 in this video to see how easy it is to record professional quality voiceovers at home for free.
3). Source Free Music
A simple soundtrack license is included in the price of making each type of animation. If you source a royalty free song to use in your video, we can deduct $25 from your production budget. If you plan to pay to promote your video for a commercial project, you will need to pay the extra cost for additional broadcast rights for the music. This can add $100-$400 (or more) to your production budget. If you source royalty free music from sites like Incompetech or Facebook’s sound collection, you don’t need to pay these extra music licensing costs.
4). Create The Storyboard
You can save an additional $500 off the price of each minute of video we create for you if you provide the storyboard for your project. Download our free storyboard template and review the included storyboard creation guide for tips to help you get started.
5). Start Production ASAP
Rush delivery can increase your production budget by 10%-50% for all types of animation. We recommend starting production as soon as possible so you can minimize or avoid paying extra for rush delivery. Schedule a call with our production team or send us a message to get the ball rolling today.
Still have questions about the different types of animation?
Do you have a question about the various types of 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.
Watch the demo reel below for examples of the kinds of animation our team can produce for you.
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.
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.
