Learn The Animation Production Workflow To Make Animated Videos

So, you want to make an animated video, but you have no clue what the animation production workflow is like. This article will give you a breakdown of what the process of making an animated video is like so that you have an idea of what all the animation phases are and how they relate to each other.  This animation step by step guide to getting your idea turned into a custom animated video covers everything from Pre-Production to Production and all the way through Post-Production.

If you have a question about how to make animations that isn’t answered in this article, you can use our contact form to ask your question or click the image below to with a member of our production team:

Steps for the 2D animation production workflow:

Pre-Production:

1). What do you want to make?

2). Identifying an animator or studio

3). Agree on price & production terms

4). Start Production With a Production Brief

Production:

5). Script

6). Storyboard

7). Voiceover

8). Music 

9). Design

10). Animation + Polish / SFX

Post-Production:

11). Follow through / using your video / AB Testing

3D Animation:

12). Animatic (for 3D animation + VO may happen after)

Animation Pre-Production Workflow:

1). What do you want to make?

The first stage in animation is to figure out what kind of animated video you want to make. Is this going to be a short piece? Or a full on animated movie? What do you want people to feel, experience and do after they watch your video? These are the kinds of things you want to think about first so that you know what kind of animation freelancer or studio would be best suited to produce your animated video. 

Estimated time: hours, days or weeks

 

2). Identifying an animator or studio

After you’ve thought about what it is you’re actually looking for, take some time to shop around for animation freelancers or animation studios that have experience producing the kind of animation you are looking for. Reach out to them to schedule a call to discuss their creative process, animation production workflow, pricing, and request portfolio samples to ensure they can produce content similar to what you are looking for.

Deep Dive: How to hire a 2D animation company.

Estimated time: Days to weeks

 

3). Agree on price & production terms

Quality animated videos cost $1000-$25,000+ per minute for 2D animated videos and $5,000-$50,000+ for 3D animated videos. Before you move forward with any animation steps, make sure you and your animators are on the same page in terms of what the total estimated budget will be and whether or not it will cost extra if you request more than a round or two of edits. Most animators and studios require 25-50% of the budget to be paid up front. Check with them to see if there are any other production terms you should be aware of – including their policy on the # of revisions you get.

Estimated time: Hours or days.

 

Animation Production Workflow:

4). Start Production With A Production Brief

The next step of the animation production process is to document all your thoughts and ideas to share with the animation team so that they have as much information as possible when they create your script, storyboard and the custom art for your video. Include notes about your ideas for the script, the visuals and what kinds of people will be watching your video.

Estimated time: Hours or days

5). Script

The script is the foundation for the rest of the animated video production workflow. It determines the overall length (and cost) of your video and what visuals will need to be created and animated in sync with the voiceover acting or narration. For reference, a 150 word script equals about one minute of video.

Estimated time: Days to weeks

6). Storyboard

The storyboard provides blueprints for the design and animation team so that they know what to create during the animation process. Each slide of the storyboard should have a sentence from your script, a rough sketch or mockup of what you want to show in the scene, a list of the assets (audio and visual) that need to be created for this scene, and some bullet points to describe the order of operations of the animation/motion that happens on screen. 

Estimated time: Days to weeks

7). VoiceOver

To get a great voiceover for your video, include notes with your script that tell the voiceover artist what kind of energy you want them to use,  how to pronounce difficult words and what sort of pacing they should use. Send your script to multiple voiceover artists and have them record a few sentences so that you can hear and feel how impactful their delivery will be. Once you’ve narrowed it down to your favorite voiceover artist, have them record the full voiceover and review it to see if it needs any slight tweaks. Before you approve the final draft of your voiceover, make sure you are paying for the proper commercial rights (if applicable) to use your voiceover.

Estimated time: Several days to a week.

8). Music 

One of the steps in creating an animation that you don’t want to outlook is carefully selecting the right soundtrack. Music influences the perception of every scene in your video. It sets the mood and enhances viewer perception of your content. Take some time to listen to many different options before making your decision. Sometimes you’ll need to wait until the first draft of your video is ready to get a sense of how the music actually enhances or detracts from your animated video. Other times, studios may select a handful of tracks for you to choose from and let you pick your favorite option. Either way, make sure that the music you use is properly licensed for the places you plan to show your video. Oftentimes, music requires a commercial license if you plan to use the music in a video for paid ads or on your website. 

Estimated time: Days

9). Design

Reviewing art is one of the most exciting phases of the animated video production process. Typically, the animation and design team you work with will create multiple pieces of concept art for you to review. You should pick out your favorites and let the designers know what you like best about them – and what details you may want to refine further. After the designer has perfected one scene in the style of your choosing, they will create the rest of the art for your video and then give you an opportunity to review the art and ask for edits. Ensure you are happy with the style of your art before you move forward with the next animation step in order to avoid extra production costs.

Estimated time: 1-2 weeks for a 1-2 minute long 2D animated video

10). Animation + Polish / Sound Effects

Now that all the prep work is done, the animators are finally at the part of the animation production workflow where they start applying motion to the custom designed art and sync it to the voiceover and music. Typically, animation studios will allow you to review the first draft and request 1-2 rounds of simple edits while they add sound effects and additional visual touch ups.

Estimated time: 1-2 weeks for 1 minute of 2D animation, 2-4 weeks for frame-by-frame animation, and 2-4+ weeks for 3D animation.

Animation Post-Production Workflow:

11). Follow Through & Using Your Video

Now that you’ve made it through all the steps of creating an animated video, it’s time to start showing it to people.  If you are using your video for commercial or marketing purposes, we recommend creating alternate intros and ending CTAs (call to action) so that you can A/B test different variations improve the overall conversion rate of your animated video. 

Estimated time: weeks to months

Bonus Stage For 3D Animation:

12). Animatic (for 3D animation)

The 3D animation production workflow usually has an extra step called an animatic – it’s like an ultra rough draft of your animated video composed of static images that are played in sync with the existing voiceover. The purpose of this is to ensure the animation will have the right timing before animators spend time animating. This is particularly useful to gauge the speed for comedic timing and emotional draw.

Estimated Time: days to weeks

Tips for Successful Collaboration

Animation production is a collaborative process that requires input from multiple stakeholders, including you (the client), creative directors, animators, voice talent, and more. To ensure your project stays on track and meets expectations, here are a few tips for a successful collaboration:

• Clear Communication: Set the foundation for a smooth workflow by ensuring everyone understands the project’s vision and objectives from the start. Create a shared project brief that outlines the goals, tone, style, and key deliverables to align all parties involved.
• Feedback Loops: During the review stages, provide constructive feedback and be as specific as possible. This will help avoid misunderstandings or unnecessary revisions later in the process. Also, make sure feedback comes from the right stakeholders to prevent conflicting directions.
• Realistic Timelines: Establish timelines early in the process and agree on deadlines for each phase of production. Consider the time needed for revisions and approvals. Proactive planning ensures that everyone’s expectations around time and scope are clear.

How Long Does the Animation Production Process Take?

One of the most common questions clients ask is:

“How long does it take to turn an idea into an animated video?”

The answer depends on the length, complexity, animation style, and approval process.

While every project is unique, most professional animated video projects follow a timeline similar to the one below:

Production Stage	Typical Timeline
Creative Brief	1-3 Days
Script Writing	2-10 Days
Storyboarding	3-10 Days
Voiceover Recording	2-7 Days
Design & Illustration	1-3 Weeks
Animation	1-4 Weeks
Revisions	3-10 Days
Final Delivery	1-3 Days

A simple 60-second motion graphics video may be completed in as little as 2-4 weeks.

A more complex character animation project may take 6-12 weeks or longer.

Large-scale productions such as animated television series, feature films, or extensive e-learning programs can take months or even years to complete.

The biggest factor affecting production timelines is often not the animation itself but the speed of stakeholder reviews and approvals. Fast feedback helps projects move quickly through each stage of production.

How Different Animation Styles Impact the Production Workflow

Not all animation projects follow exactly the same workflow.

Different animation styles require different levels of planning, design, and production effort.

Motion Graphics Animation

Motion graphics projects typically focus on:

• Typography
• Icons
• Charts
• Data visualization
• User interface demonstrations

Because motion graphics often use simpler visual elements, they generally move through production faster than character-driven animations.

2D Character Animation

Character animation introduces additional production requirements such as:

• Character design
• Facial expressions
• Lip synchronization
• Character rigging
• Character acting

These additional elements increase production time but can create stronger emotional engagement with viewers.

Whiteboard Animation

Whiteboard animation often requires:

• Script development
• Scene planning
• Illustration
• Hand-drawing simulation

Although visually simple, effective whiteboard animations still require detailed planning and storyboarding.

3D Animation

3D animation introduces additional production phases such as:

• Modeling
• Texturing
• Rigging
• Lighting
• Rendering
• Compositing

Because of these additional technical requirements, 3D animation projects often take longer and cost more than comparable 2D projects.

The Importance of Revisions During Animation Production

Many people assume revisions are a sign that something went wrong during production.

In reality, revisions are an essential part of the animation workflow.

Every major production milestone should include a review phase where stakeholders can provide feedback before production continues.

Typical review stages include:

Script Review

This is your opportunity to ensure the messaging is clear and aligned with your goals.

Storyboard Review

This stage confirms that the visuals accurately represent your vision before designers begin creating artwork.

Design Review

Stakeholders review the illustration style, color palette, and overall visual direction.

Animation Review

This is where motion, pacing, timing, and visual effects are evaluated.

Reviewing each stage carefully helps avoid expensive changes later in the production process.

For example, changing a sentence in a script is easy.

Changing an entire animated sequence after animation is complete can be costly and time-consuming.

How AI Is Changing the Animation Production Workflow

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how animation projects are planned and produced.

Today, AI tools can assist with:

• Brainstorming concepts
• Writing script drafts
• Generating storyboard ideas
• Creating visual references
• Producing temporary voiceovers
• Generating mood boards
• Creating concept art

These tools can dramatically accelerate pre-production.

However, AI still requires human creative direction.

Successful animated videos depend on strong storytelling, strategic messaging, and a deep understanding of the audience. These are areas where experienced producers, writers, designers, and animators continue to provide significant value.

Many modern studios now use AI to speed up repetitive tasks while allowing creative professionals to focus on higher-value work such as storytelling, design, and animation quality.

How to Prepare Before Starting an Animation Project

Clients who invest time preparing for production typically experience faster timelines, lower costs, and better results.

Before contacting an animation studio, consider answering these questions:

What is the goal of the video?

Are you trying to:

• Generate leads?
• Increase sales?
• Explain a product?
• Train employees?
• Educate customers?
• Raise awareness?

Who is the target audience?

Understanding your audience influences:

• Script tone
• Visual style
• Voiceover selection
• Animation pacing
• Music choices

Where will the video be used?

Distribution channels can influence production decisions.

Examples include:

• Website homepage
• YouTube
• Social media
• Television
• Trade shows
• Email campaigns
• Sales presentations

What action should viewers take?

Every successful animated video should include a clear call-to-action (CTA).

Examples include:

• Schedule a demo
• Request a quote
• Make a purchase
• Download a guide
• Visit a website
• Contact your sales team

Answering these questions before production begins helps ensure the project stays focused and effective.

Why the Animation Production Workflow Matters

The animation production workflow exists for a reason.

Each stage builds upon the previous stage.

The script influences the storyboard.

The storyboard influences the artwork.

The artwork influences the animation.

The animation influences the final viewer experience.

Skipping steps or rushing approvals can create expensive problems later in production.

A well-structured workflow helps:

• Reduce production costs
• Minimize revisions
• Improve communication
• Increase efficiency
• Produce better creative work
• Deliver stronger marketing results

Whether you’re creating a 30-second social media advertisement, a SaaS explainer video, a healthcare animation, an employee training course, or a television commercial, following a structured animation production workflow dramatically increases the likelihood of a successful outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Animation Production Workflow

What is the first step in animation production?

The first step is defining your goals and determining what type of animated video you want to create.

Can I skip the storyboard phase?

Technically yes, but doing so often leads to confusion, additional revisions, and higher production costs.

What is the most important stage of animation production?

Many professionals consider scripting and storyboarding the most important stages because they establish the foundation for everything that follows.

How many revisions should I expect?

Most animation projects include multiple review rounds throughout production. The exact number depends on your agreement with the studio.

What causes animation projects to go over budget?

The most common causes include scope creep, unclear project requirements, excessive revisions, and significant changes after production has already begun.

Can animation production be completed remotely?

Yes. Modern animation studios frequently work with clients around the world using video conferencing, cloud collaboration tools, online review platforms, and project management software.

Common Pitfalls in Animation Production

While animation production is an exciting and creative process, there are several common challenges that can arise. Here are some pitfalls to watch out for and how to avoid them:

• Scope Creep: As the project evolves, it’s easy for the scope to expand, whether due to new ideas, additional features, or changes in direction. To prevent this, make sure to clearly define the scope at the beginning and agree on the parameters for revisions. If changes need to be made, discuss how they may impact timeframes and budgets.
• Miscommunication: Misunderstanding between the team and the client about project goals or expectations can derail progress. To avoid this, keep communication open and regular. It’s helpful to summarize meetings with action points or next steps in writing, so nothing gets lost in translation.
• Unrealistic Timelines: Underestimating how long a project will take can lead to stress and subpar results. Ensure that timelines account for each stage of the process, from ideation and scripting to animation and final revisions. Be realistic about how much time will be required to deliver a polished, high-quality product.

Animation Production Cost Breakdown

Animation production costs can vary based on several factors. Here’s a general breakdown of what might influence pricing:

• Style of Animation: 2D animation is generally more affordable than 3D animation. However, 2D animation can be complex depending on the level of detail, so it’s important to define your needs early on. Motion graphics tend to be more cost-effective compared to full character animation.
• Video Length: Longer videos require more time for both animation and revisions, so they tend to cost more. Short, punchy videos (30-60 seconds) are more affordable, but for complex storytelling, longer formats may be necessary.
• Level of Detail: Highly detailed visuals, intricate motion designs, or 3D elements will increase production time and cost. If you need a high-end, hyper-realistic design, be prepared for a higher budget.
• Number of Revisions: The more rounds of revisions, the higher the cost. Try to consolidate feedback to minimize revisions and streamline the process. Some animators charge a flat rate for a set number of revisions, while others may charge hourly rates for extra work. You can read about Video Igniter’s unlimited revisions policy here.

Post-Production Tips

Once your animation is complete, it’s time for the finishing touches. Here are a few key post-production tips to elevate your animation:

• Editing: Review the animation for pacing and flow. The timing of keyframes, transitions, and effects needs to align with the video’s message. Consider tightening any unnecessary moments for maximum impact.
• Sound Design: Audio plays a critical role in animation. Music, sound effects, and voiceovers should complement the visuals and help communicate the tone of the piece. Use royalty-free music or hire a composer to ensure you have the rights to the music.
• Color Grading: Enhance the animation’s visual appeal with color grading. This process can make the colors more vibrant or subtle, depending on the tone you’re aiming for. It also ensures that your animation looks polished across different viewing devices.
• Exporting for Platforms: If the animation is being shared on different platforms (social media, website, etc.), be sure to export the video in various formats and sizes to ensure it plays smoothly. For instance, a square version of the video might work best for Instagram, while a landscape format is ideal for YouTube.

Animation Production Workflow Resources

Now that you understand what the animation production workflow is like, here are some additional resources to help you get your idea turned into a custom animation:

• What are the animated video payment terms for my project?
• How to make video animations
• How long does it take to animate a 1 minute video?
• How much does animation cost?

What is Video Igniter Animation?

If you have any questions about making an animated video or the animation production workflow, with a member of Video Igniter’s production team. Check out our animated video portfolio to see our latest and greatest creations.

Interested in learning about pricing for your explainer video project? Request access to our pricing page here.

Animated Video Demo Reel