How To Create And Use Video Animation

Video animation is an incredible tool for getting your message out to a large audience in a way that people will pay attention, understand and remember what was said. In this article, we answer the most commonly asked questions about video animation including:

• How can I use video animation to grow my business?
• How to make an animated video?
• How to find the right animator for my video?
• What it costs to make an animate video?
• How to find the right animator/studio for my project.
• …and more!

Examples of Video Animations You Can Get From 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.

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 can I use video animation to grow my business?

There are many ways video animation can help you grow your business. Here are some of the main benefits video animation can deliver for your company:

Increase awareness

Video animations are a delight to watch and fun to share with people. Eye catching colorful thumbnails make these videos stand out in the ocean of live-action Internet videos and makes people more likely to click play.

Retain viewers

Videos of people talking on camera get boring, fast! And viewers tune out quickly. It’s hard to pay attention to someone blabbing on camera for more than a few seconds. By interspersing your shots with b-roll and animated video sequences, you give viewers’ attention something new to latch on to which keeps them engaged longer.

Generate leads and close sales

Landing pages with video animations on them help increase the conversion rate of that page. Whether it’s a sales page or a landing page to generate new leads, animated marketing content can help you improve your business outcomes.

Makes it easy for people to understand something new

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Animate the details of that picture and you can supercharge people’s understanding of something new – even if you aren’t using words at all! Animated videos can be used to visualize new concepts and ideas by creating visual metaphors and moving the elements around so people can understand the topic and how all its elements relate to one another.

Makes it easy for people to remember content

Creating animated visual metaphors to support the content of a voiceover narration enhances people’s ability to retain the new information they learn.

Learn More About Animated Ads and Video Promotion

To learn more about the tactical marketing side of using your video animation to promote your business, check out this companion article:

How to find the right animator for my video?

Choosing the right animator for your project is a key step in the production process. Here are some video production resources that will help you find the right animator for your project, budget and desired visual style:

• How to outsource an animated video project?
• How to hire an animator?
• 9 Things to Look For When Hiring An Animator to create an animation.
• What’s the difference between hiring an animation studio, a freelance animator and Video Igniter?
• What goes into production cost of an animated video?
• Pros and Cons of Different Animation Styles.
• Learn the different types of online animated video makers.
• Interested in 3D animation? Read about 3D animation makers.
• What is Video Igniter Animation?

How to make a video animation?

Questionnaire

After you’ve selected an animated video production company to help you create your video animation, they will want to learn more specifics about the animated video they are creating for you. Typically they will send you a questionnaire to get all your details in writing. Other times they will have you to discuss your project details.

In either case, this is your opportunity to share information like:

• What key message(s) need to be included in your video animation?
• What visual style do you want to use for your animation?
• Who is your target audience and how do you speak to them?

Script

Now that your production team knows what needs to be included in your video, it’s time to create the script. Your video producer will develop the first draft and give you an opportunity to review the script and share your feedback. At this stage in the production workflow, focus on making sure the key messages are included in the script and presented in a way that speaks to your target audience.

Storyboard

After the script is approved, it’s time for your video animator to create the storyboard. The storyboard is the blueprint for your project. It tells the illustrator and animators exactly what to create. Without a storyboard, the production team wouldn’t have enough guidance to know what they are supposed to make – which would likely result in expensive rework to make the video look the way you want it to.

Each page of the storyboard includes:

• A sentence from your script
• A rough mockup or sketch of the scene
• Directions for the animators
• A list of assets needed to create the scene

When you review your storyboard, focus on the visual ideas that are being presented. Your story was established with the script; now it’s all about making sure the visual messaging enhances the understanding of the content that’s being explained.

VoiceOver

Once the script and storyboard are locked in, your video producer can help record the voiceover for your video animation. They will audition several voiceover artists using a portion of your script. You get to listen to the auditions and select your favorite candidate. Then, your video producer will oversee the recording of the full voiceover to ensure it has the proper pacing, tone, energy and pronunciation. You will get an opportunity to review the full voiceover and request revisions before approving it for production.

Soundtrack

Your producer will also select some video soundtrack options that will enhance the presentation of your video animation. Give them a listen and let your producer know which one you prefer. They will then buy the license so that you can use the soundtrack in your video. If you can’t tell which soundtrack you like best, let your producer know and they can help you preview your favorite options when the first draft of your video is ready to review.

Illustration

Illustrations for your video animation start with concept art. The art director will review your storyboard, brand guidelines and any style references you provided. Then, they’ll select a key scene from your storyboard and develop one or more pieces of custom concept art for that scene.

Let the art director know which concept you prefer and if you want them to make any refinements to the visual style. When you’re 100% happy with the concept, they’ll create the remaining illustrations for your animated video.

You will be given an opportunity to review all the art and request revisions before approving the art for animation.

Animation

Now that everything is approved, it’s time to animate! Animation takes about 1 week to create a 1 minute, 2D animated video. When the first draft is ready, give it a detailed review with your team and members of your target audience.

Collect everyone’s feedback and share it with your video producer so they can incorporate your edits and render out the final draft.

What does it cost to make a video animation?

Video production costs for animations vary widely depending on the style and length of the animation being created. To give you some ballpark numbers:

• A 60-second custom animated 2D video can cost between $1,000-$50,000+ to produce.
• A 60-second custom animated 3D video can cost 2-4x more to produce.
• 90 minute PIXAR animated films cost $30,000,000-$100,000,000+ to produce.

Looking to get a quote for your video animation? Click the image below to get in touch for a custom production quote:

Want to speak with someone about your video animation instead? Schedule a call with our production team to discuss your video project:

Examples of Video Animations

How long does it take to create a video animation?

There are many factors that impact how long it will take to make a video animation including:

• The length of the video animation.
• What style of animation is being created (2D animation or 3D animation)?
• Who is creating the script? You or us?
• Who is creating the storyboard? You or us?
• How long does your team take to review assets?
• How many rounds of revisions you request.

 

Here are some scenarios to help you figure out roughly how long your video animation will take to make:

• A 60 second 2D animated video can be produced in 4-6 weeks.
• A 60 second 3D animated video takes 2-3x as much time to produce.
• Feature length Pixar movies take 3-5+ years to produce.

Want to dial it in and figure out how long your video animation will take to produce? Contact us here with details about your video animation and we can tell you how long your video will take to create.

Need your animation produced quicker? We offer rush delivery animation services to help speed up production. Click the image below to learn more.

How to save money on your video animation production budget

• Download our script writing template and use it to help you write the script for your video animation.
• Download our storyboard template and use it to create the storyboard for your video animation.
• Consider using stock assets to reduce your design cost.
• You can use free (legal) music for your video soundtrack.
• You can record the voiceover for your animated video at home for free.

For more tips on making your video animation more affordable, check out this companion article:

The Psychology Behind Why Video Animation Works

Video animation captures attention because it combines movement, vibrant color, and storytelling in a way that instantly draws the eye. Human brains are wired to notice motion, and animated scenes deliver a constant flow of visual change that keeps viewers engaged. This is why video animation often holds attention longer than static images or live-action talking head videos. Animated visuals also make it easier to process complex ideas — your audience can watch concepts unfold step-by-step instead of trying to imagine them. For example, if you need to explain a process that takes place inside a machine or show a data flow that doesn’t exist in the real world, video animation allows you to visualize it clearly and memorably. By using symbols, icons, and visual metaphors, animation connects with viewers on both a logical and emotional level, making the message more persuasive.

Latest Trends in Video Animation

Video animation is constantly evolving, and staying ahead of trends can help your content stand out in a crowded digital landscape. One emerging trend is the use of AI-assisted animation tools, which can accelerate parts of the creative process such as lip-syncing, background generation, and motion smoothing. Another popular style is the combination of 2D and 3D animation in the same project — a mixed media approach that blends the warmth and familiarity of flat illustration with the realism and depth of 3D scenes. Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels are also influencing video animation styles. Animators are creating ultra-short, high-impact animated loops that can be repurposed as ads, story posts, or teaser clips for longer videos. These fast-moving, eye-catching animations are designed to grab attention within seconds, making them perfect for today’s fast-scrolling audiences. If your business wants to stay relevant, it’s worth exploring how these trends can fit into your next video animation project.

SEO Benefits of Video Animation

Investing in video animation doesn’t just improve your marketing visually — it can also boost your search rankings. Google rewards websites that keep visitors engaged, and adding an animated video to a page can increase dwell time significantly. When visitors stay longer, it signals to search engines that your content is valuable. Video animation is also more likely to be shared than static text or images, which can lead to more backlinks — another important SEO ranking factor. To get the most search benefit from your video animation, make sure to add a keyword-rich title, a detailed description, and a full transcript so search engines can index the content of the narration. Using schema markup for video content can help your animations appear in Google’s video search results, and embedding your video in multiple blog posts or landing pages can expand its reach even further. In short, video animation isn’t just an engagement tool — it’s a smart SEO strategy.

Repurposing Video Animation Content

One of the biggest advantages of creating a video animation is how versatile the final product can be. A single animated video can be cut into shorter clips for social media ads, reformatted into GIFs for use in emails, or even broken down into individual still images that can enhance blog articles and presentations. Businesses can also adapt their video animation into interactive training modules, looping trade show displays, or attention-grabbing homepage banners. Repurposing content not only extends the life of your video animation but also increases your return on investment. By planning repurposing opportunities during the production phase — for example, requesting your animator to provide layered source files — you’ll have the flexibility to update and adapt your animation for different campaigns without starting from scratch.

Industry-Specific Uses for Video Animation

Video animation has applications across virtually every industry, and tailoring your content to your niche can make it even more effective. In the SaaS sector, animated videos can demonstrate how software works in a way that static screenshots can’t. Healthcare organizations use animation to explain medical procedures in a clear and reassuring way. Educational institutions rely on animated explainer videos to break down complex subjects for students of all ages. E-commerce brands can use video animation to show off products in a creative, memorable way, while non-profits often use it to tell impactful stories that drive donations. By identifying your industry’s unique challenges and opportunities, you can create a video animation that speaks directly to your audience’s needs and motivates them to take action.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Video Animation

While video animation is a powerful tool, certain mistakes can limit its effectiveness. One common pitfall is overloading the animation with too many visual elements, which can overwhelm viewers and make the core message harder to follow. Another is neglecting the script stage — even the most beautiful animation won’t achieve its goals if the underlying story is weak or unclear. Poor pacing is also an issue; animations that move too quickly can confuse viewers, while those that drag can cause them to lose interest. It’s also important to match the animation style to your target audience — a playful cartoon look might be great for a children’s product but feel out of place in a corporate training video. Finally, skipping professional voiceover or soundtrack production can make an otherwise high-quality animation feel amateur. By avoiding these mistakes, you can ensure your video animation delivers maximum impact.

Still have questions about video animation?

Do you have a question about video animation that wasn’t included in this FAQ?  Use this form to contact us with your question. We will follow up with an answer and then we’ll post the question and answer to this page.

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 animation or 3D animated video you can imagine. Check out our animated video portfolio!

Do you want to create an animated cryptocurrency video or an animated blockchain explainer video that explains how your technology works? We can help with that too.

Watch our explainer video to learn more about how we can help you create an animated ad for your business:

 

Looking For A Video Animation Studio In The U.S.?

Video Igniter is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

Video Animation Success Stories & Testimonials

“I am beyond satisfied with my experience with Video Igniter. The first drafts of the work were almost exactly what I had in my head when developing the concept. After that each step along the way was seamless until arriving at a perfect finished product. And all this at a tremendous value. Anyone who has considered creating a marketing video should check out Video Igniter.”

Anonymous Customer Feedback

“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 about your video animation!

Schedule a call to discuss your video animation with our production team.

Get a quote for us to create your video animation.

Request access to our newest price sheet.

Check out our animated video portfolio to see our latest and greatest creations.

Create your Video Igniter account, fill out a creative brief, and we’ll start your video animation.