YouTube Animation

Table of Contents

Are you looking for a producer to help you create a YouTube animation? If so, you’re in the right place! Video Igniter’s comprehensive guide to YouTube animation has answers to all of your top questions, including:

What does it cost to create a YouTube animation?
How long does it take to create a YouTube animation?
How do I work with an animator to create a YouTube animation?

Answers to all these questions and more coming up in this article, including tips to help you save $1000 or more of the cost of creating a YouTube animation!

But first let’s take a look at examples of YouTube animations Video Igniter can create for you.

YouTube Animation Examples

Video Igniter can make any kind of 2D or 3D animation for you. You can see some of our favorite example videos below. For additional production samples, check out our animation portfolio or request access to our demo reels and price sheet.

Are you looking for a different type of animation example? 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.

How to make a YouTube Animation with Video Igniter?

Follow the steps to turn your idea into a custom designed YouTube animation.

1). Contact Us

Send us a message to schedule a call to let us know you’re interested in working with Video Igniter to create a YouTube animation. We will ask you questions like:

What type of animation do you want to create?
How do you intend to use the animation?
What do you want to communicate in your YouTube animation?
How soon do you need the final draft?
How long will the video be?

See the full list of questions here.

We use this information to develop a production plan and a budget to make your YouTube animation. Once we agree to the scope of the project, you will receive a production contract to sign and an invoice for the first 50% of your production budget.

2). Script

Now the production is underway. Our writers will spend time learning what you want to communicate and show in your animation. We will also ask questions like:

Who is your target audience?
What problems do they face?
What key messages do you want to include in your animation?
What do you want viewers to do when they’re done watching your animation?

Our writers use this information to develop the first draft of your script. As soon as the first draft is ready, you will receive a link to review a digital copy of your video script.

Share the script with your team and have people add their revision requests within the document. Let us know when your notes are in and we will revise your script accordingly.

When the second draft of the script is ready, you will receive a link to review/sign off on the script. If additional edits are needed, our team will continue to work with you to polish the script until it is perfect.

3). Storyboard

Next, we turn your script into a storyboard.

The storyboard acts like the blue print for your YouTube animation. It contains instructions for the illustrators and animators to tell them exactly what to create for each part of your script.

When the first draft is ready, you will receive a link to a digital copy of the storyboard. Have your team at their comments directly to each slide that they want us to revise.

When all the notes are in, let us know and we will start working on the revisions. You will receive an updated copy of the storyboard to review and sign off with your team.

If additional edits are needed, we will continue to work with you to polish and perfect the storyboard before we use it to make the visuals for your YouTube animation.

4). VoiceOver

After the storyboard is locked in, you will receive a handful of voiceover auditions for your animation. Give them a listen and let us know which one is your favorite. We will take care of recording the full narration. We’ll also acquire the appropriate licenses for us to use the recording in your YouTube animation.

You get an opportunity to listen to the full narration and request edits (if needed).

5). Soundtrack

You will receive a handful of soundtrack options to listen to. Let us know which one is your favorite and we will acquire the appropriate licenses so we can legally use the music in your YouTube animation.

6). Illustrations

Creating the art for your animation, happens in two phases:

First, we’ll create concept art for your YouTube animation. Video Igniter’s art director will review your brand guidelines and style references to understand what sort of visual style you want us to use for your video. Then the art director will select a handful of scenes from your storyboard and develop multiple visual concepts.

Give the visual concepts of thoughtful review with your team and let us know what you’d like, and dislike about each concept. This way, we can work with you to refine the visual aesthetic so that everything looks exactly the way you want.

Once you approve the concept art, our team will use it to develop the rest of the custom illustrations for your YouTube animation. When the art is ready, you will receive a link to review all of the illustrations online.

You and your team can add your revision notes directly to each piece of art so we know exactly what you want us to update. Tell us when all the feedback is in and we will revise your illustrations accordingly.

When the updated art document is ready for you to review, you will receive a notification so you can request a few more edits or sign off on the art for production.

7). Animation

Now that everything is approved. It’s time to animate your YouTube video! It takes about one week to animate each minute of video. If your video is multiple minutes long, we may add additional animators to the project to speed up production.

When the first draft is ready, you will receive a link to download a watermarked copy of your YouTube animation. Give your video a detailed review with your internal team and members of your target audience. Collect everybody’s feedback and send it our way.

We will integrate your revisions and render out the final draft of your YouTube animation. You will receive the un-watermarked version of your video after you pay the final production invoice for your video.

What does it cost to make a YouTube Animation?

The answer this question depends on a few factors like:

How long is the animation you want to create?
How quickly do you need to final draft?
What style of animation do you want to make?
Who will be creating the script in the storyboard for the animation?

Most YouTube animations cost a few thousand dollars for each minute of content that’s created.

2D animated content typically cost between $1,500 and $7,500 for each minute of animation. Fancier forms of 2D animation that are individually hand drawn cost more than $10,000 to create each minute of video.

If you want to create a YouTube animation using 3D visuals, expect to spend at least $7,500 to $15,000 on each minute of video.

Get a quote for your YouTube animation.

How long does it take to make a YouTube Animation?

It takes about 4-8 weeks to create a 1 to 2 minute YouTube animation. 3D animation takes 2-4x more time to create.

Need to speed up production for a deadline? Video igniter has a rush delivery option available.

Budget Saving Tips For Creating YouTube Animations

Combine these tips to save $1,000 or more off the cost of making an animation for YouTube.

1). Write The Script

You can save $500 off the cost of each minute video we create for you if you provide the final draft of the script for your YouTube animation. Download our free script writing template for help getting started.

2). Create The Storyboard

You can save an additional $500 off the cost of each made a video we produce for you if you make the storyboard for your YouTube animation. Download our free storyboard template and review the included storyboard creation guide to see how easy it is to make a storyboard. No artistic ability needed.

3). Record The VoiceOver

Did you know it’s possible to record high quality voiceovers at home for free? Watch 1:31 in this video to see how easy it can be. If you record the voiceover for your YouTube animation, we will deduct voiceover licensing and production costs from your budget.

4). Use Free Music

Music licensing costs can add hundreds of dollars to a production budget. Luckily there are websites that offer free music you can legally use in video projects. If you spend the time sourcing free music we can use in your YouTube animation, we will deduct soundtrack licensing costs from your production budget.

5). Start Production ASAP

The easiest thing you can do to save 10% or more off the cost of making your YouTube animation is to start production as soon as possible. Rush delivery is available if your deadline is coming up quickly. However, rush delivery can add 10% to 25% or more to your production budget.

If you want to minimize or avoid paying extra for rush delivery, we recommend reaching out to us as soon as possible so we can help you generate a quote for your video. If you prefer, you can schedule a call to speak with our production team.

YouTube Animation Production Resources

These articles and resources are popular among people researching and reading about creating animations for YouTube:

How To Create Animated Videos For YouTube
Explore Video Igniter’s Animated YouTube Video Maker
How To Hire & Work With Animation Studios
How To Make A Cartoon Animation
How To Create An Animated Ad To Promote Your Business

Still have questions about YouTube Animations?

Do you have a question about YouTube animations 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.