What Style Of Animated Video Should You Choose For Your Business?

Animated Explainer Videos are becoming integral part of almost every marketing campaign now a days. If you are still thinking which animation style you should use in your explainer video, in order to engage more audience and convert more leads, here are some useful tips for you. Let’s see what are the most popular animation styles trending and which one suits your business the most.

Whiteboard Animation

As the name suggests, whiteboard animation involves drawing and animation on a whiteboard. We have grown up seeing whiteboards being used to explain some concepts or ideas using drawings and text. Traditionally, whiteboard animation was created by actually drawing something on whiteboards and recording the process with a camera. However, now whiteboard animation is created digitally, without using any real whiteboard.

Whiteboard animation is highly educative and engaging as viewers can see the animation getting created while explaining the concept in every step. Though it is not visually attractive and detailed like some character animation or motion graphics, whiteboard animation is popular because of its simplicity and easy-to-understand nature. It explains concepts straight to the point and viewers get a feeling of actually learning the concept in a classroom.

Whiteboard animation does not need to be only in black and white. It can have colored objects, characters and special effects to make the viewer’s experience more exciting.

Here is an example of whiteboard animation.

If you have a concept that you want to sell, or if you want to market some innovative IT solutions or if you want to make a corporate training video, you may surely go for whiteboard animation style.

Cartoon Style / Character Animation

Cartoon Style which is also known as Character Animation is the most commonly used animation style. In this style, one or multiple cartoon characters enact to tell a story and convey the main message with in a fun and engaging way. Character animation personifies a brand, showing how the lead character, representing your brand, can solve problems of your target audience using the products / services offered by you.

Character animation is visually attractive and much detailed than whiteboard animation. The cartoon characters evoke emotion and touch the viewers psychologically. This makes it easy for brands to connect with the target audience. Whatever be your product and whatever be the story you want to tell, Character animation can adopt to it and do well in getting the word out. Detailed graphics and colors are used to make the experience quiet lively.

Here is an example of Cartoon Style / Character Animation.

Character animation is great for explaining and marketing consumer products or services. This style is loved by almost all age groups. So irrespective of your product and service and target audience, carton style character animation is always a safe bet.

Motion Graphic

When excellent graphic design is livened up using animation, we get to see the beauty of motion graphic style video. Various graphic elements including illustrations, shapes, patterns along with fonts, colors and effects make motion graphic style videos stand out and explain difficult stuff in a visually illustrating way. The elegant movement of graphics lets the viewers understand features and benefits of a product or service easily.

Although in terms of personification, emotion or creativity Motion Graphics score low, the way they explain complex products, services, plans or concepts with the use of detailed illustrations, make Motion Graphic style videos highly sought after. Almost anything can be explained well using this style of vibrant video.

Here is an example of Motion Graphic Style Animation.

Companies that need their new product, services or concepts explained to the target audience in a visually engaging way, should go for motion graphics style animation. Companies dealing in new technology and financial services and start ups with breakthrough products are advised to go for this style.

Screen Cast Video

A Screen Cast video is made of screenshots of a product. Shots of different interfaces are taken and combined together to create a tutorial or manual or a glimpse of the product itself. Screen cast videos give a feel of the product and show how to use that product. Featured of a product are best displayed is a Screen cast video.

Screen Cast videos normally serve the purpose of educating the user or target audience. ‘How To’ videos often use this style of animation. Screen Cast video is also good for try-before-you-buy demos. This style is no good for marketing or promotional purpose.

The average run time of Screen Cast videos is much higher than the same of other styles of videos discussed here. The cost of producing such videos is also less than the cost of other styles of videos.

Here is an example of Screen Cast Style Video.

Screen Cast videos work great when you need to demonstrate how your product can be used. Companies that sell or deal in mobile or web apps or any software products are advised to use this style of video for showcasing the features of their products.

Stop Motion /Claymation

Claymation is a time consuming traditional style of animation. It involves making (handcrafting) of characters and props and then taking picture of each move of each object, to give a feeling as if the objects are moving. Assuming 30 frame per second (fps), it would require 30 photos for creating one second of animation. So to create an one minute video, it would require 1800 photos. You can assume the amount of time and effort involved in this style of video. naturally, the cost is also very high.

This is a highly creative style of animation. The process of creating this style is cinematic. This stop motion/ claymation style often evokes a child like feeling and connects well with the audience.

Here is an example of Stop Motion/ Claymation Style video

If you are promoting something for kids or something very sensitive and you want to connect well with the emotion of your target audience, then you might try Stop Motion/ Claymation Style video, provided you have enough time and budget for the same.

Hybrid

Mixing two or more styles of animation in a single video makes the video of Hybrid style. This is probably the most popular style of animation. In a Hybrid style, generally Character Animation and Motion Graphics styles are mixed. Sometimes, the use of animator’s hand to move objects like Whiteboard style is also added. Even 3D elements can be mixed with 2D elements to make the video more realistic and detail oriented. Mixing multiple styles gives the animator to take the pros (read benefits) of each style while keeping aside the cons.

Hybrid style works great to explain the benefits of a product or service, especially if that product or service is newly launched and new technology is involved in it. It makes the video visually appealing while retaining the explanatory flow and focusing on details.

Here is an example of the Hybrid style

Hybrid style of animation can be used for almost any product and service. Since the style is generally appealing, brands that deal in new technology products targeting retail consumers are advised to use Hybrid style of animation.

3D Animation

Though most of the commonly used styles are in 2D, the 3D Videos are also becoming increasingly popular. 3D videos look more realistic, but they are quite expensive and time consuming to produce. Sometimes 3D elements or background are used in an otherwise 2D video, to make the video more realistic and to increase the appeal of the product.

Complete 3D videos are commonly used by companies in the following industries.
– Real Estate Architecture – to showcase (walk through) interior and exterior design plans even before the construction is actually done.
– Product Architecture – to design products virtually before they are actually manufactured.
– Events & Stage Shows – to create floor plans, stage design, stall design etc
– Medicine – to create detailed process oriented videos for education and training purposes
– Gaming – to make the games more realistic and attractive
Live Action
Another commonly used style of video is Live Action! However, this article is about animated videos and Live Action videos are not animated. Live action is a whole different ball game which we can discuss another time.

While reading this article you must have been thinking which style is best for your business. Depending upon the nature of your business, you can either choose the style based on our suggestions OR you may contact us for help. We are always glad to assist businesses make them look better!