How to Create an Animated Explainer Video

Looking at the current viral content on the different media platforms, and according to many predictions, videos are the present and future of communication. That’s why it’s essential for you as a person, business, or organization to get started with creating valuable content in the form of videos.

That being said, explainer videos are one of the most effective ways to communicate complex ideas and concepts in a simple, visually appealing way. They help grab viewers’ attention and hold it throughout the duration of the video, making them more likely to retain the information being presented.

Read more about how explainer videos help your business 

In this blog post, we will walk you through the steps it takes to create an animated explainer video from start to finish. By the end of this blog post, you will know everything you need to create a high-quality animated explainer video that will engage and captivate your audience. So let us get started!

The 7 Step Process to Create an Animated Explainer Video

1. Choose an Animated Video Style

Animated explainer videos are not all the same. In fact, there are many different styles of animated videos to choose from. The four main types of animated explainer videos: whiteboard animation, 2D animation, 3D animation, and live-action video.

Whiteboard animation involves drawing images and text on a whiteboard or a similar surface and then filming the process as the drawings come to life. This style is often used to create a casual, informal feel and can be a good choice for educational or instructional videos.

2D animation is known as flat, two-dimensional characters and environments animations. This style is often used for simple, cartoon-like animations and is a good choice for videos that are meant to be lighthearted or humorous.

3D animation is characterized with three-dimensional characters and environments using specialized software. Its more realistic or sophisticated animations are a great choice for videos that want to convey a professional, polished image.

Live-action video involves filming real people or objects in a real-world setting. This style is often used for promotional or marketing videos and can be a good choice for businesses that want to showcase their products or services in a more authentic way. They can also include animations that are added by specialists after the video is shot!

The style you choose should be based on the content at hand, your brand, and your target audience, and the main goal of the video. For example, if you want to convey a polished image of a major video asset for your company, you might choose a 3D animation or a live-action video. If you want to create a more casual, informal video that would go on social media, you might choose a whiteboard animation or a 2D animation.

2. Write a Script

The script for your animated explainer video is one of the main aspects that lead to its success or its failure. A strong script should outline the key points and messages you want to convey in a way that is engaging and easy-to-understand. Here are some key elements to consider when writing a script for your animated explainer video:

  • The hook: The hook is the opening of your video that is designed to grab your audience’s attention and make them want to keep watching. This could be a funny or surprising opening, a question, or a statement that piques the viewer’s interest.
  • The problem: In the next part of your script, you should introduce the problem that your product or service is solving. This helps to establish the value of what you are offering and gives the viewer a reason to keep watching.
  • The solution: After introducing the problem, you should present your product or service as the solution. Be sure to highlight the benefits and features of what you are offering and explain how it will solve the viewer’s problem.
  • The call to action: The call to action is the final step in your script and should encourage the viewer to take the next step, whether that’s visiting your website, signing up for a newsletter, or making a purchase. Make sure your call to action is clear and compelling so you can seal the deal!
  • The length: Keep your script concise and to the point as you should aim to get your message across in as few words as possible. Use simple, easy-to-understand language and avoid using jargon or technical terms that your audience may not be familiar with.

3. Add Voice-over

Now that you have the script ready, you need a narrator! Choosing the right voice-over artist is an important part of creating an animated explainer video. A good voice-over artist should be able to bring your script to life in a way that engages and captivates your audience.

Here are some tips for choosing a good voice-over artist:

Consider the tone: The tone of your voice-over should match the tone of your script. If your script is lighthearted and humorous, look for a voice-over artist with a playful, engaging voice. If your script is more serious or informative, look for a voice-over artist with a more professional, serious tone.

Listen to demos: Most voice-over artists have demos available on their websites or on platforms like Voices.com. Take the time to listen to demos from a variety of artists to get a sense of their style and range, and don’t shy away from asking for more demos!

Consider gender and age: The gender and age of the voice-over artist can affect the way your message is perceived. For example, a younger, energetic voice might be a good choice for a video that targets millennials, while an older, more authoritative voice might be better for a video targeting baby boomers.

Think about accents: Depending on your target audience and the tone of your video, you may want to consider a voice-over artist with a specific accent. For example, if you are targeting a global audience, you might look for a voice-over artist with a neutral accent. If you are targeting a specific region or country, you might look for a voice-over artist with an accent that is common in that area.

4. Create Storyboards and Animatics

Storyboards and animatics are visual representations of the story you want to tell in your explainer video. They help you plan out the shots and transitions in your video and ensure that everything flows smoothly from one scene to the next.

A storyboard is a series of drawings or images that depict the shots and transitions of your video in a sequential order to help you visualize and plan out the flow, pacing, and structure of your story. It typically consists of a series of frames, each representing a different video shot. In each frame, you should include a rough sketch of the scene and notes about the action, dialogue, and other elements. You can also include arrows or other symbols to indicate scene movements or transitions between shots.

Source: Template.net 

An animatic is like a storyboard, but it includes timing information and rough sound effects, and dialogue. It is created by turning a storyboard into a simple animation, either by hand or using the software. In other words, it helps to give you a better sense of the pacing and timing of your video and can be useful for making changes and refinements before the animation process begins.

5. Bring the Animation to Life

Once you have your storyboards and animatics in place, you can start creating the animations. This involves creating the individual frames or “cells” that make up the video, as well as adding in special effects, transitions, and other elements.

Animating an explainer video can be a complex and time-consuming process. It can be done using a variety of animation software, such as Adobe After Effects, Blender, or Toon Boom Harmony.

While it is possible for individuals or small businesses to animate their own explainer videos, the process can be quite technical and requires a certain level of expertise. As a result, many businesses choose to hire an expert animation production company to handle the animation process for them.

Hiring an expert animation production company to animate your explainer video is a good investment that can help ensure your video’s success. By choosing a professional, experienced company, you can be confident that your video will be of the highest quality and will effectively communicate your message to your audience.

Contact us to get your quote!

6. Finalize the Video

After the animation of your explainer video is complete, it’s time to finalize the video by adding in additional elements such as music, sound effects, and voice-over. These elements are small yet powerful as they help make your video more engaging and immersive and enhance the overall message of your video.

Music: 

When choosing music for your explainer video, it’s important to select a track that fits the tone and style of your video. Some music makes people feel excited while other types make people relax, so be careful when choosing your music as it highly affects the way your viewers perceive your video. Also, make sure the track you choose is appropriate for your audience and does not distract from the main message of your video.

Sound effects:

Sound effects add depth and realism to your explainer video. For example, you might use sound effects to emphasize a point or to create a sense of atmosphere. Just be sure to use sound effects sparingly and in a way that enhances your video, rather than detracting from it!

Finally, be sure to carefully review and edit the final product to ensure that it is of the highest quality. This might involve adjusting the timing or pacing of your video, fine-tuning the sound levels, or adding in additional elements such as captions or graphics.

7. Share the Video

Once your animated explainer video is complete, it’s time to share it with your audience. Depending on your marketing strategy, there are many different platforms that you can use to share your video, including YouTube, Vimeo, and social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Sharing your explainer video on these platforms can help to increase its reach and visibility, as well as engage and educate your audience. For example, you can use YouTube to host your video and then share the link on social media to encourage your followers to watch it. You can also embed the video on your website or include it in emails and marketing materials to reach a wider audience. The possibilities are endless!

But beware, instead of sharing your video sparingly, make sure it is part of your content marketing strategy. By including your explainer video as part of your content marketing efforts, you can use it to educate and engage your audience and promote your products or services.

For example, you can share it on your blogs when relevant. That’s what we did by adding the following video!

Tools That Help You Create an Animated Explainer Video

The internet is a blessing as many tools and websites are available to help people create animated explainer videos. If you have enough time and motivation to do your animated explainer video on your own, choose a user-friendly tool that is designed to be used by anyone, regardless of their experience level. Popular tools like Adobe After Effects, Powtoon, and Biteable.

Additionally, some websites provide tutorials, templates, and other resources to help people create their own explainer videos. For example, Renderforest and Animaker offer a wide range of features and customization options.

However, you won’t be disappointed if you’re looking to hire an animated explainer video company to produce a high-level animated explainer video. An animated explainer video company is an asset for any business that wants to increase its visibility and engage more effectively with its target audience. An experienced animated explainer video company helps you craft and deliver a message that will captivate the viewer and ensure that the message is successfully conveyed.

Hiring an experienced animated explainer video company is a great way to ensure that your business effectively reaches its target audience and achieves its desired results with animated explainer videos.

Contact us to learn more. We’d love to work with you to bring your animated explainer videos to life!