Hands down, video ranks pretty high when it comes to communication. Adding animation video kicks things up a notch when you need a powerful way to get a point across quickly and succinctly. Animation videos support comprehension and retention – and are increasingly a preferred way for people to consume information. In the corporate world, animation videos in particular are a winning choice for sharing data, educating an audience, or building a brand. Clear, effective, easy to align with your brand style, they have a long shelf life, and are primed for internal or external sharing. But not all animation videos are alike. Each has a different look and purpose, so it pays to be strategic when deciding on your animation video type.  

Here are the 3 main animation video styles our clients choose.

2D Animation Videos

2D (two-dimensional) videos feature “flat” animated content. These sorts of videos usually feature characters and voiceover, and are generally used for storytelling purposes. The style and format can vary widely depending on your brand and niche, from loose hand-sketched formats designed to communicate transparency through to the sophisticated, friendly design used by tech start-ups. 2D animation use cases include:

  • Corporate storytelling
  • Brand or product ads
  • Onboarding videos
  • Educational videos

Motion Graphic Animation Videos

Motion graphic animation videos bring ideas, processes, and text to life. This style of video adds motion to things that are usually static, such as charts, graphs, flowcharts or logos – you can think of them like an infographic, but animated. Motion graphics are a great way to communicate complex ideas in a step-by-step, visually pleasing manner. Additionally, motion graphics are effective in situations where the focus is on getting across an idea or process, not a story, and they easily incorporate existing brand assets and styles. Use cases include:

  • Explainer videos
  • Product or service information
  • Presentations 
  • Corporate awareness

Here’s a little factoid. Animated or “kinetic” typography videos are a subset of motion graphic videos, and feature only moving text combined with a voiceover. 

Whiteboard Animation Videos

Whiteboard animation videos are a stylized video type designed to look hand-drawn, typically with a white background. These animations are sometimes also known as whiteboard explainer or sketch animation videos. Whiteboard animation videos have a clean and simple look with an “education” vibe to them. They’re popular in the following scenarios:

  • Brand education videos
  • Selling a product or service
  • Communicating complex ideas or data

 

Whiteboard animation videos are effective and efficient – and can deliver great results.

Not Sure Which Animation Video Type to Choose? Talk to Us.

If your organization is developing an animation video but needs guidance on which style of video to choose, and how to leverage it for best results, talk to the team at See in Colors. We can walk you through the selection process, help you develop a winning script, and even assist with production and voice talent. For more information, contact us.

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Lisa

Visual Thinker | Graphic Recorder | Sketchnote Artist at See In Colors
Lisa Nelson loves combining art with life. She is the Founder and Chief Visual Strategist of See In Colors where she leads a team that designs, facilitates, and captures conversations with hand-drawn pictures. By blending the power of visuals, communication and project management, Lisa helps organization have impact for social change. See In Colors is based in the Washington, D.C. area and serves clients world-wide.