One of the primary purposes of animated explainer videos is to simplify complex ideas and make them easier to understand.
In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, grabbing and maintaining the attention of your audience is paramount. Animated explainer videos have emerged as a powerful tool for businesses and organisations to convey complex ideas, products, or services in a concise and engaging manner. From startups to multinational corporations, animated explainer videos have become a staple in marketing strategies, internal communications, and educational initiatives.
If you are someone who’s interested in learning more about animated explainer videos and how to effectively use them in marketing, you have come to the right page! In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything from their benefits to their practical applications in marketing. Not only that, we will also offer our expert advice on how to create one for your brand and have a look at some of the best examples for you to take inspiration from. But first, let’s gain a better understanding of what animated explainer videos are and the various types of animated explainer videos you can create for your brand.
Animated explainer videos are short videos, ranging from 30 seconds to a few minutes in length, that use animation to illustrate and explain a concept, product, or service. They typically combine animated visuals, narration, and sound effects to simplify complex topics, product or service explainers, while delivering them in an easily digestible format. Unlike live-action videos, which rely on real people and settings, animated explainer videos offer greater flexibility in terms of visual style and storytelling.
Such videos often feature colourful graphics, dynamic animations, and engaging characters to capture the viewer’s attention and convey information effectively. They follow a structured format, starting with an introduction to the problem or idea being addressed, followed by an explanation of how the product or service solves the problem, and ending with a call to action.
Key elements of an animated explainer video include:
The demand for animated explainer videos has skyrocketed due to several factors. Firstly, the rise of social media platforms and video-sharing websites has made it easier than ever for businesses to distribute and showcase their content to a global audience. Additionally, consumers are increasingly turning to video content for information and entertainment, making animated explainer videos an effective way to capture their attention and convey key messages.
2D animation is one of the most common types of animated explainer videos. It involves creating characters, backgrounds, and objects in a two-dimensional space and animating them to convey a story or message. 2D animation is versatile and can be tailored to suit various styles and aesthetics, ranging from cartoony and whimsical to sleek and minimalist.
3D animation adds an extra dimension of depth and realism to animated explainer videos by creating objects and characters in a three-dimensional space. 3D animation is commonly used for product demonstrations, architectural visualisations, and scientific simulations, where precision and detail are paramount.
Whiteboard animation, also known as video scribing, simulates the process of drawing on a whiteboard to explain concepts or ideas. This style of animation is often used for educational content, training videos, and explainer videos targeting a more professional or academic audience.
Motion graphics involve animating text, graphics, and other visual elements to create dynamic and engaging animations. Motion graphics are highly versatile and can be used to convey information, illustrate concepts, or add visual interest to a video without the need for characters or narrative.
Stop-motion animation involves capturing a series of still images and stringing them together to create the illusion of movement. This technique can be used to create unique and visually compelling animated explainer videos, particularly for brands looking to stand out and showcase their creativity.
Animated infographics combine data visualisation with animation to make complex information more accessible and engaging. By animating charts, graphs, and statistics, animated infographics can effectively communicate key insights and trends in a visually compelling format.
One of the primary purposes of animated explainer videos is to simplify complex ideas, products, or services and make them easier for the audience to understand. By breaking down complicated concepts into bite-sized, easy-to-digest chunks, animated explainer videos help eliminate confusion and foster clarity.
Animated explainer videos are highly engaging and captivating, making them an effective tool for capturing and holding the viewer’s attention. With their colourful visuals, dynamic animations, and compelling storytelling, animated explainer videos are more likely to resonate with audiences than text-based content or static images.
Animated explainer videos offer a unique opportunity for businesses to showcase their brand personality and values in a fun and memorable way. By incorporating elements such as brand colours, logos, and mascots, businesses can create animated explainer videos that are not only informative but also reinforce brand identity and increase brand awareness.
Animated explainer videos are proven to be highly effective at driving conversions and sales. Whether used on a website landing page, in an email marketing campaign, or as part of a social media strategy, animated explainer videos can help businesses increase conversion rates, generate leads, and ultimately boost sales.
In addition to marketing purposes, animated explainer videos are also valuable for educational initiatives. Whether used for employee training, classroom instruction, or online tutorials, animated explainer videos can help convey information in a clear, engaging, and memorable way, making learning more effective and enjoyable.
Before embarking on the production of an animated explainer video, it’s essential to define clear objectives and determine what you want to achieve with the video. Whether it’s increasing brand awareness, driving conversions, or educating your audience, having a clear goal in mind will guide the creative process and ensure that the video effectively serves its intended purpose.
Understanding your target audience is crucial for creating an animated explainer video that resonates with viewers and addresses their needs and pain points. Conducting audience research and creating buyer personas can help identify key demographics, preferences, and motivations, enabling you to tailor the video content to better meet their expectations.
The script is the foundation of any animated explainer video and plays a significant role in shaping the narrative and conveying the message effectively. A well-crafted script should be concise, engaging, and easy to understand, with a clear structure that guides the viewer through the story from beginning to end.
Visuals are a critical component of animated explainer videos and play a key role in capturing the viewer’s attention and conveying information visually. Whether using 2D animation, 3D animation, or motion graphics, it’s essential to design visuals that are visually appealing, cohesive, and aligned with the brand identity.
The voiceover and music are important elements that help set the tone and mood of the animated explainer video. Choosing the right voice talent and music track can significantly impact the viewer’s perception of the video and enhance the overall viewing experience.
Finally, it’s essential to optimise the animated explainer video for various platforms and devices to ensure maximum reach and engagement. This may involve creating multiple versions of the video optimised for different social media platforms, as well as ensuring compatibility with mobile devices and tablets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4eTR7tci6A
Dropbox’s animated explainer video effectively communicates the benefits of its cloud storage service in a simple and engaging way. The video uses clear visuals and concise narration to explain how Dropbox helps businesses streamline their workflow and collaborate more effectively.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li1v-JXzJMY
Crazy Egg’s animated explainer video demonstrates how its website optimization tools can help businesses improve their online presence and increase conversions. The video uses a combination of animation and live-action footage to illustrate the features and benefits of Crazy Egg’s platform.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItV8e5o3vcU
HubSpot’s animated explainer video introduces viewers to the concept of inbound marketing and explains how it differs from traditional outbound marketing methods. The video uses playful animations and relatable scenarios to illustrate the principles of inbound marketing and its benefits for businesses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgzC6PGe03k
Mint’s animated explainer video provides an overview of its personal finance app and demonstrates how it helps users manage their finances more effectively. The video uses colourful graphics and straightforward language to explain Mint’s features and highlight its ease of use.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kas0tIxDvrg
TED-Ed’s animated explainer video explores the science behind the spread of pandemics, using engaging visuals and informative narration to educate viewers on the topic. The video breaks down complex concepts into digestible chunks, making it easy for viewers to understand the mechanics of pandemics.
These examples demonstrate how animated explainer videos can effectively communicate complex ideas, showcase product features, and engage audiences across various industries and topics.
Animated explainer videos have proven to be a versatile and effective tool for businesses and organisations across industries. As technology continues to evolve and consumer preferences shift, the role of animated explainer videos in marketing and communication will only continue to grow. Whether you’re a startup looking to introduce a new product, a corporation aiming to educate your employees, or a nonprofit seeking to raise awareness for your cause, animated explainer videos offer endless possibilities for creativity, engagement, and impact.
At CoolBox, we specialise in crafting compelling animated explainer videos that captivate audiences, drive engagement, and deliver results. With a track record of success across diverse industries, including tech, real estate, finance, healthcare, and more, we understand what it takes to bring your brand story to life in a way that resonates with your target audience. Ready to elevate your brand with a custom-crafted animated explainer video? Contact us today to discuss your project and discover how CoolBox can help you stand out in the digital landscape!
