Animated explainer videos are powerful tools for communicating complex ideas in a simple, engaging, and memorable way. Whether you’re launching a product, explaining a service, or introducing your company to potential customers, a well-crafted explainer video can make all the difference. But what goes into making one? Let’s take a closer look at the behind-the-scenes process of creating a successful animated explainer video.
Step 1: Understanding the Purpose and Message
Before diving into animation or design, the first step is understanding the core message you want to convey. What’s the problem you’re solving, and how does your solution work? This is where your team comes together to outline the objectives of the video.
Target Audience: Who are you speaking to? Knowing your audience shapes the tone, style, and level of complexity.
Key Message: What is the main point you want your audience to take away from the video? This will help create a focused, clear, and effective video.
Call to Action (CTA): What action do you want the audience to take after watching the video? Whether it's signing up for a newsletter, purchasing a product, or scheduling a demo, the CTA needs to be crystal clear.
Step 2: Scripting and Storyboarding
The script is the backbone of any explainer video. It’s where the narrative comes to life and provides a foundation for the animation. In this phase, the writing team collaborates with you to develop a script that’s concise, engaging, and informative.
Length of the Script: Explainer videos are typically short, around 60–90 seconds, so every word counts. The script should effectively communicate your message in a short amount of time, often between 150–200 words.
Tone and Style: The tone of the script will align with your brand’s voice—whether friendly, professional, or humorous. The style should suit the audience and context of the message.
Once the script is finalized, the storyboard process begins. Storyboarding involves breaking down the script scene by scene and visualizing how each part will unfold on screen. This is a crucial step because it ensures that every scene aligns with the script, tone, and pacing.
Step 3: Design and Illustration
After the storyboard is approved, the design phase kicks off. This is when the visual style of the video is decided upon, and the illustrations are created.
Branding Consistency: The design should reflect your brand’s identity—color schemes, logo usage, and font styles should be in harmony with your existing brand guidelines.
Character and Scene Design: If the video features characters or scenes, illustrators will create unique designs that are visually appealing, easy to follow, and appropriate for the message.
Visual Storytelling: The design team also ensures that each visual element supports the narrative and enhances the story, making it easy for viewers to understand.
Step 4: Animation and Motion Design
Once the designs are ready, it’s time to bring them to life with animation. This is where the magic happens, and the video starts to come together.
Movement and Transitions: The animator will focus on how characters move, how objects interact, and how each scene transitions smoothly. Animation should be seamless and intuitive, guiding the viewer’s eye and keeping them engaged.
Timing and Pacing: Animation timing is key to maintaining attention. Proper pacing ensures the video flows naturally, with each scene moving at a speed that gives the viewer time to absorb the information.
Step 5: Voiceover and Sound Design
While the visuals are being animated, the audio comes into play. A professional voiceover artist will record the script, providing the narration that accompanies the animation. The voiceover should match the tone of the video, whether it's friendly, energetic, or authoritative.
Voiceover Direction: The tone, pace, and energy of the voiceover are carefully directed to match the video’s style and audience.
Sound Effects and Music: Sound design adds another layer of impact to the video. Background music sets the mood, while sound effects highlight key actions and add a layer of polish.
Step 6: Editing and Final Touches
Once the animation and audio are complete, the final step is editing. This phase involves syncing the voiceover with the animation, adding final adjustments to the visuals, and ensuring that the pacing feels just right.
Color Grading: Adjustments to color tones can enhance the overall look and feel of the video.
Polishing: Fine-tuning the smallest details—like motion fluidity, transitions, or adjusting timing—ensures that the video is smooth and cohesive.
Review and Feedback: At this stage, we invite feedback from the client to ensure everything aligns with their vision. If any changes are needed, they’re incorporated into the final version.
Step 7: Delivery and Launch
Once the video is polished and approved, it’s time for the final delivery. The video is exported in the necessary formats, optimized for platforms like YouTube, social media, or your website, and is ready for launch.
Optimization: Depending on where the video will be published, the video might need to be formatted for specific platforms, such as a vertical version for Instagram Stories or a thumbnail for YouTube.
Distribution: The explainer video is uploaded to your website, social media channels, and other relevant platforms, and shared with your audience.
Conclusion
Creating a successful animated explainer video involves a blend of creativity, technical expertise, and careful planning. From the initial script to the final polished product, each step plays a critical role in ensuring the video communicates your message effectively and resonates with your audience. The behind-the-scenes process may be intricate, but the result is worth it—a compelling, engaging explainer video that drives results for your business.
Whether you're looking to explain a complex service, introduce a new product, or boost engagement, an animated explainer video can be a powerful tool in your marketing arsenal. #Whiteboardanimation #WhiteboardVideo #VideoMarketing #marketingvideo #Animation #CustomVideo #AnimationStudio #VideoLearning #AnimatedVideo #VideoExplainer #ExplainerVideos
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