The Animation Process — Step by Step Production Guide
In this article, you can take a stroll through various stages of animation process engaged with the creation of an animation explainer video.
Making the first animated explainer video for your product or service is a nerve-wracking process. But, when you set forth to make one, ensure that it’s done right.
If you are looking for an agency to help you in creating an animated explainer video or planning to venture it on your own, you’ve landed at the right spot! While you get ready to do that, it is essential that you know about the animation process behind it and the best way to execute it.
In this article, you can take a stroll through various stages of animation process engaged with the creation of an animation explainer video. Also, if you are searching for some data with respect to the animation process, this article is one you would not have any desire to miss.
Here’s why you should trust us!
With our experience of creating over 180+ animated explainer videos and working with around 75 companies, this animation process has helped us achieve the end result in the best standards.
What’s more, we believe that if you follow this same animation process for your explainer video, you are likely to get an amazing animated explainer video for your business.
1. Discussions
A great treasure hunt needs some great hints to get you to the treasure. Similarly, to conclude with a great idea for an explainer video, it is vital to kick start things with points from the respective client about who they are, what are their requirements and what features they wish to highlight.
- First of all, a creative brief is given to the client which is a short questionnaire that encompasses details like the video’s purpose, target audience, and their quick elevator pitch.
- Later, through an online call or a personal meeting, the script and concept can be discussed in detail, the product can be better known and queries between the client and agency can be cleared if any.
It is in this stage of the animation process that participation from project managers and scriptwriters are encouraged, therefore to create a smooth narrative for the animated explainer video.
Example:
Check out an example of the creative brief of Studiotale filled by our client Atoka.
2. Concept & Script
Like blueprints are to buildings are scripts to a video. The foundation of any video is a powerful concept and script, therefore it is the second step in the animation process. First, an idea is born. Be it conceptual, character oriented, emotionally evoking or conversational, it is your call to choose the right framework for your animated explainer video.
The structure of the script can work around two kinds:
- Straightforward with a direct introduction of the product/service and explaining the highlights and advantages later.
- First of all, emphasize the issues faced by the current users, later introduce the product, and clarify about how the product offers a solution to take care of those issues, by discussing its best features and benefits.
Some points to consider:
- We believe that explaining and clarifying the product/service through customer journey is the ideal way to do it.
- The best length for an explainer video is 90 seconds.
- 60 seconds video is likely to have a script of 150 words.
- The script has to be captivating and memorable to perfectly suit the brand’s personality.
- Keep it crisp, surprise the audience, add a great narrative, grab attention and wrap it up tightly.
Example Script:
After the discussion phase for Atoka, here’s how their script has been developed by Studiotale. Take a peep into it for a better insight.
3. Voiceover
Who is going to tell your story? That is the next step of the animation process. There’s no denying it; a voice over can make or break your video! Seems like just having a voice over in your video won’t cut it.
The quality of the narrative in connecting with the audience is equally important. The script when recorded in the perfect voice, while used to convey the perfect message can evoke emotions and add a human touch to the story.
This is why voiceover is a very important step in the animation process. Whether male or female,the right voice to match your brand’s tone, and the right accent (Indian, British or American) to amplify your message is a must.
There are some great platforms where you can find the best voice over artists for your video. For premium voiceovers, you can visit voices.com or voicebunny.com. If you are low on budget,Fiverr.com is the best alternative for some great voice over choices.
Example Voiceover:
Without further ado, go check out on how the script of Atoka has been converted into a great voice-over at Studiotale.
4. Storyboard
The fourth step of the animation process is to develop a storyboard that is super basic, resembling a comic strip of your script. It is a visual roadmap of the animation process, giving you a very rough ideation about the final output you shall receive.
It is only with the storyboard that the animated explainer video actually starts to take shape. With rather basic sketches of how your script will play out to describing the actions and visual aspects, the storyboard directs the designer and animator to create scenes, transitions, and progression in their animation.
Example Storyboard:
Do you want to know how a storyboard looks like? Have a glance into how we have perceived the storyboard for Atoka, along with one other example right away!
Sample 1: Atoka Project
Sample 2: Kora Project
5. Visual Style
The fifth step of the animation process is to develop a unique visual style custom to your brand. Much as the recipe to a great dinner party, the visual style of your explainer has an important role to play in the animation process.
In accordance with your brand guidelines, a visual style is made for chosen frames including character design (if any), so that you can exactly see how the video shall appear at the end. Multiple options of a style frame are created, while it is your call to make the right choice of style frame for the video. As a result of this, the remaining style frames are designed.
From eye candy illustrations to very basic icons, the visual style adds appeal and ease to the explainer video. This part of the animation process requires a lot of creativity and patience, hence it is best to leave the designer undisturbed for some creative aura to flow.
Example Designs:
Before deciding on a visual style for your explainer, take a walk through the visual style we have defined for Atoka.
Sample 1: Atoka Project
Sample 2: Kora Project
6. Animation
Animation time!! This is that stage of the animation process where animators breathe life into the illustrations created.
During this phase of the animation process, animators start working on their movie magic. They give an illusion of life to the visual style created, perfectly timed with a good voiceover to make a good 2D animation explainer video.
This part of the animation process is demanding and time-consuming, therefore the clients need to be tolerant and wait for their explainer video that can change their business hereafter!
Example Animation:
Anxious about how an explainer video will look after being animated? Peek-a-boo into Atoka’s style frames that have been animated creatively.
7. Music
Have you experienced a sudden mood switch with a nice song? Well, music in explainer videos too can do just that. The next stage of the animation process is to add a great soundtrack and sound effects to your explainer.
A music composer can either compose an original piece, or it can be chosen from other sources such as the Audiojingle and Melody Loops. Impressive soundtracks to suit the script can amplify the message that has to be conveyed.
Additional custom sound effects such as a mouse click, scrolls, pop-ups or any other as per requirements can also add an extra flair to your video. Whether you need a subtle music, a humor-filled one, an energizer, a melancholy or a combination of these, anything that perfectly suits your explainer video script can be created with ease.
This phase of animation process is hence most noteworthy to liven up your video and give that little something more.
Example Music:
So, how is music used? Find out for yourself! Listen to the music sample that we have used for Atoka to complement the script.
8. Delivery
Bingo! The explainer video is all set to charm the audience.
Once the video is done and dusted, it is apt to upload it on your website landing page or on platforms such as Youtube, Vimeo or Wistia to share them for business purposes. You can also get a fair amount of publicity by sharing it on other social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter etc.
Here’s how the animation video for Atoka looks like at the end of this animation process!
Final Video:
You just had a journey through the animation process that works behind animated explainer videos. With this same animation process going about as a base to your animated explainer video, it is of most certainty that the explainer video you make for your business will beat your desires.
That’s it! Easy right? Did you like what you saw and heard? Would you like to get a 2D animation video made for yourself? Feel free to reach out to us here. To browse through some of the best explainer video so far, click here.
