A Guide to Creating An Animation Video

Animation videos are captivating, versatile, and an excellent way to tell stories, explain concepts, or promote products. Whether you’re crafting an explainer video, a creative introduction for your company, or a short animated story, animation has the power to engage an audience visually and emotionally like few other mediums can. However, creating an animation video can seem like a daunting task if you’re new to the process.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about creating an animation video, from initial concept development to production and editing. By the end of this, you’ll have the knowledge to bring your ideas to life in animation form.

Why Create an Animation Video?

Animation videos are gaining popularity across industries because of their ability to simplify complex ideas, grab attention, and provide entertaining content. Here are a few key reasons why animation videos are worth considering:

• Visual Storytelling: Animation excels at showing what words can’t always describe. Abstract ideas, processes, and emotions can be visually rendered to connect with your audience on a deeper level.
• Engagement: Animation grabs attention quickly, making it an excellent medium for advertisements and social media. Short-form animated content, in particular, performs exceptionally well online.
• Flexibility: Animation allows for full creative freedom. You can design unique characters, create impossible worlds, and manipulate time and space in ways live-action cannot achieve.
• Cost-Efficient: While high-quality animation does require investment, it’s often more affordable than live-action production. Plus, it eliminates many logistical concerns like location scouting and actor hiring.

With these advantages in mind, let’s look at how you can start creating your own animation video.

1. Define Your Purpose and Audience

The first step in creating any successful animation video is to clearly define its purpose and target audience. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What is the goal of the video? Are you trying to educate, entertain, or promote? Perhaps it’s a mix of all three.
• Who is your audience? Are you targeting children, young professionals, or a niche community? Knowing your audience will shape the tone and look of your animation.

Example: If you’re creating a video for a tech company to explain a new product, your tone might be professional yet approachable, and the visuals might lean towards clean, modern animation styles. If the video is for kids, you might want a colorful, playful design with energetic music.

By answering these questions upfront, you’ll set a strong foundation that keeps your animation focused and impactful.

2. Develop a Compelling Script or Storyboard

An animation video is only as good as its script. Start by outlining your key message and breaking it into a beginning, middle, and end. Ensure the script flows naturally and keeps viewers engaged from start to finish.

After finalizing your script, create storyboards to map out each scene visually. A storyboard acts as a visual blueprint, showcasing how your script will translate into visuals. It doesn’t have to be perfect – rough sketches will suffice for planning. Include details like character movements, camera angles, and transitions.

Pro Tip: Keep your script concise. Animation videos perform best when they’re short and precise, with a clear focus on delivering the intended message.

3. Choose the Right Animation Style

The animation style you choose will greatly impact how your video is perceived. Here are some popular animation styles to consider:

• 2D Animation: A classic and cost-effective choice, 2D is excellent for explainer videos and ads. Tools like Adobe Animate and Toon Boom are popular for creating 2D animations.
• 3D Animation: This provides depth and realism but requires more expertise. It’s ideal for movies, product demonstrations, and high-end branding videos.
• Motion Graphics: This style is perfect for presenting data, statistics, or corporate information. Software like Adobe After Effects is commonly used for motion graphics.
• Whiteboard Animation: Great for educational content, this minimalist style mimics a hand drawing on a whiteboard as it narrates your story.
• Stop Motion: A tactile, handcrafted style of animation that involves photographing physical objects frame by frame. While time-consuming, it has a unique charm.

Choose a style that aligns with your message, appeals to your audience, and fits within your budget and resources.

4. Use Animation Tools or Partner with Professionals

If you’re a beginner or have no technical knowledge of animation, don’t worry. There are plenty of intuitive tools and professional services to help bring your ideas to life.

DIY Animation Tools:

1. Vyond – Great for 2D explainer videos.
2. Blender – A free, open-source tool for 3D animation.
3. Animaker – Ideal for beginners looking for an easy drag-and-drop interface.
4. Toon Boom Harmony – Perfect for professional-level 2D animation.
5. Powtoon – Designed for creating animated presentations and videos quickly.

Hiring Professionals:

If your project requires advanced features or if you lack the time, consider partnering with professional animators or animation studios. Be sure to check portfolios and client testimonials before committing to a team.

5. Add Voiceover, Music, and Sound Effects

The audio component of an animation video is just as important as its visuals. The right music, sound effects, and voiceover elevate the emotional tone of your video and keep the audience engaged.

Tips for Great Audio:

• Voiceover – Choose a professional voice artist who matches the tone of your animation. Consider hiring through platforms like Voices.com or Fiverr.
• Music – Use royalty-free music to avoid legal headaches. Websites like AudioJungle and Epidemic Sound have plenty of options to choose from.
• Sound Effects – Don’t overlook subtle sound effects like footsteps or background ambiance. These details add realism and depth.

Pro Tip: Ensure that the music and sound effects don’t overpower your voiceover. The dialogue should always be clear and easy to follow.

6. Edit and Review the Final Video

After the visuals and audio are combined, it’s time to edit your video. Ensure that the transitions are smooth, the pacing is comfortable, and that everything aligns with your storyboard.

Here’s a checklist to review your video draft:

• Are there any awkward transitions or moments that need refining?
• Does the video effectively communicate the intended message?
• Is the audio synced correctly?
• Are there any unnecessary scenes or details you can cut to shorten the video?

Once you’re satisfied with the final edit, consider testing the video with a small audience for feedback. Make any necessary adjustments before officially launching your animation video.

Bring Your Animation Video to Life

Creating an animation video is a rewarding process, whether you’re promoting your brand, educating your audience, or simply expressing creativity. While it may feel overwhelming at first, following the steps outlined above will guide you through the process, from conception to execution.

Remember, the key to a great animation video is staying true to your message and audience while letting your creativity flow. If you’re ready to get started but need a hand, there are plenty of tools and professionals from DMP ready to help.

Now it’s time to bring your ideas to life in motion. What story will your animation tell?