Animations are one of the most engaging content these days. You can put down your imagination like never before. There are different platforms that help you make your engaging content totally free of cost. But, if you are just getting started, you might confuse your niche of animation because of so many options around.
One another dilemma that goes on around is, whether you make it yourself or hire an expert. Today we’ll try to solve both your problems and suggest the 7 best animation styles for your videos.
Before we start –
One important thing to mention here is that style alone does not make a great animation. What enhances the customer reach is:
· Quality: Whatever the content is, people always gauge the sophistication of your business by the quality of presentation of any content.
· Targeting: Your style must confirm with your target audience. Building great explainers with precise targeting helps you get better.
· Branding: Placement of branding logos, selection of colors, the background jingles, and transition sounds get you the best recall value for your videos.
· Flow & Rhythm: The necessary element of engaging animation is the rhythm of the video where you keep your audience hooked.
· Message: People don’t remember the long video, they need a perfectly put excerpt of everything, a message, a value something that you want them to take home. Just like a blog.
So, What are the 7 best animation styles you can use? :
2D character animation
It tops our list because it is rightly used in most of the explainer videos today. A simple and functional design sets your videos aside and puts a deeper perspective. Both characters and scenes are created in the 2D space. You get very high versatility and customization. You can literally engage with the emotions of your audience.
Tools like PowToons, Animaker, Synfig, and Pencil2D are the most popular free tools these days. With some effort, you can easily learn these tools yourself.
Motion Graphics animation
When we talk about motion graphics here, we use elements more than cartoon characters. You become more informative while playing with objects and texts on the screen. This is one of the ideal styles for companies showcasing working videos of complex products or services. You practically synthesize big information in small chunks so people can understand.
This experience is more fresh, colorful, dynamic, and resonating. An ideal space for marketing products in subtle ways where people don’t cut you off like a regular advertisement. You can try out, NodeBox, eMotion, Quartz composer, etc.
White-board animation
You must have noticed one of those scribbly videos that are trending these days for the animation. These are one of the easiest to start with, just choose the right tools. Both B2B and B2C markets like these videos. It consists of simulating blackline graphics being drawn on a white background to illustrate concepts, ideas, and almost all types of explainers.
These videos are very effective in explaining complex data and the characters make your audience at home. You can start with Doodly, Videoscribe, Animaker, PowTool, etc.
2.5 D animation
When you want to simulate a 3D environment without actually getting your hands too deep, you go for 2.5D. Objects are layered in this technique to present a visual depth, sophistication, and fluidity. It is like a motion graphic video with more elaborate elements and space. Companies use these to sound more professional in lesser costs than a 3D hassle.
You can try Pencil2D or CreateStudio to begin with.
ScreenCast
There can be nothing better than the demonstration of real life. A screencast can be a general video but there are reasons to put it into the animation category. You can play with your live screen while adding elements to it. You are digitally recording everything, zooming in and out of the focus areas, explaining everything with soft transitions that keep your listener hooked up.
Creating digital assets like a paid lecture series is best created with help of a screencast. You can start with BandiCam, Camtasia Studio, Filmora Scrn., etc.
Stop motion
It uses the technique of photographing an object with an array of little changes and blending them all like a video. It is not a new technique but surely stops the thumb from scrolling. It has a unique spot in the videography industry but these cost a lot of time and focus. Hence we recommend it to be used for small videos and promos like Instagram reels.
Typography
A typography explainer is like somebody gave wings to your diary notes and it is all over the place, being told and showed at the same time. The best part is that you can have a lot of fonts and themes to choose from and if you play clever, this animation style can do a great job with little effort.
You can reinforce thoughts by specifically highlighting the important parts in various ways. You may like to use Filmora, Biteable, Adobe After Effects, etc.
How to start
First, ask yourself, do you have time for it? Any animation video takes 2 hours to 2 days for completion. You might hire specialists if it is a one-time affair. Just write them the script and provide audio if needed. But if you are a budding content creator, all the above options are open.
· See examples of each of them on Youtube.
· Choose the style that will favor your time, effort, and audience and business type.
· The software we have given above have free versions available with maximum templates to use.
· Mentioned software have Youtube tutorials available.
· Start with small chunks of the script for 15-30 seconds of videos.
· Follow and Subscribe to the Blue Owl Project on all platforms. DM us with your doubts.