In today's fast-paced world, businesses strive to effectively communicate their products, services, or ideas to capture the attention of their target audience. Explainer videos have emerged as a powerful tool for conveying complex concepts in a concise and engaging manner. From whiteboard animation to motion graphics and beyond, there are various types of explainer videos that cater to different communication needs. In this blog post, we will explore the different types of explainer videos, including the captivating world of whiteboard animation.
Types of explainer videos
Like smartphones, there is no shortage of options when it comes to explainer videos and picking the wrong type can have a big impact on the way an audience engages with and retains your message.
Whiteboard Animation Videos
Whiteboard animation videos are a popular and effective type of explainer video. They simulate the process of an artist drawing on a whiteboard, capturing the viewer's attention as the illustrations unfold. Through hand-drawn animations, text, and narration, whiteboard animation videos simplify complex ideas, making them easily digestible and engaging. These videos are particularly effective for educational content, product explanations, and storytelling.
Motion Graphics Videos
Motion graphics videos utilize animated elements, such as typography, shapes, icons, and illustrations, to deliver messages in a visually dynamic way. These videos often feature smooth transitions, vibrant colors, and captivating animations to engage the audience. Motion graphics videos are versatile and suitable for various purposes, including brand introductions, product demos, and data visualizations.
2D Character Animation Videos
2D character animation videos employ animated characters to tell a story, explain concepts, or showcase products/services. These videos typically feature lively characters, fluid movements, and a narrative structure. By creating relatable characters, businesses can evoke emotion and forge connections with the audience. 2D character animation videos are effective for brand storytelling, tutorials, and promotional campaigns.
3D Explainer Videos
3D explainer videos take the look and feel of 2D and 2.5D animations to the next level. When done well, they have a rich and high-quality feel, and can be the perfect way to make a professional first impression on audiences. When it comes to a product or service explainer, 3D explainers create rich and full worlds that bring the voiceovers and concepts to life. Three dimensions can also make them an ideal way to explain complex processes by using that full world to show the complexities of systems and interactions.
Live action explainer videos
We’ve all seen the classic ads, presented as live action explainer videos. Depending on who is in them, they can be charismatic, energetic and stick in our heads for days. These videos are a very good way to incorporate emotion and humour, and to build connection and empathy with your audience. They work well if your product, testimonial or message is easy to show on camera. You can also combine them with 2D animation or CGI and achieve more effective brand storytelling, tutorials, and promotional campaigns.
Screencasts
Recorded directly from your screen, screencasts are the perfect way to guide someone through a piece of software, a website or a process. They allow you to show every step, clarifying extra details with a voiceover. This makes screencasts very good at promoting software and teaching people how to navigate tools and processes while adding authenticity and human connection. They are also very easy and inexpensive to make, relative to other types of explainer video.
Explainer videos are a versatile and engaging medium that enables businesses to communicate their message effectively. Whether you choose whiteboard animation for its simplicity and storytelling power, motion graphics for dynamic visuals, or other types of explainer videos, each offers unique strengths for specific communication needs. By understanding the different types of explainer videos available, businesses can leverage the power of visual storytelling to captivate their audience, simplify complex concepts, and achieve their communication goals. Select the type of explainer video that aligns with your brand, message, and target audience, and unlock the potential to engage, educate, and inspire.
We have written about explainer video uses here and we’d love to talk to you about how your message could work in a whiteboard explainer video. Book a FREE creative consultation today to ask get your questions answered!
If you could pin down the essence of truth, could you draw it? That’s the question that lingered in my mind after speaking with Dan Ariely for my RSA Animate documentary—a project allowing me to reconnect with some of the most compelling thinkers of our time.