Animation is a powerful tool that can help businesses achieve their marketing and advertising goals. It’s one of those marketing tools that are certainly not one-size-fits-all, but can be easily tailored to fit your business, industry, and overall brand. With animation, you can do pretty much anything with your video marketing. With so many different animation styles to choose from, how do you know which one is right for your business?
What should I consider before choosing an animation style?
Knowing what factors you should be considering is half the battle. There are many different factors that go into your planning process. So, we’ve created a list of some things to consider when choosing an animation style for your business:
What is your budget?
Your budget is one of the most important things you should be considering when it comes to your marketing strategy. You can’t go all-in on a high-tech animation, leaving you with zero money to edit and market it. That’s a waste of time, money, and all other resources that were put into the production. So, knowing what you can spend will help you to better hone in on what animation styles will be available to you.
What is your target audience?
Your target audience is also incredibly important when deciding which animation style you should use. If your target audience is children, then a more lighthearted animation style would be more appropriate. However, if you’re targeting business professionals, then a more sophisticated 2D animation style would be more appropriate. If you’re trying to appeal to those who purchase luxury products, a cleaner animation such as a 3D animation might suit your needs.
What is your message?
Your message should also be considered when choosing an animation style. If you’re trying to send a serious message, then using a more complex animation style would be more appropriate. However, if you’re trying to send a lighthearted message, then using a more simple animation style would be more appropriate.
What are your goals?
Your goals are also something you should be taking into consideration when choosing an animation style. Are you trying to increase brand awareness? Drive sales? Boost customer engagement? Are you looking to create marketing media that can be used and repurposed? Once you know what your goals are, you can start to narrow down which animation styles will be more appropriate for your business.
What are your production timelines?
Your production timelines are also important when it comes to animation. If you’re on a tight deadline, then you may need to choose a simpler animation style that can be produced quickly. However, if you have more time, then you may be able to go for a more complex animation style that will take longer to produce.
These are just basic factors that everyone will need to consider no matter what industry they’re in. Of course, there are other factors that are dependent on your business itself such as your brand identity, your USP, and your overall marketing strategy. But these are all things you should be thinking about when choosing an animation style for your business.
What animation styles are available?
Now that we’ve gone over some of the things you should be considering when choosing an animation style for your business, let’s take a look at some of the animation styles that are available:
2D animation
2D animation is a traditional form of animation that involves creating two-dimensional images and then stringing them together to create the illusion of movement. 2D animation is often used for explainer videos, product demos, and other types of marketing or advertisements. 2D animations are great for pretty much any audience and are certainly one of the most versatile types of animation.
3D animation
3D animation is a more modern form of animation that involves creating three-dimensional images and then animating them to create movement. 3D animation is often used for product demos and other types of marketing advertisements that aim to show off the product up close, and in all its glory. It can also be more engaging for younger audiences to watch realistic 3D cartoon characters. You can check out our Complete Guide to 3D Product Animation here.
Stop motion animation
Stop motion animation is an animation technique that involves taking static images and then stringing them together to create the illusion of movement. It can be made using drawings, clay (otherwise known as “claymation”), or everyday products. Stop motion animation is often used for commercials, product demos, and other types of marketing or advertisements. It’s fun, choppy, and works great for quick videos like on social media!
Whiteboard animation
Whiteboard animation is an animation technique that involves drawing on a whiteboard and then animating the drawings to create the illusion of movement. Whiteboard animation is often used for explainer videos, educational videos, and other types of marketing or advertisements.
These are just a few of the animation styles that are available. There are many more animation styles out there and new ones are being created all the time. The best way to figure out which animation style is right for your business is to experiment with different styles and see what works best for you.
I don’t have the means to create animated marketing media, how can I still incorporate it into my marketing campaigns?
If you don’t have the manpower or the equipment to create professional animation, don’t worry! You can still incorporate animated film into your marketing campaigns! You can either learn how to do it yourself, which can save you money in the long run, or you can hire someone or a studio to help you.
Use video editing software
If you have access to video editing software, you can create simple animations using the built-in animation features. This is a great way to add animation to your marketing videos without having to hire an animator or buy expensive animation software. Be sure to utilize any free trials you come across so that you can be sure that the software you do end up paying for, if you take this route, is the right one. Be sure that you have more than one person versed in the software, too, so that if you run into any hiccups you can have more than one set of eyes on the project at hand.
It’s also important to make sure that the software you’re using will get you the right results. For example, if you’re seeking to create 3D product animation, you’ll want to seek out the software in our previous blog post. These options might not be great for 2D animation or stop-motion animation, so it’s a good idea to really do your research before making a purchase of a specific software.
Use online tools
There are a number of online tools that you can use to create simple animations. Many of these tools are free or have free trial periods, so you can try them out and see if they’re right for you. It doesn’t hurt to test any and all that you come across to see what works best for you and your company.
Hire a freelance animator
Hiring a freelancer that creates animation can be a great way to get the animation you need without having to invest in animation software or spend hours learning how to use it yourself. There are a number of great freelancers out there that can create animation for you at a fraction of the cost of hiring a studio. Be sure to check out their portfolios and read reviews before you hire anyone, to be sure that you’re getting the best possible animator for your money.
Hire an animation studio
If you want to create a more complex animation, you may want to consider hiring an animation studio. Animation studios can create high-quality animations for your marketing videos, product demos, and more. C&I Studios, an idea agency that has the ability to create dynamic and engaging animations for any business. We are well-versed in a variety of animation styles and can help you choose the right one for your business. Contact us today to learn more!
Ultimately…
No matter what your budget or animation skills are, there’s a way for you to incorporate animation into your marketing campaigns! You’ll want to choose an animation style that is appropriate for your business, your goals, and your production timeline. By taking all of these factors into consideration, you’ll be able to choose the right animation style for your business. Animation comes in many different styles and you have a lot of different options to choose from. So make sure that it fits your brand, your message, your target audience, and your budget!