What are Animated Explainer Videos?
Animated explainer videos are short, visually engaging videos that use a combination of animation, storytelling, and clear messaging to explain a product, service, or concept. Think of them as an espresso shot of information – consumed quickly and providing high energy!
Explainer videos typically last between 60-120 seconds and are designed to grab attention, simplify complex ideas, and encourage action. And the best part? They’re versatile. You can use them on your website, in social media campaigns, during presentations, or even as part of your email marketing.
Check out our Film & Animation page for examples of explainer videos and more.
Why are Animated Explainer Videos so Effective?
There is a simple reason why animated explainer videos have become the ‘go-to’ solution in promotional video for business. It’s because they work! Some of the key benefits of explainer videos include:
1. They capture attention (and hold it)
Let’s face it, we live in a world of distractions. Grabbing someone’s attention is hard enough, let alone keeping it. But there is something magical about the combination of charming illustrations, playful animations, impactful onscreen text, and engaging voiceover that stops scrolling thumbs and pulls viewers in. Really, explainer videos have something for all different types of learners and audiences. And when you’ve got just a few seconds to make an impression, that’s invaluable.
2. They boost conversions
At the end of the day, every business wants results. And animated explainer videos deliver. Several studies have shown that explainer video can boost sales conversions. For example, the 2021 Wyzowl State of Video Marketing report found that 87% of marketers reported that video provided a positive return on investment, with another study showing that embedding an explainer video into a company website can boost conversion rates by up to 80%. When done right, these videos don’t just inform; they inspire action.
3. Tailored to your brand and personality
Our explainer animations begin as a blank canvas and are designed to fit any brand or identity – with everything from colour, font, imagery, music, and even art style able to be customised. Whereas some video agencies only offer whiteboard style animations in a fixed illustration style, at Ludic Creatives our extensive network of artists and illustrators tailor the visuals to fit your brand and vision. Want something more playful with larger than life characters? You got it! Need a more professional, serious tone with graphics and data? No problem.
4. They are versatile and flexible
As we said, explainer videos are an ideal format for sharing across a range of digital mediums and locations. It could be on a website landing page, part of an email marketing blast, featured on a social media page or part of a presentation. What’s more is that the style and story can be flexible and unique! For instance, we can blend real recorded footage with animated illustrations for an exciting blend of real-life and illustration.
5. They unlock creativity
Our clients often say that the process of making an explainer video helps them communicate their story better themselves. Because we take the time to research and understand the goals our clients have, the questions we ask and process we follow to produce the video unlocks new thinking and helps teams focus on the truly important messaging around their product or service, getting rid of the noise.
Tips for Creating a Winning Animated Explainer Video
As part of working with our clients, we use an easy-to-follow process that takes the hard work out of creating an explainer video. However, here are a few of what we consider to be the most essential tips to follow:
1. Focus on story
Every great explainer video starts with a story. Identify the problem your audience faces, introduce your solution, and show them how it works. A clear narrative is key to keeping viewers engaged. We know that humans are hardwired to understand and absorb stories, so telling a good one will prove memorable.
2. Keep things short and sweet
You’ll no doubt have lots of things you want to include in your explainer video, but this is a case where less is more. The ideal length for a video is between 60-120 seconds, which forces you to focus on the essentials and keeps your audience from losing interest. We recommend selecting 3-5 ‘must-have’ messages you want to include and building your video around those.
3. Build it for your audience
Think about who it is you’re speaking to. Are they tech-savvy? Do they appreciate humour? Tailoring your video’s tone and style to your audience through visuals, language and music and voiceover choice ensures it has the best change of resonating.
4. Use data and insights to inform content
Before you begin creating your explainer video, gather data about your audience's preferences, behaviors, and pain points. Use analytics from your website or social media to tailor the video's content and design. For example, if most of your audience watches videos on mobile devices, ensure the video is optimized for smaller screens.
5. End with a strong CTA
Don’t leave your viewers hanging. Tell them what to do next, whether it’s visiting your website, booking a call, or following you on social media. A strong call-to-action (CTA) at the end of your video can direct viewers to take the next step—whether that’s signing up for a free trial, scheduling a demo, or making a purchase.
Great Examples of Explainer Animations
Here are a few of our favourite explainer animations:
Temple Brown
A great example of a clear narrative, playful animations and a delightful art style combining to simplify what otherwise could be a complex topic. Created by Ludic Creatives.
Frieghty
More of a motion graphics style than an illustrated one, but has a super smooth animation style with great music and voiceover selection.
Microsoft
Microsoft is one of the largest companies in the world and still find use for an animated explainer video, this time for Azure. It is not the flashiest video but does a good job at explaining what the offering is.
Tech Insights
Serving as both a marketing asset and a communication tool, this video for TechInsights explains the ‘how’ behind their process, using illustrations to bring technical processes to life.
PayPal
Something a bit different, PayPal mixed illustration with live-action footage (and a song!) to neatly and creatively communicate their story.
See more case studies of our projects.
Why Choose Ludic Creatives for Your Animated Explainer Video?
At Ludic Creatives, we specialize in creating animated explainer videos that don’t just look great, but also deliver results. Our team combines scribing and illustration with creative storytelling and business understanding to craft videos that are engaging, informative, and tailored to your goals.
We also love swapping ideas and meeting new people, so get in touch today to arrange an initial discussion.
