From the early 1800s to the present day, the art of animation has witnessed a rapid evolution in terms of techniques, technologies and creative innovation. Did you know the global animation market witnessed a 5% increase within just one year? Furthermore, it is projected to hit $587 billion by the end of 2030, implying its growing prominence across global domains.
Gone are the days of hand paintings and celluloid, as automated illustrations on design software have stepped in. However, even with so many benefits, the art of making your animated videos can seem like a daunting task. Before we delve into the details of how to create animation, let’s first understand the key to a good animated video.
For an animated video to be engaging for the audience, quite a few crucial steps are required. It must be short and crisp, story-focused, and have some form of actionable information that brings value to the target audience.
Allow us to guide you through this intricate process with a few simple steps!
How To Make Animated Videos That Are Engaging For Your Audience
The recipe of a well-compiled animated video demands a list of ingredients suited to create the final result of your choice. Let us go through these ingredients or steps to help you learn how to make a cartoon video to achieve perfect animations that deliver your intended messages.
Craft A Compelling Script
The first step is to draft a well-structured script that can convey your message effectively. Remember to keep it as concise and fun as possible, not exceeding 45-90 minutes. In addition, ensure that the script is completely aligned with your goal, as a strong script is the foundation of a successful animated video.
Design Visual Elements
Incorporating high-quality animated visuals into your work is the key to keeping your audience engaged. This includes characters, backgrounds, and objects perfectly aligning with your storyline. Consistent design is not only paramount for an engaging look but also helps to build a connection with your target audience.
Add Subtitles
Lastly, try to incorporate subtitles into your animated video, especially the ones you post on social media platforms. Since most social media users tend to watch videos without the sound on, adding subtitles will prevent them from scrolling past your video and increase engagement and viewership.
The art of creating animated videos is not limited to the steps mentioned above. It also includes voice-over narration, incorporating sound effects and music, as well as selecting the right tools for easy implementation of elements that complete animation.
Remember, creating a good animated video requires practice. Therefore, feel free to explore different styles and techniques, as it will help you to develop your skills in the long run.
How To Make Animated Videos In 3 Simple Steps?
Now that you know the various components of a good and successful animated video, let’s look at how to make animation videos in three simple steps!
Choose A Video Style
The first step to learning how to make animation videos is to select the right type of animation that best fits your content and message. For example, you aim to make a video highlighting your brand’s growth. In such cases, it is always recommended to opt for an infographic animated video that will help your audience understand the message. Similarly, depending on the audience and the tone you wish to set for your brand, you can select any video style among the different types available. Such include,
Motion Graphics – This form of animation involves animated texts, shapes and graphical elements. Motion graphics are usually quite effective, especially when explaining complex topics or showcasing data and statistics.
3D Animation – 3D animation is one of the most commonly used techniques in movies and games that helps to add depth and realism to characters and environments.
2D Animation – 2D animation features flat, two-dimensional characters and scenes often used in educational content, explainer videos, and storytelling.
Write A Script
The next most important step in making your own animation is to write a script that clearly outlines the content of your video. The script must be engaging, conversational and needs to comply with a flow to maintain viewer interest. While the task itself can be daunting at first glance, following several factors that work as the building block for an animation script can simplify your journey. Let’s explore these building blocks.
Structure – Break down your content into sections or scenes to help structure the video.
Characters – Create solid animated characters that resonate with your target audience to create an emotional connection. For example, your brand features toys or products that appeal to children falling within the range of 5-10 years old. Your characters must also be designed in a manner that helps your target audience connect better with your brand.
Call To Action- Incorporating a Call To Action (CTA) at the conclusion of the video is crucial. It guides viewers on the appropriate steps to take after watching the animation.
Video Length – Finally, take into account the duration of your video. If you’re crafting an animation for social media, aim for brevity. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that the requirement isn’t exclusively for short videos. If your narrative is captivating, an extended video can be effective too. Ultimately, your choice should align with the platform where you intend to share the animation.
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Create And Edit Your Animated Video
Once you have a selected animation style and script ready, it is time to choose a reliable animation software to bring your video to life.
Plan Your Animation
Before initiating the animation process, plan your video by creating a storyboard. Consider it as a visual blueprint serving as a guide throughout the entire process of animation.
Create Characters and Assets
Leveraging various drawing or design tools offered by your chosen animation platform, you can generate characters, backgrounds and assets required for your animated video.
Audio and Sound Effects
Audio and sound effects blow life into any information served visually. Therefore, try incorporating impactful audio elements and sound effects, including wind, water or birds chirping to complement the video clip. In addition to this, you can also import or record voice-over, music and sound effects to enhance your animation. However, while doing the same, ensure that the audio perfectly syncs with the visual elements in your video.
Test and Preview
While completing all these steps, do not forget to consistently preview your animation to see how it’s coming together. A real-time preview will ensure you’re on the right track, incorporating all required elements and making adjustments on the go to deliver smooth transitions and consistent pacing.
Impactful Animated Videos: Examples
Now that you have a clear understanding of how to make cartoon animation, let’s take a look at some of the most successful animated videos made by Slack, Uber Eats and Bravo Pay and what makes them so great!
Slack
Slack is a prominently used team collaboration and messaging platform to streamline communication and collaboration among team members. It recently launched an animated video showcasing how the Slack Connector feature makes scheduling meetings within and outside the Slack workspace easy. Within just one minute, the video demonstrates the process of scheduling meetings, showing the steps involved and the benefits of using this feature.
This animated ‘guide’ video format is highly effective in demonstrating a specific feature or functionality, making it easier for customers to understand and view the product. In addition, the crisp narrative and the clear voice-over incorporated into the video further convey the desired message engagingly and concisely.
Uber Eats
Uber Eats is a food delivery platform that allows users to order food from local restaurants and have it delivered to their homes. The animation video launched by Uber Eats, demonstrating how the platform works for restaurant owners, has garnered immense popularity. Through animated visuals, it showcases the user interface and functionalities of the application, making it easier for restaurants to manage orders, track deliverables and interact with customers.
Bravo Pay
Lastly, we have Bravo Pay, a mobile payment application that provides secure and efficient payment solutions. The animated video created by this leading brand addresses a widespread issue in the service industry where many workers rely on cash tips for their livelihood. The video then goes on to showcase how by using Bravo Pay, you can easily send digital tips and payments to workers, that too anonymously.
Summing Up
Hopefully, with this article, you will have a comprehensive grasp of how to make animation videos. While the process entails numerous vital steps and considerations, as you gain experience over time, it becomes more manageable. The ultimate goal of creating animation is to provide a simplified view of a complex message or idea to your target audience. Feel free to explore through online videos and training sessions to strengthen your animation skills.
As the animation industry is piquing interest from creatives across the globe, stepping into this realm is bound to help you explore countless opportunities. So start now and get ready to frame a successful future in animation!
FAQs
What are the basic steps involved in making animation?
The process of creating an animation consists of multiple crucial steps. Some fundamental steps include researching, script writing, voice-over recording, storyboarding, illustration, animation and sound design.
Are there any specific animation techniques or styles one should consider?
From 2D animation and 3D animation to whiteboard animation, and motion graphics, multiple animation styles are available to use. You can choose any of these styles based on the message you wish to convey and your target audience. For example, if you wish to highlight important data through your video, opting for a motion graphic animation style can be suitable. Similarly, if your content is more educational-oriented, then a whiteboard animation technique can prove to be the better choice.
What are the key elements to consider when planning an animation project?
When planning an animation project, you must consider factors like objective and message, target audience, story and script, visual style, duration, budget, sound, and more. By carefully considering these elements, you can enjoy a smooth animation process and achieve all your intended goals.
