Types of Animation Techniques in Business Video

The animation techniques in video production below are grouped by how they are made rather than by what they look like, because that is what decides the cost and the timeline. Each section covers what the technique suits, roughly what it takes to produce, and when a different one would serve you better.

Video animation is everywhere now, and there is a good reason for it. You might need to explain a complex product, tell your brand's story or hold an audience through a long update. Animation can do each of those jobs. The look matters less than whether your viewer remembers the message once the video ends. 

This post breaks down the different types of animated videos you can use for business communication. We start with what animation is, then cover the main styles and how to pick the one that fits your goal. After that, I'll walk you through the steps of making an animated video, whether you do it yourself or work with a service like Shootsta. By the end you should know which style suits your next project and what it will take to make it on brand.

What is video animation?

Video animation is the process of making moving visuals from still images, graphics or illustrations. It has become a standard tool in business communication. Traditional video production needs a shoot, while animation skips the camera entirely. You don't have to line up schedules, hire on-camera talent or book a location. That suits teams with small budgets, because they can still make polished videos that match their brand.

Animation is also very good at explaining ideas that are hard to film. In SaaS, technology and education, abstract ideas and multi-step processes come up every day. Animation turns them into visuals a viewer can follow at a glance. You can show how a piece of software works, or walk through a process one step at a time, without a single camera setup.

Animated videos also keep a message consistent and neutral. That helps with sensitive or impersonal topics like HR announcements and policy updates. A live-action video depends on the person in it, while an animation doesn't, so it stays usable when staff move on. The message lands the same way every time, with no presenter to shape how it is received, and the video lasts longer as a result. 
Read our guide to creating effective animated videos

Types of video animation

Video animation comes in a wide range of styles, and each one suits different jobs. Below are the most common types of video animation that businesses use to tell their stories and reach their audiences, with an example of each.

2D Animation

2D animation is the classic style most people think of when they hear the word "animation." It's all about flat, two-dimensional graphics moving in a way that brings them to life. You've probably seen this in cartoon-style explainer videos that simplify complex ideas and make them easy to understand.

What it's good for: 2D animation is great for creating straightforward, cost-effective videos that tell a story or explain a concept. It suits businesses that need to make videos quickly and still want them to look creative. It is also easy to update later, since a changed line of script only means redrawing a scene or two. 

Example [created using Shootsta]: The NSW Health 2D animation video follows a patient, Josh, as digital health technology helps him after a bike accident. It was created using Shootsta. The story is clear and easy to follow, and it turns a complex healthcare process into a simple narrative. The visual style feels professional and friendly, so viewers can keep up and see why eHealth NSW's digital health support matters.

3D Animation

3D animation adds depth and realism to the visuals. Use it when you need to show a product from every angle, or build a lifelike space that viewers feel they could step into.

What it's good for: 3D animation is your go-to for high-quality, detailed presentations. It's especially useful for product demos, architectural visualisations, and anything else that benefits from a realistic, immersive look.

Example: The Slack animation uses 3D to bring the idea of collaboration and productivity to life. Its rich, moving visuals show how Slack connects people and apps so that good ideas get built. The style explains what Slack does and keeps viewers watching at the same time. By the end, the viewer has a clear picture of what the platform is for and why they might want it.

Motion Graphics

Motion graphics are all about moving text and graphic elements in a way that's visually engaging and easy to follow. This style is often used to present information clearly and effectively, making it a favourite for corporate videos and infographics.

What it's good for: Motion graphics are a good fit for complex information, because they make it easy to digest and keep people watching. They're often used in title sequences, infographics, and other content that needs to communicate a lot of data quickly and clearly.

Example: The Calibur animation uses motion graphics to explain the technology behind its cloud storage and communication services. Moving visuals and smooth transitions walk through how client data is split, encrypted and spread across storage hosts around the world. That process would be hard to show any other way. Motion graphics break it into clear steps that are pleasant to watch.

Whiteboard Animation

Whiteboard animation mimics the experience of watching someone draw out an explanation on a whiteboard. It's a simple, yet highly effective way to break down complex topics into bite-sized, easy-to-understand segments.

What it's good for: Whiteboard animation is excellent for educational content and training videos. Use it whenever you need to explain a process or concept one clear step at a time. Because each drawing appears in order, viewers follow the logic as it builds instead of trying to read a full slide at once.

Example: The whiteboard animation for Unilever and the NCAA creatively outlines their partnership through dynamic, hand-drawn visuals. The whiteboard style keeps the ideas simple, so the benefits come through clearly. Watching the drawings appear holds attention, and the message is easy to remember afterwards.

Stop Motion Animation

Stop motion animation involves physically manipulating objects in small increments between individual frames, creating the illusion of movement when the series of frames is played as a continuous sequence. This style is unique and often has a handmade, authentic feel to it.

What It's Good For: Stop motion is ideal for brands looking to add a touch of creativity and craftsmanship to their content. It's great for storytelling with a personal, handcrafted touch.

Example: This short Shootsta stop motion animation shows off our new Kit by turning the unboxing into a small story. Stop motion lets the video take the custom camera kit apart piece by piece, and it feels playful. You can see the care that went into the kit. The tactile style also makes the product more appealing to the people who will use it.

Typography Animation

Also known as kinetic typography, this style animates the text itself so the words carry the motion. The words move on screen in time with the voiceover or music. You'll see it often in marketing campaigns and social media videos.

What it's good for: Typography animation works well when one message has to stand out. It also brings text-heavy material to life and adds movement to presentations and marketing videos.

Example: The typography animation Shootsta created for global luxury brands shows how much a text-driven video can say. It uses simple, bold text that moves with purpose. That catches the eye and matches the polish and precision luxury brands expect. Each word and phrase is timed for the audience it speaks to, so the video is good to look at and the message still comes through.

Choosing an Animated Video Style

The right animation style for your video is the one that works for your brand and your audience. Looks come second. Use these four checks to choose the style that will have the most impact.

How to create animated videos

Making an animated video can feel like a big job. It gets easier once you split it into smaller steps. Here's a step-by-step guide to making an animated video that people watch to the end.

STEP 1 Define your objective

Before you start, be clear on what you want the video to do. It might explain a product, hold your audience's attention through an update, or raise brand awareness. Your objective guides every later decision, from the style of animation to the script. Write down the one message you want your audience to take away.

STEP 2 Choose the right animation style

Once you know your objective, choose an animation style that supports it. The options include 2D, 3D, motion graphics and whiteboard animation. Your choice should fit your brand's identity and suit your target audience. Choosing an animation style is simple with Shootsta, as we have a range of animation styles ready for you to add your messages and branding, so each video looks like yours.

STEP 3 Create a script and storyboard

With your objective and style set, start writing your script. The script holds up the whole video, because it sets out the story you want to tell. Once it's ready, build a storyboard that shows how the video moves from one scene to the next. It lets you plan timing, transitions and key visuals before any animation starts. Scripting and storyboarding is easy with Shootsta, with simple to use tools for both within the platform.

STEP 4 Design and animate

This is the fun and complex part, where your storyboard turns into moving pictures. A service like Shootsta makes it easy, even if you're not an expert. The work covers designing your characters, scenes and other elements, then animating them to match the storyboard. Keep it simple, and check that the animation supports your message instead of competing with it.

STEP 5 Add voiceover and music 

The right audio makes a big difference to how a video lands. A clear, professional voiceover guides your audience through it, and music and sound effects add emotion. Check that the audio fits the visuals and supports them. When using Shootsta, you can choose from a range of diverse, professional voiceover artists from directly within the platform. For music, send a track or a short direction. Our editing team then does the work for you and puts it together to match your script and storyboard.

STEP 6 Review and refine 

Before you sign off the video, review it with care. With Shootsta, you can review your new animated video inside our platform. Share it with colleagues or a small test audience, collect their feedback and be ready to make changes. This is where you catch problems with timing, clarity or the visuals before the video goes out.

STEP 5 Publish and promote 

Once your video is ready, put it where your audience spends time. That could be your website, social media or an email campaign. Track how it performs once it's live. Views, shares and watch time tell you how well the video is landing, and they help you plan the next one.

FAQs

What type of animation is best for my business?

The right animation style depends on your business goals and your target audience. If you need to simplify complex ideas, 2D animation or whiteboard animation is usually the best choice. If you need to show a product in detail or create a more immersive feel, 3D animation works well. Motion graphics suit corporate presentations and anything that has to make data easy to follow. Pick the style that fits your message and the people who will watch it.

How much does it cost to create an animated video?

The cost of an animated video varies a lot with its complexity, length and style. Simple 2D animations tend to cost less, while detailed 3D animation or highly custom motion graphics cost more. When you set a budget, include scriptwriting, voiceover, music and revisions. Services like Shootsta's help you control costs with a platform that makes production simpler. You get a range of animation styles for different purposes and professional results at a lower price than a traditional animation studio. 

Can I make an animated video without any design experience?

Yes. With a partner like Shootsta, our team does the heavy lifting for you. You get simple workflows, a range of animation styles and editors who learn your brand identity, so you can make professional videos with no design experience. The platform guides you through each step, from scripting to final edits, which helps if you're new to animation.

How long does it take to create an animated video?

The timeline for creating an animated video depends on the style and complexity. A simple 2D animation takes far less time than a detailed 3D animation. If fast turnaround matters to you, a platform like Shootsta speeds up the process a great deal. Its simple workflows and ready-to-use animation styles cut out much of the setup time.

If you're ready to animate your next project with Shootsta, Contact us and we'll talk through how we can help bring your ideas to life. Tell us what you need the video to do, and we'll suggest a style that fits.

Keep reading

• The Business Animation Playbook
• Create Effective Animated Business Videos
• Animation Agency UK: Enterprise-Ready Content
• Animation Storyline Planning