What you will Learn

Animated videos have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for a good reason. They offer a unique and engaging way to convey a message and are becoming increasingly accessible to businesses and organizations of all sizes.

With the rise of social media platforms and the importance of video marketing, animated videos have become a valuable tool for companies and organizations to promote their products and services.

What are animated videos?

Animated videos use animation techniques to create the illusion of motion or change. They can be made using 2D or 3D animation techniques, and they can be used for various purposes, such as marketing, education, entertainment, and more.

Why are animated videos getting traction?

There are several reasons why animated videos are getting more traction these days. Let's take a look at some of them.

1. Increased engagement

Animated videos are more engaging than others because they are visually appealing and can uniquely tell a story. They can hold the viewer's attention for extended periods, which is essential in today's age of short attention spans. According to a study by Wyzowl, 81% of businesses that use video marketing see an increase in sales, and animated videos are a big part of that.

2. Versatility

Animated videos are versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes. They can be used for marketing, education, entertainment, and more. They can also be used to explain complex concepts in a simple and easy-to-understand way. This versatility makes animated videos a valuable tool for businesses and organizations.

3. Cost-effective

Animated videos can be more cost-effective than other videos because they don't require expensive equipment or locations. They can be created using software and a computer, which makes them accessible to businesses of all sizes. This accessibility means that even small businesses can create high-quality animated videos to promote their products or services.

4. Ability to evoke emotions

Animated videos can evoke emotions in the viewer. They can make people laugh, cry, or feel inspired. This emotional connection can be powerful and can lead to a deeper relationship between the viewer and the brand or message being conveyed in the video.

5. Sharable

Animated videos are highly sharable on social media platforms. They are easy to share, and their visual appeal makes them more likely to be shared than other types of content. This sharability can help increase the video's reach and the brand or message being conveyed.

Examples of Animated Videos

Many examples of animated videos have gone viral and have successfully increased engagement and sales. Let's take a look at some of them.

Metro Trains

"Dumb Ways to Die" is an animated video created as a public service announcement campaign by Metro Trains in Melbourne, Australia, in 2012. The video features cute and colorful characters singing a catchy song while demonstrating various unsafe behaviors around trains, such as standing too close to the edge of the platform or crossing the tracks when a train is coming. The video's humorous tone and catchy tune quickly gained popularity online, and it became a viral sensation. The campaign's goal was to raise awareness about the dangers of reckless behavior around trains and reduce the number of train-related accidents.

Dropbox

"Dropbox Intro" is an animated video created by Dropbox, a file hosting service, in 2017. The video serves as an introduction to Dropbox's features and benefits for new users. It features simple, colorful animations that explain how Dropbox can help users store, access, and share their files seamlessly across multiple devices. The video highlights the convenience and security of using Dropbox, as well as its collaborative features that allow teams to work together on projects from anywhere. The video's tone is upbeat and friendly, and it aims to make Dropbox's features easy to understand and accessible for all users.

Chipotle

"Chipotle - The Scarecrow" is an animated video commercial released by the restaurant chain Chipotle in 2013. The video features a scarecrow living in a dystopian world where factory farming dominates the food industry. The scarecrow dreams of a better world where fresh, wholesome food is available to everyone. He embarks on a journey to show people the difference between the natural and sustainable farming practices of his small farm and the industrialized food production of the big corporations. The video is animated using stop-motion techniques, with a mix of puppets and computer-generated imagery. The ad aims to promote Chipotle's commitment to ethical and sustainable food sourcing, as well as to raise awareness about the negative impacts of factory farming on animals and the environment.

Apple

The "Apple iPhone X Trailer" is an animated promotional video released by Apple in 2017 to showcase the features and design of the iPhone X. The video features a sleek, black iPhone X floating in space against a starry background. The camera zooms in on the device, highlighting its edge-to-edge display, Face ID technology, and dual camera system. The video also showcases the phone's new animated emojis, known as Animojis, which are able to mimic the user's facial expressions. The trailer's music and pacing are designed to create a futuristic and cutting-edge feel, highlighting the iPhone X as a high-tech and innovative device.

Cadbury Dairy Milk

"Cadbury Dairy Milk - Aliens" is an animated video advertisement by Cadbury, a confectionery company, in Canada in 2021. The video features a group of friendly aliens visiting Earth and discovering the joy of Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate. The aliens' reactions to the chocolate are comical and endearing, and they quickly become fans of the delicious treat. The advertisement is set to a whimsical soundtrack and features bright colors and playful animation. The video's message is that Cadbury Dairy Milk is a universal pleasure that can bring joy to anyone, even visitors from other worlds.

Tools to create Animated Videos

Creating an animated video can seem daunting, but many tools are available to help businesses and organizations create high-quality animated videos.

Here are some popular tools for creating animated videos:

Powtoon

Powtoon is a cloud-based software that allows users to create animated videos and presentations. The software offers many features and capabilities, including a simple drag-and-drop interface, customizable characters and backgrounds, and the ability to add voiceovers and sound effects.

Vyond

Vyond (formerly GoAnimate) is another cloud-based software that allows users to create animated videos and presentations. The software offers a variety of animation styles, customizable characters, and backgrounds, and the ability to add voiceovers and sound effects.

Animaker

Animaker is a cloud-based software that allows users to create animated videos, presentations, and infographics. The software offers a variety of animation styles, customizable characters, and backgrounds, and the ability to add voiceovers and sound effects.

Adobe After Effects

Adobe After Effects is a professional software for motion graphics and visual effects. It is a more advanced tool for creating animated videos, but it offers a wide range of capabilities and can be used to create complex animations.

Blender

Blender is a free and open-source 3D creation software that can be used to create animated videos. It offers a variety of animation tools and features, including modeling, rigging, animation, and rendering.

In addition to these tools, many resources are available to help businesses and organizations create animated videos. These resources include tutorials, templates, and examples of successful animated videos. By using these resources and tools, businesses and organizations can create engaging and effective animated videos that can help increase engagement, sales, and brand awareness.

Finishing Notes

In conclusion, animated videos are getting traction these days, and for a good reason. They offer a unique and engaging way to convey a message and are becoming increasingly accessible to businesses and organizations of all sizes. The increased engagement, versatility, cost-effectiveness, ability to evoke emotions, and sharability of animated videos make them valuable tools for businesses and organizations.

Consider incorporating animated videos into your marketing strategy if you haven't already. With the right tools and resources, businesses and organizations can create high-quality animated videos that can help increase engagement, sales, and brand awareness.