What is an explainer animation?
Sometimes you try to explain something and halfway through you see glazed looks. Not because it’s boring, but simply because it’s complicated. That’s exactly when you turn on an explainer animation (or explainer video).
An explainer animation is a short animation in which you explain something in a clear, visual way. Think of a process, a product, or an idea that is difficult to explain well in one go. By showing it step by step, the information becomes not only clearer, but also much easier to remember.
You encounter them more often than you think. Those creative safety instructions from KLM? Explainer animations. Those videos from the Tax Authority where it suddenly becomes clear how to file a tax return? Also explainer animations. More and more companies use them to show how something works, what they do, or why something is important, without you having to sift through a 40-page manual first.
Explanimation of Explainer
Explanimation may sound like a trendy word (and it is a bit), but it simply means: an explanatory animation. It is a combination of explain and animation and literally stands for explaining using images and movement.
Whether you call it an explainer video, explanatory animation, or explanimation: it all revolves around the same idea. You're explaining a complex topic in a visual and accessible way. Think of a technical system, a service with multiple steps, or a new product. This way, you make complex information more appealing and easier to remember.
Explanatory animation examples
Explanatory animation in your style
Animation comes in many flavors. What works best depends on your message, your audience, and how you want to convey the story.
2D animation is by far the most commonly used style. It is clear, flexible, and budget-friendly. Perfect for clearly explaining processes or creating a series of videos that connect nicely with each other. For example, think of the explanatory animations from the Tax Authority. They use 2D animation to share complex information in an understandable way.
3D animation is handy when you want to delve deeper. And we don’t mean just figuratively. With 3D animation, you can easily show how a device works from the inside or how a process is put together. Companies like Philips often use this style to visually clarify medical equipment or technical innovations.
And then there is the style with a presenter and motion graphics, often referred to as the NOS op 3 style. Nice and lively, visually strong, and useful if you want to convey complex topics in an accessible way. You also see it used by organizations like the RIVM or the Volkskrant, who aim to explain complex themes (like climate change or AI) to a broad audience.
In short: there is no standard solution. The right style depends on what you want to tell and how you want it to stick with the viewer.
Make it interactive
With interactive explanatory animations, you give the viewer control.
Suppose someone wants to know how a device works. Let them indicate which model they have, and voilà: a customized video. Or make an e-learning experience more engaging by asking a few questions along the way. This makes explanations not only clear but also fun to navigate. And it also ensures that the content is remembered up to 50% better.
Get an explanation animation made by Indall
At Indall, we combine animation with a healthy dose of technical insight. Our roots lie in the world of technology and energy – and you can feel that. We understand complex processes, know what is happening in the sector, and know how to make difficult topics visually understandable. From instruction to innovation, we translate it into the appropriate explanatory animation.
Introduction
First, the most important questions: What do you want to convey, to whom, and why? It's no problem if you are not sure yet; we will think along with you about how your explanation animation can make a difference. We always look at your existing content and house style, so that your new explanation animation fits seamlessly with it.
Concept & mood board
If we know what you want to communicate, we will come up with a concept that fits your goal and target audience. Think of this stage as a kind of visual brainstorming session: we will show you what it is likely to look like, so we can make sure we are on the same page.
Script & storyboard
Here your explanatory animation really takes shape. We write a script that looks good and sounds good. Because a good voice-over is worth its weight in gold. Next, we build a storyboard: a visual blueprint in which you can see exactly how the animation is constructed step by step.
Production & finishing
Once the storyboard is approved, we will start working on the actual animation. Images will receive color, movement, illustrations, and will be supported by sound. During this process, we will schedule feedback moments so you can maintain control over the final result without having to constantly oversee it.
Delivery & completion
Satisfied? Then we will deliver it in the right formats, suitable for your website, socials, presentation, or wherever you want to use it. Do you want an even shorter version, subtitles, or a separate teaser for LinkedIn? No problem. We ensure that your animation is not only good but also ready to make an impact right away!
The benefits of explanatory animations
Difficult, difficult, easy
Techniques, processes, systems - all incredibly interesting, but not always easy to explain. With an explanatory animation, you make it clear and attractive. This way, even the colleague from HR, the customer without a technical background, or a critical stakeholder will understand exactly what you mean.
One clear story
You know the situation: another presentation, the same questions again. Let an explanation animation do the work for you. You save time, everyone receives the same explanation, and you can move on to the next project. Win-win.
Show the invisible
Some innovations are underground or behind screens. No problem. With an explanatory animation, you literally take a look behind the scenes. This makes the invisible visible – and the complicated understandable.
