Author: Michelle Domanowski

Not every business is self-explanatory. That's why explainer videos are such a great tool for business owners.
However, there are so many different styles of explainer videos out there, it can be overwhelming to sort through them all and decide which is right for your business.
To make it easy, let's break down the three most popular styles of animated explainer videos that come across our studio.
First of all, what is an explainer video?
If this is your first time hearing the term "explainer video", don't worry. I guarantee you've seen hundreds, if not thousands, of them in your lifetime. To put it simply, an explainer video is any short-form video that helps explain a product or service.
Explainer videos can be a great way to "kill two birds with one stone" with your marketing budget. Not only can you use the video for advertising, but you're also educating your target audience about who you are and what you do.
Now that you know what explainer videos are and why they're beneficial, let's talk about the three most popular styles and their respective pros and cons.
1. Icon Explainer Videos
Icon Explainer Videos primarily use iconography to illustrate their concept. Here's an example from our studio:
Pros:
The modern style lends itself to a sense of timelessness
The fast pacing increases viewer engagement
If your target audience spans several demographics, using icons can be more inclusive
Cons:
Without a character to follow, there is less emotional attachment
If you don't yet have a branding toolkit for your company, it may be difficult to determine the right style and colors for the icons
2. Whiteboard Animations
Whiteboard Animation is a style that imitates drawing on a dry-erase whiteboard, and they're generally associated with educational-style content. Here's an example from our studio:
Pros:
Because each illustration is appearing to be drawn in real-time, it's easy for viewers to pay attention
Generally more cost-effective to make
Cons:
The associations with educational content is so strong, it would be difficult to use for other industries
Generally not as colorful as other animation styles
3. Narrative Explainer Videos
Narrative Explainer Videos are videos that tell a story using one or more characters. Here's an example from our studio:
Pros:
Storytelling is the best way to produce favorable emotional responses in your audience
Easy for the viewer to identify with the character
Cons:
More time-consuming to create, since it's utilizing character animation
Okay, I know which explainer video I want for my company. What next?
Once you've gone through the different types of explainer videos and decided which one works best for your business, the next step is to schedule a consultation.
While some styles are generally more cost-effective than others, there is no way to accurately determine the timeline and costs of a project until we've had a chance to review your project requirements.
Whether you'd like to know more about explainer videos or you're wanting a cost-effort analysis for your project, you're welcome to schedule a free consultation.
Written by Michelle Domanowski
Michelle is the Founder of Kris Animation Studio and a writer with an MFA in Screenwriting from Florida State University. At KAS, she leads creative projects that blend innovative storytelling with dynamic visual artistry. When writing for herself, she loves working on horror movies that keep her awake at night.
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