Why Animated Explainers Matter (and How We Do Them Right)

You've likely watched animated explainer videos at work if you've ever spent time on a website or scrolled social media. These short, eye-catching bits of content are among the most effective ways to explain complex concepts, introduce products, or capture someone's attention in under a minute. So, why is there so much hype, and how do you obtain one that really performs?

Animated explainers are engaging since they make the complex simple. Got a product or service that's too intricate to reduce to a few sentences? Visual storytelling can simplify it to bite-sized, memorable bits. Need to catch someone's attention in a loud marketplace? Clean, professional animation captures the viewer's attention and keeps them engaged until your message is conveyed. With all those competing messages out there, animated explainers break through the clutter and linger with people.

Yet quality overrides all. A badly made explainer can confuse instead of clarify, or, worse, look amateurish and off-brand. Which is why the making of one is every bit as important as the end result. At Connect, we've refined our process for making animated explainer videos to emphasize engaging storytelling, smooth visuals, and client involvement. Here's precisely how we do it, and why our process guarantees you'll get a video that works.

How Connect Manages an Animated Explainer Project

1. Story Always Comes First

Regardless of how nice the graphics are, all good video begins with a good story. We don't begin creating animations or designing visuals until we get your message down pat. An excellent animated explainer is not only beautiful; it's a concise, engaging story that resonates with your audience.

To make sure we get it right, we:

1. Collaborate closely with you to define the problem your audience faces, the solution you provide, and the key takeaway they need by the end of the video.
2. Write and refine a script that clearly and effectively communicates all of this information. Think of this as the blueprint for the entire project.

Why it works: Starting with the story ensures your audience connects emotionally by understanding the "why" behind your message first.

2. Functional Storyboard (The Visual Outline)

Once the words are locked in, we create a functional storyboard. This isn't about fancy art yet; it's a visual "skeleton" that defines how your message will unfold on screen. You can think of it as the outline of the visual story.

The key here is practicality. At this stage:

1. Our main storyteller, not an artist, plans the visual flow of the narrative.
2. We're focused on the structure, timing, and logic of the story, making sure it's easy to follow and engaging.

Why it works: This stage enables us to focus on clarity and flow without distractions, allowing you to weigh in early on how the story is shaping up.

3. The Illustrated Storyboard Brings it to Life

Once we've completed the functional storyboard, it's time to give it life. Our artists come in and develop the illustrated storyboard, adding branding, design, and visuals that enhance the story.

Here's what happens at this stage:

1. The visuals are designed to support, not overpower, the story.
2. We adhere strictly to your brand guidelines, ensuring consistency in style, tone, and messaging.
3. You get options to choose from, leveraging our extensive library of visual elements (so the explainer feels like it was made just for you, but without the long timelines of completely custom design).
4. We record a scratch-track voiceover to ensure timing, pronunciation, and pacing are spot on. This VO isn't final—but it ensures every piece fits perfectly before animation starts.

Why it works: This stage combines creativity with collaboration. You'll see a polished version of the video's storyboard and have total input before animation begins.

4. Animation & Finishing Touches

This is where the magic begins. With the approved illustrated storyboard, we move into full animation mode, bringing static frames to life as dynamic, compelling visuals.

At this phase, we also:

1. Sync the animation with your voiceover and adjust the speed to maintain a natural flow.
2. Add music from our huge royalty-free library to hit the right chord. Upbeat, laid-back, or inspirational, we'll nail the mood just right.
3. Add subtitles for accessibility and maximum reach.

Then, once you're happy with the animation, we swap the scratch voiceover for a professional-quality AI voice. This provides you with high-quality audio that's polished, crisp, and at a fraction of the price.

Why it works: Our animation stage seamlessly combines pictures, sound, and voice into a polished, dynamic, and professional finished product. And because we've done every step right along the way, there's no time wasted or endless revisions.

Why it works: (Connect's Core Beliefs on Process)

Our process isn't just about efficiency; it's rooted in principles that ensure the final product truly works for our clients. Here's what drives us:

1. Story is King: Every decision, from visuals to music, supports the story—not the other way around. A strong narrative makes the explainer unforgettable.
2. Client Collaboration is Key: At each stage, our approach includes your input early and often. You'll never be left out of decisions or stuck with something you didn't approve.
3. We Expect Tweaks: We leave plenty of room for refinements, right down to the final voiceover. You'll never be boxed into something you're not completely happy with.
4. Creative Solutions, Faster Results: By moving efficiently through stages and focusing only on what's needed to advance, we save you time and money without compromising quality or creativity.

And one more thing—we respect your brand. This is your explainer, not ours. Every stylistic choice is carefully crafted to reflect your unique voice, appearance, and overall goals.

The Advantage: Faster timelines, better alignment with your style guide, and no surprises.

Wrapping it Up

Animated explainers are among the most effective marketing tools available. Get them right, and they can boil complex ideas down to their essence, establish trust instantly, and lodge your brand firmly in someone's memory. But process counts. We do everything at Connect with the aim of getting your explainer to tick all those boxes—while being cost-effective, collaborative, and precisely right for you.

So, here's what to do next:

1. Start by identifying the message you want to share.
2. Reach out to a team (like ours!) that can help turn that idea into a strategic, beautifully crafted video.
3. Watch as your animated explainer becomes the hero of your content strategy.

When you're ready to create something your audience will watch, like, and share, we're here to help make it happen.