Whiteboard Animation vs Motion Graphics Animation

You’ve identified your audience, formulated your message, you know what it needs to achieve, and you’ve decided to create an animated explainer video. But you’re still a bit confused: there are so many animation styles around, and which one should you choose? Should you be looking for whiteboard animation services or digital 3D services? First of all, let’s narrow it down – in our opinion, it almost always comes down to either motion graphics or whiteboard animation. Due to the simplicity, elegance, beauty, and versatility of these two styles, it’s rare to find a concept or message that can be better communicated by any other style of animation.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s take a closer look at our two contenders.

What is whiteboard animation?

Whiteboard animation was originally a recording of the creation of a storyboard with pictures and text as an artist draws them on a whiteboard. The style made use of older styles such as time-lapse or stop-motion, but the focus was always the whiteboard – which is where the name comes from. Now, whiteboard animation has gotten more complex and uses a variety of techniques, including actual animation of the whiteboard doodles. The focus however remains on whiteboard drawings.

What is motion graphics animation?

Motion graphics are essentially moving images (or, strictly speaking, graphics that have been given the illusion of movement). Within this definition you have a wide range of technologies and styles. Whiteboard animation can sometimes be included in this category if the animation is not made up of actual footage of an artist drawing on a whiteboard, but instead uses software to create moving images in the whiteboard style.

Great. So which one is better?

Unfortunately, that question doesn’t have a simple answer. We first need to answer this one: better for what? Each style has its pros and cons, and as we just explained, they even overlap to some extent. To decide which one is better, you need to understand both styles and then consider how well they work for your message and your business.

Here are a few things worth considering:

• Whiteboard animation is fresh and new. It arose and became popular in roughly the last 15 years. Motion graphics, on the other hand, goes back centuries or at least several decades, depending on how broadly you define the style. Does your video need a fresh, trendy touch, or a classic touch?
• Whiteboard animation tends to come across as informal and friendly. Motion graphics tend to come across as more polished and professional. Do you need to just get your message across in a hard, professional manner or do you need a warm, personal touch?
• Whiteboard animation is usually cheaper than motion graphics. It is possible to create a great whiteboard animation on a small budget. Great motion graphics, on the other hand, can be quite expensive. Think about what your budget will allow.
• On the other hand, whiteboard animation, being based on whiteboard doodles, has certain visual limitations that motion graphics do not. Consider whether the limited range of color, texture, mood, and so on will be a strength or a weakness.

In general, whiteboard animations tend to be great at explaining concepts – the simple, clutter-free, informal presentation makes even complex concepts accessible and easy to understand. On the other hand, in situations where presenting a brand identity is important, whiteboard animations tend to be rather characterless – this is where you need the rich palette of motion graphics.

Don’t go looking for whiteboard animation services in Los Angeles before you know exactly what you need for your explainer video. Consider the pros and cons of each style not in the abstract, but in the context of your company, your product, your message, and your audience.