How should your animated video sound? A guide to crafting a tone of voice

Have you ever observed how one emotional note can change entirely the course of conversation or, say, exaggerate a message? This power of tone can’t be underestimated. Especially when it comes to business.

You might hear about the importance of tone of voice for written content. In fact, if you order a video from an animated studio, the tone of it is as vital as it is for your blog. It’s a delicate balance between capturing the essence of the story while conveying the intended emotion, and it can make or break the audience’s connection to the piece.

The tone of an animated video must be carefully crafted to elicit the desired response. It’s a complex process that requires a deep understanding of the story and the audience. The right tone can elevate a message from ordinary to extraordinary: do you want

In the animated video world, finding the right tone means striking a balance between the animalistic and sense-driven, and the subtle and nuanced. It means capturing the familiar yet foreign experience of exploring a new world, while still conveying the caution that comes with new discoveries.

Resource: Giphy

Types of tones for animated video

Formal tone: this tone is serious and professional, often used for a law project.

Casual tone: relaxed and informal, very suitable – partly or fully – for projects across the industries.

Friendly tone: is warm and inviting, often used to create a sense of rapport or camaraderie. One way or another, it has to be a part of 99% of animated videos.

Sarcastic tone: this tone is biting and mocking, often used to express irony or sarcasm. There are a few projects that can use it for their campaigns. Harley-Davidson, for example. However, it is mostly appropriate to use it for event video without exaggerations.

Caring tone: empathetic and concerned, often used to express sympathy or support; a core of any animated video, especially product videos.

Humorous tone: lighthearted and playful, often used to create a sense of humor or entertainment.

Serious tone: this tone is somber and sober, often used to convey gravity or importance. If you have a socially powerful campaign, use it.

Persuasive tone: this tone is convincing and compelling, often used to persuade or influence others.

How to create your sound? 

When choosing a tone of voice for animated video there are a few pillars to stand on:

• The objectives of the video — what are you trying to achieve?
• Your target audience and the best way to communicate with them, including vocabulary and emotional shades. Knowing their age, gender, interests, and preferences can help you determine the appropriate tone to use.
• Brand personality — what kind of personality does your brand have? Is it playful and humorous, serious and professional, or something in between? Your tone of voice should align with your brand personality to maintain consistency.
• Message — what is the main message you want to convey in your animated video? Is it informative, inspiring, or entertaining? Your tone of voice should support your message and help to convey it effectively. Keep in mind that your message can include a blend of tones.
• Emotion —  what kind of emotion do you want to evoke in your audience? Do you want them to feel excited, motivated, or moved? Your tone of voice can play a significant role in creating the desired emotional response and will affect the action people could take.
• Style can also influence the tone of voice. For example, a video with a minimalist style might require a more serious tone, while a video with a colorful and playful style might require a more lighthearted tone.

Voice over artist as the embodiment of a tone of voice

The role of the voice-over artist in expressing the tone of voice in an animated video is critical. The voice-over artist is responsible for delivering the script in a way that conveys the intended tone and emotion of the video. He or she literally is the embodiment of the tone in your animated video.

The voice-over artist should be able to adapt their voice to match the tone of the script, whether it’s humorous, serious, or inspirational. They should also be able to convey the appropriate emotion, such as excitement, empathy, or motivation, to help connect with the audience and make the video more engaging.

In addition to delivering the script, the voice-over artist can also add nuances to the tone of voice, such as inflections, pauses, and emphasis, to help convey the intended emotion more effectively. For example, a pause in the delivery of a line can help create suspense or emphasize an important point.

So, before choosing a voice-over artist, determine the characteristics of the voice you need: consider the tone, gender, age, and accent you want for the voice-over artist. Ask yourself: how does the embodiment of the tone of voice sound?

In some cases, the accent of the voice-over artist can be a crucial factor in the cultural context of the video. For example, if the video is intended for a specific region or country, using an accent that is familiar to the audience can help establish a connection and make the video more relatable.

Resource: Giphy

Conclusion

The right tone of voice in an animated video can help the audience fact-check what’s real. It can help them connect with the story and the characters on a deeper level, creating a powerful emotional experience that lingers long after the video has ended. This leads people to take a certain action.

If you are looking to create an animated video with a perfect tone of voice, we are always ready to help you.