Top 10 animation commercial trends 2023

Animation is the magical world where rabbits can talk, mice wear clothing, and gravity is more of a suggestion than a rule. Yet, the commercial landscape has changed dramatically. Now, we’re entering an era of animation that’s as diverse and unpredictable. There are so many influences from modern inventions, so much of erased differences between the genres.

The visual world is changing literally every day, offering us more approaches to commercials than ever. Design is blending into it, so is AI. But there are more subtle trends you should be aware of. Today, we’re going to take you on a whirlwind tour through the top 10 trends in the world of animated wonders. Ready?

Smartphone Animation

In other words, vertical animation. Who needs a full-length movie when you can sum up your entire mood with a perfectly timed GIF? Thanks to our trusty smartphones, we’re living in an age of emojis, memes, and short, sweet animations. They fit perfectly between swipes on Tinder or scrolling through cat videos. It’s like instant gratification for your animated soul.

Many brands are looking to adjust their strategy to these formats more. Social media is the ruler here, so the form here may seriously impact the content. With approximately 6 billion mobile users worldwide and this number steadily on the rise, the way we experience media every day has been significantly influenced. A noteworthy trend for 2023 is the rise of vertical animations.

Animation with the Restricted Color Palette

In the world of art, less is often more. Today’s artistic trend revolves around crafting a compelling visual narrative with just a handful of primary colors, forsaking the lush spectrum of semi-tones that once defined our palettes. This approach has seamlessly seeped into the reality of animation from digital illustration, establishing itself as one of the most sizzling trends in the field.

Animation with a limited color range looks both simple and stylish. Artists who use only a few colors have to work hard to express the mood and character. Even with these limitations, their animations can be really attractive and special. They often give off a cool retro vibe that makes you feel a bit nostalgic.

Grain Animation

Animators have a nifty trick up their sleeves called “grain” to give images a genuine, down-to-earth appearance. It works like a texture enhancer for vector graphics, infusing illustrations with a touch of vitality.

The result? Images get a tad rugged, resembling real-world surfaces and textures more closely. Animated videos sporting this grainy effect stand out from the crowd and make a brand’s visuals pop. It sends the message that a company values that homemade, authentic quality and creativity.

Hybrid Animation

We modern people like to mix things. A hot trend is the fusion of hybrid techniques within a single video. These videos often blend 2D animation with 3D elements and, at times, even incorporate live-action footage.

The crème de la crème of animation for this year masterfully weave different artistic styles into one cohesive product, demonstrating how one form of animation can play off another in imaginative and enjoyable ways. 

Thin Lines Animation

This aesthetic trend is all about embracing rounder shapes, slender lines, and appendages that resemble noodles, all while maintaining a distinct Western vibe. The question arises, why did this trend gain such popularity?

In the world of video, lines play a multitude of roles – they provide direction, define shapes, and even set the mood.

Morphing

Morphing is a fascinating visual effect that smoothly transforms one shape or element into another, creating a mesmerizing flow. The seamless transition in animation captivates our attention, making us want to watch it until the very end.

Back in the late 1980s and 90s, this technique was initially wielded by Hollywood directors and special effects professionals for mind-blowing visual effects. Fast forward to today, and you’ll find this strategy applied in a variety of fields, from logos to website images. It’s a versatile tool that’s left its Hollywood roots behind and found a place in the broader world of design and media.

Isometric Animation

Isometric drawings take 3D objects and create 2D representations that make them appear 3D. This trick is pulled off by using lines that are drawn to the same scale for each axis, crafting the illusion of depth and perspective.

You often see this technique put to good use in technical drawings of houses and buildings, where it gives viewers the sense that they’re peering down from a bird’s-eye view.

Classic 3D Animation

That’s what you might say “never gets old” about. 3D is always working well for commercials, and today it is enriched by many other elements that can be added.

AR Animation

The rising popularity of AR technology is ushering in a new era where animated content seamlessly integrates with the real world. AR animation breathes life into characters and scenes, blurring the boundaries between the virtual and physical realms. Whether it’s interactive storybooks or educational apps, AR animation enhances user experiences and captivates audiences in innovative ways.

Gamified Animation

In 2023, we will witness a growing trend in the integration of animation with gaming experiences. Animators are actively exploring methods to elevate gameplay by weaving in captivating storytelling and visually breathtaking animated sequences.

This fusion of animation and gaming not only heightens player engagement but also empowers developers to forge stronger connections between gamers and the characters they guide. And, of course, it is widely used for commercial purposes.

Remember, that any of these styles can be a reality for your commercial goals. If you need that, don’t hesitate to contact us.