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Pros and cons of whiteboard animation Where to use whiteboard animation? What types of video are best to use with whiteboard animation? Whiteboard animation VS other styles Summary12 min read
- A whiteboard animation video is basically an explainer video that can be used for many reasons, but the typical goal is to sell a product or describe services.
- Whiteboard animation videos are incredibly effective for communicating complex ideas with step-by-step explanations.
- Using whiteboard animation can boost attention to your brand.
When you have decided to take advantage of the whiteboard animation, which is also known as Doodle video, among the others, you should be sure about the expediency of this format. But if you are not, it is possible to face confusion that will reduce the influence of your video.
As the doodle style became popular in recent days, a lot of video-creators use this type because it seems to be good enough to use them in a variety of spheres. However, when it comes to the selection of the style and its further development, there are some aspects and problematic parts. Sometimes people do not understand when the style is suitable.
Pros and cons of whiteboard animation
Let’s take a look at one example of whiteboard animation.
Here you can see definite pros of this style:
- It is very depictive – as you can see, simple objects that appear right in front of you can be even wordier than some colorful animation;
- Uses storytelling – step-by-step, chronologically or at least logically;
- Simple, precise and yet capable of exhausting the subject;
- Sequence – creator provides a viewer with different images during the story or explanations for better memorization and understanding.
While we can observe here a lot of very good sides of this animation, there are also cons. Here goes:
- A whiteboard animated video is not a gaudy invention – it is mostly black drawing on a plain white background. If the video is too long, your video has the risk of becoming quite boring for the viewers.
- Without a script and a really good voice-over, it doesn’t really work.
- Characters are not driving anything here, they need merely for description.
The advantages of this type of animation are very tied with its weak sides. If the amount of covered material is enormously big, black and white techniques become rather helpful tools. Using it helps to reduce the possibility of making the viewer tired. With such types of animation, there is no need to worry that the quantity of the ideas and content can push away viewers. Good and visible explanations won’t get people distracted by searching for any additional info. What is also important, doodles allow increasing the length of movies without the loss of the viewer’s concentration: animation is dynamic and entertaining.
Where to use whiteboard animation?
Complex or technical product/service. Sometimes some troubles obstruct the digital presentation of any product or service. Luckily, the usage of black and white format is capable of introducing the audience concepts that are difficult to understand without making people bored during the process. Visualized materials are usually easier to remember and accept. Business purposes. Doodle presentation is a perfect choice for projects that consist of many steps that should be simplified. This format can rapidly attract the attention of several clients and companies with its short and plain scenario, clear animation.
Main mistakes connected with whiteboard animation: Changing a classic theme to a colorful one. The scenery colored in white has been chosen for a reason. First of all, a plain backdrop helps to attract and hold viewers’ eyes and minds on the subject and information in the video. Besides, the colourless theme is important when there is a need to use any color because it accentuates the role of the paint. Colorful backdrop sometimes distracts people and makes the total content less memorable. But if you really don’t like the white background, there are other neutral examples such as plaid and lined notebook.
What types of video are best to use with whiteboard animation?
It is effective and quick for companies with the help of the doodle videos for marketing promoting their products. Especially, when they can’t be touched like other objects or understood due to the complexity of the material. For example, in this video, we can see not only a complete description of the technology, but also moves a viewer to a clear selling point.
- Music videos
An interesting but still impressive combination explains by drawing on the screen what you hear in a unique style. This method can be perfect to deal with some kinds of music because pictures made especially for the video and put at the right time may have more vital return and response. Music videos accompanied by related images provoke deep feelings in the viewers. “Weird Al” Yankovic – Mission Statement is a well-known music video where you can see a great example of this mix published in 2014.
- Education and learning
Talking heads and persons become things of the past. It is usually boring to stare at somebody who is presenting any hard topic. And, what is more, the efficiency is rather doubtful. The artistic side of humans likes drawings so why not combine this with the vital process for anybody – learning. And a perfect example is not a video, it’s a company presenting a lot of videos including whiteboard usage. It is RSA the place where you can see the potential of the black and white animation with interesting and surprising topics that affect a lot of things and processes.
To get assured about the reputation of their movies you can check the number of viewers and followers. It is not a problem for RSA to collect several million numbers of views on any whiteboard animated video. Here’s a video literally about learning – try to notice how exactly the animator takes your attention through the storyline.
- TED Talks
Yes, it is one of the most applicable formats for these videos. A lot of people are familiar with this company due to its popularity in a variety of spheres. Thus, whiteboard use during presenting any topic is quite important for the big part of the TED videos. This method is really perfect to introduce and explain any subject regardless of how difficult it is. It doesn’t matter what the length of the video is: it is still an ideal solution for both short and long examples. This animation easily avoids unnecessary attention on the narrator and swaps the viewers’ minds to the video.
- Instructions and guides
Today, there are a lot of things we need to know but it is hard to get essential info with a full comprehension of the topic. Cool whiteboard ideas provide viewers with not only written advice and explanations that are really easy to find on the Internet but also with related drawings and animations. They will be helpful to gain some practical skills because working with anything you have seen before is much easier. One of the best ways to instruct your viewers is to make an educational video about your product, like this one.
- Entertaining videos
Pretty-looking animation gives us a lot of pleasure. They may present different things or describe some interesting recent events. Maybe, it is possible to create a cartoon with an uncommon style. Generally, all kinds of doodle videos are a bit entertaining and it is a crucial aspect!
Such videos are very good at explaining product features, because of its ability to describe services or products – the main thing here is simplifying effect.
Whiteboard animation VS other styles
The first and main difference is obvious – whiteboard animation is much cheaper than other animations. However, in many cases, this type is less functional and definitely possesses fewer advantages than cartoon animation, 3D or graphic animation.
When should you turn to this type of animation:
- When you are trying to make the viewer a part of the creative process
- To make a step-by-step guide;
- To simplify a complicated idea.
The other differences are easy to put down – clearly, there are fewer possibilities to surprise viewers when it comes to whiteboard animation. Animation evolves very fast, and new styles appear all the time.
Summary
All in all, a whiteboard animation example might be a great choice for your video projects. A variety of possible spheres where it seems like a suitable format makes it popular and frequently used. And some unique features also give more possibilities for everybody. Among the variety of animated styles, whiteboard animation is not the best one to use, but definitely can be very good for practical aims.
In any case, if you need an animated video for your brand that step-by-step explains your services, contact us right now! We can make a new idea from scratch and wrap it up in a perfectly crafted video.