Discover how explainer graphics transform complex ideas into visually compelling content that resonates with audiences and drives measurable marketing results.

Businesses need compelling ways to communicate their value propositions quickly and effectively. Explainer graphics have emerged as a desirable tool in this environment, offering a visually dynamic approach to presenting complex ideas, products, and services. By combining engaging visuals, concise messaging, and strategic storytelling, explainer graphics can convey in seconds what might take paragraphs of text to explain, making abstract and difficult concepts accessible to diverse audiences while strengthening brand identity and driving marketing goals.

At Explain Visually, we’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative impact well-crafted explainer graphics can have on a company’s marketing efforts. As specialists in translating complex topics into clear, compelling visual narratives, we’ve helped businesses across various industries overcome the challenge of communicating technical information to their target audiences.

Our expertise in creating explainer videos and graphics stems from years of experience working with clients who needed to simplify complex concepts without losing the depth of their message. This article draws on our practical knowledge and success stories to provide you with insights into how explainer graphics can enhance your marketing strategy and help you connect with your audience on a deeper level.

What are explainer graphics?

Explainer graphics are visual communication tools designed to simplify complex concepts, processes, and products through a combination of illustrations, animations, and concise text. But what really sets them apart from traditional marketing materials?

Animated visuals transform abstract ideas into concrete, easy-to-understand concepts that resonate with diverse audiences.

Unlike traditional marketing materials, explainer graphics prioritize clarity and simplicity, breaking down complicated ideas into digestible visual segments that guide viewers through a logical narrative. They serve as bridges between technical expertise and general understanding, allowing businesses to communicate sophisticated value propositions without overwhelming their audience.

These graphics use visual storytelling techniques to create emotional connections with viewers, making information more memorable and impactful. It’s not just about conveying facts; it’s about telling a story that resonates with people on a deeper level.

Explainer graphics can take many forms, from static infographics and illustrated diagrams to dynamic animated videos and interactive presentations. The most effective explainer graphics strike a balance between educational content and entertainment, ensuring viewers remain engaged while absorbing key information.

In marketing contexts, explainer graphics often focus on addressing customer pain points and demonstrating how a product or service provides solutions. Modern explainer graphics frequently incorporate data visualization elements to support claims with concrete evidence while maintaining visual appeal.

At their core, explainer graphics (including explainer videos) embody the principle that seeing is understanding – they transform abstract concepts into tangible visual representations that create clear understanding where text alone might fail.

TOP 10 explainer graphics examples

Let’s dive into the specifics of popular types of explainer graphics that, with a bit of enthusiasm and effort, can become an integral part of your brand. It’s widely believed that a marketing strategy without proper presentation of its key elements is incomplete, and its message will never be fully understood. So, what tools (we call them secret weapons😆) can you, and should you, reach for? Here they are!

1. Animated explainer videos

The rockstars of explainer graphics! These videos use movement and storytelling to guide viewers through concepts, products, or services. Think character animations, lively visuals, and voiceovers that turn even dry topics into binge-worthy content. Perfect for brands wanting to entertain while they educate.

Explainer video about OSS and BSS.

Animated explainer videos are particularly effective at breaking down complex ideas into easily digestible chunks, making them ideal for tech companies or startups with innovative products. Animated characters bring life to complex concepts, making them relatable and memorable for viewers. They can create an emotional connection with viewers through relatable characters and scenarios, increasing engagement and memorability.

Moreover, these videos are highly shareable on social media platforms, potentially expanding your reach and attracting new customers through viral content.

2. Graphic explainer videos

Less “cartoonish,” more metaphor-driven. These videos use stylized visuals (like abstract illustrations or symbolic imagery) to simplify ideas without relying on characters. Ideal for industries like finance or tech where clarity trumps whimsy.

Explainer video about automating appointment scheduling

Graphic explainer videos excel at breaking down complex processes into digestible, visually appealing segments. They’re particularly effective for businesses looking to establish a more sophisticated brand image while still maintaining accessibility. These videos can significantly boost engagement and conversion rates, with studies showing that viewers are 27.4 times more likely to click on a video ad than a static banner.

Moreover, graphic explainer videos can be a successful tool for simplifying fintech concepts, helping to build trust and credibility with potential customers in an industry where clarity and understanding are paramount.

3. Motion graphics explainer videos

Text, shapes, and icons take center stage here. Great for visualizing workflows, timelines, or “how-it-works” content. Motion graphics explainer videos are incredibly versatile, allowing businesses to highlight key features and processes in a dynamic, engaging way. They’re particularly effective for illustrating abstract concepts or technical processes, making them a favorite among tech and software companies.

IKEA Motion graphic – BUILD YOUR HOME

By using animated text and icons, these videos can emphasize important information and create a sense of movement and progression, keeping viewers engaged throughout the presentation.

Additionally, motion graphics videos are often more cost-effective than live-action or character-based animations. It’s a budget-friendly option for startups and small businesses looking to create impactful content without breaking the bank.

Read also: Creative Motion Graphics Ideas to Inspire Your Next Project.

4. Whiteboard animation

Whiteboard animation represents another distinctive style, simulating the experience of watching someone draw explanations in real-time, which creates a sense of anticipation and revelation that keeps viewers engaged.

How does tea change the world? Whiteboard animation for Time4Tea

This style taps into our natural curiosity, making us lean in and wonder, “What’s going to be drawn next?” It’s like watching a story unfold before your eyes, one sketch at a time. The best part? Whiteboard animations have this uncanny ability to make even the most yawn-inducing topics feel fresh and exciting.

Plus, they’re a secret weapon for boosting memory retention – studies show that people remember whiteboard content 22% better than boring old PowerPoint slides.

5. Kinetic typography

Text with attitude. Words dance, grow, or explode to emphasize key messages. Perfect for quotes, slogans, or data-heavy content where words need to pack a punch. Ideal for social media content and video ads.

A classic example of impactful kinetic typography is the “Shop Vac” video by Jarrett Heather, which has become a benchmark in the field.
This style can transform even the most mundane text into a visually exciting experience, helping to increase engagement and message retention. One of the biggest advantages of kinetic typography is its versatility – it can be used to convey emotions, create rhythm, and highlight important information in ways that static text simply can’t match.

Moreover, kinetic typography can be particularly effective for multilingual audiences, as the visual movement of words can help convey meaning even when language barriers exist.

6. Mixed media explainer graphics

Why pick one style when you can mix live-action footage, animation, and photos? This collage approach creates textured, dynamic stories – ideal for brands wanting to feel “handcrafted” or eclectic.

KEAN 5 & 8 Fruits – Happiest Moment of the Day

Mixed media explainer graphics offer a unique blend of visual elements that can captivate audiences in ways single-style videos can’t. By combining live-action footage, animation, and photography, these videos create a rich, multi-dimensional experience that keeps viewers engaged throughout. This approach is particularly effective for brands looking to showcase their versatility or explain complex concepts that benefit from diverse visual representations.

Mixed media can also help bridge the gap between the digital and physical worlds, making abstract ideas more tangible and relatable.

7. Infographic and presentations

Infographics and presentations are the superheroes of data visualization, transforming complex information into eye-catching, easily digestible visual stories.

These popular tools can take mountains of statistics and turn them into engaging narratives that even the most number-phobic viewers can understand and enjoy. By combining colorful graphics, icons, and concise text, infographics make data come alive, helping viewers grasp key concepts at a glance.

Comic for “Voice of Mordor” summarizing the article about New Year’s resolutions.

8. Infographic videos

These merge stats, charts, and animations into snackable videos. Because nobody wants to stare at a static PDF, right☺️?

Infographic videos take this concept a step further by adding motion and animation to static infographics. This dynamic approach can guide viewers through data points, creating a sense of narrative flow and progression that keeps them engaged from start to finish.

These videos are particularly effective for explaining trends over time, comparing multiple data sets, or breaking down complex processes into manageable steps. With the right design and storytelling approach, infographic videos can turn even the driest statistics into compelling content that viewers actually want to watch and share.

9. Isometric explainer videos

Pseudo-3D designs that use angled perspectives to showcase products or spatial relationships. Love IKEA assembly instructions? That’s the vibe: clear, technical, but visually engaging.

Isometric explainer videos are like a visual playground for your brain, offering a unique perspective that’s both familiar and fresh. They’re perfect for breaking down complex systems or products, allowing viewers to see how everything fits together from multiple angles. This style is particularly effective for tech companies, SaaS products, or any business with intricate processes to explain.

Plus, the clean, geometric look of isometric videos gives them a modern, cutting-edge feel that can make even the most mundane topics seem exciting.

10. Educational and instructional videos

Educational and instructional videos are your go-to resource for sharing expertise, teaching new skills, or explaining complex concepts in an accessible format. These videos focus on providing viewers with valuable information and practical knowledge, making them a powerful tool for both marketing and internal training.

They are a great way of helping people associate within a community as the Eko-profit program does by organizing collections of used electrical equipment, contributing to the proper management of waste and thus taking care of the environment. The video concludes with a clear call-to-action, guiding viewers on the next steps to take.

Done well, they not only inform but also empower viewers to take action, solve problems, or achieve specific goals, which in the long run helps to build a community and good common habits. The key is to break down complex topics into digestible segments, use clear and concise language, and incorporate visuals that enhance understanding and retention. This creates content that is both educational and engaging.

Benefits of using explainer graphics in marketing

Ready to supercharge your strategy? Look into the perks of using explainer graphics.

• Rapid comprehension – explainer graphics allow you to communicate complex ideas quickly and effectively. You can convey your value proposition in seconds, ensuring your audience grasps key concepts without losing interest.
• Enhanced retention – visual information is more memorable. Studies show that people retain 65% of information when presented visually, compared to only 10% when delivered through audio alone.
• Simplified complexity – transform technical jargon and intricate processes into accessible visual narratives. This approach makes your offerings more approachable to a broader audience, potentially expanding your customer base.
• Versatile content – explainer graphics are adaptable across various marketing channels. From your website and landing pages to social media platforms and email campaigns, these visuals can enhance engagement wherever they’re deployed.
• Funnel optimization – at the early stages of the marketing funnel, explainer graphics excel at capturing attention and generating interest. They can effectively guide prospects deeper into the customer journey.
• Cross-cultural communication – the video effectively communicates complex ideas in a simple, engaging manner, guiding viewers through the customer journey. The visual nature of explainer graphics makes them ideal for reaching global audiences. You can communicate key messages without heavy reliance on language-specific content.
• Consistent messaging – ensure uniformity in how your team and marketing materials communicate key features and benefits. This consistency reinforces your brand identity across all touchpoints.
• Competitive differentiation – in crowded marketplaces, distinctive explainer graphics help your business stand out. They showcase your unique approach and brand personality effectively.

Educational content and data flows

Explainer graphics, by combining visuals, animation, and thoughtful pacing, help audiences not only understand information but also connect with it on a deeper level.

• Information – effective data flows in explainer videos guide viewers through information in a logical sequence that builds understanding progressively, preventing cognitive overload. Animation of data flows allows viewers to see relationships between different metrics or concepts, making abstract connections tangible through visual representation.
• Balance – when visualizing data, explainer graphics must strike a balance between simplification and accuracy, ensuring the information remains factually correct while still being approachable.
• Color – color coding in data visualization helps categorize information and highlight key trends or patterns that might otherwise be missed in static presentations.
• Time – the timing of data reveals in educational content is crucial. Pacing must allow viewers to absorb each piece of information before moving to the next data point.
• Numbers – contextualizing numbers through visual comparisons helps viewers grasp the significance of statistics that might otherwise seem abstract or meaningless.

Example of educational content and effective data flow in an Explainer Video. What is OSS (Operational Support Systems) and BSS? Animation for Suntech

Did you know that…

educational explainer graphics often use a technique called “progressive disclosure”? This method reveals information in carefully planned layers, ensuring the audience isn’t overwhelmed while gradually building a clear and comprehensive understanding.

Creating effective explainer graphics

Animated videos allow companies to create distinctive visual worlds that would be impossible or prohibitively expensive to achieve with live-action footage.

• The choice of animation style itself communicates a brand’s personality – sleek 3D animation might convey technological sophistication, while hand-drawn video style might emphasize creativity and a human touch.
• The movement and flow of animations – whether energetic and dynamic or calm and measured – reflect the temperament and energy of the brand.
• Sound design in animated videos, from background music to transition effects, creates an auditory dimension of brand identity that complements visual elements. Smooth transitions between scenes and concepts help maintain viewer engagement and create a cohesive narrative flow.
• Color palettes in animated videos can evoke specific emotional responses and create strong visual associations with the brand that persist beyond individual viewing experiences.
• The narrative voice and storytelling approach used in animations establish brand personality – whether authoritative, friendly, quirky, or inspirational.

Animated videos allow brands to visualize abstract concepts like trust, innovation, or efficiency through metaphorical imagery that becomes associated with the company’s identity. Over time, consistent use of certain animated elements creates a visual shorthand that audiences immediately associate with your brand, streamlining future communications.

Understanding your target audience

Creating effective explainer graphics begins with a deep understanding of your target audience. This involves identifying their pain points, interests, and level of familiarity with the subject matter. By knowing who your viewers are, you can tailor the content and visual style of your explainer graphics to resonate with them on an emotional and intellectual level.

For instance, if your audience is non-technical, you might focus on using simple, intuitive visual metaphors to explain complex concepts. Conversely, if your audience is highly specialized, you can use more technical language and detailed visualizations to convey nuanced information.

Understanding your audience also helps in selecting the right platform for distributing your explainer graphics. For example, if your target audience is active on social media, you might prioritize creating short-form, visually engaging videos optimized for mobile viewing. If your audience is more likely to engage with content on your website or through email marketing, you can focus on longer-form content that provides more in-depth information.

Using explainer graphics in your marketing strategy

Imagine this: over a billion people visit YouTube each month, watching a mind-boggling 4 billion videos daily. And that’s just YouTube! Social media giants like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat are becoming video powerhouses too. This means your explainer video could potentially reach millions of eyeballs worldwide at any given moment.

How is furniture produced? Whiteboard animation for FORTE (Explainer video examples on YouTube channel)

But here’s the kicker: with great reach comes great responsibility. Your explainer graphics need to be top-notch to stand out in this sea of content. They should be engaging, informative, and shareable – the kind of content that makes people stop scrolling and start watching.

Incorporating explainer videos into social media and email marketing

Explainer videos are like secret weapons for your social media and email campaigns. On platforms like Instagram or TikTok, short, snappy explainer videos can grab attention faster than you can say “viral”. They’re often the first handshake between your brand and potential customers. To make them work harder for you, optimize for mobile viewing – think vertical formats, catchy captions, and messages that pack a punch in seconds.

In the email world, explainer videos are game-changers. Embed them in newsletters or tease them with irresistible subject lines. It’s a great way to deliver complex info in a format that’s way more exciting than plain text.

Plus, the analytics you get from these campaigns are gold mines for understanding what makes your audience tick.

Adding explainer graphics to your website

Including explainer graphics on your website can significantly enhance user experience and conversion rates. Landing pages, in particular, benefit from explainer videos that quickly communicate the value proposition of a product or service, helping visitors understand why they should engage further with your site. These videos can be placed prominently above the fold to capture immediate attention and guide viewers through the key features and benefits of what you offer.

Infographic. What makes our animation studio the best choice for your project?

Explainer graphics can also be integrated into product pages to provide detailed demonstrations of how products work, addressing potential questions and concerns that might otherwise lead to abandonment.

The video highlights key features and benefits, showcasing how the product solves specific customer pain points.

By using motion graphics or animation to highlight key features and user-friendly design elements, you can make complex information more accessible and engaging, reducing friction in the customer journey and increasing the likelihood of conversion.

Conclusion

How can we wrap up this article? Explainer graphics are a valuable (and even necessary) tool in modern marketing. They offer you a unique opportunity to simplify complex concepts, engage diverse audiences, and achieve tangible results.

By leveraging animated explainer videos, motion graphics, and other visual storytelling techniques, companies like yours can more effectively communicate their value propositions, increase brand recognition, and build a strong brand identity.

As technology evolves and audience preferences shift, the role of explainer graphics will become increasingly prominent. By staying at the forefront of visual storytelling trends and continuously refining your approach based on audience feedback and analytics, you can ensure that your marketing strategy remains engaging, effective, and memorable in a crowded digital landscape.

So, what should you do next?

Let’s start with a conversation where we discuss your business goals, expectations, and plans. It’s a great starting point for collaboration.