Among the vast amount of digital content, hand-drawn animation is notable for its distinctive style and authenticity, which even the most advanced computer animation technologies cannot equal. To see the magic unfold, consider watching a video with hand-drawn animation — it could transform your brand’s storytelling approach. Is this type of animation right for you? Let’s find out and give your message the impactful visual flair it deserves!

The animation industry has been experiencing unprecedented growth in recent years, and within this vast landscape, explainer videos have carved out a significant niche. Who is leading the charge? There is no doubt that it is hand-drawn animation, particularly whiteboard-style explainer videos, that is driving this growth. And this is no coincidence, for in an era of digital saturation, the distinctive charm and personal touch of hand-drawn animation create an authenticity that audiences instantly connect with.

At Explain Visually, we’ve witnessed this transformation firsthand, which is why we’re so eager to write about it. In short, we’re deeply immersed in it! We’ve created over 150 hand-drawn animations for clients ranging from global corporations like Sharp to specialized businesses such as AleBilet, Millennium Leasing, and Winaico.

Our approach has always focused on effectiveness rather than just aesthetics. We don’t just create visually pleasing content; we craft animations that actually work. Before putting pen to digital paper, we thoroughly analyze our clients’ needs to ensure every stroke serves a purpose. Today, we’re leveraging our years of expertise once again to present you with practical tips that might help you grow your business or enhance education – and we’re counting on it!

What is hand drawn animation?

Hand drawn animation is a technique that brings illustrations to life through sequential drawings that create the illusion of movement when displayed in rapid succession. Unlike computer-generated animation that relies heavily on software to create movements, hand-drawn animation showcases the artist’s personal touch in every frame, resulting in a distinctive style that feels organic and human.

Notably, hand-drawn animation has evolved significantly from its roots in traditional cel animation, where artists worked on transparent sheets, to modern digital methods that maintain the hand-drawn look while harnessing technology for greater efficiency and creative flexibility.

What makes hand-drawn animations so phenomenal?

The authenticity of hand-drawn animation stems from its inherent imperfections—the subtle variations in line weight, the nuanced differences between frames, and the unique character that emerges from the artist’s distinct drawing style. These “imperfections” paradoxically create a more captivating viewing experience because they reflect human creativity rather than computer precision. Hand-drawn animation resonates with viewers on an emotional level precisely because it feels crafted by human hands, imbuing it with a personal touch that algorithms cannot replicate.

Digital tools have revolutionized the process while maintaining the essence of hand-drawn animation, allowing artists to combine the warmth of manual drawing with the efficiency of modern technology. Today’s hand-drawn animations often blend traditional techniques with digital enhancements, creating a hybrid approach that captures the best of both worlds.

Key characteristics of hand-drawn animation:

• Organic, fluid movement that feels natural and lifelike
• Distinctive artistic style that reflects the creator’s unique approach
• Frame-by-frame creation process that allows for incredible detail and expression
• Versatility in representing abstract concepts, emotions, and ideas
• Nostalgic quality that evokes childhood memories of classic animations
• Ability to simplify complex messages through visual metaphors and storytelling
• Authenticity that creates immediate emotional connection with viewers

Benefits of hand drawn animation

You now understand what makes hand-drawn animation unique, but the most important question remains: what tangible benefits can it bring to your business, educational content, or communication strategy? There are numerous benefits, but we’ll show you a few that demonstrate the power of hand-drawn animation.

• Superior engagement and retention – hand-drawn explainer videos capture and maintain attention in ways that text or static images simply cannot. The dynamic movement of animated elements naturally draws the human eye, while the storytelling format helps viewers relate to and remember your content.

Research shows that viewers retain 95% of information from video compared to just 10% from text, and the unique qualities of hand-drawn animation further enhance this effect.

• Simplification of complex messages – one of hand-drawn animation’s greatest strengths is its ability to make complicated ideas accessible. Through visual metaphors, sequential revelation of information, and focused storytelling, hand-drawn animation breaks down complex messages into digestible, understandable components. This is particularly valuable for technical products, services with multiple benefits, or abstract concepts that would otherwise require lengthy explanation.
• Distinctive brand identity – the unique animation style becomes associated with your brand, creating recognition and memorability that generic stock footage or standard video simply cannot achieve. Your target audience will come to associate your distinctive visual approach with your brand’s personality and values.
• Enhanced emotional connection – the human touch inherent in hand-drawn animation creates an immediate emotional response. The organic imperfections and artistic style feel more authentic and trustworthy than perfectly polished digital animation, helping viewers connect with your message on a deeper level.
• Versatility across platforms – hand-drawn animations work effectively across multiple platforms and contexts. From website features to social media content, presentations to advertising campaigns, the same animation can be adapted to various formats while maintaining its core impact.

Our experience at Explain Visually has shown that hand-drawn explainer videos consistently outperform other content formats in key metrics including view duration, conversion rates, and information retention. Clients across industries report tangible results after implementing hand-drawn animation in their communication strategies.

Types of hand drawn animation

Hand-drawn animation encompasses several distinct styles, each with unique characteristics and applications. To truly appreciate the versatility and charm of each style, watching a video with hand-drawn animation can provide insights into how they can enhance your storytelling. Understanding these different types will help you determine which approach best suits your specific communication goals and target audience.

Classic whiteboard animation videos

The quintessential whiteboard animation videos feature visuals being drawn on a white background, typically with a visible hand creating the illustrations in real-time. This style has become iconic for educational content and explainer videos due to its clarity and engaging reveal process. The use of animated hands in hand-drawn animation adds a personal touch, guiding the viewer’s attention and enhancing engagement.

For example, we created a captivating whiteboard animation for Forte that illustrates the journey of their furniture from design to delivery. The animation skillfully simplifies complex production processes, showcasing Forte’s commitment to quality and sustainability by highlighting meticulous quality control and eco-friendly practices throughout each stage.

This animation style is particularly effective for storytelling that unfolds sequentially, as viewers naturally follow the drawing process from start to finish. The visible hand creates a sense of human connection and guides the viewer’s attention throughout the presentation. Whiteboard videos excel at maintaining focus on key messages without distracting elements, making them ideal for complex explanations.

Illustrated explainer animation

This style uses hand-drawn illustrations that animate without showing the creation process. The finished drawings move, transform, and interact on screen, creating a more dynamic and polished look while maintaining the charm of hand-crafted elements.

For example, we developed a whiteboard animation for Millennium Leasing that illustrates their financing solutions through progressive drawings, gradually revealing the full story of how their services benefit clients. The hand-drawn approach helped simplify complex financial concepts that might otherwise seem daunting.

Illustrated explainer videos provide greater creative freedom for visual storytelling, allowing characters, objects, and backgrounds to move independently and interact in complex ways. This approach works exceptionally well for brand stories, product demonstrations, and content that requires more visual sophistication while still keeping the authentic feel of hand-drawn animation.

Scribble animation

This playful style features loose, energetic drawings that appear to be created spontaneously, often with a more casual, sketchy quality. Scribble animations convey energy, creativity, and a sense of fun that makes them perfect for engaging younger audiences or bringing excitement to otherwise dry topics.

This short showcases the vibrant energy of scribble animation, featuring loose, spontaneous drawings that bring a playful touch to the screen. The animation’s casual, sketchy quality conveys creativity and fun, making complex concepts feel more approachable and less intimidating.

The informal nature of scribble animation makes information feel more accessible and less intimidating. The seemingly improvised style creates an immediate sense of authenticity that viewers connect with, particularly when explaining concepts that might otherwise feel overly technical or formal. A video with hand-drawn animation in this style can demystify complex ideas, making them more relatable and easier to understand for your audience.

Hybrid animation

Combining hand-drawn elements with other techniques creates versatile hybrid animations that leverage the strengths of different approaches. These might integrate photography, typography, vector graphics, or 3D elements alongside hand-drawn components.

For example, we at Explain Visually created a hybrid animation for Winaico that combines hand-drawn diagrams explaining solar technology with integrated product photography and data visualizations, striking the perfect balance between technical accuracy and engaging storytelling.

This flexible approach allows for tailored solutions that precisely match communication needs. The hand-drawn elements provide warmth and authenticity, while other techniques can add specific capabilities when needed, such as product photography for exact representation or data visualization for complex statistics.

Are you ready to take it to the next level? The planning process lays the foundation for everything that follows, ensuring your creative efforts serve your communication goals.

Define Your objectives and target audience

Every successful animation begins with clear objectives. Are you explaining a complex product? Telling your brand story? Training employees? Teaching a concept? Your goals will shape every subsequent decision in the animation process.

Your target audience dictates the tone, complexity, and style of your animation. A hand-drawn explainer video for C-level executives will differ significantly from one aimed at young students.

Consider these audience factors:

• Knowledge level (beginner, intermediate, expert)
• Professional context (business, education, general public)
• Age and demographic profile
• Specific pain points or interests
• How and where they’ll watch your video.

At Explain Visually, we begin every project with an in-depth analysis of both objectives and audience, ensuring the final animation precisely matches communication needs.

Common use cases for hand drawn animation

Hand-drawn animation is incredibly versatile, spanning multiple industries. Explore these examples, and you’re likely to discover one that resonates with your own needs.

• Education – simplifies complex concepts, making learning more engaging and accessible. Educational platforms use hand-drawn animations to explain abstract ideas in an interactive manner.

The animation for the Medical Educational Portal “Więcej niż LEK” targets medical students and graduates preparing for the Medical Final Examination, presenting the course’s vision and highlighting its key elements and benefits.

• Business – enhances marketing strategies by creating memorable brand stories and product explanations. Companies leverage hand-drawn animations for website content, social media, and internal communications.
• Healthcare – used to explain medical procedures and treatments in a clear, non-intimidating way. Hospitals and healthcare providers benefit from these animations for patient education.
• Non-Profit – organizations use hand-drawn animations to convey social messages and raise awareness about important issues.

These animations are effective on multiple platforms, including websites, social media (youtube), and internal company presentations. They are particularly useful for explaining complex ideas in a simple, engaging way.

Hand drawn animation for business and education

In the business sector, these animations are used to create engaging product demos and brand stories that resonate with customers, making marketing and sales efforts more effective. Companies also leverage hand-drawn animations for internal communications, using them to explain policies, train employees, and enhance company culture.

Additionally, they simplify complex product information, reducing customer support queries by providing clear explanations that are easy to understand.

This animation for Furniture Factory “FORTE” showcases the company’s dedication to quality throughout every stage of production, highlighting meticulous attention to detail and rigorous quality control processes.

In education, hand-drawn animations play a crucial role in making complex subjects more accessible and memorable for students. They are widely used in classroom learning to break down abstract concepts into engaging, interactive content.

E-learning platforms also benefit from these animations, as they improve learning outcomes by presenting information in a way that is both fun and easy to grasp.

This animation for the Polish Teachers’ Union informs viewers about a mentoring support project for novice teachers, highlighting a new model of professional advancement and the importance of well-planned mentoring.

Furthermore, hand-drawn animations are used to convey scientific research findings in an engaging and understandable format, helping to raise awareness and educate audiences about important topics.

Best practices for hand drawn animation

As we approach the end, we won’t leave you without a few valuable tips. Here are some best practices to keep in mind when using hand-drawn animation:

• Keep it simple – focus on clear, concise messaging that resonates with your audience. When integrating hand-drawn animation with other media, such as video footage, ensure it complements your animation without overwhelming it.
• Consistent style – maintain a consistent visual style throughout the animation to reinforce your brand identity.
• Storytelling – use narrative techniques to make your message more relatable and memorable.
• Engage emotionally – incorporate elements that evoke emotions, such as humor or empathy, to increase viewer connection.
• Test and refine – conduct audience feedback sessions to refine your animation before finalizing it.
• Collaborate with professionals – consider partnering with experienced studios to ensure high-quality results that meet your objectives. And, of course, we have our own studio, Explain Visually, in mind!

Read also: Expert video animation agency – Bringing Your ideas to life

Video with hand drawn animation – conclusion

Hand-drawn animation has emerged as a compelling medium for storytelling, offering a unique blend of authenticity and creativity that captivates audiences worldwide. Its versatility allows it to be used across various sectors, from education to business, making complex concepts more accessible and memorable.

By leveraging the emotional connection and simplicity of hand-drawn animation, you can enhance engagement and improve communication outcomes in your own projects. Incorporating a video with hand-drawn animation can effectively capture and retain viewer attention, making your message not only more memorable but also more visually appealing. Whether you’re using it for marketing, training, or educational purposes, hand-drawn animation consistently delivers impactful results that resonate with your viewers.

ExplainVisually has refined this craft across 150+ projects for global clients. Ready to harness these techniques? Explore our portfolio or contact us to discuss your animation goals. Great explanations begin with a single sketch. Let’s start yours today.