Marketing is all about grabbing your target audience’s attention and keeping them engaged. One powerful tool to achieve this is animation.
By incorporating animation into your content, you can make it more exciting, eye-catching, and memorable. Among the various types of animation, 2D animation has a timeless quality that appeals to both young and old viewers.
2D animation, also known as two-dimensional animation, involves creating the illusion of movement by manipulating flat images on a two-dimensional plane.
At Vidico, we’ve helped brands like Spotify, TikTok, and Square tell their stories through powerful 2D animation. Our systems-based approach transforms how brands create animated content, delivering more assets with higher engagement at scale. In this guide, we’ll explore what makes 2D animation so effective and showcase exceptional 2D animation examples to inspire your next project.
Key Takeaways
- Versatile Medium: 2D animation adapts to any industry, making it ideal for explaining complex products or abstract services
- Cost-Effective Production: Creates high-impact content at a fraction of live-action costs through reusable asset systems
- Emotional Connection: Simplified visual language helps viewers connect with your message on a deeper level
- Brand Consistency: Creates a cohesive visual identity across all marketing channels
- Scalable Content: Our systems approach yields up to 10x more video assets from a single production
- Higher Engagement: Animated videos consistently outperform other content types for viewer retention and conversion
Content
Top 12 2D animation examples worth watching
1. Vidico x Spotify – Advertising Academy
Average Pricing: Starts at $5000
Target Industries: SaaS, Audio Streaming
Collaborated With: Spotify, Airtable, Linode
What Makes It Stand Out: Our partnership with Spotify demonstrates how 2D animation can effectively convey complex ideas, making them accessible and engaging. The strategic use of vibrant visuals and simple animated characters creates a cohesive visual storytelling experience that reinforces the educational content.
Unlike traditional corporate videos that often feel dry, this animated video maintains viewer attention through smooth transitions and visual elements. The result is higher information retention and a stronger connection with a broad audience.
Through vibrant visuals, storytelling elements, and clear narration, it is one of the best 2D animation examples with engaging content, ensuring that it is informative and enjoyable.
2. Vidico x Linode – Cloud Computing
Average Pricing: Starts at $5000
Target Industries: Cloud Computing, Tech
Collaborated With: Spotify, Airtable, Linode
What Makes It Stand Out: This project is the collaboration between Linode and the creative team of Vidico to produce a high-quality animated explainer video.
Cloud computing isn’t exactly the most visually exciting topic, but our animated explainer video for Linode proves that any subject can be transformed into compelling content.
We used a systems-based approach to create visual storytelling that explains complex concepts without overwhelming viewers. The modular design elements we developed for this project have been repurposed across multiple animated videos, giving Linode a consistent animation style while maximizing their creative investment.
3. Honda “Paper”
Target Industries: Automobile and Transportation
Collaborated With: General Public
What Makes It Stand Out: Honda “Paper” is a great example of 2D animation with its masterful fusion of digital and real-world elements to create an impressive 2D design.
The Emmy-nominated commercial represents an extraordinary feat of creativity and craftsmanship, involving dozens of animators and illustrators who painstakingly created thousands of original drawings over four months.
What sets this project apart is its commitment to crafting every element using animated flip paper compilation and capturing it in camera.
Unlike other 2D animation examples, this level of dedication and artistry results in a visually stunning and unique 2D animated video.
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4. Down the Rabbit Hole
Target Industries: Music Festival Promotional
Collaborated With: Agent Pekka and General Public
What Makes It Stand Out: The 2D animated video is a remarkable showcase of shape organization and experimental design in the realm of animation.
It underscores the importance of meticulous pre-planning and organization in an animator’s workflow.
The sheer complexity of this project is evident in the mesmerizing abstract 2D animation video that bursts with color palette and shape.
Unlike other 2D animation examples, it is in meticulous shape layer keyframing, which is no small feat. Given the abstract and intricate nature of the 2D animated video, the multidisciplinary approach to 2D design was great.
5. MailChimp: Introducing Facebook Ads
Target Industries: Social Media, Paid Media, Email Marketing, E-Commerce
Collaborated With: Canva, Shopify
What Makes It Stand Out: Creating a startup animated video often requires a powerful marketing tool, and few options are as effective as a 2D animated explainer video.
These 2D animated videos uniquely explain complex concepts and engage viewers, making them ideal for startups looking to convey their message.
In the case of well-established companies like MailChimp and Facebook, their use of 2D explainer videos shifts the focus away from introducing themselves to new customers.
The visual storytelling in these explainer videos is a testament to the importance of creative branding, ensuring that the message is effectively communicated and leaves a lasting impression on viewers.
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6. HubSpot: What is the Hubspot CMS
Target Industries: Marketing, Sales, Service
Collaborated With: WWF, Ebay, Kelly
What Makes It Stand Out: The HubSpot CMS 2D explainer video is a standout example of how animation [2] can engage audiences effectively from an animation and marketing perspective.
Contrary to other 2D animation examples, the animation style of the video is characterized by its fun and playful nature, creating an immediate positive association with the brand and product.
This visual allure is a key hook that draws viewers into the animation video or stop motion and keeps them engaged.
The animated video and stop motion excel in the clarity and conciseness with which it conveys the key features and benefits of HubSpot CMS.
The script of the animated video is well-written, ensuring that even viewers with varying levels of experience can easily comprehend the story.
7. CMYK
Target Industries: Established Enterprise, Customer Service
Collaborated With: Undisclosed
What Makes It Stand Out: The CMYK animation serves as a compelling demonstration of how even subtle movement can infuse a wealth of personality into 2D animated characters.
This animation’s ability to breathe life into characters that might initially appear rigid or devoid of emotion makes it remarkable.
By introducing the most minimal movements, the animators evoke a sense of personality and depth that captivates the audience.
It is a potent reminder that even the slightest nuances in movement, expression, or gesture can go a long way in conveying an animated character’s inner thoughts and feelings.
8. Slack – Work, Simplified
Target Industries: Engineering, IT, Customer Service
Collaborated With: Airbnb, Uber, NASA
What Makes It Stand Out: The 2D animated video created for Slack is a remarkable marketing tool that provides solutions to its target audience from both animation and marketing perspectives.
From an animation standpoint, it is an impactful work that unfolds in a two-dimensional space, effectively illustrating the intricacies of the software.
The animated videos are visually engaging, offering viewers a clear and detailed glimpse into the app’s functionality and benefits.
Its ability to educate, inform, and foster a sense of belonging makes it invaluable in promoting the Slack messaging software to a broad and diverse audience.
9. Google Cloud – Navigating AI
Target Industries: Tech, Digital Marketing
Collaborated With: General Public
What Makes It Stand Out: The Google Cloud “Navigating AI” stop motion video is a shining example of how visuals and motion graphics can effectively convey complex ideas, educating and entertaining audiences without needing voiceovers.
In less than a minute, this motion video manages to distill and explain the intricacies of how the Google Cloud platform operates, using stunning designs and illustrations.
By relying solely on 2D motion graphics, it achieves a remarkable feat in visual storytelling, ensuring that viewers grasp the key concepts surrounding AI clearly and engagingly.
The visuals and graphics employed in the motion video seamlessly complement the narrative, offering viewers a deeper understanding of the advantages of Google Cloud’s AI capabilities.
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10. McDonald’s – Drive Thru Car Free Day
Target Industries: Food, Technology, Environment
Collaborated With: General Public
What Makes It Stand Out: The McDonald’s “Drive Thru Car Free Day” video is a prime example of stylish 2D animation that impacts the McDonald’s brand.
Its bright colors and simple yet charming animated character designs make it relatable and engaging for audiences of all ages.
The playful and imaginative array of transportation options depicted in the video, from giant elephants (characters) to bicycles, embodies the spirit of the event and showcases McDonald’s as an inclusive and eco-conscious brand.
11. Deloitte – Future of Mobility
Target Industries: Consumer, Financial, IT
Collaborated With: Confidential
What Makes It Stand Out: The “DELOITTE: Future of Mobility” app, designed for mobility managers, payment providers, and city planners, represents a great example of 2D animation.
It is a great example of an artful blend of stop motion, 2D, and 3D animation. While the environment is crafted in 2D and 2.5D, the final presentation creates the illusion of a 3D space, adding depth and immersion to the viewer’s experience.
The transitions of the videos between these dimensions are executed seamlessly, contributing to a comprehensive and beautiful case study.
The futuristic theme, combined with sophisticated animation techniques like ‘toon shading,’ engages the audience and inspires them to envision a more advanced future.
12. Etsy Plus
Target Industries: E-Commerce, Home Living, Lifestyle
Collaborated With: General Public
What Makes It Stand Out: The introduction of Etsy’s latest service, Etsy Plus, is a prime example of the effective use of 2D animation in conveying valuable information and captivating audiences [3].
Etsy Plus is designed to enhance the selling experience for its users while significantly boosting their sales, and this animated video effectively communicates its critical features with style and flair.
Textures add depth and richness to the transitions, creating a visually engaging narrative.
The animated objects and animated characters, skillfully crafted by the animation studio, complemented the storytelling and added charm and personality to the presentation.
Moreover, the well-delivered voiceover guides the audience through the video, ensuring that viewers stay on track and absorb the information effectively.
Benefits of 2D Animation For Your Business
- Cost-Effective: 2D animation is generally more budget-friendly than hand-drawn and 3D animation, making it a cost-effective option for businesses of all sizes [4].
- Versatility: 2D animations can be used across various platforms, including websites, social media, presentations, and more, providing versatility in marketing efforts. However, the animator’s timeline should be considered.
- Engaging Storytelling: The examples of 2D animation mentioned above are excellent for storytelling, helping businesses engage and connect with their audience on an emotional level (as seen in the South Park series).
- Brand Consistency: Unlike hand-drawn characters, 2D animations can incorporate brand elements, colors, and styles consistently, reinforcing brand identity and recognition.
- Explaining Complex Concepts: 2D animations simplify complex ideas, making them easier for customers to understand, which is particularly useful for tech companies or those offering intricate products or services.
Why Choose Vidico
Outstanding quality
Vidico is a creative video production company committed to delivering outstanding quality in every project. Our dedication to excellence is reflected in the high-quality animation video content and animations we produce.
Clients can expect a visually stunning and engaging animation video that effectively conveys their message and brand.
From concept to drawing, our animation artists will keep in touch as they create the animation video that suits your marketing goals.
“It’s all about taking these complex products and showing them in a way that feels simple and intuitive to the audience. Animation helps us visualize those concepts in a way that live-action can’t always achieve.” – Manas Ojha, Video Strategist, Vidico
Expert Team
Vidico boasts an expert team of professionals skilled in video production and animation.
Our production team includes experienced creatives, animators, directors, writers for writing scripts, game developers, and more, ensuring that each animation project benefits from a wealth of knowledge and talent.
You can rely on Vidico’s team to bring their vision to life with creativity and expertise.
Transparent Pricing
At Vidico, we offer transparent pricing for animation video, ensuring that clients clearly understand project costs from the outset.
This transparency helps budget planning and eliminates unexpected expenses, fostering trust and confidence in our partnership.
Get to know the transparent pricing and the right video type for you in less than 90 seconds with our Vidifit Quiz.
FAQs
What is 2D animation known as?
2D animation, also known as vector-based animation, is a technique that utilizes flat, two-dimensional objects or characters to create the illusion of movement.
The animation video involves manipulating these vector graphics to generate dynamic sequences. This approach offers flexibility and precision in crafting animations, making it a popular choice for diverse multimedia applications.
What is the purpose of 2D animation?
The purpose of 2D animation is to visually convey stories, ideas, and information using two-dimensional graphics.
It is employed in various contexts, including entertainment, education, marketing, and more, to effectively engage and communicate with audiences.
2D animation simplifies complex concepts and enhances storytelling through movement and visual appeal.
Why does 2D animation look better?
2D animation often appears better due to its simplicity and artistic appeal. You can create characters digitally (can be liquid animation) instead of hand-drawn, allowing for more artistic expression and style.
The absence of complex 3D modeling lends a timeless charm, making 2D animations relatable and visually pleasing while retaining a unique character.
What makes 2D animation effective for marketing?
2D animation combines visual appeal with storytelling efficiency, allowing complex concepts to be delivered in a way that’s both engaging and memorable. For marketing efforts, this means higher viewer retention and stronger brand recall compared to text-based or static content.
How much does a 2D animation video cost?
An animated explainer video typically costs between $5,000 to $15,000 for traditional one-off productions. With Vidico’s systems approach, your initial investment might be similar, but you’ll get multiple animations and variations from a single production, dramatically lowering your per-video cost.
How long does it take to create a 2D animation?
Traditional animation studios might take 6-8 weeks for a single 2D animation. With our systems-based approach, initial projects may take 4-5 weeks, but subsequent animated videos can be produced in as little as 1-2 weeks by leveraging your existing animation system and assets.
Is vector–based animation better than traditional animation?
Vector-based animation offers distinct advantages for marketing videos. It’s more easily scalable, editable, and typically more cost-effective than traditional hand-drawn animation. This makes it ideal for brands that need flexibility and efficiency in their animated content.
Conclusion
The diverse array of 2D animation examples showcased demonstrates the immense potential of this medium.
Whether used for branding, marketing, education, or entertainment, 2D animation captivates audiences with its versatility and storytelling capabilities.
Remember that quality matters if you’re looking to harness the potential of 2D animation for your next project.
Ready to transform how your brand creates animations? Book a free strategy session and get expert creative direction for your launch.
References:
- https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2022/08/12/2497652/0/en/Video-Production-Company-Vidico-Launch-Rebrand-To-Offer-Their-Customers-Clarity-Precision-And-An-Even-Higher-Level-Of-Communication.html
- https://www.britannica.com/art/animation
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/02/10/the-rise-of-streaming-unleashing-a-growing-appetite-for-animation-and-diverse-storytelling/?sh=36b453071402
- https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/24/business/japan-anime.html
