For beginners, imagining the idea of creating an animated video could be intimidating. Some of the beginners may even compare 2D animation with programming. However, the good news is that it is not about programming and solving complicated mathematics problems at least now.

As we all know, that Animated videos are considered as one of the powerful tools to express and communicate new ideas and information. Basically it adds life to the characters of the animation videos.

Even if you are entirely new to 2D animation, you can get started with it. In this guide, we will give you a clear direction to follow that will allow you to make your first 2D animation video. It will serve as a blueprint for any beginners who want to get.

What is 2D Animation Video?

A 2D animation video is a movie clip that only covers two dimensions. It consists of two-dimensional characters and a digital environment.

2d-animation-video-clip

How to do 2D Animation Video?

Now, let’s get to the nitty-gritty of this guide that will reveal the steps you need to follow for creating 2D animation videos.

Here are the steps you need to follow to develop your 2D animated video.

1. First, you need a spectacular video script

No matter how amazing your video quality is, your video will have no impact without a mind-blowing script. A video script is like the foundation of your video. You can either do it yourself or outsource this task to a talented scriptwriter or use a screenwriting software.

Your script will decide what appears on the screen. It is the initial point of any video.

How can I come up with an alluring video script? Most of you must be thinking about it right now. I know that it is challenging, but it is not impossible. Practising a craft of scriptwriting will eventually enhance your level as a scriptwriter. With that said, you cannot expect to produce a top-notch script on your first try.

Here are some crucial questions that you need to ask before writing a script:

  • What is the purpose of the animated video?
  • Who is my audience?
  • What are the actions that you want your viewers to take?

You need to produce a compelling story based on the answers to the questions I’ve mentioned. A story is essential because it is a medium through which you need to convince your audience to take action. For the story to be persuasive, you need three elements in it.

The first one is a hook.

The hook consists of the first part of the video. It is usually the first 8-12 seconds in a one-minute video, giving viewers reasons to watch until the end.

The meat of the video comes right after the hook

You get to the point and deliver what you promised in the hook.

The final element is the call to action

After explaining everything in your video, you must tell your viewers what to do next. It is at the end part of the video.

2. The second step is to create a storyboard

A storyboard is all about organizing a story. Think about the storyboard as a comic strip. The storyboard will decide if the script will work out or not. Furthermore, a storyboard will help you optimally utilize the capital, identify errors, and decide punchlines in the video.

You should divide the story into various sections and keep it in a systematic order to check out the flow of the story.

You do not need any special skills to develop a storyboard. There are various pieces of 2D animation software to help you produce all types of characters, and storyboards without having hardcore technical skills. You should choose one of the pieces of software available on the market that is the most appropriate for your project.

There are various types of storyboards, and they are:

  • Layout Storyboard
  • Animation Storyboard
  • Flowchart Storyboard
  • Interaction Storyboards
  • Visual Interaction Storyboard

Here, we need to make use of an animation storyboard. This type of storyboard contains the illustrations organized in a sequence for pre-visualizing the video.

To create a storyboard, you need to follow systematic steps:

  • Initially, you must prepare the story stage that best suits your project.
  • After creating a stage, you should use drawing tools like rectangles, brushes, pens, and so on to develop a background.
  • The final task is to decide your characters. There is no need to create a custom character from scratch. Plenty of templates and libraries are available in Adobe and other software providers. All you need to do is create a layer, separate it, and prepare your chosen characters for animation.
Storyboarding

Image SourceStudiobinder

3. After your storyboard is perfect, your next task is to animate

You can outsource this task to an agency or a freelancer. Since this guide is to help you create a 2D animation video, we will ignore the outsourcing part and teach you how to animate your video without hiring a third party.

The same software that allowed you to create a storyboard will enable you to animate the video. There is no need for sophisticated tools and equipment for animating a video.

You can choose a template and the in-built tools in the software to do what you need. Some of the concepts that you need for animating a video are:

  • Understanding the difference between frames and keyframes.
  • Know about motion tweens and shape tweens.
  • Learning to apply the frames, keyframes, motion tweens, and shape tweens to loop different character parts to give it a realistic touch.
  • Understand the difference between movie clip animation and the main timeline animation.
  • Animate the characters and fine-tune the path.
  • Test the animation and adjust.

4. Your next job is to add background music

A video without any background music will be boring for viewers. There must be some background music that resonates with the audience. There is plenty of music that you can choose online.

However, you should ensure you purchase the right to use the music. With that said, there are free audios that are available for you, but it might not meet your quality expectations.

Here are some tips for choosing the most appropriate background music for your video.

  • Like in script writing, you need to understand your audience and their taste in music. For instance, a kid might prefer funny music, while a teen may prefer fast rock music.
  • Do not stick to only one music. Make a list of music you may want to use and try one by one before you choose one.

5. It’s a time to narrate the story

After finishing all the previous steps, the final task is to narrate the story. Again, you do not need fancy equipment to tell the story. Only a microphone can do the trick for you when you are starting. With that said, you need to have a high-quality microphone to give a great final touch to your animated video.

Like script writing, you need to practice your verbal skills to master it, and you cannot expect a perfect voiceover on your first try. There are other options for you. You can outsource the voiceover part to the freelancers. Most of them will not charge you much money to do the voiceover.

Using software to generate a robotic voice is also possible, but it can reduce the charisma and humorous touch. But make sure it should be perfect as a voiceover keep the audience engaged and informed throughout the videos.

After narrating the story, you are good to go. Do a final revision of the whole video and make the necessary corrections. If everything is fine, your task is to publish and promote the video via various channels.

Ready to create Result-Driven 2D Animation Videos?

Following this guide in a systematic order will assist you in coming up with a professional 2D animated video, even if you are a beginner. However, you must consult additional resources and tutorials in each step of this guide. With this blueprint in your arsenal, you will not feel overwhelmed while searching for a resource to refer.

It's all about the 2D animation video; we hope this article has helped you out and cleared your confusion. If there are any other things you want to add, let us know your thoughts in the comments. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

2D animation is a form of animation that creates the illusion of motion in a two-dimensional space. It involves creating a sequence of images (frames) where characters, objects, and scenes are represented in flat, two-dimensional drawings. These frames are played in rapid succession to give the impression of movement and bring the animation to life. Classic examples of 2D animation include hand-drawn cartoons like those produced by Disney.

Several animation software options are excellent for 2D animation, and the best choice depends on your specific needs and preferences. Some popular options include Adobe Animate, Toon Boom Harmony, Moho (formerly Anime Studio), and OpenToonz. Each of these software programs offers a range of features for creating 2D animations, from traditional hand-drawn styles to more modern techniques.

A 2D animation app is a software application designed for creating two-dimensional animations on various devices, including smartphones and tablets. These apps typically provide a user-friendly interface and tools that enable artists and animators to draw, animate, and edit their creations directly on a touchscreen. Some well-known 2D animation apps include Procreate, FlipaClip, and Adobe Character Animator, which cater to different skill levels and animation needs.

2D animation can be an excellent choice for various purposes, and its effectiveness depends on the project's goals and artistic vision. It offers a classic and timeless aesthetic that appeals to many, and it's well-suited for storytelling, character development, and conveying emotions. Whether 2D animation is considered “good” depends on the execution, creativity, and the intended audience. It continues to be a respected and valuable form of animation in the industry.