Types of Animation

Picking the right method for your animation is a combination of comparing strengths and weaknesses, budget, the type of story you want to tell, and your own preferences. Many animations incorporate aspects of more than one type. (Video)

Whiteboard is basically narration accompanied by illustrative drawing and text, usually sped up. It is the least expensive, but is popular and simple to understand.  Since there is little to no ‘animation’, it doesn’t work well to show a process. And graphically it’s very limited. It wins or loses largely on the clarity and conviction of the narrative. It’s often hybridized with some other forms of animation.
Motion Graphics is animating ‘static’ assets. Typically called ‘flying text or logos’. Many of these effects are commonly available in Powerpoint or Keynote. But if you want a professional animation usually it’s because your vision doesn’t fit the limits of those programs. This can fit a fairly tight deadline, assuming the assets already exist or can be made without too much trouble.
Cut-out animation takes flat drawings and links them together. This puppet is manipulated to create an animated character. This can be simple or complex, depending on the needs of the project. Many modern cartoons use this technique. This can be a low-cost way to get a character with some movement into your presentation.
3D animation can be anything: a cartoonish character, photo-real objects and environments, physical simulations, abstract art, stylized renditions of parts, to just about anything you can imagine. This takes the most time and money, but there are1 no real limits to what you can do.
Contact me at john@argosanimation.com to discuss what type of animation you want to use to tell your story.​