The Ultimate Guide to Motion Graphics Explainer Videos

In the world of marketing, nothing tells a story like a motion graphics explainer video. Here, visuals meet music, and complex ideas become simple animations. This is not just another type of video; it’s a powerful tool wielded by marketing teams and understood by customers. From 3D animated video to traditional styles, this guide lays it all bare. We’ll talk tools, teams, and types—from animated to live-action. You’ll learn why these videos are more than eye-catching; they’re an effective marketing strategy. Whether you’re a business person or a creative, this guide is your map to creating awesome explainer videos.

What is a motion graphics explainer video?

A motion graphics explainer video is a concise, visually engaging tool used for marketing or educational purposes. It employs dynamic graphics and text elements, often set to music or a voice-over, to simplify complex ideas and present them in an easily digestible format. Unlike traditional or 3D animations that may focus on characters and storylines, motion graphics explainer videos prioritize clear, impactful visuals to convey information. These videos are commonly used by businesses to clarify their actual products, services, or concepts, aiming to educate potential customers and improve conversion rates.

Here’s an example: 

https://youtu.be/cX8jlBYssik

In a world flooded with content, motion graphics explainer videos are your brand’s best shot at standing out and making a lasting impact.

Why Marketers Choose Motion Graphics Explainer Videos

Discover the seven key reasons why marketers are increasingly choosing motion graphics explainer videos. These points will illuminate why this type of video content is essential for effective marketing in today’s digital landscape.

1. Simplifies Complex Ideas: Motion graphics make it easier to break down abstract and complicated concepts into digestible information, making it accessible for the audience.
2. Professional Appeal: Unlike cartoon-style videos, motion graphics offer a more professional and polished look, aligning well with brand aesthetics.
3. Cost-Effective: Creating motion graphics videos can be less expensive than other types of videos that require character rigging and complex animations, making it a budget-friendly option.
4. High Engagement: According to surveys like the one by Wyzowl, these videos are highly engaging, with 94% of people saying they’ve used such videos to learn about a product or service.
5. Credibility and Trust: The quality and clarity of motion graphics videos quickly establish a brand’s credibility, helping in customer conversion and loyalty.
6. Time-Efficient: These videos are often short and to the point, delivering a lot of information in a small time frame, respecting the viewer’s time.

Versatility: Motion graphics allow for creative freedom and can be easily branded or adapted to meet specific business goals or target audiences.

The 15 Types of Motion Graphics Explainer Videos

We break motion graphics explainer videos into four kinds: what they show, how they look, why they’re made, and the special ones. Know these, and you’ll know what to make.

Based on What They Show – The Content Focus

1. Educational Explainer Videos: Primarily used for educational purposes, breaking down complex topics into digestible visual elements.
2. Product/Service Explainers: Focuses on explaining a specific product or service, often used on landing pages or in marketing campaigns.
3. Data Visualization: These videos turn complex data into easy-to-understand visual formats, often used in corporate settings.
4. Story-Driven: These use motion graphics to tell a compelling story, often for brand-building or social impact campaigns.

Based on How They Look – The Visual Style

1. 2D Motion Graphics: Flat, two-dimensional elements and text, often colorful and playful.
2. 3D Motion Graphics: Three-dimensional elements that offer a more dynamic and realistic feel.
3. Isometric Motion Graphics: A subset of 3D, focusing on geometric shapes.
4. Mixed Media: Combines motion graphics with other types of video, such as live-action videos or traditional animation.

Based on Why They’re Made – The Purpose:

1. Sales and Marketing: Aimed at driving conversions, often used in advertising campaigns.
2. Internal Communication: Used within a company to explain processes, policies, or data.
3. Customer Education: Aimed at educating customers post-purchase, often found in the form of tutorials.
4. Social Impact: Used by nonprofits or social campaigns to drive awareness and action for a cause.

Specialized Types:

1. Kinetic Typography: Focuses on animated text to convey the message.
2. Interactive Motion Graphics: Includes interactive elements that the viewer can control.

VR/AR Motion Graphics: Designed for virtual or augmented reality experiences.

When to Use Motion Graphics Explainer Videos

Motion graphics shine when complexity needs clarity.

Tech firms, healthcare, finance—industries with intricate stories to tell, they all benefit. They’re ideal for abstract services or SaaS platforms where visual representation aids understanding.

But don’t think it’s just for the complex.

Brands big and small, selling the simple or the intricate, use it to tell their story.

Airbnb, a business rooted in real places and people, chose animation for brand storytelling. The result? Millions watched, talked and came back for more.

Know your message, know your medium. Motion graphics can be the right tool, even when it’s not the obvious one.

When Not to Use Motion Graphics Explainer Videos

Motion graphics have their limits.

When the tactile quality of a product needs center stage, live action takes the lead. Think of luxury cars or gourmet food—situations where texture, detail, and real-world lighting matter.

If you’re in retail, fashion, or real estate, the authenticity of live footage can be irreplaceable.

Or consider testimonials. The sincerity of a real person sharing their experience can outweigh even the most well-crafted animation.

And let’s not forget training videos, where step-by-step live demonstrations offer clarity that graphics might muddle.

Know your story, and more importantly, know when motion graphics aren’t the best way to tell it.

What Makes a Motion Graphics Explainer Video Successful?

In our opinion, there are basically nine elements that make up a solid motion graphics explainer video. 

A motion graphics explainer video, in its essence, is a succinct visual tool that sets a clear objective—whether to educate, inform, or sell—while employing targeted messaging tailored to its audience, utilizing high-quality graphics consistent with brand identity, emphasizing simplicity for clarity, incorporating an engaging and concise script, enhancing with a professional voice-over and optional background music, ensuring a logical flow from introduction to conclusion, prompting viewers with a clear call to action, all encapsulated within an optimal duration of under two minutes to maximize viewer engagement and conversion.

Real-World Examples

Alternatives to Motion Graphics Explainer Videos

Animated Explainer Videos: These videos use animation to explain a product or service. They can be 2D or 3D and can include characters, text, and other graphic design elements. 

Live-Action Explainer Videos: These videos use live actors or footage to explain a product or service. They can be shot on location or in a studio and can include interviews, testimonials, and demonstrations.

Whiteboard Explainer Videos: These videos use a whiteboard and markers to explain a product or service. They can be simple or complex and can include text, images, and animations. Whiteboard explainer videos are a popular choice for startups and businesses on a budget. 

Infographic Explainer Videos: These videos use infographics to explain a product or service. They can be simple or complex and can include text, images, and animations. Infographic explainer videos are a popular choice for businesses that want to convey complex information in a visually appealing way.

Use Cases for Motion Graphics Explainer Videos

Motion graphics explainer videos are versatile tools that have found utility across a range of sectors and projects. Here’s a rundown of some key areas where they shine:

Tech Startups

For startups, especially in the tech sector, these videos can distill complex product functionalities into digestible bits. Companies like Dropbox have effectively used explainer videos to skyrocket their user base.

Healthcare

In healthcare, motion graphics can simplify intricate procedures or mechanisms of action for medications, making them accessible to the general public or even medical staff needing quick refreshers.

Education

Educational institutions and e-learning platforms use these videos to break down complex theories or historical events, making learning interactive and engaging.

Finance & Banking

Explaining financial products, especially those that involve complex calculations like mortgages or investments, becomes easier and more transparent.

Non-Profit Organizations

For NGOs, a compelling video can tell a heart-wrenching story in a way that static images and text simply can’t, thereby driving donations and volunteer sign-up.

Retail

Retailers can showcase product features, installation guides, or even tell the brand story, enhancing customer engagement and boosting sales.

Real Estate

Virtual property tours or feature highlights of real estate properties can be elegantly presented, giving potential buyers a comprehensive understanding before a site visit.

Government Initiatives

Government agencies can use these videos to explain policies, rights, and public services to citizens, thereby improving transparency and trust.

Internal Corporate Training

Companies can create modules that explain internal policies, software tools, or even soft skills, making the onboarding process more efficient.

Marketing Agencies

Such videos can form a part of a larger digital marketing strategy, offering a dynamic way to present data analytics, consumer behaviors or market trends.

How to Get Started with Motionify

Interested in exploring the potential of motion graphics explainer videos for your brand? Consider Motionify for your next project. We’re a video production agency based in India with a 4.8 rating on Clutch. With experience in producing more than 100 motion graphics explainer videos, we understand the nuances of effective storytelling.

If you’re looking to discuss your project needs and get a quote, feel free to reach out for a consultation.

Conclusion

They simplify the complex, captivate the audience, and most importantly, they get results. This guide has walked you through the what, why, and how of these videos, offering insights into their types, effectiveness, and limitations.

Key Takeaways:

• Motion graphics explainer videos are versatile, effective, and accessible.
• They serve multiple industries, from tech startups to healthcare and beyond.
• While powerful, they’re not always the best choice for every scenario.