Have a 2D animation created
When someone calls and says, “I want to have an animated video made,” nine times out of ten they’re referring to 2D animation. That makes sense. It’s the most versatile, most accessible, and—to be honest—the most cost-effective form of animation out there.
But “2D animation” is a broad term. A simple explanatory video with icons and text is 2D. So is a rich animation featuring characters moving through a world. And everything in between. The style determines how the video comes across, how long it takes to produce, and how much it costs.
In this article, I'll explain the different 2D styles, when to choose each one, and what you can expect.
What exactly is 2D animation?
Let's start with the basics. A 2D animation is a moving image in two dimensions—in other words, flat. It has no depth like 3D, and no real images like in film. Everything is drawn, designed, and animated on a flat surface.
That may sound limiting, but the opposite is true. Precisely because everything is drawn, you have total creative freedom. You can visualize abstract concepts that you could never film. A data flow through a system. How a law works. The essence of a brand promise. Try doing that with a camera.
Three styles, three price ranges.
We work with three 2D styles. Not because we decided to do it that way, but because, after hundreds of projects, we’ve found that virtually every request fits into one of these three categories.
Educational
The most functional style. Think of icons, typography, graphics, and simple movements. No characters, no complex scenes. Purely focused on conveying information clearly.
We use this style frequently for internal communications, e-learning, and explanatory videos about processes or legislation. The animation we created for the City of Rotterdam about NIS2 is a good example of this. It’s professional, to the point, and in line with the client’s brand identity.
Starting price: €2,500 (excl. VAT) for one and a half minutes.
Default
This is our most popular style. It’s more engaging than purely educational, featuring characters, scenes, and greater visual depth. The animation feels more personal and is suitable for both internal and external communication.
Most of the animations you see in our portfolio were created in this style—from the Municipality of Ede to Erasmus+. It strikes the perfect balance between visual appeal and budget.
Starting price: €3,500 (excluding VAT) for one and a half minutes.
Plus
The premium option. Complex character animations, detailed backgrounds, cinematic movements. This is the style you choose when you really want your video to stand out. For brand films, campaigns, or product launches where you don’t want to compromise on visual quality.
Starting price: €5,000 (excluding VAT) for one and a half minutes.
Educational
€2,500 excl. VAT / 1.5 min
Clean and functional. Icons, typography, and simple gestures. Focused solely on conveying information clearly.
- Icons and Typography
- Simple movements
- In your corporate style
- Ideal for instruction and e-learning
Default
€3,500 excl. VAT / 1.5 min
Our most popular style. Characters, scenes, and visual depth. Suitable for internal and external communication.
- Characters and Scenes
- Smooth animations
- In your corporate style
- Greater visual depth
- Versatile
Plus
€5,000 excl. VAT / 1.5 min
Premium quality. Complex character animations, detailed scenes, and cinematic movements.
- Complex character animations
- Detailed Background Information
- Cinematographic movements
- Premium finish
- For campaigns and brand videos
When should you choose 2D?
Actually, the question is more like: when wouldn't you choose 2D? Because 2D is almost always a good choice. But there are situations where it really shines.
If the subject can't be filmed. Legislation, data processes, software, organizational structures. You can't point a camera at them, but you can draw them.
If you need the video in multiple languages, with 2D animation, you simply replace the voice-over and, if necessary, the on-screen text. The animation itself remains the same. This costs a fraction of what a new video production would cost for each language.
If you want the video to last a long time. A 2D animation isn’t tied to a presenter’s clothing, hairstyle, or age. Changing your brand identity? We’ll adjust the colors. New logo? No problem. We keep all project files for 5 years.
When your budget is limited but quality isn't. 2D animation is typically 20 to 40% cheaper than a comparable 3D production, and you don't need a filming location, actors, or equipment.
2D vs. 3D: When Should You Choose Which One?
Sometimes people ask us: should it be 2D or 3D? The answer depends on what you want to show.
2D is more effective when telling a story, explaining a concept, or conveying a feeling. It’s more abstract, faster to produce, and more cost-effective.
3D is more effective when you want to showcase a physical product that needs to be viewed from all angles—such as a machine, a building, or a technical component. That’s where 3D wins out in terms of realism.
And then there’s the hybrid version. We sometimes call it 2.5D. It’s a 2D animation that incorporates 3D elements. A product that rotates within an otherwise 2D environment. A technical component that you see from the inside while the rest of the video is flat. Or a building that looms three-dimensionally in an otherwise hand-drawn world.
The advantage: you get the visual depth and realism of 3D where it matters most, without the full production costs of a pure 3D animation. The rest of the video remains in 2D, which makes production faster and more affordable. In practice, this is one of the smartest choices you can make if you want to make an impact without the budget of a full 3D project.
2D animation
Illustrated, flat, with complete creative freedom. Ideal for stories, concepts, and explanations.
- Visualizing Abstract Concepts
- Explaining Stories and Processes
- Faster production
- More cost-effective
- Easy to make multilingual
3D animation
Spatial and photorealistic. Ideal for products, buildings, and technical visualizations.
- Show physical products from all angles
- Technical cross-sections and exploded views
- Architectural Visualizations
- Photorealistic result
- Higher production costs
2.5D hybrid
The best of both worlds. 2D enhanced with 3D elements where it matters most.
- 3D Products in a 2D Environment
- Technical cross-sections with depth
- Spatial Buildings in a Flat World
- The Visual Impact of 3D
- 2D Budget
How does the process work?
The process for creating a 2D animation is pretty straightforward. After a brief meeting to go over the details, we write the script. You’ll provide feedback on that. Then we create a storyboard so you can see what the animation will look like. Once you approve it, we record the voice-over and start animating.
Turnaround time: 3 to 5 weeks on average after approval of the final script. We can expedite orders if needed.
We incorporate feedback sessions during the script, storyboard, and first animation draft stages. In practice, two rounds are usually sufficient. Not because we discourage feedback, but because we’re already on the same page early in the process.
Wondering what this could mean for your organization?
We have a free cost calculator that lets you calculate the costs yourself based on style, length, voice-over, and extras. No need to request a quote. Just fill out the form and you’ll know exactly where you stand. Or give us a call at 0318 240 092. We’d be happy to help you determine which style best suits your story and budget. Of course, you can also email us at hallo@explainit.video.
Bas van Maanen
Founder of Explainit
Bas is the founder of Explainit, an animation and video production company based in the Ede region. With over 15 years of experience in animation and video production, he has completed hundreds of projects for clients such as KPMG, Erasmus+, the Municipality of Ede, and Yellowtail. Explainit deliberately works with a small team and brings in the right specialists for each project. This keeps the lines of communication short, the quality high, and the rates fair. Do you have questions about this article, or are you curious about what video can do for your organization? Feel free to contact us.