What types of animations are there?
Are you considering having an animation made? Then you have a choice of several types of animations. These animations differ from each other in terms of technique, visual representation, and cost. Are you still not sure which type is most suitable?
In this article, we discuss the different types of animations you can choose from and what benefits they can offer.
Traditional animations
Traditionally, animations are hand-drawn. In this type of animation, each frame is drawn by an illustrator. Think of the earlier Disney animations of Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck. This can happen on paper, but nowadays it is often done on a computer. In the past, this technique was very popular, but because it is quite labor-intensive (and there are now more efficient digital alternatives), it is not used much anymore today. Especially in marketing, this technique is hardly used anymore. In creative projects, you encounter the technique more often; for example, Disney still regularly uses traditional animations. Most companies, however, opt for more efficient techniques, where not every frame needs to be redrawn. In that case, you quickly end up with 2D and 3D animations. 2D animations are also referred to as explanatory animations.
Explanatory animation / 2D animation
Both 2D animations and 3D animations are created using software. An important advantage of both types of animations is that they are generally much easier to create than traditional animations. However, there are still significant differences between them. The 2D animation has existed for quite some time and also uses slightly older techniques. With 2D animations, as the name suggests, two-dimensional images are created. This means that this type of animation feels a bit flatter than is the case with 3D animations. An important advantage of 2D animations is that developing them takes less time, making them generally more cost-efficient than 3D animations. If you would like to have simple, budget-friendly animations made, then these animations can be a good option.
Explanation animation for TenCate Protective Fabrics
This 2D explanatory animation explains the sustainable character of the fabrics from TenCate. There are so many elements and details that a 'simple' explanation is almost unthinkable. Through this animation, the relevant USPs are highlighted and the sustainable life cycle character of the combined fabrics of Tecawork Ecogreen is explained clearly and simply.
3D Animation
This type of animation is much more modern than 2D animation. In 3D animations, special software is used to create a realistic three-dimensional image. Unlike 2D animations, 3D animations do not feel flat. These animations utilize depth and perspective. They are therefore extremely suitable for people looking for a realistic, detailed representation of products or situations. 3D animations are often used, for example, to present a product or to visualize construction projects that have not yet been realized, because this technique allows you to move around the object and environment. These 3D animations are also popular in marketing, as they stand out and effectively grab viewers' attention. However, they are typically more time-intensive in development.
Stop Motion
Stop motion animations are somewhat similar to traditional animations. They also utilize still images that are played in quick succession to create the illusion of movement. However, while traditional animations use (digital) drawings, this technique involves taking photos of objects. In each photo, the objects are moved slightly, allowing for the creation of different images. Out of all types of animation, this is the most labour-intensive. For this reason, this technique is not popular within the marketing world. Additionally, you cannot create a realistic representation with these animations, as they often produce a somewhat awkward image. Stop motion is therefore mainly used for artistic projects. A well-known example of stop motion is the popular series Buurman en Buurman.
