Explainer videos help people understand what your business does, fast. They break down products, services, or ideas into something clear and easy to follow.
Most people don’t want to read blocks of text or scroll through long pages. They want answers quickly. That’s where explainer videos fit in. They’re short, visual, and built for attention spans that move fast.
You’ve seen them on homepages, landing pages, and social feeds. Some are animated. Some use real footage. All of them are designed to make things simpler and more engaging.
In this article, we’ll look at five explainer video styles that brands use to connect with their audience. Each one works differently. Some are better for storytelling. Others are good for step-by-step demos. We’ll break down what each style looks like, when to use it, and what to watch out for.
This isn’t about trends. It’s about choosing the right style for the right message (and getting the most out of your video).
Whiteboard Animation Explainer Videos
Whiteboard animation was one of the first explainer video styles to take off. You’ve likely seen it, a hand draws on a white background while a voiceover explains the message. It’s simple, visual, and easy to follow.
That simplicity made it popular for brands looking to explain complex ideas. You could walk someone through a process or product step-by-step, using nothing more than illustrations and a steady voice.
Why it worked
- Low production cost
- Clear visuals that focus on the message
- Easy to repurpose for different platforms
It helped businesses get the job done quickly, especially when motion design wasn’t as affordable or accessible as it is now.
Why it’s less common now
Today, the format feels dated. Many whiteboard animations use stock elements or off-the-shelf templates that don’t reflect brand identity. The style can still work, but it needs to be done well, and with customization.
Production costs have also gone up. What used to be a cheaper solution now sometimes costs as much as more modern animation styles.
When it still makes sense
Whiteboard videos can still be useful when the goal is clarity over aesthetics – for internal explainers, onboarding content, or training modules where brand polish isn’t the priority.
2D Character Animation Explainer Videos
2D character animation is one of the most popular explainer video styles for a reason. It uses illustrated characters and simple scenes to tell a story, one that feels human, visual, and easy to relate to.
This style works well when the goal is connection. Instead of listing features or facts, the video walks the viewer through a situation, showing how the product or service fits into their world.
Why it’s a go-to for startups and growing brands
- You can show characters that reflect your audience
- It’s flexible (works for products, services, or brand stories)
- It balances visual quality with manageable production costs
2D animation makes space for tone. You can go playful, serious, or minimal. You can explain a fintech tool or promote a wellness app, without needing a big production budget or live-action shoot.
Where it works best
- Website hero videos
- Product explainers
- App launch videos
- Brand awareness campaigns
It’s also easier to update or scale. If your product evolves, you can revise scenes or change voice-overs without starting from scratch.
Motion Graphics Explainer Videos
Motion graphics use shapes, text, icons, and simple visual elements to explain something clearly. They’re clean, fast-paced, and often used when there’s no need for characters or scenes.
Instead of telling a story with people, motion graphics show how a system works, how data moves, or how a process flows. It’s all about clarity and rhythm.
Why do brands use this style?
- Great for showing dashboards, platforms, or services
- Useful for financial, B2B, or SaaS products
- Keeps focus on the information, not the visuals
This style works well when you need to explain something technical. For example, an app walkthrough, a data tool, or a payment system. You can animate features, highlight steps, and keep everything aligned with your brand.
Where it performs best
- Landing pages
- Pitch decks and investor videos
- Internal training
- Product feature explainers
It also gives you more room to use brand elements, like your logo, font, or color palette without needing full scenes or characters.
Hybrid Animation Explainer Videos: 2D with 3D Elements
Some videos need a little more depth, without going full 3D. That’s where hybrid animation comes in. It’s mostly 2D animation, with 3D elements added where they matter most.
You might see a 3D-rendered product rotating in space, while everything else – the icons, the text, the background- stays flat. It gives the viewer a better look at the product, without the cost of a full 3D video.
Why use this style
- It shows off physical features or moving parts
- It adds polish to tech or product explainers
- It gives the video a more modern, high-end feel
This works best when the product has detail, something people want to see from multiple angles. Think wearables, electronics, medical devices, or tools.
When it makes sense
- Product launch videos
- Investor decks or trade show screens
- Website banners or paid campaigns
- Anywhere you want visuals to feel more premium
You don’t need a full 3D production to get depth. Selective use of 3D adds realism without the long timelines or high cost.
Live-Action Explainer Videos with Animated Elements
This style blends real footage with animated overlays. It’s often used in brand films, product demos, or interviews where visual clarity needs a boost.
You film the main content – a person, a scene, a product in use – and layer in motion graphics to highlight key points. That could be stats, text, arrows, icons, or even simple animations that show what’s happening behind the scenes.
Why this style works
- Adds context without distracting from the speaker or product
- Keeps videos visually interesting without needing heavy animation
- Works well for teams who want a human touch but still need clarity
Live-action helps with trust. Viewers see a real person or place. The animation helps explain. Together, they tell the story better than either could on their own.
Where it fits best
- Founder videos
- Product walkthroughs
- Customer interviews
- Brand stories for social or ads
It’s also helpful when you want to repurpose existing footage. You can add animation on top to create new content without filming again.
Choosing the Right Explainer Video Style for Your Business
Every video style in this list works, but not all of them work for every brand.
Some products need motion graphics because they’re hard to show in real life. Some services are better explained with a character-led story. If you’re launching something physical, a 3D element or live-action demo might help people understand it faster.
What to think about before choosing a style
- What are you explaining? A product, a process, or a story?
- Who are you speaking to? New users, investors, or internal teams?
- How do you want to be seen? Playful, premium, minimal, bold?
- What’s your budget and timeline? Some styles take longer or cost more
The right style should match your message, fit your brand, and work for your audience.
If you’re not sure what fits, that’s where we come in.
At Kween Media, we help brands figure this out every day. We don’t push a style that’s trendy or high-cost. We focus on what works for your business. That means asking the right questions, showing you real options, and guiding you from script to final delivery.
Make Explainer Videos Work for You
Explainer videos do more than explain. When done right, they help people understand your product, remember your message, and trust your brand.
Each style, from whiteboard to 2D character, motion graphics, hybrid, or live-action with animation, has its place. The key is knowing what fits your goal, your audience, and your brand voice.
If your message matters and you want it to land well, the right explainer video can help. Not because it’s trendy, but because it works.
At Kween Media, we build explainer videos that stay clear, focused, and on-brand. No noise. No guesswork. Just strong, well-made videos that do what they’re meant to do. Get started today!