B2B Animation 101: Answering Your Biggest Questions

In an earlier blog, I asked the big question: Is your brand in motion? Haven’t read it? Check it out. If you’re here, tah-dah! You’ve decided that animation could be a powerful tool for your B2B business. But you probably have questions. Good news—I’ve had hundreds of conversations with B2B clients about this, so let’s dive into the most common ones.

What animation style do you recommend for our brand?

There are plenty of animation styles—vector, isometric, hand-drawn, collage—all within broader categories like 2D, 3D, and character-based animation. Choosing the right one depends on your goals, existing brand assets, budget, and timeline.

• 3D Animation: Offers depth, dynamism, and prestige. Ideal for hyper-realistic product visualizations, physics-based simulations, AR/VR experiences or other forms of elevated storytelling.
• Character Animation: Great for storytelling and building emotional connections, especially when live-action isn’t feasible. Can range from simple to complex (Netflix’s Arcane, anyone?).
• 2D Motion Design: A workhorse for brands—cost-effective, flexible, and dynamic. Text, shapes, and icons come to life to tell your story.

What does the process look like?

Once we’ve settled on a style, what’s next? The process varies, but it always involves pre-visualization, production, and refinement.

• Pre-Production: We start with style frames—static design treatments to explore look and feel. Next, we move to storyboarding, mapping out the animation frame by frame. For complex 3D projects, we may create an animatic (animated storyboard) to preview motion and pacing.
• Production: This is where animation comes to life. Assets are fully designed and animated, and elements like voiceovers, music, and sound design are added.
• Final Delivery: Your polished, fully animated video, ready to make an impact.

What are the cost differences between 2D and 3D?

Pricing depends on complexity, but in general:

• 3D animation is more expensive—often twice the cost and timeline of 2D—due to the specialized skills, software, and rendering involved.
• Character animation is pricier than standard motion design due to the time-intensive process of designing, rigging, and animating characters.

Have cost concerns? We’re happy to explore options based on your project’s needs.

How long does it all take?

B2B moves fast, and we get it—your project should’ve been done yesterday. Rough estimates:

• 2D motion design: 4-6 weeks
• Character animation & 3D: 6-12+ weeks Timelines depend on complexity, length, and approval cycles, but if you need something faster, let’s talk.

You don’t need a doctor to tell you motion is key to longevity—same goes for your brand. Animation may seem complex, but we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Let’s bring your B2B story to life!