Step 1: Conceptualization and Planning
The first and most important step in creating a whiteboard animation is planning. This stage involves identifying the purpose and goal of the video. Are you creating an educational video? A marketing explainer? Or maybe a product demonstration? By establishing a clear purpose, you can develop a script that will communicate your message effectively.
During this phase, it is essential to:
Define Your Audience: Understand who will be watching your video. What are their interests? What problems are you solving for them? Knowing your audience will help you tailor your message appropriately.
Determine the Length: The length of your whiteboard video creation depends on the message you want to convey. Typically, whiteboard animation explainer videos are kept short—around 1 to 3 minutes—to maintain the viewer’s attention.
Write a Script: The script serves as the foundation for your video. It should be clear, concise, and to the point. In this phase, you also decide on the tone of the video—will it be professional, casual, or humorous? The script should complement the visuals, and the narration should align with the pace of the drawings.
Step 2: Storyboarding
Once the script is finalized, the next step is to create a storyboard. The storyboard is essentially a blueprint for the video. It outlines the sequence of illustrations and the key visual elements that will be drawn during the video. This step is crucial because it allows you to visualize how the video will unfold.
For custom whiteboard animation, the storyboard will often include notes on the visuals, text, and timing. For example, if the script mentions a product demonstration, the storyboard will show what needs to be drawn to illustrate that demonstration.
In addition to the visuals, the storyboard should also mark the key moments in the script. This helps to ensure that the visuals match the narration and that the pacing of the whiteboard animation explainer video is smooth.
Step 3: Design and Illustration
Now comes the exciting part: designing and illustrating the content. In this stage, the actual illustrations are created that will be featured in the whiteboard video. For custom whiteboard animation, the illustrations are tailored to the specific brand or message.
Here’s what happens during this step:
Design Characters and Elements: If your video includes characters or objects, they will be designed based on the style outlined in the storyboard. For example, if the video is about a tech company, the illustrations may include tech-related devices, graphs, and abstract symbols.
Create the Visuals: The illustrator draws all the scenes that were mapped out in the storyboard. The drawings should be simple, clear, and easy to understand. The goal is to create visuals that enhance the message without overwhelming the viewer.
Add Text Elements: Text can be added to emphasize key points, show statistics, or highlight important concepts. The text should be clear and readable, ensuring it complements the drawings without overpowering them.
Step 4: Voiceover Recording
Once the visuals are ready, it’s time to record the voiceover. The voiceover is the narration that accompanies the whiteboard animation explainer video. A professional voiceover artist is typically hired to ensure that the tone of the narration aligns with the brand's voice and the message.
Here’s what happens during this phase:
Script Reading: The voiceover artist reads the script aloud, ensuring they understand the content and tone. They may also make suggestions or adjustments to improve the flow of the narration.
Recording: The voiceover is recorded in a soundproof studio to ensure the highest quality audio. The voiceover should be recorded in sync with the pacing of the visuals, so the viewer can follow along easily.
Editing: After the recording, the audio is edited for clarity, tone, and timing. Any pauses, breaths, or mistakes are removed, and the final voiceover is ready to be synced with the visuals.
Step 5: Animation and Synchronization
Once the voiceover is recorded, the animation process begins. This is where the magic happens. The illustrations created in the previous step are brought to life and synchronized with the voiceover.
During this step, the visuals are drawn on a virtual whiteboard, creating the time-lapse effect that is characteristic of whiteboard animation. The animator ensures that each drawing is timed precisely with the voiceover, ensuring that the visuals align with the narrative and maintain the viewer’s attention.
For custom whiteboard animation, special attention is given to incorporating the unique elements of the brand or project. This could include using specific colors, fonts, or logos to reinforce the brand’s identity.
Step 6: Sound Effects and Music
Once the animation is complete, sound effects and background music are added to enhance the video’s impact. Sound effects can be used to emphasize key moments in the animation, while background music helps set the tone and pace of the video.
When choosing music for a whiteboard video, it's important to select a track that aligns with the video's mood. For example, if the video is educational, a calm and soothing track might be appropriate. On the other hand, a marketing video might require a more upbeat and energetic song.
Step 7: Final Editing and Review
Once the animation, voiceover, and sound elements are synced, the video enters the final editing phase. This is where the entire video is polished and refined. Any final tweaks, such as adjusting timing, adding additional effects, or making slight changes to the visuals, are made.
During this phase, the video is reviewed multiple times to ensure everything flows smoothly and the message is clear. Any feedback from the client or team members is incorporated, and the video is fine-tuned for maximum impact.
Step 8: Delivery
Once the whiteboard video creation is complete, the video is delivered to the client or uploaded to the intended platform. The video may be delivered in various formats, depending on how it will be used. For example, if it’s intended for social media, a compressed version may be delivered for quick loading times. If it’s for a website or presentation, a high-definition version may be provided.
The video is now ready to be shared with the world, whether it’s for marketing, education, or training purposes.
Conclusion
Creating a whiteboard animation video involves several important steps that must be carefully executed to ensure a high-quality final product. From conceptualization and planning to design, animation, and final delivery, each step plays a crucial role in bringing the video to life. The process of creating a whiteboard animation may seem complex, but the result is a highly engaging and effective way to communicate ideas, products, and services.
