Here’s Why Whiteboard Videos are Dead
Squideo strongly believes that, although whiteboard explainer videos can be informative, there are simply better, more engaging ways to communicate information via video.
We get a lot of questions from our clients asking whether we create whiteboard videos and in short, no we don’t… but there’s a reason behind this. This article will give you an insight into what whiteboard animations are and why we advise against creating them for our clients.
What is a Whiteboard Explainer Video?
Whiteboards first appeared in schools in the 1950's and eventually made their way into the digital world in the 2000’s. Although mainly used for educational purposes, cartoon whiteboard videos are also used by businesses as a way to promote their products and services.
Whiteboard videos typically include a combination of hand-drawn visual elements, audio in the form of a voiceover and text.
4 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Create an Animated Whiteboard Explainer Video
01. Education Association
As we mentioned previously, whiteboards first started appearing in classrooms in the 50’s, so of course they are bound to remind users of being back in the classroom.
Whether the intention of a video animation is to educate or not, videos should be vibrant, fun and engaging, not dull and draining. Check out this character animation video created by Squideo for Humber LDSP.
02. Bland
Although minimalism can be a positive thing when it comes to marketing (just look at Apple), whiteboard animations can be extremely bland . This is because of the use of a constant white backdrop and black pen. The format never changes and this is not a great way to get your viewer excited about your service or product.
Colourful backgrounds are a sure-fire way to add some visual stimuli to your animated explainer video and this cannot be achieved through whiteboard videos.
03. Lack of Versatility
Unlike bespoke animated videos which can be tailored to suit your brand, whiteboard videos lack versatility as they are all created using the same template/style. This means that your video is unlikely to stand out in a sea of other whiteboard videos. Create something unique with Squideo, like this video for Bleach Cyber!
04. Quality Issues
As whiteboard videos follow one certain style, it is fairly straightforward to create a whiteboard video. Although on the surface this may be seen as a positive, it is in fact a negative when you consider the quality aspect of animated whiteboard videos.
In order to create a high-quality whiteboard video, time and precision must be considered to ensure the drawings align perfectly with the hand/pen featured on screen. Sadly, not all companies take this seriously which is why many whiteboard videos end up looking a little bit sloppy. So, if you are going to invest in this style, be sure to do your research.
What's the Best Alternative to Whiteboard Animation?
At Squideo, we specialise in 2D motion graphics. One of our most popular styles in 2021 is our minimalist styles. This is similar to a Whiteboard Animation, however its
better quality,
more engaging,
incorporates your branding and is
entertaining.
Check out our 2023 portfolio video below to get inspiration for your video's animation style.
Although whiteboard videos may be a cheaper alternative, a 2D animated explainer video is worth the investment. Not only does it give you more versatility when it comes to branding-up your video, it allows you to convey certain emotions that a plain, whiteboard video simply could not do. So, if you’re hoping to invest in a video, make it a Squideo video.
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