What Is Whiteboard Animation?

Whiteboard Animation?

Whiteboard animation is a style of explainer video that mimics the process of a person drawing illustrations on a whiteboard while narrating the concept. It creates the illusion of live drawing, often paired with voiceovers, making complex ideas easier to follow.

Used For: Education, marketing, training, storytelling, and internal business communication.

Why Whiteboard Animation Works So Well

🔹 1. It Holds Attention Better

• Simple visuals and a step-by-step drawing style keep the brain engaged without overwhelming it.

• Unlike "talking head" videos, it removes facial distractions, so viewers focus on what’s being said, not who’s speaking.

• The combination of hand movement + evolving visuals + voiceover taps into both visual and auditory learning styles.

Fact: Human short-term memory can only hold 5–9 units of information at once. Whiteboard animation works around this limit by presenting information linearly and visually.

2. It Boosts Memory and Retention

• According to a study by Prof. Richard Wiseman:

  • Viewers of whiteboard videos remembered 15% more than viewers of regular “talking head” videos.

  • They were also more likely to share the whiteboard version.

• Why? Because it uses “deep processing” — combining clear visuals, storytelling, and voice to strengthen memory.

3. It Engages & Entertains

• Humorous or metaphorical visuals give people the "aha!" moment.

• Whiteboard animations simulate “anticipation” — viewers want to see what’s drawn next.

• Even complex or dry topics feel more dynamic and accessible.

Whiteboard Animation in Business

Major companies like Coca-Cola, Carlsberg, Nestlé, Dropbox, and TechnoNICOL use whiteboard animation for:

• Explaining strategies

• Product demos

• Training internal teams

• Story-driven branding

• Customer education

The simplicity and clarity it provides make it perfect for high-stakes communication.

Production Process (Step-by-Step)

1. Brief Collection

   • Goals, audience, company values, deadlines, branding elements

2. Script Writing

   • A compelling narrative aligned with your strategy

3. Storyboard Creation

   • Visual scene-by-scene plan with sketches

4. Approval Stage

   • Finalizing script and storyboard (edits beyond this cost extra)

5. Prop Preparation

   • Hand-drawn paper elements or real physical objects

6. Shooting the Video

   • Live drawing filmed with HD camera

7. Editing

   • Color, pacing, audio sync, trimming, and visual polish

8. Final Revisions

   • Minor changes only, based on the approved storyboard

Timeline: ~3 to 5 weeks

Whiteboard vs. Traditional Computer Animation