Are Whiteboard Animated Videos Still Relevant?
Some say whiteboard animation is outdated. Others swear by its relevancy in simplifying complex ideas.
Nowadays, whiteboard animation goes beyond the hand holding a marker and drawing some old-school doodles on a blank background.
There’s more creativity put into them, even in 3D!
So, is the whiteboard animation just a passing trend or still relevant for business growth?
Explainer Videos vs. Whiteboard Animations: What’s the Difference?
People often confuse explainer videos with whiteboard animation, but they’re not the same thing. Here’s a simple way to think about it:
While all whiteboard animations are explainer videos, not all explainer videos are whiteboard animations. Keep this in mind when choosing your video style!
How Whiteboard Animation Videos Help Your Business
Here’s why companies invest in whiteboard animation:
- Boosts engagement: People are naturally drawn to hand-drawn visuals and storytelling.
- Improves retention: Studies show that audiences retain 95% of a message in video format compared to just 10% from reading text.
- Simplifies complex topics: Perfect for breaking down financial services, tech solutions, medical concepts, or educational content.
- Increases conversions: According to HubSpot, adding a video to your landing page can increase conversions by 80% or more.
- Cost-effective: Compared to live-action, it’s cheaper, faster, and requires no actors or expensive sets.
Real-World Examples from Our Clients
We’ve helped businesses across various industries create engaging whiteboard animation videos.
Here are some cases:
Whiteboard Explainer Video for CDISC
When we worked with CDISC, they needed a clear, engaging way to explain their global data standards for clinical research.
We don’t want to overwhelm viewers with complex terminology so we used a whiteboard animation to break it down step by step.
The video visually illustrated how CDISC’s standardized formats improve data consistency to make research more efficient and accelerate medical breakthroughs.
Using simple hand-drawn illustrations and friendly narration, we explained common concerns like treatment timelines, comfort, and care.
The approachable animation style helped demystify orthodontics so young patients feel more at ease.
There are more on our Whiteboard Animation video YouTube playlist.
What’s the Cost of Making a Whiteboard Animation Video?
The cost of a whiteboard animation depends on whether you do it in-house or hire professionals.
While DIY is cheaper, professional studios deliver high-quality storytelling, custom artwork, and a polished final product that reflects your brand.
Here’s a breakdown:
DIY Approach
Hiring a Professional Studio
Which Industries Benefit Most from Whiteboard Animation?
Whiteboard videos work best for industries that need to simplify and educate.
Best for:
- Finance (Explaining investment options, insurance policies, tax services)
- Cybersecurity & IT (Training employees on security threats, software tutorials)
- Healthcare & Medical (Patient education, healthcare SaaS, pharmaceutical explanations)
- Education & E-Learning (Online courses, explainer lessons, tutoring services)
- Engineering & Tech (Product demonstrations, tech solutions, scientific concepts)
Not ideal for:
- Fashion & Beauty (These industries thrive on vibrant visuals and live-action content)
- Architecture & Interior Design (A whiteboard’s simplicity doesn’t do justice to rich, detailed visuals)
- Luxury & High-End Brands (Brands that rely on aesthetics and emotion may need a more cinematic approach)
Is Whiteboard Animation Right for You?
Ask yourself:
“Do I need to explain something complex in a simple way?”
“Is my target audience looking for educational or informative content?”
“Do I want to create a video that keeps people engaged until the end?”
“Am I looking for a cost-effective, high-converting video format?”
If you answered yes to any of these, a whiteboard animation might be the perfect solution for your business.
The Verdict?
Whiteboard animation videos are still relevant, especially for businesses that need to simplify complex topics, educate their audience, and boost engagement.
While trends in video marketing evolve, the power of clear, engaging storytelling remains strong, and whiteboard animations excel at that.
Whiteboard animation might not be the best fit for every industry, but it’s a cost-effective way to grab attention and drive conversions in finance, healthcare, tech, and education.
So, if your goal is to explain, engage, and convert, whiteboard animation is still a smart investment.
Thinking of creating a whiteboard animation for your brand? Let’s chat! Breadnbeyond helped businesses like yours craft videos that educate, entertain, and convert.
Talk to us in a FREE consultation, and let’s bring your ideas to life!