Animated Explainer Videos Leeds: 2D, 3D and Motion Graphics
Animated explainer videos have become one of the most widely used tools in the Leeds marketing landscape. From SaaS platforms and financial services firms to manufacturers and professional services businesses, organisations across the city are using animation to communicate clearly, engage audiences and drive measurable results.
This guide covers everything Leeds businesses need to know about animated explainer video production, including the difference between 2D and 3D animation, when to use motion graphics, what the production process looks like and how to choose the right animation studio in Leeds.
What Is an Animated Explainer Video?
An animated explainer video is a short-form piece of content, typically between 60 seconds and two minutes, that uses animation to explain a product, service, process or concept. Unlike live-action video, animation gives complete creative control over every element of the visual, making it particularly effective for communicating ideas that cannot easily be shown on camera.
Animated explainers are used across websites, LinkedIn campaigns, sales presentations, onboarding sequences, digital advertising and internal communications. They work best when the message is complex, the product is intangible or the audience needs guiding through a process step by step.
2D Animation vs 3D Animation: Which Is Right for Your Business?
The most common question Leeds businesses ask when commissioning animated explainer video is whether to use 2D or 3D animation. The right answer depends on the message, the product and where the video will be used.
2D Animated Explainer Videos
2D animation uses flat, illustrated visuals with motion applied to characters, shapes, typography and graphic elements. It is the most widely used animation format for explainer video because it is versatile, cost-effective and highly brand-friendly.
2D animated explainers are particularly effective for:
SaaS platforms and software products
Financial services and professional services
Internal communications and employee onboarding
Brand storytelling and value proposition communication
Social media and paid advertising campaigns
At Rune Films, we have produced 2D animated explainer videos for clients including Expend, ReadyWorks, Clixifix, ChargePoint Technology, Armstrong Craven, Sterling and Law and Parsons Accountants. In each case, animation allowed us to communicate a complex or intangible product with clarity and visual consistency that live-action could not achieve.
3D Animated Explainer Videos
3D animation creates three-dimensional rendered visuals with depth, movement and physical realism. It is more complex and time-intensive than 2D but delivers a level of visual accuracy and premium quality that makes it the right choice for specific applications.
3D animated explainers are particularly effective for:
Engineering and manufacturing product visualisation
Scientific and technical process explanation
Medical device and healthcare technology demonstrations
Architectural and spatial visualisation
Any product where physical accuracy matters
We have produced 3D animation for clients including Nikalyte, Lightcast Discovery, Sunamp, Ghost Installations and Henniker Plasma. For these businesses, showing how something physically works, whether that is a nanoparticle deposition system, an energy storage device or a plasma surface treatment process, required the precision and realism that only 3D could deliver.
The Key Differences at a Glance
2D animation is faster to produce, more cost-effective and highly adaptable for brand-led content. It is the default choice for most SaaS, professional services and marketing-led explainer projects.
3D animation takes longer and costs more but delivers unmatched visual accuracy for physical products, technical processes and engineering applications. If your product needs to be shown working in three-dimensional space, 3D is the right choice.
Many projects benefit from combining both approaches, using 3D for specific product shots or technical sequences and 2D for the surrounding narrative and branded content.
Motion Graphics for Leeds Businesses
Motion graphics sit between traditional animation and graphic design. Rather than characters or environments, motion graphics use animated typography, icons, data visualisations, infographics and branded graphic elements to communicate information.
Motion graphics are widely used for:
Data visualisation and statistics
Product feature callouts and UI demonstrations
Brand intros and outros
Social media content and paid advertising
Adding visual depth to live-action corporate video
Many of the most effective explainer videos combine live-action filming with motion graphics overlays. The filmed footage provides human warmth and credibility, while the motion graphics handle the parts of the message that benefit from visual clarity, such as a process, a statistic or a product feature.
The Animated Explainer Video Production Process
Understanding the production process helps Leeds businesses plan effectively and avoid the most common causes of delays and budget overruns.
Stage 1: Brief and Script Development
Every animated explainer video starts with the script. This is the single most important stage of the process. A clear, concise script focused on one primary message prevents costly changes later and keeps the animation aligned with the commercial objective.
We work with clients to develop scripts that are written for the ear rather than the eye. Sentences are short. Language is direct. Jargon is used only where the audience expects and understands it.
Stage 2: Storyboard and Visual Style
Once the script is approved, we develop the visual style. For 2D projects this covers character design, colour palette, typography and animation style. For 3D projects it covers modelling references, render style, lighting approach and camera movement. The storyboard maps every scene visually before animation begins, reducing the risk of significant revisions later.
Stage 3: Animation and Production
With the storyboard approved, animation begins. For 2D projects, this typically takes two to three weeks. 3D animation projects require longer timelines depending on the complexity of the models and scenes involved. Voiceover recording happens in parallel with animation so the two are synchronised during the final edit.
Stage 4: Sound Design and Final Delivery
Music, sound effects and final audio mixing bring the animation to life. We deliver the final video in the required formats and specifications for each platform, including 16:9 for website and YouTube, square formats for Instagram and subtitled versions for LinkedIn.
How Much Do Animated Explainer Videos Cost in Leeds?
Animation costs vary depending on format, length, complexity and the number of platform versions required. As a general guide:
2D animated explainer videos typically start from £3,000 to £5,000 for a professionally produced 60 to 90 second piece. Projects requiring more complex character animation, multiple scenes or extended length will sit higher.
3D animated explainer videos require more production time and specialist skills, and typically start from £5,000 upwards depending on the complexity of the models and scenes involved.
Motion graphics projects are generally more cost-effective than full character animation, making them a strong option for businesses that need a professional, branded animated piece within a tighter budget.
Any quote significantly below these ranges should be treated with caution. The quality of the script, the animation and the voiceover directly affects how the video performs. A poorly produced explainer video is not just ineffective — it can actively undermine confidence in your brand.
How Long Does Animated Explainer Video Production Take in Leeds?
Most 2D animated explainer video projects take between three and five weeks from approved brief to final delivery. 3D animation projects typically take four to eight weeks depending on complexity. The timeline is influenced by:
Speed of script approval
Number of stakeholders involved in feedback rounds
Complexity of the animation style
Whether voiceover recording needs to be arranged
Number of platform versions required
Providing a clear brief, a single primary stakeholder for approvals and consolidated feedback at each stage are the most effective ways to keep an animation project on schedule.
Why Choose an In-House Animation Studio in Leeds?
There is a significant difference between a production company that manages animation in-house and one that outsources it to a freelance network. For Leeds businesses commissioning animated explainer video, in-house production capability matters for several reasons.
Quality control. When scripting, animation and post-production are managed under one roof, every stage of the process is aligned with the original brief. There is no communication breakdown between separate suppliers.
Speed. In-house production avoids the scheduling delays that come with coordinating freelance animators across different projects and time zones.
Consistency. A single team working on your project from brief to delivery produces more consistent visual output than multiple individuals working in isolation.
Accountability. One production partner is responsible for the quality of the finished video. There is no ambiguity about who is responsible for what.
Rune Films manages the full animation production process in-house at our Leeds studio, from script and storyboard through to animation, voiceover and final delivery.
Animated Explainer Videos for Leeds Businesses: Common Use Cases
SaaS and Technology
Software platforms and technology products are among the most common use cases for animated explainer video in Leeds. The product is often invisible, the functionality is complex and the buying audience may not be technical. Animation simplifies the message and demonstrates value without requiring a live product demonstration.
Financial Services
Financial services firms across Leeds use 2D animation to explain products, processes and regulatory requirements to customers and stakeholders. Animation allows complex information to be communicated in a way that is clear, compliant and visually engaging.
Manufacturing and Engineering
Leeds and West Yorkshire have a strong manufacturing and engineering base. 3D animation is particularly valuable for businesses in these sectors, allowing them to show how a product works, how it is assembled or how a process operates with a level of visual accuracy that no other format can match.
Professional Services
Accountancy firms, law practices, consultancies and HR businesses across Leeds use 2D animated explainers to communicate their services clearly to prospective clients. Animation removes the jargon and presents the value proposition in a format that is easy to understand and share.
Healthcare and Life Sciences
Healthcare organisations, biotech companies and medical device manufacturers use animation to explain clinical processes, drug mechanisms, device functionality and research findings. The combination of accuracy and visual clarity makes animation the most effective format for complex healthcare communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an animated explainer video cost in Leeds?
A professionally produced 2D animated explainer video in Leeds typically starts from £3,000 to £5,000 for a 60 to 90 second piece. 3D animation starts from £5,000 upwards. Costs depend on animation style, video length, number of revisions and platform requirements.
How long does animated explainer video production take?
Most 2D animated explainer projects take three to five weeks from approved brief to final delivery. 3D animation projects typically take four to eight weeks depending on complexity.
What is the difference between 2D and 3D animation for explainer videos?
2D animation uses flat illustrated visuals and is ideal for brand-led content, SaaS products and professional services. 3D animation creates three-dimensional rendered visuals and is better suited to engineering, manufacturing and scientific applications where physical accuracy is important.
Can you produce animated explainer videos for social media?
Yes. We produce multiple format versions for LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube and paid advertising campaigns, including subtitled versions and shorter edits optimised for each platform.
Do you handle scriptwriting and storyboarding?
Yes. Rune Films manages the full production process in-house, including scriptwriting, storyboarding, animation, voiceover and final delivery.
Does Rune Films produce animation outside Leeds?
Yes. We produce animated explainer videos for businesses across West Yorkshire, including Bradford, Harrogate, Wakefield, Halifax and Huddersfield, as well as nationally throughout the UK.
Rune Films: Animation Studio Leeds
Rune Films is a Leeds-based animation studio producing 2D animation, 3D animation and motion graphics for businesses across Leeds, West Yorkshire and the UK. Our in-house team manages the full production process, from script and storyboard through to animation, voiceover and final delivery.
We work with businesses across technology, financial services, manufacturing, healthcare and professional services sectors. Based at Lawnswood Business Park in Leeds, we are well placed to work with businesses across the region and nationally.
If you are looking for an animation studio in Leeds to produce your next animated explainer video, we would be happy to discuss your project.