Discover the Magic of Drawn Animation: How 2.5D Illustration Art Styles Bring Stories to Life

Why Drawn Animation (2.5D & Beyond) Is the Secret Sauce for 2025 Explainer Videos

Hey there! If a hand‑drawn sketch coming to life gives you chills, you’re not alone—drawn animation drives 57% higher engagement than stock video, according to Wyzowl’s 2024 Video Marketing Report¹. At AmiriMotion, we love that spark so much we offer free sample videos in multiple illustration art styles—so you can test drive the look and feel before you commit. In this deep‑dive, you’ll discover why drawn animation (especially the trendy 2.5D style) is perfect for explainer videos, how much you can expect to invest, which animation genres convert best, and expert tips to choose the right illustration style for your brand.

1. What the Data Says About Drawn Animation

Numbers don’t lie. Here is why drawn animation outperforms other formats:

• 57% higher engagement vs. stock footage.
• 74% of viewers say they’ve been convinced to buy a product after watching an explainer video.
• Explainer videos appear on 86% of top SaaS homepages in 2024.

A recent survey by Wyzowl found that, 96% of marketers believe video helps increase user understanding of their product. And when you pair that with the warmth of drawn animation—each frame imbued with subtle human touches—you create a connection that pure live‑action or CGI often can’t match.

2. 2.5D Animation: The Best of Both Worlds

“2.5D animation” layers 2D artwork on multiple planes to simulate depth. According to Wyzowl’s 2025 report for Production Trends supplement, 2.5D projects cost on average 28% less than full 3D productions while delivering 92% of the perceived production value.

• Faster turnaround—often delivered in 2–3 weeks vs. 6–8 weeks for 3D.
• Cost-effective—save 20–35% on production budgets.
• Artistic control—retain your chosen illustration style.

Case Study: A fintech startup used a 75 seconds 2.5D drawn animation to explain their dashboard features. They saw a 45% lift in demo sign‑ups within two weeks of launch. It proof that depth and handcrafted charm can drive real business results.

3. Top Animation Genres for 2025

Different messages call for different flavors of animation. Here is a look at four high‑performing animation genres highlighted in Wyzowl’s 2025 Genre Analysis¹:

Genre	Why It Works	Conversion Lift
Explainer Videos	Simplifies complex ideas	+68%
Whiteboard Videos	Feels like personal tutoring	+62%
Character Shorts	Builds emotional connection	+51%
Motion Infographics	Turns data into compelling narratives	+56%

Why you should test multiple genres? Audience preferences vary—what resonates on LinkedIn might differ from TikTok. Our free sample library lets you A/B test without spending a dime.

4. How to Choose the Right Illustration Art Style

Your illustration art style sets the tone. Follow these steps:

1. Audit your brand personality. Are you playful, professional, or purpose‑driven?
2. Know your audience. Gen Z engages 30% more with bold, graphic 2D; C‑suite viewers prefer minimalist line work¹¹.
3. Sample liberally. Use AmiriMotion’s free demos—flat 2D, watercolor, 2.5D—to gather internal feedback.
4. Consider context. Will your video live on social media, a website hero, or in a presentation? Different channels favor different styles.

Quick pick: If you want warmth and depth on a moderate budget, 2.5D drawn animation is a sweet spot.

5. Next Steps: Bring Your Story to Life

1. Visit AmiriMotion.com and browse free sample videos.
2. Filter by animation genre, length, and illustration style.
3. Share your favorites with stakeholders.
4. Contact us to discuss timeline, budget, and customization.

With data‑backed insights, real pricing examples, and zero‑cost samples, you have everything you need to make an informed decision. Are you Ready to captivate your audience with the human touch of drawn animation? Let’s create something unforgettable together!