What Is 2D Animation? Here’s What AI and Most Blogs Won’t Tell You

Introduction: 2D Animation Still Matters

When people hear “2D animation,” their minds often jump to Saturday morning cartoons or nostalgic Disney classics. But 2D animation has come a long way—and it’s still very much alive in the world of marketing, education, tech, and storytelling. Today, it’s the backbone of thousands of explainer videos, product demos, and training content across industries.

While CGI and 3D visuals dominate big-budget cinema and gaming, 2D animation remains a quiet powerhouse. It’s adaptable, expressive, and far more affordable to produce. Behind the screens, video production companies are scaling up 2D animation to meet modern content demands—from SaaS pitches to mobile app tutorials.

The numbers back it up: according to Precedence Research, the 2D animation market is projected to hit $48 billion by 2032, growing at over 5% CAGR. So, while CGI grabs headlines, 2D animation is busy doing the heavy lifting behind countless brand stories.

What 2D Animation Really Involves

To understand why 2D Animation hasn’t gone out of style, it helps to know what goes into it. It includes characters, backgrounds, and effects drawn and animated frame-by-frame or through rig-based methods using digital tools.

Traditionally, every frame was hand-drawn. Today, however, artists use software like Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe Animate, and Moho Pro to speed up the process. These tools allow for keyframe animation, asset rigging, and vector layering making the workflow smoother without losing that signature 2D charm.

Modern 2D animation is used across:

• Explainer and onboarding videos for startup
• E-learning modules
• App and UI walkthroughs
• Social Media Campaigns
• Character-driven brand stories

From a studio’s perspective, the production involves a compact but specialized team. Typically, a 60–90 second video will need a scriptwriter, storyboard artist, illustrator, animator, sound designer, and a project manager. In some workflows, the same person may handle illustration and animation, especially when using cut-out or puppet-based rigs.

This streamlined team structure is one of the reasons 2D remains so popular among video production companies—it delivers professional results without the overhead of massive teams or heavy computational rendering.

Why 2D Animation Is Still Cost-Effective

One of the biggest advantages of 2D animation is that it doesn’t cost a fortune to produce. While the output can be just as impactful as CGI or 3D, the production time and technical demands are significantly lower.

Let’s talk numbers.

On average, a 60-second 2D animated video can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on complexity, storytelling depth, and design style. In contrast, a similar 3D animation could cost upwards of $15,000–$30,000, particularly if it involves character modeling, rigging, and environmental rendering.

Why the gap?

• 2D animation uses flat artwork, which reduces design and rendering time.
• Rig-based 2D characters can be reused or quickly modified for future content.
• There’s less reliance on expensive GPU rendering farms.
  

For small businesses, non-profits, and emerging startups, that’s a big deal.

Here’s a real-world scenario:
A fintech company working with a video production company needed to produce a series of 2D explainer videos for onboarding. By designing a consistent brand character and reusing the same animation rig across episodes, they cut down design time by 40% and saved nearly 30% of their overall budget across the campaign.

It’s this kind of production logic—high creative output with minimal waste—that keeps 2D animation relevant, especially for teams looking for a balance between quality and efficiency.

What a Video Production Company Knows

If there’s one thing experienced video production companies understand, it’s how to scale creativity without reinventing the wheel each time. A well-run studio doesn’t just “make videos”—it builds a repeatable system around 2D animation, combining visual storytelling with workflow efficiency.

At its core, a typical 2D animation team includes:

• A scriptwriter and creative director for concept
• Storyboard artist and illustrator for visuals
• Animator (or a few) using tools like Toon Boom or After Effects
• A project manager to keep the process on track
  

With streamlined operations, even a 5–8 member team can deliver 8–10 short 2D videos per month. Larger studios, supported by modular asset libraries and reusable character rigs, often produce 20+ assets monthly—from explainers to bite-sized social clips.

The biggest cost-saving factor? Pre-production clarity. When the script and storyboard are locked in early, rework is minimized and the team moves faster.

Take this real-world case:
A fintech brand needed a series of animated explainers. Instead of designing new characters for each, the studio repurposed a core brand mascot with varied expressions and settings. The result? 30% savings in production costs and faster turnarounds—without compromising quality.

This is where smart production strategy meets art. And 2D animation—lean and efficient—makes that possible.

Market Use Cases Driving Demand

If you’re wondering where all these 2D animations go—just look around. From social media feeds to corporate town halls, they’re everywhere. Companies today don’t just use 2D for branding—they rely on it for communication, education, and engagement.

Some of the highest-growth use cases include:

• Corporate training: Animated workplace scenarios for compliance or onboarding.
• SaaS explainers: Simple yet powerful visuals to explain products in under 90 seconds.
• Social media: Short, engaging animations for reels, ads, and awareness campaigns.
• EdTech: Platforms like BYJU’S and Duolingo use 2D characters to boost engagement and retention.

Why does it work?

Because the human brain loves visuals. According to Wyzowl’s 2024 Video Marketing Report, animated explainer videos can improve information retention by up to 90%, especially in training and e-learning environments.

2D animations deliver bite-sized, repeatable, and easily localized content. And in a market flooded with noise, simple visuals often win the attention war.

2D vs. 3D: Strategic Choice, Not Just Style

While 3D animation gets the spotlight in big-budget films and hyper-real simulations, 2D remains a smart business decision for many brands. The choice isn’t just aesthetic—it’s strategic.

2D animation excels in:

• Emotional storytelling
• Quicker turnarounds
• Cost efficiency
• Scalable asset management
  

It’s ideal for explaining abstract concepts, expressing emotions, or creating stylized brand personas. In contrast, 3D animation is better suited for detailed product showcases, architectural walkthroughs, or immersive gaming environments.

For most video production companies, especially those working with B2B or startup clients, 2D offers a better ROI. It gets the message across clearly, without bloated budgets or extended production cycles. And when consistency across content formats is needed—like in onboarding flows or product explainers—2D’s flexibility truly shines.

Global Icons of 2D Animation: Studios That Shaped the Craft

Before the rise of CGI, 2D animation ruled the world—and many of its masterpieces continue to resonate today.

Walt Disney Animation Studios defined the golden age with films like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), The Lion King (1994), and Beauty and the Beast (1991). These classics weren’t just commercially successful—they became cultural touchpoints that shaped generations.

In Japan, Studio Ghibli elevated 2D storytelling into art. Spirited Away (2001) won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, while My Neighbor Totoro and Princess Mononoke remain global favorites for their hand-crafted beauty and emotional depth.

More recently, independent and global studios like Cartoon Saloon (Wolfwalkers, The Breadwinner) and Netflix’s Klaus have proven that 2D animation still captivates when paired with bold storytelling and refined technique.

The Future of 2D Animation: More Than Just Nostalgia

Thanks to AI-powered tools like Runway, Moho, and Adobe Character Animator, artists now animate scenes faster without compromising quality. These tools reduce frame-by-frame workload while enhancing fluidity and style.

There’s also a surge in hybrid animations—blending 2D characters with motion graphics, kinetic typography, and real-time rendering. The result? Visually engaging stories tailored for digital-first audiences.

Brands no longer just want “a pretty video.” They want memorable content that boosts retention and recall. And 2D, with its charm and clarity, fits the brief perfectly.

Conclusion

2D animation isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving in new, adaptive ways.

It balances storytelling, emotional depth, and production efficiency like no other medium. For brands, educators, marketers, and creators, it’s not a fallback—it’s a smart, scalable strategy.

And when crafted by the right video production company, 2D animation becomes more than content—it becomes a powerful storytelling asset.

FAQs

Q1. Is 2D animation outdated?

Not at all. It’s evolving with smarter tools and continues to drive modern marketing, training, and entertainment.

Q2. How long does it take to produce a 60-second 2D video?

On average, 2–3 weeks with a dedicated team of 4–6 professionals.

Q3. Which industries use 2D animation the most?

Education, SaaS, finance, healthcare, and digital marketing top the list.

Q4. Can 2D animation be used for corporate content?

Absolutely. From product explainers to internal training, 2D offers clarity and cost-efficiency.

Q5. Is 2D animation cheaper than 3D?

In most cases, yes—especially for explainer videos or brand storytelling, where reusable assets and simpler pipelines reduce costs.