The Animated Video Production Process: Step-by-Step

If you're thinking about working with an animated video production company for the first time, the process can feel a little mysterious. You know what you want the outcome to be—a slick, engaging video that communicates your message—but how does that idea actually turn into a final product?

The good news is that top-tier agencies follow a well-structured process that takes your idea from rough notes to polished video. Here's a transparent, step-by-step look at how that journey unfolds when you're working with a professional animated video production company.

DISCOVERY & BRIEFING

Every great video starts with clarity. During the discovery phase, the agency digs into your brand, audience, and goals. They’ll ask key questions like:

• Who are you speaking to?

• What action should they take?

• What tone fits the message?

This step ensures alignment before a single frame is drawn. A strong brief defines the video’s purpose and sets the foundation for everything that follows.

SCRIPT DEVELOPMENT

Once direction is locked in, it’s time to shape the narrative. This is one of the most crucial stages—because a great video starts with a great script.

Your agency will work with you to develop a story that’s clear, concise, and engaging. You’ll typically get one or two rounds of feedback to fine-tune the copy until it feels spot on.

STYLE FRAMING & VISUAL CONCEPTING

Next comes defining the visual style. The team will create style frames—still images that preview the look and feel of the final video.

Expect to review:

• Typography

• Character and icon design

• Colour palette

• Overall visual mood

Style frames are critical for alignment—especially when multiple stakeholders are involved. They provide a visual anchor before animation begins.

STORYBOARDING

With script and style approved, the agency moves into storyboarding. This step maps out your video scene by scene, based on the script.

Each frame represents a moment in the story, complete with visual notes, transitions, and timing suggestions. This ensures narrative flow and pacing are locked in before animation starts.

VOICEOVER RECORDING

Now the story gets a voice. The right voiceover brings personality, tone, and clarity to your message.

Your agency will usually provide voice samples and help you choose a voice artist who matches your brand. They’ll also handle the recording session to ensure high-quality audio from start to finish.

ANIMATION & DESIGN

This is where everything comes to life. The team takes your storyboard, style frames, and voiceover and begins animating the full video.

Characters move, transitions flow, text appears—it’s all synced to the script and voice track. Depending on complexity, this stage can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. You’ll get a draft to review and give feedback before the final polish.

SOUND DESIGN & MUSIC

Sound is what gives a video its emotional depth. Once animation is in place, your team will layer in music, sound effects, and audio cues to elevate the story.

Whether it’s a subtle swoosh or a cinematic underscore, great sound design makes your video feel complete—and more impactful.

REVIEW, REVISIONS & FINAL TWEAKS

You’ll have a clear opportunity to review the nearly-final cut and suggest refinements. That might include:

• Adjusting timing

• Swapping music

• Refining a visual detail

A great agency will guide you through this stage efficiently—helping make smart changes without overcomplicating the process.

DELIVERY IN MULTIPLE FORMATS

Once approved, your video is rendered and delivered in all the formats you need—whether that’s:

• HD or 4K resolution

• Square, vertical, or widescreen ratios

• Subtitled or sound-free versions

• Platform-optimized files for LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, or web

The final result? A ready-to-use, professionally produced video that’s strategically aligned and built to perform—wherever your audience finds it.

Once approved, your video is rendered in various formats to suit different platforms—social media, websites, presentations, and more. A good animated video production company won’t just hand you a single file—they’ll give you everything you need to make sure the video performs wherever it’s published.

They may also provide alternate cuts, subtitles, or thumbnail images depending on your needs and where the content will be used.

From Concept to Completion—Let’s Bring It to Life

The process of creating a high-performing animated video is a collaboration—from the first idea to the final upload. When you choose an experienced animated video production company, you gain a team that’s focused not just on making something beautiful, but something that works for your brand.

Looking to create a video that informs, engages, and inspires? Tell us about your project and we’ll help you turn your ideas into powerful, purpose-driven content.