Whiteboard animation is an amazing tool! It can explain everything from a change in law to the latest scientific theories about black holes. If this wasn’t enough, we conducted research with Professor Richard Wiseman that found that whiteboard animations result in a 15% information retention increase while also making viewers 66% more likely to share when compared with standard talking head videos.
Increasingly the research is showing that the most effective communications:
are made up of great creative content that cuts through the noise and stays with people
are strongly linked to your brand
Whiteboard animations are great at linking into branding and next levelling marketing campaigns! But before you type in ‘free whiteboard animation software’ straight into google, there are some very good reasons why working with a professional studio team creates a much stronger, more engaging and memorable explainer animation than the generic cut and paste software equivalent.
Your Message Deserves More Than a Template
Author Daniel Pink appears in his own animation, advertising his book ‘When’.
Author Daniel Pink didn’t just write a bestselling book—he appeared in his own whiteboard animation to promote it. Why? Because when done right, these videos don’t just explain—they amplify.
Here’s the thing: DIY software tools give you the basics. But when your message really matters—when it needs to land, stick, and spark action—you need more than drag-and-drop assets.
A professional studio works with you to:
Understand your brand’s voice and values
Create custom illustrations and characters tailored to your audience
Seamlessly integrate the animation into your broader marketing strategy
No stock characters. No mismatched fonts. Just a clean, cohesive message crafted exactly for you.
The Creative Process Makes All the Difference
Whiteboard animations, such as this one for Quantum Discoveries, start out as blueline drawings while ideas are discussed and finalised.
Let’s be honest—great work never comes from rushing or cutting corners. Just like you wouldn’t build a house without a blueprint, you shouldn’t create an explainer video without a solid creative process.
At a studio, the process starts with collaboration. Ideas are sketched out (often literally) in the form of blue-line drawings. Scripts are written, reviewed, and reworked. Every decision is made with your goals, audience, and brand in mind.
And the best part? There are no creative limits. If you can imagine it, the team can draw it—and animate it. That means your video will never look like anyone else’s. Ever.
Visual Thinking That Goes Beyond the Obvious
For EuroQol, we turned their dimensions of health in a fitting room mirror.
Whiteboard animations are powerful because they let you think—and see—outside the box. Software often forces you to colour inside the lines. A studio team? They break the lines entirely.
From metaphors to abstract visuals to playful character design, custom illustrations:
Clarify your message
Capture attention
Make ideas unforgettable
Whether it’s turning health dimensions into a fitting room mirror or portraying a business journey as a satellite launch, these visuals help people understand and feel your message. This blog post provides a deeper look at visual thinking.
We reflected the wide range of people who use forests for #forestproud.
Speak Directly to Your Audience
Relevance and relatability aren’t just buzzwords—they’re the difference between a viewer zoning out or leaning in. And sadly, most animation software isn’t built for nuance.
You know your audience better than anyone—what they care about, what they laugh at, what they scroll past. A good studio takes that knowledge and bakes it into every frame, from background details to the way characters speak and move. That’s the kind of animation people remember—and share.
In telling Issoria’s story, we used the metaphor of launching a satellite to embody the stages of development they offer their clients.
A Killer Script + Visual Storytelling = Pure Gold
Every unforgettable whiteboard animation starts with a solid script. It’s the foundation on which everything else is built. Studios have professional scriptwriters who know how to turn your ideas into a compelling narrative—structured perfectly for visuals and voiceover.
Why does that matter? Because humans are wired for stories. From ancient cave drawings to modern TikToks, we connect with messages when they follow a narrative arc.
Pair that with skilled visual storytelling, and you’ve got a one-two punch that connects emotionally and delivers information with real impact.
This animation for the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families highlights the interplay between visuals, voiceover and script.
Voice Matters—Literally
A good voiceover can elevate your animation from “meh” to masterpiece. But recording crisp, clear audio that sounds professional isn’t as easy as grabbing a mic at home.
Studios work with seasoned voice actors and professional recording setups. That means:
The tone fits your brand
The pacing supports the visuals
The delivery speaks directly to your audience
The result? Your animation doesn’t just look good—it sounds good, too.
Our animation for WeTransfer used charm at every stage to emphasize the person centred nature of their message.
The Secret Sauce: Humour and Heart
You can’t fake charm. And you definitely can’t fake the kind of clever, audience-tailored humour that makes someone grin while watching your explainer video.
Whether it’s a cheeky nod to a pop culture reference or a delightful drawing style, charm is what makes your video feel human. It builds trust, creates connection, and brings your brand to life in a way that software just… can’t.
And when you're dealing with dense or dry topics, a little humour can go a long way in making things more accessible—and even enjoyable.
Whiteboard animations should be tailored and bespoke, like a good suit. Like a good suit, the quality shows in every aspect. This tailored approach allows your whiteboard animation to be fitted perfectly to you, your brand, your campaign and perhaps most importantly - your audience. Off-the-shelf templates and stock image-based whiteboard animation software and apps will never give you the creative scope to communicate your brand and vision to the level it deserves.
We are passionate about whiteboard animation, and love using it to supercharge people’s stories. Our connection with the medium goes back to its beginning, when we invented it in the process of creating the RSA Animates series. We’d love to supercharge your story and give your message the exposure it needs.
Cognitive are award-winning pioneers of whiteboard animation, and the creators behind the RSA Animates series. We help corporate, academic and charitable organisations like the BBC, TED, Coca Cola and Sanofi to tell their stories more powerfully. Find out more about us here.
Before you type in ‘free whiteboard animation software’ straight into google, there are some very good reasons why working with a professional studio team creates a much stronger explainer animation.