Creating an animated video is an exciting and creative journey. Whether you’re developing a product explainer, a brand story, an educational video, or a social media ad, animation gives you the power to bring ideas to life in a way that static images or live-action simply can’t. But one of the most common questions clients and marketers ask is: how long does it take to create an animated video?
The short answer is it depends. The full answer requires understanding each stage of the animation production process, the complexity of the visuals, the length of the video, the number of revisions, and the size of the team involved. Animation is not just about moving pictures it’s about crafting a message through design, storytelling, voice, sound, and precise timing.
Understanding the Phases of Animation Production
To create an animated video, most professional studios or freelance animators follow a structured process. While tools and workflows may vary, the core stages remain consistent: discovery, scripting, storyboarding, design, animation, and final delivery. Each step requires collaboration, creativity, and approval before moving to the next.
Unlike rushed, one-size-fits-all content, animated videos involve careful planning. That’s what makes them so effective they’re purposeful at every frame. Let’s look at what each stage includes and how much time you should allocate.
Discovery and Strategy (1 to 5 Days)
The first phase is all about understanding the purpose of the video. Before jumping into visuals, you and your creative team must be aligned on the goal, target audience, tone, messaging, and style.
This is often done through a kick-off call or briefing session. For brands, this might also involve reviewing existing assets, tone guidelines, or branding kits. If you’re working with an agency or studio, they’ll use this time to ask questions, understand your business, and define the scope of the video.
This phase typically takes one to five business days depending on scheduling and how clearly the objectives are defined. The clearer the vision, the smoother the project will be.
Scriptwriting (2 to 5 Days)
Once the direction is clear, it’s time to write the script. This is one of the most critical parts of the process when you set the tone and pacing of your video.
Scripts are usually written in a two-column format: voiceover on one side and visual direction on the other. For a 60-second video, the script is roughly 140 to 160 words long. For longer videos, scripting takes more time but follows the same principles.
If you’re working with a writer, expect one or two drafts followed by a round of feedback. Depending on the complexity of your message, this stage can take between two to five business days.
To successfully create an animated video, a clear and concise script sets the foundation for everything that follows.
Storyboarding (3 to 7 Days)
Storyboarding is the process of turning the script into a visual roadmap. Think of it as a comic strip of your animation. Each panel represents a key frame or moment in the video. It outlines what the viewer will see and when, including visual transitions, camera movement, and scene layout.
This stage helps eliminate surprises later in production. It gives everyone a chance to visualize the direction and request changes before animation begins saving time and money down the line.
Depending on how detailed the storyboard is and how many scenes your video contains, storyboarding takes between three to seven days. This phase is especially important when you create an animated video for a brand with specific design requirements or complex narratives.
Design and Illustration (5 to 10 Days)
Once the storyboard is approved, the illustration and design phase begins. Here, your animation team creates the visual assets: characters, backgrounds, icons, and typography. These assets are designed in alignment with your brand style and storyboard visuals.
For videos with custom characters or detailed environments, illustration can take longer. For more straightforward explainer videos, the process is quicker.
This stage is where the look and feel of your video is finalized. You’ll often receive a “style frame” or “visual sample” before the full set of graphics is created to ensure the design is heading in the right direction.
Expect this phase to take about five to ten business days, especially if your video is between one to two minutes in length.
Designing assets is one of the most creative (and fun) parts of the process to create an animated video, and it greatly impacts the visual appeal of your final product.
Voiceover Recording (1 to 3 Days)
While visuals are being created, voiceover recording can happen in parallel. If your video includes narration, the script is sent to a voice actor who matches your brand tone.
You’ll usually be presented with a few voice options male or female, different accents or styles before making a final choice. Once selected, the voice actor records the script, and the team syncs the timing with the planned animation.
If revisions are required or multiple takes are recorded, this stage may take up to three days, but in many cases, it can be completed in one to two.
To successfully create an animated video that feels polished, a professional voiceover is a small but impactful investment.
Animation and Motion Design (7 to 15 Days)
Now comes the most intensive and time-consuming phase animation. This is where all the illustrations are brought to life. Animators work frame-by-frame or use motion tools to add transitions, movements, and effects.
The time required depends on the complexity of your animation. A basic explainer with simple transitions may take a week. A character-driven story or detailed motion graphic video can take two to three weeks.
Animation is typically reviewed in draft format before final edits are applied. It’s common for studios to present a “first cut” so the client can give feedback before locking the visuals.
To create an animated video that truly resonates, this phase must be done with care. Rushed animation shows. Taking the right time ensures your story flows smoothly, and every detail aligns with the message.
Sound Design and Final Edits (2 to 4 Days)
After the animation is approved, sound design adds the final layer of polish. This includes background music, sound effects, transitions, and syncing the audio perfectly with the visuals.
Audio is a powerful storytelling tool. It builds emotion, emphasizes key points, and keeps viewers engaged. Good sound design elevates even the most basic video into something cinematic.
After sound is complete, the video is rendered and formatted for delivery whether that’s HD, square, vertical, or custom dimensions for social platforms.
This final stretch usually takes two to four days, depending on the number of formats required and any last-minute edits.
When you create an animated video, the final product should be ready for multi-platform use—web, email, ads, and more.
Total Time: What to Expect
For a standard 60 to 90-second professional animated video, the full timeline from discovery to final delivery typically ranges from 4 to 6 weeks. More complex videos, especially those with custom characters, multiple languages, or extensive motion graphics, may take 6 to 8 weeks or longer.
Rush projects are possible, but they often come with additional costs and potential compromises in creative quality. If your timeline is tight, be upfront during the planning stage so the team can build a realistic schedule.
Planning ahead gives you more flexibility for feedback, iterations, and approvals all of which contribute to a better result.
If you’re preparing to create an animated video, it’s wise to align your internal team early, confirm availability for reviews, and be ready to approve each stage in a timely manner. This keeps production moving smoothly.
Conclusion
Creating an animated video is not just about assembling visuals it’s a structured creative journey that blends strategy, storytelling, design, and motion. From concept to final delivery, each phase adds value and requires time.
Understanding the full timeline to create an animated video helps you plan more effectively, communicate better with your creative team, and set realistic expectations for stakeholders.
Whether you’re a startup introducing a product or a brand building a campaign, animation offers you the power to explain, engage, and inspire. But like all good things, it takes time to do it right.
Start early, trust the process, and work with professionals who understand how to turn your message into a compelling visual experience. In return, you’ll get an animated video that doesn’t just look good but delivers results.
