Explore Diverse Animation Styles & Techniques
Hatch Studios has been producing animated video production content in a variety of styles (also known as techniques) since our studio was born. Though the three most common styles tend to be 3D animation, 2D animation, and motion graphics, there’s many more sub-categories. Additionally, any of these can be adapted to look like a different style. For example, we can produce 3D content but render it to like 2D, claymation, illustration and more!
Animation comes in a variety of styles, each offering unique ways to tell stories and convey emotions. As a leading animation production studio in the animation industry for decades, we’ve done a little bit of everything. Below we’ll take a look at the various styles available and discuss their benefits. These are all real projects we’ve created and there’s a link at the end of each to take you the category or project in full.
3D Animation
3D animation, often seen in blockbuster films, allows for highly detailed, realistic visuals and is great for epic storytelling or action-packed sequences. From a marketing standpoint, it’s excellent for showcasing physical objects as it accurately portrays materials, lighting and more. Due to the complexities involved, 3D animation tends to be more costly but the results are often worth it. Learn More
2D Animation
Traditional 2D animation, often characterized by hand-drawn images or digital illustrations, is ideal for vibrant, expressive narratives, such as those found in cartoons or children’s programming. The organic look of 2D animation is appealing to clients looking for a style effective at humanizing a potentially serious subject. Learn More
Motion Graphics
Motion graphics, which brings static graphic design elements to life through animation, is often used in advertisements, explainer videos, and branding due to its clean and professional look. Motion graphics are one of the most common types of animation due to their lower cost and faster production. Learn More
Stop-Motion Animation
Stop-motion animation, also often called “Claymation”, traditionally involved photographing objects frame-by-frame to create movement. It excels in creating tactile, whimsical worlds, making it perfect for films like The Nightmare Before Christmas. Using 3D animation, we can now simulate the tactile Claymation aesthetic. Learn More
Rotoscope Animation
Rotoscoping, which involves tracing over live-action footage to create realistic movement, is valuable for blending real and animated worlds, commonly used in music videos or experimental films. It has a unique aesthetic making it an exciting option for those looking to stand out. Learn More
Cartoon 3D Animation
Cartoon 3D animation is a popular choice for fun and quirky animation targeted towards a younger audience. Examples of this are films from Disney & Pixar. While 3D cartoon animation is occasionally used for marketing, it can be costly due to the complexity involved in designing and animating 3D characters. Learn More
Stylized 3D Animation
One of the most exciting applications of animation is stylized 3D graphics. This means using a medium that has been traditionally used for photorealistic rendering, to instead produce highly characters, backgrounds and environments. It requires extensive skills to design lovable stylized characters but the results are worth it. Learn More
Stylized 3D & Motion Graphics
One of the most unique methods of using animation is to combine various styles together, such as stylized 3D animation combined with motion graphics, for example. This can create truly unique results rarely seen, especially if they are properly integrated together. We have developed several projects in which we’ve combined different styles and techniques. Learn More
3D & Motion Graphics
This project for Ford was a bold combination of 3D animation for the vehicles combined with 2.5D motion graphics characters, and illustrative backgrounds. We can combine not just two, but several different styles of animation together. Learn More
3D & 2D Animation
Here’s another combination of two distinctly different animation styles, resulting in a bold and modern look. Learn More
Mixed Media Animation
Mixed media animation is a technique that combines different forms of visual media, such as 2D animation, 3D animation, live-action footage, photography and various art styles, to create a unique and dynamic visual experience. Learn More
Motion Capture
Motion capture, a technique used in animation and filmmaking where the movements of real actors are recorded and translated into digital models, is sometimes used for 3D animation production. The aesthetic is extremely realistic human motion assigned to often fantastic 3D subjects. Learn More
Abstract 3D Animation
There’s an entire category of 3D graphics built upon the abstract genre. Often these involve using experimental generate algorithms used to produce intricate and beautiful visuals. More often than not, these are custom-designed effects which is why no two are ever the same, and we have several examples of this. Learn More
Fractal 3D Animation
Sometimes considered a sub-set of abstract 3D animation, fractal-based 3D animation is also often experimental and achieved through specialized tools. Although it’s applications are less common than other forms of animation, the results can be breathtakingly beautiful, and suitable for some unique marketing campaigns. Learn More
In Conclusion
As you can see, each animation style offers unique advantages that can enhance various marketing strategies. Traditional 2D animation and motion graphics are perfect for creating engaging and visually appealing advertisements or social media content, while 3D animation can bring complex products or services to life in a dynamic and immersive way.
Stop-motion is great for creating a memorable, hands-on feel, ideal for showcasing creative campaigns, especially in niche markets. Motion capture adds realism, making it a strong choice for high-end promotional videos or virtual experiences. By selecting the right style, brands can effectively tailor their messaging to connect with specific audiences, elevate their brand presence, and stand out in a crowded market.
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Get in touch with us
To get started, send us an email outlining your project details and we’ll get back to you in less than 24 hours. Alternately, give us a call for a friendly introduction to the basics. This is often the best way to start your project.