Top Animation Trends to Watch in 2025

The world of animation is changing fast, and if you blink, you might just miss the next big thing. Whether you’re deep in the production world or a business looking to create compelling animated content, knowing the latest animation trends is a must. From 3D animation to motion graphics, the techniques and tools are evolving at a rapid pace and 2025 is shaping up to be a transformative year.

At Hatch Studios, we’ve seen trends come and go since we started decades ago. Whiteboard videos were all the rage 5 years ago but they’ve almost entirely disappeared since then. Not knowing what’s happening in current trends may mean the difference between developing an out-of-style aesthetic vs. a killer new style.

What keeps us ahead is our ability to stay nimble and adopt new technologies while maintaining high standards for storytelling and design. In this article, we’ll break down the animation trends 2025 has in store and how your brand can benefit from staying on the cutting edge.

1. Hyper-Realistic 3D Animation

3D animation isn’t new, but it’s getting a serious facelift. Thanks to advancements in GPU rendering and tools like Unreal Engine, photorealistic visuals are now more accessible than ever. We’re seeing studios push the boundaries with photorealism, which is especially effective for product visualization and immersive storytelling.

As a 3D animation company, Hatch Studios has adopted these tools to create stunning visual experiences that blur the line between the real and the rendered. The difference today? Real-time rendering lets us deliver faster and more cost-effective solutions without sacrificing quality.

2. The Rise of AI-Assisted Animation

AI is becoming a game-changer. From automating in-between frames to enhancing lip sync accuracy, artificial intelligence is speeding up workflows. It’s not about replacing artists – it’s about giving them more creative freedom by removing the repetitive stuff.

AI-driven animation is also helping with predictive motion paths and facial animation, making it easier than ever to craft lifelike expressions without manually keyframing every blink or smirk. If you’re keeping an eye on animation industry trends 2025, AI integration is one to watch.

And even AI video generators such as Runway ML are providing tools to better assist animators – such as the ability to provide a start and end frame for inbetweening.

3. Stylized Minimalism

Not every project needs the flash of hyperrealism. In fact, one of the biggest trends in animation right now is a return to clean, stylized minimalism. Think strong shapes, limited palettes, and smart use of space. This design-forward approach is great for marketing videos and explainer animations, where clarity and brand identity matter most.

This same approach can apply to characters as well, and they really turn out beautifully.

A minimalist 3D character design prioritizes simplicity and clean lines, often using a limited color palette and avoiding excessive detail. These characters are characterized by their uncluttered appearance, geometric shapes, and a focus on essential elements rather than intricate features. 

Key Characteristics:

Focus on Essential Elements: The design concentrates on the core features of the character, rather than adding decorative details. 

Simplicity: Minimalism emphasizes the absence of unnecessary details and complexity.

Clean Lines: Characters often feature crisp, well-defined edges and straight lines.

Limited Color Palette: Minimalist designs frequently use a monochromatic palette or a small selection of colors, with color potentially used as an accent.

Geometric Shapes: Characters might be constructed from basic geometric shapes, like cubes, spheres, or cylinders.

We’ve used this approach for everything from animated infographics to social media promos—especially when our clients need to communicate big ideas in small timeframes.

4. Merging 2D and 3D Elements

The “2D vs 3D animation” debate? It’s a timeless debate. In 2025, it’s all about the blend. Modern animations are leveraging the flat look of 2D with the depth and movement of 3D, creating a hybrid style that feels both nostalgic and futuristic.

This merging is especially popular in title sequences, commercials, and music videos. Hatch Studios often experiments with combining traditional hand-drawn elements with 3D backgrounds or effects to give our projects a unique, dynamic feel, such as our spot above developed for Ford.

5. Vertical Video Formatting

With TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts dominating content consumption, vertical formatting is no longer optional – it’s essential. Smart animation studios are designing from the ground up with 9:16 ratios in mind.

This format changes everything: composition, pacing, and even character design. Hatch Studios has adapted to this shift by building flexible workflows that allow for seamless horizontal-to-vertical conversions without compromising visual integrity.

As a matter of fact, we start all our projects by first understanding all the various aspect ratios that’ll be required and then figure out the best staging to accommodate them all.

6. Motion Branding

Another big player in the current trends in animation is motion branding. We’re talking about animated logos, dynamic UI animations, and looping brand assets that live across digital platforms. It’s about creating a cohesive, recognizable identity in motion.

Hatch has always believed in storytelling through motion. By animating brand elements with intention, we help businesses carve a deeper connection with their audience.

7. Environmental and Ethical Storytelling

As younger audiences demand more authenticity, brands are shifting towards stories that reflect their values. Animation is now being used to address complex issues like sustainability, diversity, and mental health in an engaging and digestible way.

Studios like Hatch are taking this seriously, working with NGOs and mission-driven companies to create narratives that matter. It’s not just about being trendy—it’s about using animation as a force for good.

8. Advanced Motion Graphics for UI/UX

Motion design is evolving fast, particularly in the UI/UX world. Designers are now integrating micro-interactions and animated transitions to enhance user experience. These aren’t just aesthetic choices – they’re functional, guiding the user journey and boosting engagement.

At Hatch, we’ve worked closely with web and app development teams to create motion that’s both beautiful and purposeful. This level of animation detail helps users intuitively understand interfaces, which in turn improves satisfaction and retention.

9. Virtual Production Pipelines

Thanks to tools like Unreal Engine and advanced motion capture, the world of virtual production is becoming mainstream. This workflow allows creators to animate in real-time, streamlining everything from previz to final comp.

Motion capture suits can instantly capture human motion and apply it to any 3D model. Our project above titled “Motion Capture”, exemplifies this process.

This is especially helpful for clients with tight timelines. Hatch Studios has been integrating real-time tools into our process to accelerate delivery and open up more creative possibilities during the feedback loop.

10. Data-Driven Animation

Personalization is huge. Now, animations can adapt to viewer data, showing different text, colors, or scenes depending on user interaction or demographic info. This makes for more relevant and engaging content, particularly in email marketing and e-commerce.

Hooking up data to 3D graphics can present unique and exciting new possibilities, such as our project above where we’ve linked image data to polygon height extrusions.

We’re excited about the potential for creating smart animations that adjust based on viewer behavior. It’s one of those latest animation trends 2025 that feels futuristic but is already in play.

How Hatch Studios Stays Ahead

Trends don’t just happen. They’re shaped by studios willing to experiment, push boundaries, and invest in learning. At Hatch Studios, we’ve made it our mission to stay ahead of the curve. We experiment with new and exciting techniques in our spare time because we love what we do.

With decades of experience in 3D animation, motion graphics, and storytelling, we’re constantly evolving. Whether it’s exploring new rendering engines, diving into AI workflows, or perfecting our 3D animation techniques, we bring innovation to every frame.

We’re not just following animation trends – we’re helping set them.

Final Thoughts: Future-Proof Your Brand

If you’re planning a video campaign or looking to refresh your brand’s digital presence, now’s the perfect time to embrace what’s next. The animation trends 2025 offers are diverse, exciting, and packed with potential.

Working with a team like Hatch Studios means you’re collaborating with trendsetters who live and breathe this world.

Want to bring these trends to life in your next project? Let’s talk.