Animation is the art of bringing still images or objects to life through movement. From timeless Disney classics to hyper-realistic CGI and quirky stop motion ads, animation has evolved into one of the most powerful storytelling tools in film, advertising, gaming, and education.

But with so many styles out there, it can be tricky to understand which type of animation is best for your project.

In this guide, we’ll explore the 10 most common types of animation, explain how they work, show examples, and highlight where each style shines.

1. Traditional Animation (2D, Hand-Drawn)

• What it is: The oldest form of animation, where artists draw each frame by hand. Disney’s Snow White and Studio Ghibli films are perfect examples.

• How it works: A series of drawings on paper or cels are photographed in sequence to create fluid motion.

• Best for: Storytelling with expressive characters, timeless visual styles, and emotional depth.

• Modern use: Still popular in TV cartoons, explainer videos, and mobile apps (now mostly digital).

2. 2D Digital Animation

• What it is: A modern version of traditional animation, created with digital tools like Adobe Animate or Toon Boom.

• How it works: Artists animate characters and scenes in a flat, two-dimensional space using keyframes, vector graphics, and digital rigging.

• Best for: Explainers, marketing videos, cartoons, educational content.

• Example: South Park and Rick and Morty showcase how versatile (and cost-effective) 2D digital animation can be.

3. 3D Animation (CGI)

• What it is: The most widely used animation style today, employing computer-generated imagery (CGI). Pixar’s Toy Story revolutionized this field.

• How it works: Animators build 3D models, then add textures, lighting, and motion inside virtual environments.

• Best for: Feature films, video games, VR/AR, product demos, and realistic visualizations.

• Business use: Tech and B2B companies use 3D animation to explain complex products and systems.

4. Stop Motion Animation

• What it is: Real objects (like clay models, puppets, or cutouts) are photographed frame by frame. Famous examples include Wallace & Gromit and Coraline.

• How it works: Each small movement of the object is captured, then played back in sequence.

• Best for: Ads, quirky storytelling, product demos, and indie films.

• Why it works: Stop motion has a handcrafted, tactile charm that feels personal and memorable.

5. Claymation (Clay Animation)

• What it is: A form of stop motion using clay figures. Shows like Robot Chicken are built entirely with clay models.

• Best for: Playful, humorous, or artistic storytelling.

• Tip: Because it’s time-consuming, claymation is often used in short-form projects like ads or shorts rather than full-length films.

6. Rotoscoping

• What it is: Animators trace over live-action footage frame by frame to create realistic motion.

• How it works: Used both as an art style (A Scanner Darkly) and as a VFX technique for removing backgrounds or adding effects.

• Best for: Combining realism with artistry, or seamlessly integrating animation into live footage.

7. Motion Graphics

• What it is: Animated graphics, icons, and text. Think explainer videos, app demos, and animated infographics.

• How it works: Instead of characters, it focuses on shapes, typography, and visual data.

• Best for: Branding, product explainers, social media content, UI/UX animations.

• Example: Intro sequences in films, or TikTok/LinkedIn ads with animated stats.

8. Typography Animation (Kinetic Typography)

• What it is: Moving text used to emphasize messages, taglines, or lyrics.

• How it works: Fonts and words are animated to flow, bounce, expand, or transform.

• Best for: Marketing campaigns, presentations, intros, and product launches.

• Why it works: Eye-catching, modern, and perfect for short attention spans.

9. Whiteboard Animation

• What it is: Animated illustrations that look like they’re being drawn on a whiteboard.

• How it works: Often used with a voiceover that explains step by step as the visuals appear.

• Best for: Educational videos, tutorials, training, and B2B product explainers.

• Why it works: Clear, simple, and easy to follow — great for complex topics.

10. Hybrid / Live-Action with Animation

• What it is: Mixing real footage with animated elements. Classic example: Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

• Modern examples: Ads that overlay animated graphics on real products; Spider-Verse blends 2D comic effects with 3D CGI.

• Best for: Campaigns that want to feel creative, futuristic, or immersive.

Final Thoughts

Animation is no longer limited to cartoons or movies — it powers ads, apps, games, branding, education, and social media. Each type of animation brings its own strengths, from the timeless charm of hand-drawn 2D to the futuristic immersion of 3D CGI.

Whether you’re a marketer, filmmaker, or designer, choosing the right animation style can make your story unforgettable.