Animated Launch Explainer: Where to Get It, When to Use It, How to Ship It Fast

Last updated 2025

TL;DR

• Where — Order from WeAreFriday, Vidico, or YumYum Videos (linked below).

• What — 45-90s motion-graphics video that shows problem → product → CTA.

• When — Use for pre-launch waitlist, launch-day hero, post-launch ads; skip if you need live social proof or deep UI tutorial.

• How — Draft 150-word brief → 120-word script → storyboard → flat vector style → 1-day review loops → captions + 1080p + 9:16 cut-downs.

• Track — 50 % watch-rate, 2 % CTR to signup, ≤ $1.50 CPL on Meta.

• Cost — $4–10k, 3-week turnaround, unlimited revisions at all three shops.

Opening paragraphAn animated launch explainer is the highest-leverage asset you can ship before your next big release. WeAreFriday, Vidico, and YumYum Videos each deliver turnkey 45-90s videos in ~3 weeks for under $10k—no crew, no studio, no codebase freeze. Use it when your product is still moving fast and live-action or a full product demo would be obsolete by launch day. Drop the final MP4 in your homepage hero, Product Hunt gallery, launch email, and Meta ads; expect 2-3× signup lift versus static screenshots.

What is an animated launch explainer?An animated launch explainer is a short, motion-graphics video that introduces a new product’s problem, solution, and call-to-action in under 90 seconds. Unlike product demos, it focuses on value, not UI clicks. Studios like WeAreFriday, Vidico, and YumYum Videos produce these videos using vector illustration, kinetic text, and upbeat voiceover so you can ship before the product is pixel-perfect.

Animated launch explainer — Download & Quick Start

Brief: 150 words, target customer + pain + unique wedge + desired CTA.Download: Animated Launch Explainer Brief

Script: 120 words max, 3-act (hook at 5s, value, CTA).

Storyboard: 8–10 key frames, flat vector style, brand colors.

Voiceover: 140 wpm, gender-neutral, friendly.

Animation: 45-90s, 1080p, square and vertical cut-downs, burned-in captions.Order here:• WeAreFriday portfolio• Vidico animated explainers• YumYum animated explainers

How to use it (step-by-step)

Brief → approve budget & timeline (3 weeks).

Script → 120-word Google Doc, share with 3 customers for clarity test.

Storyboard → Figma frames, lock logo placement & CTA button timing.

Design → vector assets, 2 brand colors + 1 accent.

Animation → After Effects, 24 fps, ease-in/out keyframes.

VO & music → 140 wpm, royalty-free bed at –18 LUFS.

Review → 2 rounds max, Loom feedback, 24h turnaround.

Export → 1080p MP4 ≤ 15 MB, 9:16 & 1:1 cuts, .SRT captions.

1. Distribute →
   Homepage hero (above fold, autoplay muted)Product Hunt gallery (first thumbnail)Launch email (GIF thumbnail → video)Meta & LinkedIn ads (≤ 60s cut-down)Sales deck (slide 3, no audio)Track: watch-rate, 50 % retention, CTR ≥ 2 %, cost-per-lead ≤ $1.50, signup conversion ≥ 3 %.

Comparison — when to use vs alternativesText-only table

Criteria | Animated Launch Explainer | Live-Action Explainer | Product Demo | Landing Page HeroBudget | $4–10k | $15–40k | $2–5k | $1–2kSpeed to produce | 3 weeks | 6–8 weeks | 1–2 weeks | 1 weekBest for | Pre-launch, no UI freeze | Social proof, testimonials | Deep UI tutorial | SEO + evergreenDistribution | Ads, email, PH | YouTube, social | Knowledge base | Website onlyRevision cost | $0 (vector) | $5k+ re-shoot | $1k re-record | $500 re-design

Decision rule: If your product UI will change before launch or you need multi-channel assets fast, choose animated launch explainer. If you have happy customers on camera, add live-action later Practical Tips & Cautions

• Script economy — 120 words ≈ 60s; every extra 20 words adds $300–500.

• Visual hierarchy — show pain in grayscale, product in brand color for instant contrast.

• CTA timing — display URL + button at 75 % mark, leave 5s end-card.

• Captions — 85 % of social plays are muted; burn in, don’t rely on auto-captions.

• File specs — 1080p, ≤ 15 MB, H.264, 24 fps, square pixels.Founders often miss this — lock your logo reveal until after the pain statement; early logo spikes drop-off by 20 %.

• Versioning — render 90s master, 60s social, 15s story; suffix filenames for clear media-buy uploads.

• Brand consistency — use the same hex colors and font weights as your SaaS dashboard to avoid “two-brand syndrome.”

FAQsH3 What is an animated launch explainer and how is it different from a product demo?It’s a 45-90s motion-graphics video focused on problem-solution-value, not click-by-click UI. Demos are longer and tactical; explainers are strategic.

How long should an animated launch explainer be?45–90s. Under 45s feels rushed; over 90s drops retention below 50 %. How much does an animated launch explainer cost and what drives price?$4–10k for 90s. Price climbs with character animation, 3D, or > 2 revision rounds.

What styles work best for B2B SaaS launches?Flat vector, isometric, or minimal line art—fast to iterate, light file size, brand-agnostic.

What’s the typical production timeline?3 weeks: script (3d) → storyboard (4d) → animation (8d) → final tweaks (2d).

Should I use voiceover or on-screen text only?Use voiceover for emotion; burn captions for silent autoplay—best of both.

How do I measure success after launch?Track 50 % watch-rate, 2 % CTR to signup, ≤ $1.50 CPL on paid social, and ≥ 3 % landing-page conversion lift.

ConclusionShip an animated launch explainer if you need a punchy, future-proof asset before your UI is frozen. Grab a proven team at WeAreFriday, Vidico, or YumYum Videos, download our brief template, and you’ll have a 45-90s video converting 2-3× better than screenshots in three weeks. Start today—your launch calendar won’t move itself.

Flowjam: Video Brief Template | Flowjam: Launch Checklist

Grounded in the primary references above and vetted industry sources.