For over 15 years, we have been making complex information easy to understand. Our award-winning animation studio specialises in 2D and 3D explanatory animations, infographics, and illustrations.
We start each assignment with a good conversation about the content, purpose and target audience. Based on the briefing, we write a short and concise text. We ping-pong this back and forth several times until we have a solid text.
Then the visual fireworks begin. We can work in an existing style or create a new style based on a brandguide. During the storyboard presentation, we show what the explanimation will look like and how the visual storytelling related to the text.
We propose voice-overs from our database of +200 voice-overs, matching the subject and target audience. After approving the storyboard, we record the voice-over and make a smooth edit.
Based on the voice-over and design, we create a professional explainer animation with stunning transitions between scenes. Then we bring the animation to life with sound design. For some animations, we also create a music composition to give the film extra pace and personality.
After a few weeks of designing, animating and sound design, we send the first version. After feedback, we deliver the final version with subtitles, plus additional promotional material such as stills from the animated explainer.
We work in all animation styles such as 2D animation, 3D animation, whiteboard animation, infographic animation, photography animation, mixed-media animation and hybrid presenter-led explainers. Based on a corporate identity manual or briefing, we create an engaging animation that fits within the budget. Whatever style we work in, we always ensure high quality and creativity.
With Creative Beards, you are choosing one of the best and most experienced animation companies in the Netherlands. Based in Utrecht, near Amsterdam, we’ve made animations in many different languages, from Dutch to Arabic, from English to Turkish. We created over 1,000 animated explainers, infographics and illustrations in sectors such as sports, healthcare, education, arts and culture, government, ICT, construction, safety, pensions, and many others. For both external and internal communication.
‘I had the pleasure of working with Creative Beards as the artistic production company for a visual writing cartoon. Creative Beards was at all times professional and patient in the commercial aspects of the engagement, connected very well with the client´s world and needs in the creative aspect, and managed to create a film that will truly serve its purpose – engaging people in the world of social collaboration. To echo the reception at the premier showing of the film: wow!’
‘Creative Beards did an outstanding job creating an animation. Producing a video is not only a creative process, but also a great catalyst to derive your companies key messages, what message do you really want to get across and how do you make that message simple, understandable, yet still professional. Even in complex environments with multiple stakeholders with different agendas, Creative Beards managed to help us out in a professional yet flexible way. Excellent work.’
‘As no other Creative Beards brings stories to its essence and to find the best way to get the message across. They are always professional and nice and easy to work with. We have worked together on several projects. All were succesful! But nothing beats our first team up. In that time visual animation was new to both of us. And even when things weren’t going as they supposed to, we stayed positive and found solutions.’
‘Creative Beards knows how to explain a difficult and complex process in a simple, understandable way. It’s easy to make things difficult, but it’s difficult to make things easy. They listened very carefully to our wishes and came up with clear solutions whenever we had a question or doubt. And the result was even better than I had hoped for.’
‘The Creative Beards have mastered the art of converting complex corporate stories into simple yet powerful animations. Working with them has been an absolute joy. Don’t let their unshaven appearance fool you, they are smooth operators who overcame a short deadline to deliver our project on time and within budget. I am already looking forward to our next collaboration, and can easily recommend them to others.’
The cost of having an explainer animation made depends on several factors. Especially the length of the animation video and the animation style are decisive. For example, if you have a 1-minute explainer made, it will take less time than a 3-minute explainer. And a 3D animation style takes more time to make than a 2D animation style. Contact us for a fixed-fee quote, a fixed price with no hidden costs afterwards.
from € 3,000
Clear text
Simple design
Solid animation
Voice-over
Simple sound design
Stock music
Subtitles
v.a. € 5,000
Clear text
Advanced design
Smooth animation
Voice-over
Advanced sound design
Stock music
Subtitles
v.a. € 7,000
Clear text
Pro design
Dynamic animation
Voice-over
Pro sound design
Custom music
Subtitles
A clear text is the foundation of an animation. We ensure that the text is understandable for the target group. For example, by checking for language level B1 or SEO search terms.
Every explainer animation should look attractive and move smoothly. Based on your corporate identity, we create designs that are attractive to the target group and as inclusive as possible.
We deliver every explainer with sound design, so that the video stands out even more. And we have a private database with more than 200 male and female voice-overs.
Mail or call for an introductory meeting or quotation.
Ted Griffioen | Copywriter
We have over 15 years of experience in many sectors and work in all styles. We understand you quickly, work with transparent prices and have strict project management. This allows us to take care of everything for our customers, stay within the set budget and meet our deadlines. All this ensures a smooth process with a good end result.
A basic 1-minute animation costs 3,000 euros, an advanced animation 5,000 and a pro animation 7,000 euros.
| Type of animation | Costs |
| Basic | 3,000 euros |
| Advanced | 5,000 euros |
| Pro | 7,000 euros |
You can always present us with your budget as a guideline, so we can see what animation styles would fit. We are also for hire when you only need an animator for you project.
Check out the portfolio, how long the studio has been around, and read the Google reviews. We also believe that there needs to be a connection. After all, you will be working together on an animation for several weeks, sometimes even months. So it makes sense to work with someone who understands you quickly and comes up with good solutions. With us, you have one contact person with whom you work throughout the entire process, so you won’t be “passed on” to someone else, as often happens at agencies.
By having an animated video made, you can clearly convey a message in a short time. The power of an explanimation lies in the combination of a catchy voice-over, attractive visuals and good sound design. Many people don’t like reading long texts; an explainer can tell a story in a fun and accessible way. You reach a large group of people with accessible content, by writing in B1. And by adding subtitles, you can also reach non-native speakers.
“How long does it take to make an animation film?” is a question we often hear. The average delivery time is 6 to 8 weeks, but we have also done speed projects in about 2 or 3 weeks. Let’s hit the ground running! The faster a project, the less time there is for consultation and coordination. That’s why a 6 to 8 weeks trajectory is often the best choice. Based on the requirements, we make a realistic schedule with clear feedback moments.
There is no right length for an explainer animation. It is best to look at the context in which it is shown. Most explanimations we make are between 1-2 minutes, because they are intended for a website, social media and other online channels. The tension curve is short online; you need to get your story down quickly. For meetings, you can take longer, because people sit in a room and watch more attentively. We have also made 3-minute instruction films and 10-minute vision films for that purpose.
Film is good at showing real people, showing existing situations. Think of a registration of an event. Or an advertisement of people eating soup. Explainers are suitable for showing situations that cannot always be captured in film. For example, to show a process in clear steps. Or to outline a situation you want to get to, which is not yet there. You can also combine film and animation to get the best out of both worlds.
The cheapest way is to work with design packages or animation packages. You won’t get a unique explanimation, but colour and typography can often be adapted to your wishes. A custom-made explainer, a style based on your house style, takes more hours to make and is therefore more expensive.
By having an animated video made, you can clearly convey a message in a short time. The power of an explanimation lies in the combination of a catchy voice-over, attractive visuals and good sound design. Many people don’t like reading long texts; an explainer can tell a story in a fun and accessible way. You reach a large group of people, including the low-literate by writing in B1. And by adding subtitles, you can also reach non-native speakers.
We are researching AI tools for creatives, but so far, they have shown little added value for our creative process. As an animation company, we believe in creative control: by making everything ourselves, images remain consistent, we can process feedback from clients, and creative rights are properly managed. This is not the case with AI.
Because it’s a fun name! The name comes from our early days when we had beards and wanted to do “something creative”. Creative Beards was born. Occasionally, we are also accidentally referred to as Creative Bears or Creative Birds. We turn a blind eye to this 😉
