How the Four-Step Process Makes Animated Explainer Videos Easier to Create

How the Four-Step Process Makes Animated Explainers Easier to Create

Animated explainer videos bring ideas to life in a clear, engaging way — but for many people, the process can feel overwhelming at the beginning. There are visuals to create, messages to shape and motion to plan.

The good news is that animation becomes much easier once you understand the workflow behind it. At FastCut, every explainer follows four key stages: scripting, storyboarding, plate design and animation.

These steps are designed to make the project smooth, predictable and creatively focused.

1. Scripting: Getting the Message Right
Every explainer starts with a clear message. Scripting is where we define what the video needs to communicate and how to express it simply and effectively.
This stage gives the project direction. Once the message is right, the entire team has a shared understanding of what the video needs to achieve.

2. Storyboarding: Planning the Visual Flow
With the script approved, we move into storyboarding — turning words into a planned sequence.
A storyboard outlines how each moment will look on screen, how scenes connect and where key transitions sit. This step gives everyone a clear picture of how the story will unfold before any detailed artwork is created.
Storyboarding builds confidence and alignment early on.

3. Plate Design: Creating the Visual Style
Plate design is where the explainer finds its visual identity. Here we develop the artwork that will appear in the final animation — the colours, characters, typography and shapes that give the video its personality.
This stage sets the look and feel so that everyone knows exactly what the finished video will resemble.
Approving the plates gives the animation team everything they need to bring the story to life.

4. Animation: Bringing Everything Together
With a clear message, structured storyboard and approved artwork, animation becomes a focused, creative stage.
This is where timing, movement and transitions add energy and clarity. The ideas become motion, the visuals gain rhythm and the message becomes engaging and easy to understand.
Animation is the final expression of all the planning that came before it. what the finished video will resemble.
Approving the plates gives the animation team everything they need to bring the story to life.

The FastCut Take

The animated explainer process may look complex from the outside, but with the right workflow, it becomes structured and enjoyable. Each step has a purpose. Each step builds on the last. And together, they guide the project from idea to finished video with clarity and confidence.
When the process is followed, animation doesn’t feel intimidating — it feels achievable.

Find out more

Thinking about an animated explainer for your business? See how we make them on our animated explainer videos page, or submit a brief and we'll come back with a plan and a price.